Balkan Report III: The Six-Bradley Scout Platoon In Bosnia

The three-Bradley scout section moves through the narrow back roads connecting the many Bosnian villages that line the Zone of Separation (ZOS). It is mid-afternoon, and the mounted patrol is about to link up with the Serbian engineers who will provide security and ensure the destruction of the Serb bunkers along the confrontation line. The morning had been spent with elements of the Bosnian Army as they removed mines and marked minefields. The section would return to “Ft. Apache” (Lodgment Area Walker) around 1700, with enough time to grab chow, ensure the other section’s readiness for its night patrol, and prepare for the nightly mission brief. The evening would be spent executing the necessary troop leading procedures and pre-combat inspections, ensuring their readiness for the next day’s mission. Once that was complete, then would come the showers, a little AFN, maybe a movie, exercise, and the other amenities provided by the 1st Armored Division.

Scout Platoon The many differing missions of Operation Joint Endeavor make a six-Bradley scout platoon a valuable asset. There has been much discussion on which vehicle is the best for use in a peacekeeping environment. [See ARMOR, July/August 96 for one such dis-cusion. - Ed.] In making this decision, we must take into account the task organization of the vehicles. This issue can be examined by focusing on the three main missions that ground forces execute in the other than war environment in which we are currently deployed. They are mounted patrols, lodgment area security, and checkpoint operations.

Mounted Patrols The peacekeepers conduct daily day and night patrols in and around the ZOS. The M3A2 is well suited for this mission for a number of different reasons, but one of the most important is its maneuverability. The narrow roads of Bosnia act as very restrictive terrain. The width of the M3A2 CFV (3.61 meters) allows it to move through the country much more easily than an M1A1 (3.65 meters width). When compared to the M113 series, the CFV’s ability to pivot steer makes it more agile in areas where it is important to stay on the cleared route. Another formidable obstacle is the country’s great number of reckless drivers. The M3A2 is narrow enough to allow traffic to move in both directions and safely pass. This aids the M3A2 in performing its neighborhood patrols while displaying a large, visible deterrent. The M3A2, more so than a HMMWV or an M113, is a very imposing fighting machine. In an environment where only force is respected, the M3A2 easily fits the role. One of the factors that makes the CFV such an intimidating vehicle is visibility of its three turret-mounted weapons systems. The easily seen 25mm, TOW launcher, and coax provide a much more visible deterrent than the single crew-served weapons mounted on both the HMMWV and M113.

The size of the unit also makes the scout platoon a valuable asset. Since physical work is often done with the factional elements, dismounted security is vital. This characteristic makes the scout platoon more able to conduct these missions, unlike the tank platoon, which is unable to provide both sufficient dismounted security and the ability to fight their vehicles at the same time. Also, one cannot overlook the survivability advantage, both for the crew and the vehicle. The amount of armor protection provided by the M3A2 provides enhanced crew protection, and acts as a visible deterrent, especially to those who are quicker to throw rocks at HMMWVs than Bradleys when denied candy or an MRE.

A good example of the CFV’s durability was shown when the platoon leader’s Bradley in 3/B/1-1 Cavalry ran over an AP mine. The mine, which would have ruined the mobility of a HMMWV, inflicted no damage to the Bradley.

Lodgment Area Security The size of the unit, in both soldiers and vehicles, allows the six-Bradley scout platoon to execute a number of different missions at once. For example, the platoon is able to run an efficient guard roster while conducting intensive vehicle maintenance. The platoon is also able to make good use of the time back at the lodgment area by maximizing personnel recovery while conducting concurrent training. The lodgment areas in theater are small and restrictive in regard to motor pool space. This requires a vehicle that not only can move quickly, but one narrow enough to maneuver through the lodgment areas. This gives the commander the flexibility to either move one or all of his Bradleys to cover any disturbance. The biggest advantage of having an M3A2 comes in BALKAN REPORT III

The Six-Bradley Scout Platoon In Bosnia by First Lieutenant Frank Lozano This article is the third to appear in the last three issues discussing mobility in Bosnia. - Ed. Bradleys at a Bosnia checkpoint. 36 ARMOR —