The Goat Trail Foothold (SBCT PLT Attack)

The Company Leader TDG 19-02

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It’s 0200hrs and you’re awake. You’ve been going for the last twenty-seven hours. Your vision blurs as you stare at the FBCB2-JCR inside your M1126 Stryker. Your driver is getting some much needed rest. The sound of snoring from your FO is making you regret choosing to have him in your vic while you sent the RTO with your PSG. You remind yourself that this was a calculated decision, both for purposes of allowing for more reliable communications support and for spreading these two C2/MC assets across the platoon. Sure, one grenade may not kill both your FO and RTO while inside your Stryker – but more lessons from Ranger School than not translated from humping it through the Appalachian Mountains to now being holed up in a vehicle in Atropia. You’re going on day seven of continuous combat operations and are currently in the company tactical assembly area (TAA). On day three you could smell yourself, the mix of sweat and the beginning stages of ketosis, but now it’s just the norm. Just as you start to doze off you are startled by Sergeant Wilson – your Gunner – “Sir! Message for you on the JCR. Looks like we have a WARNORD and the CO needs you to confirm receipt.”

Soldiers of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California July-August 2018. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo)

This is part of our Tactical Decision Game Series. This particular TDG was inspired by a scenario faced by a fellow commander at the NTC. He then used it as a TDG with his subsequent leaders. There is no ONE right answer, but there are varying degrees of right and wrong. It is ambiguous and lacking a full picture for two reasons – 1. It allows flexibility as you employ it with your team and 2. Because sometimes, perhaps often, the information you receive in combat is broken, incomplete, and open for ambiguity. Feel free to post your answers in the comments, on Social Media, or submit to The Company Leader. For an aggregated list of TDGs click HERE. To subscribe to The Company Leader click HERE.

Situation

You are the Platoon Leader of 3rd Platoon, 1-38 Infantry, 1st Stryker Brigade Comat Team, 4th Infantry Division. You are deployed to Donovian controlled territory in our allied partner nation of Atropia. Donovia, an aggressor nation outside the NATO alliance, invaded Atropia approximately four months prior to you unit’s arrival in country, ninety days ago. Your Brigade continues to fight through kinetic operations in a decisive action terrain. The primary enemy within Erdabil Province, your area of operations, have been factions of the Bilasuvar Freedom Brigade (BFB) – a local insurgent group – who are reinforced by the 111th Donovian Brigade Tactical Group (BTG). Over the last two weeks the 111th has reinforced with a mechanized battalion.

Enemy

The 2-200th Mechanized Infantry Battalion is postured to defend terrain in the vicinity of the Goat Trail. They will employ T80-Ds, AT-13Ds, BMP-2Ds, and dismounted troops. They will try to canalize, attrit, and then destroy friendly forces in their AO. Enemy CSOPs will inform their main body element of the friendly forces composition and disposition prior to reaching the probable line of contact. The enemy is expected to employ IEDs at the mouth of the Goat Trail and conduct an ambush within their designated kill zone. Expect their T-80Ds to conduct berm drills to attack by fire with another force acting in reserve.

Task Organization

Your slant for Javelins/Squads/Strykers is 9/3/3 and you are the priority for the company 60mm mortar team. (Remember, your slant for Javelins is for rounds, not CLUs – you are at MTOE strength for CLUs). You can pre-plan five targets and submit them to company HQ. During Phase I of the company mission, you can call those pre-planned fires and you are priority for targets of opportunity.

Mission

Your platoon will seize a foothold vicinity of the Goat Trail IOT allow 2nd PLT to pass and destroy ENY in the Goat Trail and provide FOM to BN DO.

Output Required

You have 25 minutes. Get with your CO HQs and platoon leadership to devise a plan. First, determine your key tasks from higher. Then use the operations graphic below to draw your concept of the operation. Prepare a brief FRAGORD for your platoon. Include your analysis of enemy disposition, re-stated mission statement, a concept statement, and the rationale for your plan.

Some Leader Questions to Consider:

  • Where are your Strykers?

  • Where are you dismounting/ where is the probable line of contact?

  • When are you using MTRs/ what are your triggers?

  • How are you clearing or denying terrain for ENY OPs and observers?

  • How are you integrating Javelins?

  • How are you moving and when do you switch from movement to maneuver?

  • How are you closing the distance?

  • What are adjacent units likely going to be doing?

Want a PDF (Power Point Format) version of this Tactical Decision Game for use at your unit level? Click HERE.

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Category: TDGs