The Headquarters Convoy Model

, and First Lieutenant Tobias S. Apticar All vehicle commanders are present, they take out pen and paper and prepare to copy. Critical parts and ammunition are required at the outlying operations base. The logistics requirements are assembled and will be transported. This mission will require two light medium tactical vehicles (LMTVs) and three high mobility, multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWVs). All trucks will carry crew served weapons systems, and the HMMWVs will be used for command and control. Headquarters and Headquarters Troop will conduct a ground assault convoy tomorrow to Tal Afar to resupply forward elements. Each ground assault convoy (GAC) in Iraq is a mission and should be treated as such. This article outlines how to prepare soldiers and leaders for such operations. Convoy commanders and noncommissioned officers in charge (NCOICs) must be proficient at the intricacies of these operations, to include preparing and briefing the convoy, ensuring operations orders are mission focused, and preparing a clear and concise mission statement accompanied with understandable task and purpose statements. Individual training and team building will all come into play during convoy operations — each soldier will count on the other. While not necessarily born a combat arms soldier, these headquarters soldiers must become experts at convoy operations to accomplish the mission. Individual Proficiency Physical training is the foundation of a soldier’s military service. Every soldier starts his day with physical training. To be prepared for the rigors of battle and increase survivability, every soldier must improve their physical readiness. Cardio-respiratory endurance is by far the most important area. Individuals can improve muscular strength and endurance through normal daily activities, but soldiers seldom improve cardio-respiratory endurance on their own. The sweltering heat of Iraq is unforgiving and pushes soldiers to physical limits — top physical conditioning helps combat extreme weather conditions and allows soldiers to be mission focused.

Personal Weapons Apart from the skills of the soldier’s military occupational skill (MOS), every soldier must be a warrior.1 A warrior is capable of using available resources to accomplish the mission. One of the greatest tools available is the soldier’s assigned weapon, be it a rifle or a machine gun. It is imperative that individual weapons become an extension of the soldier. This is achieved through proficiency, discipline, and confidence with individual weapons systems. These skills are learned in initial entry training, but are perishable and must be retrained, reinforced, and built on to prepare soldiers for combat. Basic rifle marksmanship is comprised of several training phases, to include preliminary marksmanship instruction, grouping/ zeroing, and qualification.2 Using individual weapons and training aids not only qualifies soldiers on specific weapons, but also instills confidence and forms a basis for advanced training. Once the basics are learned, the soldier can move on to the fundamentals of marksmanship, which include steady position, aiming, breathing control, and trigger squeeze. Using devices, such as the weaponeer and engagement skills trainer, reinforces these fundamentals. The next step is beginning the qualification process by conducting grouping and zeroing procedures. Qualified trainers and instructors are essential elements in successfully qualifying a unit. The ability to provide assistance and guidance immediately and professionally will have a direct effect on a soldier’s overall attitude, which determines how that soldier will approach further training. Weapons training is not just about qualifying particular weapons — it is also about ensuring soldiers are proficient in this warrior task, which builds confidence. Once these basics have been accomplished, it is time to move to advanced marksmanship training. Much of this training may be executed simultaneously. Advanced marksmanship training builds on the disciplines necessary to fight in combat. Training includes alternate positions; close-quarters marksmanship instruction; quick-fire methods; moving engagements; mounted fire; night fire; nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) fire; discrimination fire; and use of devices such as the M68 reflexive sight. At this point, various subject matter experts will be necessary to assist with training to maintain the focus that only a subject matter expert can provide. Close-quarters marksmanship training produces the greatest dividends when advancing to other individual and collective training such as military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) training, convoy training, individual and squad movement techniques, and battle drills. There are four primary-area methods involved, which include slow-aimed fire, rapid-aimed fire, aimed quick kill and instinctive fire.3 Slow-aimed fire and rapid-aimed fire are addressed throughout the qualification process. Aimed quick kill and instinctive-fire techniques share many of the same characteristics; however, instinctive fire is much quicker due to the eminent threat and is therefore an intensely trained response. Aimed quick kill relies on training fundamentals in a different way, much like the steady position. During early phases of weapons training, soldiers are taught supported and unsupported prone positions and may be introduced to other positions such as the kneeling position. During close-quarters training, soldiers will be introduced to the isosceles/fighters stance. Aiming the weapon focuses on aligning the front sight post with the carrying handle rather than the rear sight post; this makes it quicker to move to the firing position to engage. Soldiers must learn to carry weapons at the low ready regardless of location. They must learn and reinforce the act of moving to the ready position to engage. This training phase can actually be aided if the unit has devices, such as the M68 reflex sight and other close-quarters optics, available. Ranges that provide the ability to react to targets, such as a “shoot house,” help culminate this training. Close-quarters marksmanship transitions into several areas, to include close-quarters battle or MOUT training, individual and squad movement techniques, and drills. Once individual soldiers are successfully trained, you can build qualified fire teams and sections. Drills necessary to fight and win during convoy operations will be directly effected by a soldier’s ability to react while dismounted as an individual or as a team member. As individual weapons skills are being developed, crew served weapons skills should be developed analogously. It is vital that everyone in the unit become proficient in using assigned crew served weapons. Advanced weapons training for crew served weapons is quite similar to that of individual weapons training. Crew served weapons training should focus on night fire, target discrimination, quick reaction/suppressive fire, moving engagements, different firing platforms, and crew drills. While this level of training may be limited due to available assets, the goal should minimally include familiarization with firing the weapons. Remember that these weapons are crew served weapons; many times units fail to have the assistant/alternate gunner complete the same training.4 Tying It Together Once the individual, squad, and crew weapons skills and drills have been trained and standard operating procedures have been established, it is time for collective training. Collective training should focus on the unit’s mission and battle drills for convoys. It is extremely important that each soldier executes these drills, and that the drills are adjusted based on tactics, techniques, and procedures that the unit develops over time. Convoy operations rely on each soldier in the convoy to be trained and ready to execute the mission. A tough and challenging physical fitness train ing program, coupled with soldiers who are proficient and confident with their weapons systems, will produce lethal warriors ready to accomplish the mission. The goal of individual training is to build highly effective and combat ready units. The convoy live fire exercise should closely resemble actual battlefield conditions. Many different resources will have to be pooled to build realistic training scenarios, such as the proper use of OH-58 helicopters, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) helicopters, and field artillery. These combat multipliers may be available on the battlefield and should be integrated into training. Ground maneuver commanders need to understand the abilities and limitations of these friendly forces. Simulating the enemy’s posture is also an important part of training. On the current battlefield, AK-47s and RPKs are abundant. Leaders should integrate the use of these weapons into training. These weapons can be fired down range to simulate contact on a convoy. Target discrimination can be used with a simple strobe light attached to targets to simulate muzzle flash and teach soldiers to return accurate fire. The use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is an easy task to simulate as well. Tying M12 detonation cord in a uli knot, packing the M14 blasting cap in flour and attaching it to a M81 igniter, will produce a small but effective explosion in the vicinity of the convoy.5 This realistic training is imperative to simulating enemy tactics and will build soldier confidence in the face of a real IED and gun fire. Leaders should hone their troop leading procedure (TLP) skills, which may change during convoy operations. Reporting procedures and formats should be trained with a great deal of focus on reports vital to the mission, such as the nine-line MEDEVAC request, contact reports, and unexploded ordnance reports. Rules of engagement (ROE) training should always parallel the oper- “Apart from the skills of the soldier’s military occupational skill (MOS), every soldier must be a warrior. A warrior is capable of using available resources to accomplish the mission. One of the greatest tools available is the soldier’s assigned weapon, be it a rifle or a machine gun. It is imperative that individual weapons become an extension of the soldier. This is achieved through proficiency, discipline, and confidence with individual weapons systems. These skills are learned in initial entry training, but are perishable and must be retrained, reinforced, and built on to prepare soldiers for combat.” 28 — ating environment and its changing climate. The unit’s standard operating procedures (SOP) should also be adjusted to address weapons control status and weapons readiness posture as they relate to ROE. The use and training of combat lifesavers is very important. Each unit should strive to have every soldier combat lifesaver trained and qualified. These skills are perishable and need to be retrained quarterly. Leaders should adapt training requirements to their specific areas of operation. All training requires a great deal of leader involvement. Get creative and use improvised devices during training, which greatly enhance training and will further guarantee success. Successful training is measured in individual and unit proficiency, discipline, self-confidence, and confidence in fellow soldiers. Planning the Convoy Once soldiers are trained and ready to conduct ground assault convoys, leaders need to refine their planning techniques. Modified TLPs have proven effective in preparing for convoys. The basics include: analyzing the mission; issuing a warning order; mapping reconnaissance; S2 briefing; risk assessment, issuing modified order (convoy briefing); and conducting rehearsals. We start with receiving the mission and determining whether it is a logistics package (LOGPAC), maintenance/recovery, or personnel movement mission. Quite often, several missions will be accomplished during one convoy operation. For example, key personnel may have to be moved to a specific location during a supplies and parts mission. Based on mission requirements, the number of soldiers must be determined, as well as the number of vehicles and crew served weapons. Refer to the unit SOP, but it is recommended that the convoy be at least four vehicles, with two of the four having crew served weapons. If assets are available, use crew served weapons on all vehicles. In 150-plus-vehicle convoys, maintaining an aggressive posture has prevented convoys from being attacked, while other units have been attacked daily. It’s not a bad idea to have a mix of HMMWVs, LMTVs, field ambulances, or recovery vehicles. Making a tentative plan and gathering recourses is easily accomplished by selecting vehicles and personnel to man the convoy. The convoy commander will begin to write the mission operations order and compile the manifest and risk assessment. A copy of these documents should be furnished to the operations centers so they can track the convoy. Regardless of the mission, soldiers are not just “catching a ride” on the convoy — they will have weapons postured toward potential threats, scanning their sectors the entire time. The enemy will almost always attack the convoy that seems less prepared, less aggressive, and has the least amount of weapons systems. The convoy commander must determine the specific threat and adjust the posture of the convoy appropriately. This is why it is important for convoys to look aggressive at all times, regardless of the mission. When the mission preparation phase has been accomplished, a warning order should be issued to the soldiers who will crew the vehicles. Based on the mission, the convoy must have the correct make-up of vehicles. For instance, a maintenance mission would require a wrecker or at least a HMMWV manned with mechanics, tools, and a tow bar. For a LOGPAC mission, a LMTV or cargo vehicle large enough to carry parts and equipment is required. Continue to Develop the Plan Obtain a detailed S2 brief on any significant events within sector over the past 24 to 48 hours. The S2 can also provide the convoy commander with current enemy information in the area of operation and may provide insight that would help with route “Quite often, several missions will be accomplished during one convoy operation. For example, key personnel may have to be moved to a specific location during a supplies and parts mission. Based on mission requirements, the number of soldiers must be determined, as well as the number of vehicles and crew served weapons.”

planning. Using reconnaissance helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles can also provide detailed route information. Once the crews, vehicles, and weapons systems are identified, it is the convoy commander’s responsibility to put together a manifest and order of march. The convoy commander must account for available weapons systems and types of vehicles in the convoy. The manifest should include order of march by vehicle bumper number, vehicle type, crewmember names, onboard weapons systems, combat lifesavers in each vehicle, and available communications, to include the BFT. Once the manifest is complete, it is time to complete the risk assessment. Take into account hazards, such as fratricide, injury from fragments/rico chets, negligent discharges, fatigue, traffic, route familiarity, enemy contact, weather, fire, IEDs, vehicle-borne IEDs (VBIED), and NBC IEDs. A thorough risk assessment is necessary and vital to protecting personnel and equipment — complete a risk assessment for every mission. Issuing the Order The convoy commander is responsible for issuing the convoy brief, which includes the mission, route orientation, times, checkpoints, road conditions, danger areas, and enemy activity. Ensure all vehicle commanders are present, as well as applic able gunners and passengers. Vehicle commanders are responsible to brief their crews and disseminate all information. This is especially true if it is anew mission or a different route. The execution portion covers order of march, start points, march interval, march speed/catch-up speed, air support, actions on contact/emergency actions, and timelines for vehicle line-up and pre-combat checklists (PCC)/pre-combat inspections (PCI). While the service support portion includes classes I, III, and V, as well as maintenance, medical, and NBC. The final portion, command and signal, covers locations of the officer in charge/ NCOIC, pri-conducting maintenance. All the information presented in the convoy brief will be considered vital information that must be memorized by each person in the convoy. The next day is reserved for rehearsals and inspections. Battle Drills and Rehearsals Battle drills should complement your unit’s vehicle and personnel structure. We did not have any combat arms soldiers to conduct our convoys, except for the first sergeant, executive officer, and commander. The drivers and gunners were signalers, cooks, mechanics, or supply clerks. These soldiers embody the warrior ethos and have trained hard to become tactical convoy experts. They always stand ready to engage and destroy the enemy. While lacking squads of dismounted soldiers to close with and destroy the enemy, our appearance always exuded an offensive posture, which is a proven deterrent to enemy aggression. React to crowd/traffic obstruction. This battle drill occurs most often in built-up urban terrain and could involve civilian crowds, a vehicle accident, or a herd of animals impeding the route. The lead vehicle determines if the obstacle is the enemy’s effort to shape an attack, or if it is a simple random occurrence. If no enemy is detected or suspected, convoy vehicles will close their interval and con tinue to move, pushing through using any means necessary. Quite often, convoys will have to use sidewalks and curbs, or even encounter oncoming traffic. Avoid stopping at red lights, but check for oncoming traffic before moving through the intersection cautiously. The trail vehicle is responsible to report that all convoy elements have passed through the obstruction and are continuing the mission. React to small arms/IED without casualties. Shoot, move, and communicate. mary and alternate means of communication, required frequencies, final commo checks, start point times, and safety concerns that the convoy commander may have, such as ensuring all crewmembers have eye protection and a hydration system. Vehicle commanders should ensure that meals ready to eat (MREs) and plenty of water are on the truck. Vehicle commanders should also have a folder, which contains a manifest, route maps, VBIED list, PCI/PCC checklist, chemical IED report format, and a nine-line MEDEVAC format posted in each vehicle. Once the vehicle commander reaches this point, he is left to brief and inspect his soldiers. During this time, he is responsible for packing and At the onset of small arms fire or an IED explosion, all weapons in sector will return aimed fire. Within several seconds, vehicle commanders should report contact to the convoy commander and continue to develop the situation. Drivers should increase 30 — speed to exit the kill sack. Commanders/NCOICs should consolidate reports and send a situation report to higher headquarters. React to small arms/IED with casualties. This battle drill is similar to the previous one, except this time there are casualties. If the vehicles can move after contact, they should leave the kill sack. Gunners should return fire to suppress the enemy. In the event a vehicle is damaged and unable to move, the vehicles to the front and rear of the damaged vehicle should move away from the immobilized vehicle. This isolates the damaged vehicle in the enemy kill sack. The convoy commander now coordinates fires to suppress the enemy before sending recovery and medical assets to begin recovery. Once the convoy commander deems the situation stable, medical and maintenance assets should be sent forward. If applicable, the vehicle should be recovered and, at a minimum, all sensitive items should be removed from the vehicle. Depending on the severity of the casualties, combat lifesavers should assess the situation so the commander can decide whether a ground evacuation or air MEDEVAC should be used. Unexploded IED identified. A crewmember identifies a suspicious looking object on the roadside, which could include a dead animal with wires, several large canisters, artillery ammunition, or an out-of-place vehicle. Once identified, the convoy should stop and move away from the identified IED. This action may split your convoy. Gunners should initiate a common hand/arm signal to alert the rest of the convoy. An easily identifiable marker should be thrown near the IED to mark it. Establish security in the local area and call explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) or higher headquarters. Stop all traffic and wait for EOD support to arrive and reduce the IED. Do not approach the IED or attempt to disarm it — most IEDs are command detonated, so keep a safe distance. Thoroughly inspect the area where your vehicles have stopped because the enemy may use false IEDs to stop vehicle movement and detonate other IEDs. This tactic is highly effective, so it is imperative that vehicle commanders quickly move far away from the suspected IED and establish local security.

Vehicle breakdown/maintenance stop. This is a very common and should be handled as quickly as possible. As soon as a maintenance problem is realized, the convoy commander directs the convoy to pull over and assume a 360-degree security in a herringbone formation. The convoy’s maintenance contact team should immediately move to the disabled vehicle and assess the situation. If it is an easy fix, such as a flat tire or loose hose, it should be repaired as quickly as possible and the convoy should continue. If a larger problem occurs, such as a broken axle or engine seizure, a tow bar should be attached immediately. Skilled mechanics are essential to this battle drill. Based on mission, enemy, terrain, troops, time, civilians (METT-TC), convoy commanders should assess how much time is allotted to this type of stop. The convoy commander may choose to stay in one spot for as long as 20 minutes, if in an unpopulated rural area. Conversely, if the break down occurs in a highly urban and volatile area, the best course of action may be to immediately hook up a tow bar. NBC considerations. While not a prominent threat, it is advisable to have protective masks on each convoy. Chemical weapons are inexpensive and easy to make with common household items. Should an IED be laced with a chemical agent, the convoy will be prepared. Also carry M-22 chemical alarms and improved chemical agent monitors to help assess the situation. Protective masks should be placed in an accessible location near each soldier. Pre-combat Checks and Inspections Depending on the number of vehicles and personnel in the convoy, leaders should plan for several hours of preparation time prior to beginning the convoy. Vehicles and equipment should be loaded and fueled with a complete preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS). Vehicle commanders are responsible to brief and check their vehicles and personnel. Several critical inspection items include knowledge of the mission; weapons functionality and ammunition; proper uniforms; combat lifesaver bag; radios; dispatch/PMCS; drivers licenses; night-vision goggles; load plans; strip maps; nine-line MEDEVAC posted in each vehicle; convoy manifest; knowledge of battle drills; and NBC masks/J-lists. Most convoys are identified several days in advance, which gives vehicle commanders time to correct deficiencies prior to the convoy line up. This ensures all personnel are ready for the final inspection conducted by the convoy commander and NCOIC. Pre-combat checks require the most time and are completed by vehicle commanders. It is essential for commanders to allow vehicle crews maximum amounts of time to prepare, load, and brief individual crews. This long preparation phase works very well. The PCI is the final check before entering hostile conditions. The convoy commander and NCOIC tackle this task together. The command team visually inspects all vehicles and questions each member of the convoy. For instance, the convoy commander’s questions focus on the mission, use of battle drills, and weapons orientation. The NCOIC should be checking for safety, proper weapons loading/clearing procedures, and MEDEVAC procedures. The convoy commander can adjust sectors of fire and reiterate proper scanning techniques. This inspection should take several minutes per vehicle and allow for necessary corrections. If any deficiencies are noted, they need to be corrected immediately. The mission focus of each and every soldier should be on the current mission. Leader involvement at various phases needs to stress the importance of the mission. Every soldier is a gunner and another pair of eyes scanning an assigned sector. Special Skills Medical and maintenance personnel and equipment are valuable assets during the convoy. These combat multipliers need special consideration in their disbursement and utilization. Many problems can be avoided by conducting a thorough mission analysis prior to movement. During a medical or maintenance stop, a few minutes saved can be the difference between life and death. Evaluating the problem and properly executing battle drills are critical in these situations. Strong subject matter experts should be paired (rank should not be the only factor for pairing) with assistants who can facilitate the situation. Subject matter expert pairing, by name, should be carefully considered during the planning phase. A medical or maintenance emergency can turn from bad to worse by incorrectly evaluating the situation. The intricacies of a MEDEVAC request can mean the difference between life and death. Consideration for security, combat lifesaver usage, and subsequently handling killed in “The convoy commander would mostly likely do a map reconnaissance of the route. Our unit has the luxury of the blue force tracker (BFT) with which to conduct an in-depth map recon. The BFT allows the user to switch between a standard military map view and an overhead satellite view. Some units are not equipped with the BFT and must rely on standard map recon. Most of our convoys travel along the same route with varied start point times. Accompanied with a detail map, reconnaissance should be the current information on the enemy situation.” 32 — actions (KIAs) are paramount during this highly stressful time. Units should conduct nine-line MEDEVAC training with helicopter support. Encourage participation from all convoy elements. This should first be trained at section level and progress to an entire convoy element. A security truck should be assigned to the field ambulance or casualty evacuation vehicle when moving through the stopped convoy’s herringbone formation. Do not speed through the center of the convoy. The convoy commander or NCOIC should help facilitate extra litter bearers and the security for the landing zone/pickup zone (LZ/PZ). Helicopters are going to land on the flattest surface possible, which will most likely be the road. A hasty IED sweep should be conducted in and around the LZ/PZ and flank security should be established as necessary. Ensure the LZ/PZ is far enough from the kill sack as not to endanger the helicopter. Extract the casualty from the truck and begin to evaluate on a flat surface. The combat lifesaver or medic on the scene will have to transport the casualties to a safe location away from the kill sack to establish a safe area to conduct medical evaluation and aid. These techniques are proven effective; however, they will continue to evolve. The ability to adapt and continue to improve convoy operations will help keep soldiers and equipment safe and able to carry on your mission. Constant evaluation and refinement of the enemy’s situation is critical to overall mission success. The enemy is always evolving and adapting and we must as well. Notes 1Soldier’s Creed. 2U. S. Army Field Manual (FM) FM 3.22-9, Rifle Marksmanship, U. S. Government Printing Office (GPO), Washington, D. C., 22 January 2004. 3Ibid. 4FM 3-22.68, Crew Served Machine Guns, (GPO), Washington, D. C., 31 January 2003. 5FM 5-34, Engineer Field Data, (GPO), Washington, D. C., 30 August 1999, Change 2, 1 October 2002. Captain Matthew J. Reiter is currently commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (HHT), 3d Squadron, 17th (3-17) Cavalry, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY. He received a B. A. from Western Michigan University. His military education includes Armor Officer Basic Course, Captains Career Course, Cavalry Leaders Course, and Combined Arms and Services Staff School. He has served in various command and staff positions, to include S4 and S1, 3-17 Cavalry, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum; XO, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 72d (1-72) Armor, Camp Casey, Korea; and platoon leader, D Company, 1-72 Armor, Camp Casey. First Sergeant Joe B. Parson Jr., is currently serving as first sergeant, HHT, 3-17 Cavalry, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY. He received an A. S. from Boston Community College. His military education includes Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, First Sergeants Course, Bradley Master Gunners Course, and Basic Airborne School. He has served in various command and staff positions, to include observer controller, Operations Group, National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA; platoon sergeant, B Troop, 3d Squadron, 7th (3-7) Cavalry, Fort Stewart, GA; senior scout, B Troop, 3-7 Cavalry, Fort Stewart; and squad leader, B Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry, Buedingen, Germany. He has deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Joint Endeavor, Operation Desert Spring, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. First Lieutenant Tobias S. Apticar is the XO, HHT, 3-17 Cavalry, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY. He received a B. A. from Norfolk State University. His military education includes Armor Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, and Primary Leadership Development Course. He has served in various command and staff positions, to include training NCO and squad leader, 368th Transportation Company (Cargo Transfer Company), Fort Story, VA; and transportation specialist, 26th Forward Support Battalion, Vilseck, Germany. “The convoy commander is responsible for issuing the convoy brief, which includes the mission, route orientation, times, check points, road conditions, danger areas, and enemy activity. Ensure all vehicle commanders are present, as well as applic able gunners and passengers. Vehicle commanders are responsible to brief their crews and disseminate all information. This is especially true if it is anew mission or a different route.” — 33