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Present
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Excused
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Absent
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Present outside of combat unit
Staff Sergeant Nathan Cooper.
Objectives
First Platoon is ordered to probe south of the FOB Watchdog to locate signs of enemy presence. Patrol through Korotkovich (OBJ Minnow), Andreevo (OBJ Rockfish), Chizhov (OBJ Seabass), and Shirov (OBJ Brook Trout) looking for hostile positions, vehicles, weapons caches, and intelligence. Note OBJ Seabass is reported to be a Baltic Sea smuggling hub.
Although local support for the separatist movement remains high, a small number of civilian informants may assist us. If possible, discreetly obtain information on the “Tsar Bomba” reported by Nero. We must also determine the number and composition of Wagner Group forces in the county seat, Miroslavl.
Accidents
N/A
Areas of Strength
Despite having a new team leader who officially started today and new team members that have just graduated OSUT, 4th Squad "Phoenix" was effective during combat engagements. The team leaders and team members knew their responsibility and personal individual accountability towards the platoon and their squad which made a a great impact on their cooperation.
Before the convoy stepped of the FOB, each TL and every single team members knew what the patrol was about and how we were initially executing it. The squad was also up to date with the latest intelligence report and updates on the field as we move forward towards our objectives.
Proper relaying of information from SL to TL's and vice versa made the team effective to the best of their capability considering the low count of members for each fireteam.
Areas of Weakness
Maintaining constant visual assessment of the surroundings and maintaining situational awareness. The Fireteam Leader(s) need to report and make a decision based on the situation as they see fit even if it contradicts to the orders of their SL. ( especially on life and death situations & split second decisions)
Fireteams should also maintain a specific distance that would not spread the squad too thin or separated from one another, especially with the low count of members.
Suggested Improvements
Continue specialized squad drills to mitigate the areas of weaknesses indicated above. Lapses above is understandable as a new TL has just assumed his role. Practice and repetition is needed to get the new TL and fireteam members acquainted as to how the squad operates on the field.
Mission Summary
The platoon started the convoy in "FOB Watchdog" westbound towards objective "Brook Trout". Midway the objective, an attempted ambush was set on a gas station which the convoy was able to deviate from and eliminate the threats which had the capability to purse the convoy. Once we reached objective "Brook Trout", we were met with heavy resistance and fire coming from inside the town. At first, 4th squad "Phoenix" was tasked to provide suppressive fire towards the town as the squads move up and cross the bridge. Upon all squads crossing, 4th squad then crossed the bridge and was tasked to clear out the Easter side of the objective. Upon arriving at the center of the town, 4th squad saw civilians who were executed by the hostiles in a firing squad manner. Our CLS tried to save them but was declared as KIA, we then took a picture and moved on to secure the rest of the town towards the East where we regrouped with the rest of the platoon and headed towards objective "Minnow". Upon arriving at the 2nd objective, we were advised that local militia were stationed in the town. The local militia did not side with the Russian separatists but neither did it side with the US Troops as they were neutral.
Due to the prior plan of regrouping and consolidating on the 2nd objective not being an option anymore due to the circumstances, the platoon planned to rally at "RP black" instead where we took small arms fire from an encampment towards the east which was dealt with. We then moved towards the 3rd objective "Rockfish" where our first casualties were reported as the squad was engaged by bunkers spread out on key areas. With a few casualties and the Stryker being hit hard on the engine by an RPG, we had to stay in the area after eliminating the threat to reconsolidate our squad's strength. During this period, we have received reports that another squad was hit hard and had a last man standing in OP Echo which we then responded to. Upon arriving, we were met hostiles with small arms fire. At first, we were able to eliminate the threats surrounding the squad that was pinned down, but we didn't know that hostiles equipped with mortars and 40mm were just a few hundred meters to the south of Op Echo which took out one of the fireteam. With that the 2nd fireteam instinctively went and tried to aid the first fireteam which created a mass casualty situation for 4th squad.
Once 4th squad was able to reconsolidate, we headed to the mortar and DSHKA positions to provide watch and assess the situation on objective "Seebass". We were then met with long range anti tank/personnel missiles from a bunker towards the southwest of the objective. Upon receiving the order to attach the objective, both soldiers on foot and soldiers manning the stryker continued to receive heavy fire from the mentioned bunker. Upon getting into cover, 4th squad's stryker then received accurate fire from BMP's within the objective which immobilized the vehicle resulting to the vehicle crew to dismount and relink with the fireteams on the ground. I personally then went back to the stryker and found out that it only had a busted engine. Which I then fixed for 4th squad to utilize the vehicle on the town assault.
Although, we then received orders to rally towards the north of the objective as we were encountering overwhelming force from inside the objective. The squads with vehicles then reconsolidated at "RP Salmon" but realized that we had soldiers without vehicles left in the objective. This prompted us to dismount at "RP Salmon" and sent the stryker back to pickup the pinned down soldiers from other squads.
Once successfully retrieving them, squads then mounted up on the remaining two vehicles and those who didn't fit was taken home by 3CAB. Us on the Strykers received small arms fire midway to FOB Watchdog but suffered no casualties and was able to deal with the ambush.
We then arrived at FOB Watchdog and proceeded with the debrief.
Overall Sentiment
POSITIVE