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

After action report

Objectives:

Parachute southwest of Masakali (OBJ Radio Star), assault OBJ Radio Star and destroy all communications equipment and infrastructure, assault and clear city of Geydam-Tchoukou (OBJ Video), rescue US hostages and capture HVT Sedam Ag Hita.

Accidents:

2x KIA, 2x WIA

Areas of Strength:

All Around Security: Widowmakers practiced effective 360° security throughout the mission, establishing and maintaining sectors while linking up on the DZ, covering each others' movements to the RV, and providing first aid to the wounded; leaders coordinated with higher and one another to fill gaps and neutralized enemy forces; and Soldiers continued to maintain good security on the phaselines and inside the objectives. Comms: Junior leaders and Soldiers relayed change of command reports and additional information on Platoon net very effectively in spite of the high casualty rate; and Squads helped to sustain the Platoon's situational awareness by giving SITREPs in a timely manner. Fire Discipline: Squads conducted React to Fire and Assaults well, employing the appropriate fires on the right targets; and Soldiers restricted the use of explosives inside OBJ Video to prevent friendly BDA.

Areas of Weakness:

Tactical Organization: Squads must move quickly and cohesively from position to position when tasked; move to Phaselines as a Squad, maintaining around security in your sector and communicating/coordinating movements Platoon HQ and other Squad Leaders; and always prepare for the next phase of our mission! Bounding: Squad and Fireteam Leaders, refamiliarize yourself with squad and Fireteam bounding techniques and practice them; employ cover, concealment, and suppressive fires to conduct alternate and successive bounds between fireteams (and squads in a platoon formation); and maintain comms throughout bounding movements. Military Bearing: All Soldiers need to maintain tactical communications in the field, regardless of the mission; cut personal and radio chatter in vehicles and aircraft to ensure you are not interfering with other Soldiers' taskings; and if it can wait until after the mission, don't say it!

Suggested Improvements:

First Platoon will revisit further training on tactical movement under pressure, with practice of bounding techniques. Leaders will continue to monitor, instruct, and develop their Soldiers.

Overall Outcome:

Positive

Summary:

First Platoon formed up at FOB Dr. Jones mounted 2x C-130s. PL with First and Second Squads boarded the first bird with War Eagle 6 as PJM. PSG with Third and Fourth Squads boarded the second bird with PSG as PJM. Elements went into the DZ under AAA fire and were scattered by heavy winds. In spite of this, Squads reformed, linked up with other elements, secured the wounded, and moved rapidly to an alternate rally point under fire from mounted and dismounted enemy patrols.

Widowmakers took positions on PL Alpha, again taking contacts, and quickly moved to PL Bravo. Spartans softened up targets in Masakali (OBJ Radio Star) with mortar fire before suppressing the enemy for the rest of the Platoon assault on the objective. Scorpions, Ghosts, and Phoenix cleared their respective sectors with further support from Spartans. Once all enemy communications equipment was located, Rangers set demo charges and destroyed it.

Rallying north of the objective and establishing a platoon column, we continued moving north toward Geydam-Tchoukou (OBJ Video) under harassing fires from EI and mortars. Establishing security at CP Awa Awa, the Platoon crossed by squad and moved to PL Charlie. There one Squad began bounding into the objective prematurely, and the Platoon came under fire from a T-34/85 on the northwest perimeter of the city. Squads reassumed their positions on the PL and AT eliminated the tank. With this, Widowmakers conducted a Platoon Assault, bounding into the objective and clearing it sector by sector.

While securing the western half of the city, medics established a CCP inside a captured building housing an IED factory. Explosives there detonated from an unknown cause, killing and wounding a number of personnel at and around the CCP. First Platoon consolidated on the IED site and provided tight 360° security for survivors receiving medical treatment. Once KIA Soldiers reinserted, Widowmakers reestablished an offensive posture and pushed across PL Delta, quickly clearing the eastern half of the objective. Rangers again prepped demo again GSIM vehicles, weapons, and equipment and destroyed these targets on egress to the LZ.

Intel captured on a video camera indicate that the 2x US hostages and GSIM HVT Seydan Ag Hita (aka "The Chief") left Geydam-Tchoukou prior to our arrival in the AO. The search continues.

Annex A.1