Tactical Decision Game #97-2 Solution A


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Tactical Decision Game Solution #97-2 A February 1997

A Pointed Projection of Power

by S.E. Richmond

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BLT Commander's Recommendations

"This will be a light infantry raid, using the Mobile Assault Company(-) (MAC) to reinforce and as battalion reserve. [See MCG, Apr94, p. 67. The MAC is formed from assets in the weapons and headquarters and service companies of the battalion. As used here without M19 machineguns, it consists of 18 HMMWVs outfitted with 6 M2HB .50 caliber machine guns, 2 81mm mortars, 8 TOWs, and 8 Dragon Teams.] The ACE will provide any heavy firepower required. The first wave will be conducted as a combat assaultÑarmor, military vehicles, and uniformed/armed personnel will be considered enemy on sight and dealt with accordingly. The assault wave will land in two LZs and at two recon insert points as follows:
"LZ Frenchy: The command element reinforced with three 81mm tubes, Company A reinforced with Dragons, and the Fast Assault Vehicle (FAV) Platoon less M19 vehicles.
"LZ Lew: 1st Platoon, Company C and 2d Mobile Assault Platoon (MAP) less M19 vehicles.
"Recon inserts 1 & 2: Recon team reinforced with a sniper team per insert.

"On arrival LZ Frenchy: Company A (Rein) will seize Hill 861 and dig in to anchor the battalion's right flank. The FAV Platoon take the Center Bridge, secure it and defend against any hostile activity from Mosovic. The command element will position with the 81s on the highway, between Hills 916 and 861.

"On arrival LZ Lew; 2d MAP take and defend the South Bridge, 1st Platoon, Company C will prepare a defensive position on Hill 881 South to defend the LZ and provide support to 2d MAP. The recon/sniper teams will maneuver to stop movement out of the town by personnel on foot.

"Second wave will prepare to land as reinforcements or to assault into hot LZs if we are engaged. They will land as follows:
"LZ Frenchy: MAC (-), Company C (-) and the 81mm Mortar Platoon (-).
"LZ Lew: Company B (Rein)

"Company B will deploy and prepare to seize Mosovic on order. Company C will move to a position east of Center Bridge and support Company B's assault on the town if required. The MAC(-) will act as battalion reserve and take positions on or near 861, be prepared to reinforce Company A should an armor threat appear on Highway 8, or to provide supporting fires on Mosovic.

"The entire landing force will withdraw in mutually supporting stages out of LZ Lew."

Rationale

There are two immediate threats to complete mission successÑthe escape of the two leaders and an intervention by the 750-man mountain brigade. The prep fires will freeze the occupants of Mosovic in place for a short time, but they will also wake up 750 mountain fighters less than 4 klicks due east. Two things must be accomplished within 30 minutes of the first bomb impactÑthe town must be sealed off, and a very strong defensive position must be occupied between the enemy brigade and the battalion's tactical objective. The recon/sniper teams and the combined antiarmor teams at the bridges counter the first threat, Company A will provide for the other. Co-positioning the MAC and Company C provide the Bn CO with a potent reserve to counter the inevitable glitches precipitated by the "fog." The positions of the battalion allow the CO to counter threats from both axes, while providing for continuous mutual support. Marine air support will be crucial. For a complex and highly uncertain mission such as this, it is important that units be positioned and prepared to accomplish multiple tasks, sometimes shifting objectives very quickly.

For more detailed information on the structure of Marine Corps units, Marine Corps equipment, and symbols used in Tactical Decision Game sketches, see Marine Corps Gazette, October 1994, pp. 53-56 and the modification reported in the January, 1995, edition on page 5.