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Afghanistan: Lessons Learned (merged)

This is an AAR given to our Platoon prior to our deployment. These are the same Americans who came over to help evaluate us, and give pre-RIP advice. It's been de-OPSEC'd, the terps name Jeff is a fake, and the others as well.

On XX October 2005 1st platoon D company 2/504 PIR was ordered to move to the Maywand district headquarters in Khandahar province, in order to secure the compound from recently fired ANP officers. When the platoon arrived SFC W, the platoon leader was informed by Captain T, the company commander that around 30 former ANP had occupied the new district headquarters, and were still armed. Further there had been reports that ACM had linked up with the ex-officers and were encouraging them to attack. CPT. T instructed SFC W to conduct a recon of the new district headquarters (NDHQ) to determine the enemy’s disposition and composition. Once the platoon was done they were to conduct a similar recon on two VCP’s that were reportedly still manned by the former officers. Upon completion the platoon was to return to the old district HQ (ODHQ). The remainder of the company was occupying the roofs of the ODHQ, providing over watch and observation of the target building 320 meters away.

    The platoon consisted of three gun trucks; RED 5; SFC W: TC, SPC G: .50 cal gunner, PFC N: driver, CPL L: medic. RED 3; SGT S: TC, SPC T: MK-19 gunner, PFC P: driver, R- S: DoD dog handler, RED 4; SGT C: TC, PFC H: MK-19 gunner, PFC M: driver, J LN terp.

    The platoon moved out to the north using blackout drive, crossing Highway 1 by the wadi bridge and then paralleling the wadi on an improved dirt road. They passed by the east gate of the new NDHQ and noted several personnel standing by the gate, but were unable to determine if they were armed. SFC W elected to move to the east in the wadi and set up an OP using thermals to scan the compound. The platoon stayed in position for almost 30 minutes scanning the compound, and noted at least ten personnel in the compound or on the roof. At this time SFC W elected to do an overt close target recce of the compound. He had a quick huddle with his NCOs and out lined his plan.

    The platoon moved out and occupied their positions. At the last minute R S ( dog handler)  volunteered to provide rear security. So the six men moved out; SFC W, SGT S, CPL L, Ryan, J-terp, and Sgt C. SFC W peered around the corner into the compound; to his right(north) was building 1(B-1), to his front right(NW) was the barracks(B-4), to his front right(west) was building 3(B-3) and to his left(south) was building 2(B-2). On B-1 he observed 4 men in civilian clothes, none appeared to be carrying any weapons, but he did observe a PKM machine gun set up and pointed to the south. The barracks had lights on and he could see several other men in civilian clothes moving inside the first room. The other buildings appeared to be unoccupied, nor did they have lights on. SFC W was about to call his terp forward when he was illuminated by a flashlight, he waved and the light clicked off, then one individual stepped off the barracks porch, carrying an AK-47, the guard on the roof yelled something to him, and the man turned and raised the AK at SFC W. SFC W stepped around the corner and immediately fired a controlled pair at the man, dropping the enemy, and he then began to suppress the PKM position. When his mag ran dry, he pulled back and ordered SGT S to fire 2 M-203 rounds at the lower windows of B-1. Almost simultaneously a heavy volume of fire was directed at the recon team from the barracks and the PKM on B-1. SFC W stepped out and threw a fragmentation grenade at the PKM, silencing it.

SFC W then decided on a hasty assault. He ordered SGT C to call RED 5 forward, and get RED 3 and 4 turned around, He ordered Jeff to return to the truck and CPL L and R-S to provide rear security. SGT C informed them that there were enemy personnel on the roof of B-2, so SFC W again stepped out and threw a fragmentation grenade at the position, silencing it as well. SPC G and PFC N were already engaging hostiles prior to moving up, so SFC W told him to continue to engage and move the truck up at a crawl to the far edge of B-1. He then told SGT S and SGT C to stack on him. As the team moved forward the volume of enemy fire picked up considerably, so SFC W called RED 3 forward and told SGT C to position it to the right(south) flank of RED 5. He then brought RED 4 in to cover the north end of the compound.

SPC G engaged a group of fighters hiding behind a hilux pick up, killing one, driving the rest off and setting the truck on fire in process. SFC W bounded forward to clear the two front rooms of B-1, as he was clearing them CPL L called out that there was enemy trying to flank so he engaged, hitting one. As RED 3s MK-19 began engaging the barracks an RPG flew out of the barracks over the roof of RED 5 and struck the north facing wall of B-2. SFC W told SGT S to engage with an AT-4, which silenced the RPG fire. SFC W then had SGT S and SGT C stack on him to clear B-1. He instructed SPC G and T to fire underneath the window frames of the barracks from left to right in order to flush the enemy out into the courtyard to the north so the could be engaged by RED 4’s MK-19. He also instructed CPL L and R-S to brief any incoming forces on the situation.

    The team had cleared four out of five rooms in B-1, when SGT S spotted a door under the stairs. He moved in to clear it with SGT C as his number 2, while SFC W covered the stairs. When SGT S entered, he was face to face with two ACM armed with AK-47s. Unable to raise his M-4, he immediately engaged both in hand to hand combat. SGT C was unable to get a shot, until SGT S threw the first ACM bodily from the closet, and into SGT C, who then fought his way clear and engaged the enemy at muzzle distance, killing him with three well placed shots, unfortunately his mag ran dry. Upon hearing SGT C shout “black!” SFC W moved to SGT S's aid. The second ACM had broken free of SGT S and was advancing on SGT C when SFC W got in between them and dropped him with one stroke from his tomahawk. The team quickly checked the enemy and ascertained they were KIA, slung the AK’s and restacked. Leaving SGT C to cover the stairs, SGT S and SFC W Cleared the last room in B-1. SGT S noticed movement outside in the ditch, one ACM appeared to be crawling towards B-1. SGT S called out in Pashto for the man to stop, and fire a shot into the dirt. When the man continued to advance, SFC W told SGT S to kill him, which he did with two well place rounds to the head at almost 50 meters(only during reconsolidation did the platoon find out that CPL L and SGT S had engaged the same man, CPL L hitting him in the chest, SGT S in the head.

    The team then cleared the steps and then the roof. SFC W broke left, SGT S and SGT C to the right. SFC W observed a ladder leaning on the wall of the stairwell, so he ordered his teammates back into the stair well, and threw a fragmentation grenade on the roof of the structure, he then climbed the ladder and checked the roof and finding it clear, called his teammates forward and secured the roof. SGT C disabled the PKM, while SGT S disabled the AK’s and then threw them all in the courtyard.
    SFC W called DELTA 6 with a sitrep and asked for two squads to clear B-2 and B-3. He then readjusted his gun trucks to more advantageous firing positions, and had RED 4’s gunner, PFC H dismount his M-249 SAW and come to the roof to establish an intermediate support by fire position. At this time COYETE 6(CA) led by MAJ Mc arrived, and SFC W had them position their M-240 armed gun truck to cover the interior wall on the east side. MAJ Mc had his terp and his LN guide begin calling out for the enemy to surrender. Shortly after their arrival LT G came up to the east gate with his 3rd squad. SFC W asked them to begin clearing B-2. He then received a call from RED 3’s gunner SPC T that rifle squad(1st) was approaching the south gate. SFC W had RED 3 move to the south to link up with 1st squad as they began systematically clearing the buildings just outside the south gate. SFC W had SGT S go down and take charge of RED 5 and coordinate it’s fire with BLUE’s movement. He was then informed that AH-64’s were on station, so pending the arrival of DELTA 6 he had them sweep north and west. He continued to direct the fire of his vehicles and was preparing to bring up AT-4s to reduce the last room of the barracks when DELTA 6 arrived and took charge.
     After assessing the situation DELTA 6 decided to employ tactical PYSOPS with their loud speaker to induce the enemy to surrender. By this time there was very little fire coming from the barracks, although ammo in the burning hilux continued to cook off. BLUE platoon had cleared B-2, B-3 and two buildings immediately outside the south gate. So far they had detained eleven personnel. After the PYSOPS broadcast four enemy surrendered to 3rd squad. SFC W directed SGT S to relieve 1st squad of their PUCs, while he himself setup a CCP and EPW area. He left SGT C and PFC H under tactical control of BLUE 6. About this time one enemy WIA was brought in with a sucking chest wound. CPL L began an immediate triage, and SFC W asked WHITE 5 to call in a 9 line medevac, while he established an HLZ in the wadi.
   Gunships reported a large number of men to the north in a compound, so it was decided to bring over the district leader and police chief, as well as their recently fired counter parts to try to persuade the men in the compound to surrender. DUSTOFF 1-1 arrived on station and SFC Rand SFC W marked the HLZ. The EWIA and security escort were quickly loaded and airborne, with gunships as their escort back to KAF. SFC W and SGT C and PFC H and R-S stockpiled all enemy weapons and began an inventory, when DELTA 6 directed the platoon to mount up and recon to the north to check the suspect building.
    The platoon then moved out of the compound under blackout and traveled up the wadi road to the north. After around thirty minutes the platoon was recalled to cover the company’s withdrawal from the objective. The district leader ascertained that the original eleven PUCs were innocent road workers and directed they be let go. The four remaining PUCs were escorted by BLUE back to the ODHQ and turned over to the ANP. The four confirmed EKIA were left in place, with promises by the old district leader to recover them. The platoon loaded all captured weapons up and remained in overwatch until  all elements were safely in the ODHQ.



Captured Equipment Roll Up
1 RPG launcher
7 PG 7 rounds with boosters
1 PKM machine gun
8 AK 47s
1 AK style shotgun
3 cans PKM ammo
26 loaded AK mags
1 large sack of loose AK ammo

    The platoon returned to the NDHQ compound on the 20th  with an ANA squad. All bodies had been removed and most of the blood covered with dirt. The ANA found numerous blood trails and drag marks in the high grass and on the wall to the rear (west) of the barracks. They also found blood trails on the roof of the barracks and B-2. Local ANP and AHP stated that locals put the final toll at 20 ACM killed or wounded, although this cannot be verified.
 
I see there is a picture on here that has a bi pod?Are troops being deployed as a DM or is it just a LCF.Also are vertical grips being issued or do we have to buy them.I don't really want a C9 grip.
With all that shyte on the end of a C7 doesn't it make the rifle heavy or annoying to carry, seems like to much weight for the front of the rifle.
 
MikeH said:
I see there is a picture on here that has a bi pod?Are troops being deployed as a DM or is it just a LCF.Also are vertical grips being issued or do we have to buy them.I don't really want a C9 grip.
With all that shyte on the end of a C7 doesn't it make the rifle heavy or annoying to carry, seems like to much weight for the front of the rifle.

I had the Bi pod on just to provide a more stable firing platform... and maybe a little LCF.

The Vertical hand grips (and rails) are not issued, I had to buy them, but you can get them cheap on ebay, and they work just as well.  Vertical grips should be issued though. They make a world of differance when shooting.

As for all the crap on the end of the rifle; The flashlight and PAC4 (laser) are issued and manditory. It's just better to have them mounted on the forestock than the tri-rail at the very front of the C7.  There's already a lot of front weight with the C7A2, so it's better to move as much weight to the middle.
 
gotcha..well im going to invest in a vertical grip ,was just wondering,
Thx for the info. :)
 
RHFC_piper said:
The Vertical hand grips (and rails) are not issued, I had to buy them, but you can get them cheap on ebay, and they work just as well.  Vertical grips should be issued though. They make a world of differance when shooting.

+1 Makes all the difference in the world, glad I bought one prior to deployment, although the C9 vertical grip works just as well, and as mentioned above, costs nothing.
 
I think I spent $10 (with shipping) for my vertical grip on eBay and it was rail mounted, had a battery compartment and 2 panels that slid off the sides so that depression-switch pads could be mounted on it. It was also tan.  I think I got it from an eBay store / seller who speciallized in Paint ball gear, thusly, I believe it was intended for painball... whatever works.

And why do verticle grips work so well?  More comfortable firing position.  If you've never fired with a vertical grip, I'd strongly suggest trying it.  With that said, it doesn't work for everyone.

As for the C9 grips; They work too, but aren't all that comfortable (sometimes) and can be hard to mount. And if you find yourself not using it, or not wanting it, they can be hard to remove. Rail kits are fairly easy to mount, (bolts and flat nuts to fit under the heat shields), cheap (I think I also paid $10 for 3 rails w/ hardware) and then the grips are removable and adjustable, and you can also mount other gucci gear to them (the rails).
 
Very good pts on the fact that the C9 grip cannot be taken off fast or easy. Broke a hand guard on one occasion.
 
C9 grip cannot be taken off fast or easy. Broke a hand guard on one occasion.
I was wondering if it was hard to take off or if got hit would it break the handguard.Good points guys keep them coming!
 
To mount the C9 Grips you usually have to alter the tins (heat shields) so that the nut will fit in the holes... Weapons techs and CQ may get slightly annoyed by this.  And then theres the posibility of breaking the hand guard if the vertical grip gets forced the wrong way, as it's only being held by very little plastic around the mounting point.

If you get a C7 / AR15 / M4 / M16 weaver or picatinny rail kit, they come with flat nuts that fit between the tins and the inside of the hand guards, yet still provide positive hold. The flat nuts spread the pressure evenly on the mounting surfaces and since there is more than one blot holding it in place, it makes it much less likely to break off.  Also, if you get a rail mounted hand grip, it is more likely that the grip will break under pressure before the rail or the hand guard... and like I said, I got my grip on ebay for $10, and I think they sell them in the PX in KAF too.

When I mounted my rails, I ensured that they were parallel (to within .001 of an inch) with the barrel by laying a hand guard (half) on a flat surface (granite block ground to .0001 true) and using a dial indicator to check height differences between ends. I then adjusted the height with various washers until it was damn near perfect... Just so that when I mounted my PAC4 it didn't follow the contour of the hand guards and needed very little adjustment, and so my verticle grip was absolutely verticle to the barrel.  (in my civi life I worked in a machine shop... old habits die hard.)

The alternative to all this is buying pre-railed hand guards; Like this AR15 QUAD RAIL MIDLENGTH HANDGUARD (from VERIFORCE Tactical)

This saves the trouble of zeroing out rails... and these would be a hell of a lot more durable.  A bit pricy in comparison though.

And you can get rail covers so that it looks kind of normal, or if you do break off you vertical grip, you have something other than rail to hold on to.

I'm hoping, when I get back into my civi life, I'll be able to make some of these kinds of things in what ever machine shop I'm working in (on the side).  Gotta love CNC.
 
i had my own C8 handguard, so i just changed the handguard not the grip, if i needed too. Yeah and CQ's get mad to when you spray paint a new C8 also! ;D
 
silentbutdeadly! said:
Yeah and CQ's get mad to when you spray paint a new C8 also! ;D

I saw a lot of Tan (desert camo) C8s kicking around the CQ when I was there, and I was told a lot of the guys from the last tour *cough*PPCLI*cough* had painted them much to the dismay of the CQs... I also saw a lot of delightful mods to the Remington 870 (folding stocks), but thats a different deal... Anyway, I think camouflaging of rifles is a great idea, if done carefully...  Between the green TV and the black and green rifles, we stand out quite a bit. My suggestion would be to leave a enough weapons in country for all the troops who leave the wire (and some spares) and let the troops from each tour mod them as they go. sort of a "Pimp-my-rifle" kinda deal.  Needless to say, there would have to be due care and maintainance done, but I think with that kind of flexability, the troops can have comfortable weapons without 'pimping' all the weapons in the CF. Also, when handover is done, the incoming troops can better see 'what works' and build from there... just a thought.


On a side note; Before I left for the sand box (now the mud pit), I looked for ways to improve the Remington 870 Shotgun, as I was to be carrying it.  I don't know about everyone else, but I found it to be way too long.  The barrel length was ok, but the solid stock made it a little cumbersum.  I suggested folding stocks and such, but no one wanted to mod the shotties.  One option I began to look into was mounting the shotgun under the C7, like the M203. The US were doing this at one point (haven't seen it in a while), I think they called it "the master key"... anyway, I found a company that makes the mounts, but only for M4 (C8s), so I wasn't able to get it in time.

Since I've been home, I've been considering what I'm going to do with my life after my contract for the tour runs out, and I figure I'll be getting back into machining... So I think this will become another project. Unless anyone else knows where to get such a rig.
 
I take it the 870 is purely used for breeching ops and such, so taking time to unfold the stock is not an issue? I am currently looking at the Specops recoil reducing stock for my 590, this also has an adjustable AR style stock on the end.

http://www.knoxx.com/NewStyleKnoxx/Products/SpecOpsStock.html
 
Shotgun = for breeching.  The CF botched the buy since they shoud have got 14" or shorter barrels -- and just s pistol grip stock.
  However only the JTF/CSOR have breeching rounds -- the CF is supposed to be looking at them.

We put a KAC 870 RAS on ours and a SF light and DR Optic
IMG_3511.jpg

BHP.jpg



One section put a pistol grip stock on theirs
 
Infidel-6 said:
Shotgun = for breeching.  The CF botched the buy since they shoud have got 14" or shorter barrels -- and just s pistol grip stock.

During work up, one of the 'lessons learned' Briefs we got talked about how the US were using shotguns for the 'air centry' (bird gunners) troops for when they drive through cities. It seems that motorists who got too close in busy cities responded to a shotgun blast more than a few rounds from the C7 or a short burst from the C9, and the shotgun had less chance of causing collateral damage due to its short range.

But I agree; the CF should have purchased a 870's with shorter barrels and larger mag capacities.  A pistol grip would have been nice and a folding butt would make it easier to carry around and consume less space in the LAV

Infidel-6 said:
  However only the JTF/CSOR have breeching rounds -- the CF is supposed to be looking at them..

By 'breaching rounds' do you mean fleschette rounds? or just solid slugs?  'cause we were given solid slugs and buck shot.

Infidel-6 said:
We put a KAC 870 RAS on ours and a SF light and DR Optic
One section put a pistol grip stock on theirs

Pretty sweet looking rigs. Those rails would have been handy.

Is that a 20 rd mag on the C7 in your hands? Is that the Sniper C7CT?  I think I saw a few around in Panjwayi, but I wasn't sure what the deal was with those.

Wish we could have painted out weapons.

Colin P said:
I take it the 870 is purely used for breeching ops and such, so taking time to unfold the stock is not an issue? I am currently looking at the Specops recoil reducing stock for my 590, this also has an adjustable AR style stock on the end.
http://www.knoxx.com/NewStyleKnoxx/Products/SpecOpsStock.html

Once you breach a room you may have to go in and clear another room.  Switching up shotty for C7 in the middle of the fray may not be an option, so they're not just used for breaching.  When it comes to OBUA, the shorter the weapon, the better.  More manouverability. And even with breaching, you don't really need to unfold the stock... just put the mussle to the bolt and shoot.

But, thats a pretty sweet stock, I can see how it would come in handy.
 
That just suck, im leaving in 9 days, and for all I know so far, Im going there with an old C9 manifactuerd in 85. At least I got a folding stock and an iron sight on it, but so far I aint even having the short barrel, and not even a freakin ti-rail on it so I cant mount my PAC2. At least I know we got a good Coy commander and hes working for us to get some new kit. So I pray that Ill get something better but I expect to be doing my best with what I got. Anyways, I ordered a Tiger Tactical Military operation vest with 2 extra C9 pouches. They didnt have Arid Cadpat so I got it in Arid Marpat. Im supposed to get it today. Id also like to find a vertical grip for my C9, and Id like to know what is best for c9, and easy to mount.

I found this one on Daves surplus: http://www.davesarmysurplus.com/product_info.php?cPath=58_80&products_id=621
and somebody posted a link on this forum to this one on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.ca/TACTICAL-VERTICAL-GRIP-W-6-PICATINNY-ACCESSORY-RAIL_W0QQitemZ220019973677QQihZ012QQcategoryZ36258QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

I dont know yet which one would be better and more reliable, but I know I'll probably have to make some modification to my hand guard.
Anyway, I might simply ask for it when I get over there. As some of you said, I guess lots of ppl would sell their stuff to the new guys taking their place.
 
I would suggest spending the money on a full C9 (M249)) RAS system. For those that dont know, basically a full set of rails that replaces the hand guard on the C9. It will help distribute the weight of the accessories that you are going to be adding. Additionally with the weight and force that will be put on a vertical grip I would not want to go with a jury rigged set up. I can just envision it breaking during sustained firing. Spend the money and then just sell it to your replacement.

If you want to order stuff but cant get it in Canada in time I can give you the address for the APO (American post office) on KAF. The benefits of shipping to the APO as opposed through normal CF mail is if you are purchasing through the states it doesnt need to clear customs, it is faster, and most American companies will ship to APO for free.

Hope this helps
 
Well, thank you for the reply. I appreciate. Were not going to be stationed at KAF, but at Nathan Smith camp as, for a while at least, we are going to be providing security for the PRT. Im going to try a search on what that full RAS system on ebay, and maybe I can get it before I leave. If not, Ill ask my mother to send it to me to Nathan Smith camp.
 
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