Refrigerator Gap (ABCT CO TM)

The Company Leader TDG 18-12

You are the Company Commander of A Co/ 1-64 AR. Your unit is in a TAA VIC NV 585215 at REDCON 2. You are waiting to receive orders to conduct an FPOL with B Co and continue the attack to OBJ Chicago. Your current combat power is 1x Armor PLT with 3 operational tanks, 2x BFV platoons with 1 PLT of 3x BFVs and the other of 4 BFVs. Each Platoon has 14x dismounts divided into 2x squads each and all Javelins are operational.  Additionally, you have an engineer platoon attached with 3x operational engineer BFVs, a MCLIC, and a sapper squad of 6x Soldiers. Your Company HQs is 100% and you are fully resupplied.

U.S. Army Armor Basic Officer Course Class 18-006 conducts STX at the Good Hope Maneuver Training Area. Photo Retrieved from the U.S. Army Armor Basic Officer Course Facebook Page.

This is part of our Tactical Decision Game Series. We are dedicated to providing practical, tactically focused, tools for your self and team development. There is no one right answer, but there are varying degrees of right and wrong. 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.

Terrain

The terrain is largely open desert and trafficable by most vehicles. The local population counts just as many who favor the enemy as who welcome U.S. Forces, but have not been a significant factor either way during recent operations. You have noticed an increase in civilian vehicle traffic as well as sporadic mortar fire in the vicinity.

Friendly Situation

B Co initiated its breach at OBJ Detroit (Refrigerator Gap) 30 minutes ago and your understanding from listening to the BN Net is that it’s going as planned.  The BN CDR is forward with B Co and you anticipate receiving the order from him to move in the next 30 minutes. C Co has initiated its breach at OBJ Boston (Alpha Pass). The BN TOC is located VIC Barasu.

The Developing Enemy Situation

The eastern most obstacle depicted on the enemy SITEMP is incomplete and easy to bypass.  The enemy platoon forward of Refrigerator Gap has been defeated and B Co is in contact with an enemy platoon at the Breach consisting of 1x T80 and 3x BMP as well as approximately 20x dismounts.  B Co reports the destruction of 1 enemy BMP and 5 dismounts at the Breach.  The BN S2 analysis indicates that the AT-5 we anticipated being vic Refrigerator Gap has moved west to VIC of FSS Gap to maximize its range and engage us after we complete the Breach. The Breach at Alpha Pass is going as planned and the C Co CDR reports that he will have a lane open within 15 minutes.

15 minutes later, the B Co CDR reports that he has lost 2x Tanks and 2x Engineer BFVs at the Breach and the BN TOC reports that non-persistent chem is impacting vic of Refrigerator Gap and the wind is blowing from west to east.  Additionally, you are starting to lose communications with BN and B Co. Before losing communications, you heard FM reports that B Co had received an unspecified type and number of additional casualties and progress had slowed significantly at the Breach.

Output Required

What are your actions? Remember your BDE and BN CDRs’ intent, stressing the importance of opening Refrigerator Gap for follow on forces. Within 10 minutes, give your solution in the form of a FRAGORD (Fragmentary Order) to your Company. Be sure to include a mission statement, intent, a concept statement, a concept sketch (using the provided graphics), and the rationale for your decision.

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