1/A-CO, 1-2IN - Alpha Company, First Platoon

After action report

Objectives:

Convoy to 5 area villages (Gouara, Afofo Kiska, Afofo, Afofo Bangoua, Afofo Gangna) to secure them and distribute supplies to residents.

Accidents:

NSTR

Areas of Strength:

React to contact: First Platoon identified and suppressed hostiles contacts in and around most of the objectives, moving quickly to destroy them; and squads and sections supported one another effectively in multiple firefights. Suppressive fires: Vehicle gunners and dismounted medium/light machinegunners engaged enemy positions with good effect throughout the patrol, establishing fire superiority to fix and destroy a large number of hostile insurgents; Widowmakers have improved this techniques steadily over the few weeks. Medical treatment: Widowmaker Doc reinforced squads when necessary, leading or supervising Tactical Combat Casualty Care that saved many lives; and Squad Medics and CLS also contributed substantially in virtually every contact. Soldiers, if you haven't attended one of our 68W Combat Medic Schools yet, sign up for the next one on 24 JUL!

Areas of Weakness:

Movement: Widowmakers must decrease the amount of time reforming convoys after an assault, rallying after receiving replacement vehicles from friendly forces, etc.; once the PL or PSG makes the call, Squad Leaders need to put their Solders in motion; two minutes is acceptable, and one minute is the standard! Organization: Additionally, Squads Leaders need to ensure all men are accounted for and mounted once the movement order is given; take your position in the formation and sound off via radio once set; and communicate any issue that might slow down further movement (e.g. damaged vehicle) before the order to move is given! Vehicle security: Last, but certainly not least, protect your damn vics! They are not only expensive, but they're sometimes all you've got between you and Moctar with his AK. Defend all vehicles like your life, and those of your buddies, depend on it; Utilize rocks and terrain allowing hull down positioning, dig trenches, and continuously scan for contacts! And remember to plan ahead for the next step in our movement order...don't box yourself in!

Suggested Improvements:

First Platoon will train on mounted and dismounted patrolling, with a focus on organization and timeliness. Soldiers will refine their use of Strykers and other vehicles to support our missions.

Overall Outcome:

Positive

Summary:

First Platoon mounted 3x Strykers and convoyed from FOB Dr. Jones west and north to our objectives. En route, Widowmakers encountered BLUFOR personnel operating in the vicinity. South of the first village, Gouara, Soldiers staged on PL Alpha and from there began pushing north. Soldiers encountered friendly civilians throughout the village and distributed medical aid to them.

From there, Widowmakers reformed the convoy and continued west-northwest towards the next two villages. En route, however, we took accurate GP-25 fire, blunting our movement and inflicting several casualties. Squads in contacts began engaging and suppressing hostiles while the platoon moved to destroy these targets. The Platoon split into 2 sections with PL leading Alpha Section south to OBJs Kipper and Alpo, and PSG leading Bravo Section north to OBJs Baloney and Gizzard. Sections cleared their respective OBJs, neutralizing EI and technicals. No civilians were located in any of these 4 villages.

During the final clearance phase, Alpha Company received a call from BLUFOR units in the midst of an ambush. First Platoon rallied on OBJ Alpo and pushed south to the US Army camp under ambush. En route, our convoy took heavy fire and maneuvered offroad to assault EI surrounding the camp. The camp itself was heavily damaged, with a number of KIA. Widowmakers dug in and defended the location against several more attacks, treating friendly casualties and taking stock available vehicles and equipment. However, Platoon HQ received another message that Gouara, the first village, we under attack. We were ordered to respond immediately.

With this tasking, First Platoon mounted up and broke contact, egressing north. Widowmakers received additional information that an enemy force was gathered in the jungle south of the MSR leading east to Gouara, and was ordered to destroy it. Soldiers dismounted, and under cover of the vics,movements south to contact. Taking withering machinegun fires, Widowmakers eliminated these contacts with several casualties. With the vicinity clear, we continued moving back to Gouara.

At the village, Sections took their positions on Phaseline Bravo under heavy fire. The Platoon conducted a hasty assault, from the north and began clearing compound by compound. GSIM forces had occupied the entire village, killing virtually all inhabitants that we had spoken with an hour before. After treating our wounded and rallying our vehicles, First Platoon mounted up for RTB. The mission started at 1500 and ended at 1725. Mission was COMPLETED.

Annex A.1