Mounted Security Procedures in Iraq

Mounted Security Procedures in Iraq by Captain Jonathan Dunn On today’s nonlinear, noncontiguous battlefield, all units are susceptible to enemy contact. All units, to include light cavalry troops, armor companies, forward support battalions, and regimental support squadron elements, need to secure convoy and logistics missions. It is imperative that units are aware of the threats they face and have well rehearsed battle drills in place as part of standard operating procedures (SOP). This article addresses the planning process for mounted security patrols and shares effective procedures that Killer Troop, 3d Squadron, 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment (3/2 ACR) used in the execution of over 1,000 mounted security missions from October 2003 through April 2004, while they were attached to 2d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, in Baghdad, Iraq. Mounted Security Patrol Organization Based on combat experience in Iraq, a mounted security patrol consisting of four gun trucks can effectively provide mounted security for up to twelve vehicles. If the unit has more gun trucks available, use those crews to form a dismounted element that will ride in the four gun trucks. The dismounted teams can control traffic or maneuver on the enemy, while any crew served weapons not being used by the gun trucks can be used for dismounted operations. Planning It is very possible that units tasked to provide mounted security will conduct day-to-day mounted security missions. It is essential that platoon leaders do not take shortcuts and use established troop leading procedures (TLP) when planning missions. While going through the TLP, the platoon leader should coordinate with the S2 section several times during the mission planning process. The S2 section should produce a graphic that lists all significant activity in the area in which the convoy will be operating. The platoon lead er will check enemy activity against his planned route and make any necessary adjustments based on his assessment of the balance between accidental and tactical risks. The S2 should also be updating the platoon leader during the mission with any updates on enemy activity in the area in which the patrol is operating. Battle drills that should be incorporated into the platoon’s SOP include reacting to an improvised explosive device (IED) that has not detonated, reacting to an IED that has detonated, and reacting to ambush. Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Mounted security patrols should be prepared for casualty evacuation. The platoon leader should ensure that nearly all soldiers in the platoon are combat lifesaver qualified. All gun trucks in the mounted security patrol should have combat lifesaver bags carried in accordance with the unit’s load plan SOP. MEDEVAC cards should be in every gun truck, preferably taped to the radio or the radio mount, so that soldiers calling in the nine-line MEDEVAC can read directly from the MEDEVAC card. The platoon medic’s job is to treat the casualties, not call in the nine-line MEDEVAC. Primary and alternates should be designated for this purpose to save precious, potentially life-saving minutes; otherwise, everyone may assume someone else is calling in the report. When selecting an evacuation location, the highway or road where enemy contact occurs often presents a great landing zone (LZ) for the MEDEVAC helicopter. However, the platoon leader should keep in mind that a helicopter is a high-payoff target. If the enemy situation and condi-

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Actions on Contact #2 & #3 Gun trucks continue out of kill zone with convoy #1 Gun truck engages enemy #4 Gun truck engages enemy tion of the casualties permit, the platoon leader may move the patrol, or part of the patrol, out of the enemy contact area to an alternate LZ. Air-Ground Integration During mounted security missions, the patrol could task scout weapons teams to provide air coverage, either for the entire mission or for specific phases. If the patrol gains contact, a scout weapons team can respond and be on station within minutes. The patrol leader and section leaders should be prepared to conduct air-ground integration (AGI) at all times during the execution of the mission. It is imperative that leaders have immediate access to a copy of the AGI checklist. An AGI checklist should be part of the unit SOP and should resemble the hasty (radio) air-to-ground checklist below: Air check-in (what the scout weapons team reports): ✓ Number of aircraft and call signs. ✓ Time on station. ✓ Weapons configurations and loads. ✓ Direction of approach. During preparation for the mounted security mission, face-to-face coordination with the air-mission commander is the preferred method to conduct AGI planning. The scout weapons team will most likely not be present during planning, so the platoon leader should select named areas of interest (NAI) along the route and have the grids accessible. In the event air support becomes available during the mission, the platoon leader is prepared to conduct hasty AGI, and can simply give the scout weapons team the NAI grid during tasking. If the patrol has Force XXI battle command, brigade and below (FBCB2) capability, it is an excellent resource for conducting hasty AGI. The FBCB2 allows the platoon leader to coordinate and task the scout weapons team quickly and efficiently, thus preserving valuable station time. The platoon leader can simply pull the grids to NAI and enemy locations from the FBCB2 to task the scout weapons team. Ground situation report, instructions, and coordination (what the platoon leader tells the scout weapons team):
Enemy (where, how many, direction of movement, priority targets, air defense artillery threats).
Friendly (forward line of own troops, locations of units in contact).
Mission (who, what, where, when, why).
Commander’s intent (what the commander wants you to do).
Fire support available and locations of guns and mortars. Mounted Security Formations Mounted security formations provide security, command and control, and projection of combat power. There are two basic mounted security formations; deciding which one to use depends on the terrain through which the convoy will be moving, the ex perience and competence of the unit, and the number of escorted vehicles. As with all procedures, there are advantages and disadvantages to each formation. It is important to note that in the example of each formation, four gun trucks are used. If there are more gun trucks available, they can be incorporated into the formation. As shown in Figure 1, the first formation has a total of four gun trucks as a security element; two gun trucks are positioned in front of the convoy and two gun trucks in back of the convoy. If the unit makes contact, the lead gun truck can engage the enemy while the sec ond gun truck bypasses with the convoy following behind. The gun truck directly behind the convoy (the third gun truck) can follow, pulling rear security, while the fourth gun truck assists the lead gun truck in engaging the enemy. This formation is ideal for built-up areas with crowded and narrow streets. The formation provides better command and control because all four gun trucks are with “Mounted security formations provide security, command and control, and projection of combat power. There are two basic mounted security formations; deciding which one to use depends on the terrain through which the convoy will be moving, the experience and competence of the unit, and the number of escorted vehicles. As with all procedures, there are advantages and disadvantages to each formation.” Figure 1 12 — July-August 2005 the main body of the convoy. Because of its simplified command and control and its reduced requirement for land navigation skills, this formation is also best suited for units with leaders and soldiers who are inexperienced with executing mounted security missions. The second formation, as shown in Figure 2, also has a total of four gun trucks, which includes a security element and a maneuver element. The security element has one gun truck that leads the convoy. The second gun truck will be directly behind the convoy’s main body. The maneuver element consists of the third and fourth gun trucks traveling behind the convoy or to its front. The traffic, terrain, and enemy situation determine where the maneuver element travels in relation to the convoy, as well as the distance between the maneuver element and the convoy’s main body. When the convoy gains contact, the security element returns fire and maneuvers the convoy out of the immediate area. All convoy vehicles should follow the lead gun truck. The maneuver element maneuvers on the enemy. In the event of a damaged vehicle, the rear gun truck of the security element can be used to evacuate personnel, or the maneuver element can be brought in to execute evacuation as well. This formation is ideal for traveling on highways or through cities where roads are wider. When the highest threat is assessed to be an IED, placing the maneuver element behind the convoy often gives that particular element a better chance of identifying the trigger man for the IED. For units with experienced leaders and gun truck crews, this formation is ideal because it provides security to the convoy and gives the mounted security patrol leader the option to maneuver on and destroy the enemy. The competence of the gun truck crews should be a factor in determining which formation to use. The second formation, with a security and maneuver section, is required to operate independently of each other during contact. This section has to be proficient at land navigation, air-ground integration, MEDEVAC, and platoon battle drills. Leaders need to assess the proficiency of their gun truck crews before determining which formation to use. A unit tasked with providing mounted security that might be inexperienced, has just received new replacements, or may not be familiar with its team members, may not want two separate elements and should therefore use the first formation with four gun trucks as a security element for ease of command and control. In some instances, the mounted security patrol leader will not be the convoy commander. In these cases, it is essential that the patrol leader brief his security plan to the convoy commander. Gun trucks in the mounted security role bring maneuverability, mobility, and firepower to the fight. It is essential that the convoy commander understand the capabilities of the mounted security patrol. For example, infantry companies riding in five-ton trucks have firepower, but do not have maneuverability or mobility to their advantage. The mounted security escort has both mobility and firepower, and therefore would be best suited to maneuver on the enemy, not the infantry company riding in five-ton vehicles. Procedures for Traffic Control Controlling traffic is an important part of providing security for the convoy and a critical task in the mounted security mission. The following are proven procedures that worked throughout Iraq in mounted security missions. Actions at traffic circles:

• Convoy slows as it approaches traffic circle.

• As the convoy prepares to enter the traffic circle, the rear gun truck is positioned to block the flow of traffic into the traffic circle from the rear.

• The lead gun truck cuts wide into the traffic circle.

• The rear gun truck blocks traffic until the rest of the convoy has safely entered the traffic circle. The rear gun truck then moves to block traffic from the middle of the traffic circle, ensuring no traffic interferes with the convoy’s movement. The rear gun truck then rejoins the convoy.

• Gunners are standing in the hatch, M16/M4 at the ready, looking for enemy and IEDs. Road intersections:

• When the convoy approaches an intersection, the lead gun truck alerts the patrol over the platoon net.

• The lead gun truck slows down, and the rear gun truck offsets in other lane to slow down the flow of traffic into the intersection from the rear.

• The lead gun truck eases into the intersection.

• The lead gun truck tells the rear gun truck where to block traffic to facilitate a successful maneuver through the intersection.

• The rear gun truck then rejoins the convoy after the convoy has passed through the intersection.

• If traffic is halted, see “Actions at Traffic Stops” on the next page.

• Gunners are standing in the hatch, M16/M4 at the ready, looking for enemy and IEDs. U-Turns:

• When executing a U-turn, the lead gun truck alerts the patrol over the platoon net.

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ELEMENT closing with and destroying enemy either staying mounted or conducting mounted/dismounted maneuver

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Figure 2 July-August 2005 — 13

• The lead gun truck slows down.

• The rear gun truck offsets in the other lane to slow down traffic from the rear.

• The rear gun truck then moves along the side of the convoy, executes the U- turn, and stops in the opposite lane to block oncoming traffic. In a four-gun truck patrol, the rear section can execute this action.

• The rear gun truck holds this position until the convoy has executed the U-turn and then rejoins the convoy.

• Gunners are standing in the hatch, M16/M4 at the ready, looking for enemy and IEDs. Actions at Traffic Stops:

• Gunners are standing in the hatch with M16/M4 at the ready, looking for any enemy or suspicious activity.

• The rear gun truck offsets in the other lane to stop the flow of traffic from the rear and prevent traffic from approaching near the gun trucks or convoy vehicles.

• If Iraqi police are present at the traffic stop, let them control traffic; this allows Iraqi citizens to see Iraqi policemen controlling the situation, which instills confidence in new government.

• If there are no Iraqi police at traffic stops, tank commanders dismount and direct traffic to allow the convoy to pass through the intersection. Crossing Overpasses/Underpasses:

• The lead gun truck alerts the underpass patrol using the platoon net. “The traffic, terrain, and enemy situation determine where the maneuver element travels in relation to the convoy, as well as the distance between the maneuver element and the convoy’s main body. When the convoy gains contact, the security element returns fire and maneuvers the convoy out of the immediate area.”

• The lead gun truck slows down and assesses the traffic situations on the underpass and the overpass.

• If the traffic on the overpass is flowing faster than the traffic in the underpass, use the overpass route.

• The lead gun truck determines the flow of traffic in the underpass and makes a decision whether the convoy can move through without stopping or if it will have to stop and wait for traffic to clear.

• The rear gun truck offsets in the other lane to stop all traffic from entering the underpass.

• Tank commanders dismount and pull security, looking for any enemy or suspicious activity.

• Gunners are standing in the hatch, M16/M4 at the ready, looking for any enemy or suspicious activity.

• When traffic clears in the underpass enough to allow the convoy continuous uninterrupted movement, the convoy moves toward the underpass. The lead gun truck will move through the underpass first, clearing the far side before the convoy moves through.

• The convoy enters the underpass in one lane and changes lanes while in the underpass, exiting in a different lane from which it entered (vehicles may stay in the same lane to keep the enemy guessing).

• As a convoy approaches the underpass, gunners are scanning the overhang with M16/M4 at the ready, watching for enemy forces waiting to shoot or drop something on the convoy.

• As a convoy exits the underpass, gunners face to the rear with M16/M4 at the ready, watching for enemy force waiting to shoot or drop something on the convoy. Crossing Danger Areas:

• The lead gun truck identifies danger areas and alerts the patrol over the platoon net.

• The lead gun truck slows down the convoy’s speed.

• The lead gun truck then shoots across the danger area while the gunner stands in the hatch, scanning for enemy and IEDs. The tank commander also scans his sector for enemy and IEDs.

• Once the lead gun truck has reached the far side of the danger area, the convoy resumes its speed and moves through the danger area. The gunners and tank commanders of the remaining gun trucks scan for enemy and IEDs. Mounted Security Battle Drills Battle drills are how mounted security patrols apply fire and maneuver to commonly encountered situations. They require leaders to make decisions rapidly and to issue brief oral orders quickly. As mentioned earlier in this article, battle drills that should be incorporated into the platoon’s SOP include reacting to an IED that has not detonated, reacting to an IED that has detonated, and reacting to ambush. On today’s battlefield, units are required to provide mounted security for their own convoys and logistics operations. A unit’s ability to accomplish the mounted security mission depends on properly executed troop leading procedures and a well rehearsed security and maneuver plan. Captain Jonathan Dunn is currently assigned to the U.S. Student Detachment, Fort Jackson, SC, pursuing a master’s degree in International Relations. He received a B.S. from the U.S. Military Academy. His military education includes the Armor Captains Career Course, Ranger School, Airborne School, and Air Assault School. He has served in various command and staff positions, to include commander, Killer Troop, 3d Squadron, 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment, Operation Iraqi Freedom; regimental S4/assistant S4, 2d ACR, Fort Polk, LA; support platoon leader, 2d Battalion, 8th Cavalry (2-8 CAV), 1st Cavalry Division (CD), Fort Hood, TX; and tank company executive officer and platoon leader, D Company, 2-8 CAV, 1st CD, Fort Hood. Special gratitude to Captain Jonathan Silk for his contributions to this article. 14 — July-August 2005