Mission FTX #1 - Team Evaluations - Formations, Spacing, and LDA's for days
By
1LT A.Vandle,
in 2023 Platoon FTX
Situation
"Widowmakers" Platoon, Alpha Company 1-30th Infantry Regiment will move back into Fort Stewart to conduct the first week of their Team level training and evaluations. This phase of the training will cover essential tasks, tactics, and drills for any team (and ultimately squad) to become competent and effective for our future deployments.
Week 1 will focus on Formations, Spacing, movement techniques and LDA's at the team level. Platoon and Company staff will evaluate each Squad and their individual teams on these tasks during a live fire exercise to ensure the Saturday training is adhered too. Each Squad will be given objectives and will move on foot from the COP using the techniques they trained on the day prior to display and rehearse their TTPs and internal SOPs.
Mission
"Widowmaker" Platoon conducts dismounted patrols in the training area of Ft Stewart on 08 JAN 23 during operation times in order to display their competency, skills, and rehears their internal SOPs to the evaluators. Once complete evaluators will meet with their individual Squads to conduct formal AAR's in order to identify strengths and weaknesses in the tasks of formations, spacing, individual movement techniques, and LDAs.
General Instructions
All information is covered in the Joint Squad SOP at the below link.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V9CQNjU6kUbTyOKV0PCGszaHQ_zLn3OwATMgS73Xp8c/edit
In addition, below are the excerpts specifically covered in the training.
Formations
Figure 4.1- Fireteam “Heavy Left” Wedge with sectors of fire
The wedge is one of the most common formations we will use. This formation allows the best overall coverage and control for leadership as possible. The TL will take point and cover the 12 o’clock, the AR will be on the “heavy side” on their own and cover that sides flank, CLS/AAR will be on the opposite side and will cover that flank as well as the direction of travel, the AT will be the furthest back person and will assist the CLS/AAR on that sides flank while also periodically (every 10 seconds) will check the 6 o’clock to ensure full security.
Figure 4.2- Fireteam File with sectors of fire
The file is generally used to move through difficult terrain, heavy brush, or constricting areas. The File is where members follow one another. The TL will take point and pull security to the 12 o’clock, AR will be second and will pull security to the 3 o’clock, CLS/AAR will be third and pull security opposite of the AR, and the AT will be last and pull security in the same direction as the second person. The last man will also periodically (every 10 seconds) will check the 6 o’clock to ensure full security. *note: no matter who is where you will always pull security opposite of the person in front of you*
Figure 4.3- Fireteam Line with sectors of fire
The line formation allows for the majority of firepower to be to 12 o’clock. The TL will always be in the center with the AR next to him. On the opposite side of the AR will be the AT and the CLS/AAR. The CLS/AAR will also periodically (every 10 seconds) will check the 6 o’clock to ensure full security.
Figure 4.5- Fireteam Echelon Left with sectors of fire
Echelon is a formation to put a majority of firepower from the 12 o’clock off to either one entire flank or the other. This formation will be used primarily for moving along ridgelines or if the enemy is known to be on the echelon's side. The TL will take the point and focus on the 12 o’clock, AR will be next and assume the 1 o’clock to the 9 o’clock, the AT will follow and assume the 11-12 o’clock to the 8 o’clock, and the FLS/AAR will be last and assume the 10 o’clock to the 7 o’clock while also periodically (every 10 seconds) will check the 6 o’clock to ensure full security.
Figure 4.6- Fireteam Tactical Column with sectors of fire
The tactical column is meant to spread a team to move into a file while also moving along a major lane of drift. The TL will be in the front on the right side of the natural lane of drift (such as a road) and the members behind him will alternate on either side of that lane. Security will generally follow the same guidelines as the File formation but the order will be TL, AR, AT, and CLS/AAR.
Linear Danger Area's
Figure 7.1- Step by Step image of 3 Team LDA
- Linear Danger Area is identified and the SOP for 3 teams is enacted.
- The Lead team will begin moving to near-side security. Near-side security is set, the second team will begin moving across to set the far-side security.
- Far-side then moves through the lane and establishes far-side security.
- Far-side security is set, the third team will move through the lane and assumes the lead team, and continues the mission. Near-side security will pick up and move through the lane.
- Once near-side security is through the lane, they will assume the second element in the formation. Far-side security will then pick up and begin to fall back into the formation.
- Far-side security has resumed as the trail element of the formation. The entire squad continues the mission without ever fully stopping.
Figure 7.2- Step by Step image of 2 Team LDA
- Linear Danger Area is identified and the SOP for 2 teams is enacted.
- The Lead team will begin moving to near-side security. Near-side security is set, the second team will begin moving across to set the far-side security.
- Far-side then moves through the lane and establishes far-side security. Near-side security will pick up and move through the lane.
- Once near-side security has moved through the lane and resumed the formation and direction of travel, far-side security will pick up and follow on.
- Far-side security has moved back into the Squad formation. The entire squad continues the mission without ever fully stopping.
Special Instructions
(a) MINE DETECTORS: Squad and Fireteam Leaders should use mine detectors at all times due to the risk of anti-personnel mines, IED, and UXO.
(b) DEFUSAL KITS: For defusing explosives noted above (Rangers only).
(c) DEMOLITION CHARGES: M112 Demolition Blocks for destroying enemy caches and other targets as needed (Rangers only).
(d) FIM-92 STINGERS: For destroying enemy aircraft.
(e) FGM-148 JAVELINS: For destroying enemy armor.
Chain Of Command
(a) MISSION: WIDOWMAKER 6, WIDOWMAKER 7, PLATOON HQ PERSONNEL (PRIMARY EVALUATORS)
(b) ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS: WAREAGLE 6, WAREAGLE 7 (ALTERNATE EVALUATORS)
(c) CLOSE AIR SUPPORT: WIDOWMAKER 6, MONEYSHOT
(d) AIR ELEMENTS : FALCON 6 / FALCON 7
Coordination
(a) GROUND-TO-AIR: FREQ LR CH 60, AIR-TO-AIR: FREQ LR CH 61
(b) COMPANY NET: HANDHELD OR LR FREQ 30
(c) PLATOON NET: HANDHELD OR LR FREQ 31
(d) SQUAD NET: HANDHELD FREQ 110/120/130/140
(e) CONVOY NET: FREQ LR CH 33
Intel
Below is the training schedule until deployment:
