Exercise TALON REACH - Marine Corps Association REACH IV.pdf · MAWTS-1 Aviation, Development, ......

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Exercise TALON REACH After Action Report

20 November 2014



Executive Summary

― The Infantry Officer Course (IOC) worked in cooperation with Marine Aviation Weapon and Tactics Squadron (MAWTS-1) to conduct a long-range vertical insert of a Company Landing Team (CLT).

― TALON REACH was a multi-objective exercise designed around the construct of the MAWTS-1 Aviation, Development, Tactics, and Evaluation (ADT&E) Department TACDEMO that forced prospective infantry officers to make decisions and aggressively seize the initiative based on real-time intelligence reporting.

― IOC students conducted detailed planning with MAWTS-1 instructors and Marine Corps Logistics Operations Group (MCLOG) provided a logistics NCO in order to further reinforce to all participants the importance of planning, communicating, and executing as a MAGTF.

― CLT received logistical support via the Joint Precision Aerial Delivery System (JPADS) post mission accomplishment IOT support follow-on operations.



— March 2013 – Raid Exercise executed based upon 35th CMC’s Planning Guidance, 34th CMC’s “Concept for

Enhanced Company Operations,” and the March 2012 MCCDC “Gaining and Maintaining Access” concept.

— Exercise consisted of a nighttime, long-range raid between MCB Quantico and MCRD Parris Island.

— Marine Corps Gazette Article “Night Raid: A 500 Mile MAGTF Experiment” captures lessons learned.

— August 2013 – Raid Exercise consisted of a nighttime, long-range raid between MCB Quantico and Camp Blanding, Florida.

— December 2013 – TALON REACH I.

— Exercise consisted of a nighttime, long-range, Embassy reinforcement & noncombatant evacuation operation between MCB 29 Palms and Fort Hood, TX.

— Validated that the Marine Corps can execute a 1000+ mile crisis response operation.

— Developed Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures to support MV-22 operations into the urban littorals (including night fast rope insertion), as well as the incorporation of numerous digital interoperability capabilities.

— March 2014 – TALON REACH II.

— Exercise consisted of a nighttime, long-range vertical assault focused on neutralizing an enemy possessing Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities and then seizing an airfield in support of the distributed short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) operations (DSO) concept.

— Exercise developed based on guidance provided in Expeditionary Force - 21.

— Significant emphasis placed on developing digital interoperability capabilities across the MAGTF.

— June 2014 – TALON REACH III.

— Exercise consisted of a nighttime, vertical assault to clear multiple enemy positions in an urban environment followed by a dismounted movement to contact to seize an airfield in support of the DSO concept.

Exercise History



Provide future infantry officers with an exposure to MAGTF mission planning and execution through the conduct of a

long-range non-combatant evacuation exercise in support of CG, MCCDC guidance to assist in operationalizing

Expeditionary Force-21.

Executive Purpose



– Provide future infantry officers with an exposure to MAGTF mission planning and execution through the conduct of a long-range non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) exercise.

– Foster a culture of innovation within IOC faculty, staff, and students.

– Assess integrated airborne C5I between a CLT located across multiple aviation platforms IOT provide in-route situational awareness updates, to locate objectives, and to coordinate and approve fires.

– Assess integrated ground-air C5I between a CLT post-insert and multiple supporting aviation platforms.

– Assess long-range ground C5I between a CLT post-insert and after manned aviation platforms check off station.

– Assess integration of a Small Unmanned Aerial Surveillance (SUAS) capability within the CLT HQ during long-range dismounted operations.

– Assess long-range logistical requirements ISO a CLT.

Executive Objectives



Exercise Focus Points

― The Infantry Officer Course (IOC) provides “Focus Points” for every event in the Program of Instruction (POI) in order to facilitate instruction and student learning.

― The Focus Points for this iteration of TALON REACH were as follows: ― Introduction to the MAGTF.

― Develop understanding of how to build the team.

― Understand the capabilities and limitations of the forces at your disposal.

― Plan using the 6 Warfighting Functions.

― Air Assault Planning Considerations. ― Understand the need to develop a complete, thought out ground tactical plan first.

― Importance of leveraging technology. ― Develop/maintain situational awareness.

― Facilitate command and control.

― Facilitate efficient, detailed, and organized tactical site exploitation (TSE).

― Understand how to incorporate Electronic Warfare into the ground scheme of maneuver.



Mission: O/O the 11th MEU conducts evacuation of American Citizens IOT deny local nationals the ability to negatively affect US interests.

Situation



CLT OBJ A CLT OBJ B 2

1

Company Landing Team (CLT) conducts vertical assault to secure and conduct the extract of American Non-Combatants in the Country of Red. (1) Infantry Platoon establishes blocking position to the

south of the SOFITEL Hotel and conducts hasty attack on CLT Obj B based off of updated information.

Hasty Attack to Neutralize

Concept of Operations




19-20 September 2014: IOC Long Range, Vertical Assault Experiment

Overall CONOPS

Part 1 -1930, 19 Sept: 80X PAX CLT (students and instructors) lifts from PZ (in Yuma) via CH-53’s -2010, 19 Sept: FW A/C provide ISR to CLT en route to objective -Situational awareness of developing violent protests provided Part 2 -2030-2230, 19 Sept: CLT conducts blank fire fast rope insert in urban littoral (R220) IOT provide security and extract for American Citizens and live-fire blocking position SE of city (R220) IOT prevent reinforcements to protests Part 3 -2130 19 Sept to 0000 20 Sept: CLT launches SUAS IOT confirm FW update about ZPU threat south of positions and, upon confirmation of threat, required to destroy EN systems and support personnel -PUMA, rockets, and MMGs -BDA report from each EN contact sent digitally to LFOC -JPADs dropped upon consolidation IOT resupply CLT with ammo/water Part 4 -NLT 0000, 19 Sept: CLT consolidates on Obj B IOT allow for extract of all personnel

CLT Obj A

CLT Obj B

Overall CONOPS



September 17 September 18 September 19 September 20 NLT 1000 - Ground tactical plan complete; pilots and crew chiefs arrive for integrated planning 1300 - ROC Walk with all personnel and support 1500 - Prep for combat, ammo issue, comm rehearsals ; Instructors depart Yuma for R220 1930 - CLT LD 2000 - FW take-off ISO ISR 2010 - ISR feed sent to CLT 2030 - CLT conducts fast-rope insert and establishes blocking position to SE NLT 0000 - Hotel/AMCITs secure, OBJ B clear, JPADs requested

~0100 - Notional extract platforms recover CLT 0100 - IOC conducts line-out of staff and students 0700 - Police call 0900 - Movement back to Camp Wilson, weapons/gear maintenance 1200 - Serialized gear/comm gear turn-in

0800 - Frag-O issued to key billet holders that elections occurring in Country of Red; CLT XX on alert status 0900 - Comm classes; Warn-O issued 1630 - Platform familiarization w/ CH-53’s and crew chiefs 1900 - PZ Ops for day/night fast-rope 1930 - Day fast rope x2 2030 - Night fast rope x2

~ 1100 - IOC movement from 29 Palms to Yuma (3 x C-130) 1300 - IOC student set-up of planning spaces 1400 - Instructor walk-through at MAWTS-1 1500 - Instructor EW class at SKED/IOC 1500 – Student comm classes at auditorium 1900 - Air Assault Planning Class

Executive Timeline




Exercise After Action



– Provide future infantry officers with an exposure to MAGTF mission planning and execution through the conduct of a long-range non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) exercise.

SUSTAIN

– The face to face/knee to knee planning that occurred due to the professionalism and dedication of both MAWTS-1 and IOC facilitated a detailed, professional learning exercise for the student officers and showed them what “right looks like” with regards to MAGTF mission planning.

Photo Sep 19, 14 14 02

After Action



– Assess integrated airborne C5I between a CLT located across multiple aviation platforms IOT provide in-route situational awareness updates, to locate objectives, and to coordinate and approve fires.

SUSTAIN/IMPROVE – AV-8B fell out due to maintenance, which prevented Litening Pod integration during

movement to the objective.

– LILO was only functioning ISR platform.

– Due to system restraints, use of LILO was limited to single user (CLT FST Leader).

– Good text communications – laterally – between CLT FST, CLT CO, and Director throughout movement.

– Unable to share imagery via text between tablet devices during execution.

After Action



– Assess integrated ground-air C5I between a CLT post-insert and multiple supporting aviation platforms.

SUSTAIN/IMPROVE – Unable to conduct graphic exchange between units. Multiple attempts made to submit

either imagery or SOM graphics with no success.

– No voice or digital imagery communication with the AV-8B throughout the exercise.

– No ability to receive downlink from Litening Pod.

– C2 aircraft was able to continually update ground forces via data (text) through the Company FST.

After Action



– Assess long-range ground C5I between a CLT post-insert and after manned aviation platforms check off-station.

SUSTAIN – With 50 watt amplifier mounted on the Multi-purpose unmanned tactical transport

(MUTT), CLT was able to extend ANW2 coverage to 20 miles (CLT was able to communicate via ANW2 from R220 to Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group (MCTOG)).

– SKYSAT validated as persistent long range air to ground and over the horizon (OTH) communications capability.

After Action



– Assess integration of a SUAS capability within the CLT HQ during long-range dismounted operations.

IMPROVE – PUMA is not a feasible SUAS platform to be launched with light infantry (no vehicles in

support).

– Imagery provided by the WASP throughout execution. Students failed to employ WASP throughout all aspects of the event.

– Continue to research and test other SUAS platforms that can be used to provide both ISR and an ability to extend a mesh network.

After Action



– Assess long-range logistical requirements ISO a CLT.

SUSTAIN/IMPROVE

– (3/4) JPADS loads were dropped in support of the mission. (2) loads landed within 10

meters of each other inside of the drop zone (DZ).

– Sourced LCE rep provided additional learning for the students with his knowledge of aerial delivery and JPADS. In the future, recommend the participating Marine is allowed to fly in and completely participate with the force.

After Action



― Additional support needed with regards to scenario development and exercise design. ― Could facilitate greater involvement from MCTOG and help shape future

MAGTF exercises.

― Scenario built to secret for future iterations. ― Maximize training for students/staff to real world threats. Allow for greater

demonstration of weapons/systems capabilities.

Intelligence



― Role of the 0231 – Company Intelligence Specialist. ― Supervises company level intelligence cell (CLIC) operations and assigned personnel and serves as

the senior intelligence expert in the company COC.

― Supports the creation of the company’s intelligence plan, oversees its execution, and supervises the collection management process and the dissemination of battalion priority intelligence requirements (PIR) and company-specific orders or requests.

― Supports the company’s intelligence collection plan by seeking organic and nonorganic support, communicating and coordinating with higher, adjacent, and supporting units, and requesting products and support from the battalion intelligence section.

― Produces and supervises the production of various intelligence products to include briefs, maps, targeting information, and imagery.

― Supervises enemy prisoner of war (EPW)/detainee tracking to process, disseminate, and exploit information gained through tactical questioning, document exploitation, and other means.

― Assists in the enforcement of active and passive operational security measures.

― Is capable of participating in the MCPP.

― Is capable of performing all physical requirements associated with serving in an infantry company.

- MCWP 3-11.1 Infantry Company Operations

― . Strongly recommend support provided to future TALON REACH Exercises with incorporation of 0231 Company Intelligence Specialist.

Intelligence



— Role of the Company Intelligence Specialist. — Must incorporate further into future TALON REACH Exercises.

— Participation will greatly facilitate student learning.

— TALON REACH can serve as a method to identify training requirements to meet the expectations of the Company Intelligence Specialist as defined in MCWP 3-11.1 Infantry Company Operations.

― Tactical site exploitation (TSE). ― Students received extensive classes/practical application on TSE as part of mission

rehearsals.

― Tablet validated as an effective method for capturing TSE data.

― Recommend continue to develop software applications to facilitate TSE collection.

Intelligence



― RQ-20A Puma. ― Not man-portable.

― Carried in six pelican cases (6 feet in length, 360 pounds).

― Ground Control System (GCS) not compatible with tablet devices. To view imagery, the Marine needs to be observing the hand controller or attached Toughbook.

― With modifications to facilitate expeditionary operations, RQ-20A can provide overhead network capability.

*Only viable launch method is with vehicle asset as PUMA required XXMPH to launch.

Intelligence



― TALON REACH generated an opportunity for student officers and staff (IOC and

MAWTS-1) to develop a plan and execute a mission in which the scenario developed had strategic level implications based off success or failure.

― Given a mission, higher’s intent, and supporting assets, a Marine Rifle Company should be expected to be tasked with operating autonomously in the conduct of various crisis response missions as part of the current operating environment.

― Recommend the continued execution of TALON REACH exercises as a method for student learning and validation of Marine Corps capabilities.

“The Marine Corps concept for winning under these conditions (uncertain, chaotic, and fluid environment) is a warfighting doctrine

based on rapid, flexible, and opportunistic maneuver.” -MCDP-1 Warfighting

Maneuver



― CH-53E is a proven platform for assault transport and fast-rope insert. ― Recommend making modifications to adjust ramp platforms to facilitate (2) fast ropes at once allowing for very

rapid insert of assault force.

― Air-crew familiarization training greatly facilitated execution. ― Engines were turned off and students given briefs from both pilots and crew chiefs.

― Crew chiefs took students through the aircraft and worked through load/offload procedures/best practices.

― IOC HSRT Masters met with Crew Chiefs to ensure both understood scheme of maneuver for fast-rope execution.

― Multiple day/night fast rope rehearsals facilitated rapid insert of assault force (under three minutes) onto objective building.

Maneuver



― LILO Sensor. ― Uses Direction Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) system to generate images for

Marines inside aircraft that can be shared from LILO sensor to tablet device.

― Was not always effective at providing Positive Identification (PID) however the increased situational awareness provided allows the Company FST Leader to direct other ISR assets towards identified NAIs.

― Images were slow to transmit, however recommend continued development/training on this asset due to the large potential it has to maintain situational awareness for

the small unit leader.

Fires



― JPADS employment. ― 3/4 drops were a success within 10 meters of

requested DZ grid location.

― Strong potential for employment in urban environment.

― Recommend test employment of JMIC in future iterations.

― Multi-purpose Unmanned Tactical Transport (MUTT). ― Effective on even terrain.

― Not reliable on uneven terrain. Specifically once off road in the desert of 29 Palms, the MUTT routinely became stuck.

Logistics



― Role of the 0481 – Company Logistics NCO. ― Assists in the development of logistic plans that support the company commander’s concept of

operations and employment.

― Has direct responsibility for the development of company embarkation and debarkation plans and the supervision of their execution.

― Executes tactical Executes tactical logistics for the company to include the coordination of CSS activities necessary for mission accomplishment. These activities include supply and maintenance, coordination of transportation resources and employment, embarkation, general engineering support, and general services support.

― Leads and conducts helicopter support team operations and train other Marines as required.

― Is proficient in the use of, and capable of training Marines on, such systems as the automated information systems that support logistic command and control and in-transit visibility, expeditionary energy systems, and water filtration and purification systems.

― Is capable of participating in the MCPP.

― Is capable of performing all physical requirements associated with serving in an infantry company logistics for the company to include the coordination of CSS activities.

- MCWP 3-11.1 Infantry Company Operations

Strongly recommend greater role for 0481 Company Logistics NCO in future TALON REACH Exercises.

Logistics



— Role of the Company Logistics NCO. — Must incorporate further into future TALON

REACH Exercises.

— Participation greatly facilitated student learning.

— TALON REACH serves as a method to identify training requirements to meet the expectations of the Company Logistics NCO as defined in MCWP 3-11.1 Infantry Company Operations.

— Recommend Logistics NCO provided to IOC earlier IOT incorporate into all aspects of missing planning and execution.

Logistics



― RFID – Basic.

― Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID).

― Effectively tracked accountability of all forces.

― Accounted for (2) Marines switching aircraft just prior to execution.

― Greatly facilitated Assault Support Serial Assignment Table (ASSAT) development and accountability during execution.

― Recommend continued development and incorporation to better manage logistics push/pull. (RFID can track ammunition counts, serialized gear, medical assets, etc.)

Sensors on individual Marine and on aircraft.

Command and Control



– Tablet w/ KILSWITCH and PRC-117G are light weight (10lbs) and transportable method of facilitating C2.

– Provided Blue Force Situational Awareness in flight and on the ground throughout execution.

– Recommend continued development/procurement of this capability and source to the squad level.

– Recommend (1) PRC-117G per squad in an infantry battalion.

– Recommend (4) tablet H2C2 devices per squad in an infantry battalion.

Command and Control



― Need to continue development of MAGTF interoperability. ― GCE comms. w/ other services ≠ Joint Interoperability.

― ACE comms. w/ other services ≠ Joint Interoperability.

― LCE comms. w/ other services ≠ Joint Interoperability.

― Find a way to “share” a hard-drive with two operating systems. ― Similar to “Boot Camp” which allows Microsoft Office

to be run on an Apple Device.

Communicating as a MAGTF with other services = Joint Interoperability

NETT WARRIOR

Command and Control



― Medical Capability. ― Future exercises need to determine best methods to provide medical support

to units operating 1000+ nautical miles from nearest Level II/III facility.

― Recommend incorporation of medical planner and Forward Surgical Team into future TALON REACH exercises.

― Laser Employment. ― LA-9P Laser Dazzler.

― Provides effective Non-lethal capability.

― Effective signaling capability. ― 300 meters (Day).

― 4 kilometers (Night).

Force Protection



– “The exposure to the MAGTF planning process in particular will be invaluable to students going to the operating forces in planning future operations.”

– “The ability to transfer data gives the assault force commander and other tactical leaders the ability to update higher headquarters in a distributed environment and allows for a significant shortening of the “approval chain” with real time, up to date battlefield information, through the use of text and digital imagery.”

– “The SkySat technology provided redundancy in the communications architecture which allowed the Assault Force to maintain tempo and focus on the mission at hand, when other methods of communication were encountering difficulty.”

– “On the ground, the KILSWITCH software on the tables expedited the process of updating subordinate leaders on the situation…KILSWITCH and the tablets should be integrated in the planning process as much as possible.”

– “Operation TALON REACH was a tremendous learning opportunity that allowed students to experience the full process of MAGTF operation planning – from initial situation through execution.”

Student Feedback



http://blog.tmcnet.com/robotics/2009/11/us-tests-solar-powered-hale-uas-at-naval-air-warfare-center.html

Zephyr 7 High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) – Developed by UK – Airbus Defence and Space.

– Just completed test flight which consisted of over 11 days non-stop flight.

– Winter/weather durable.

– Runs exclusively on solar power (battery charge allows for night operations).

– Potential to provide long-term air based network communications coverage for ground forces.

Future Interests



RF-7800H - wideband HF manpack

– Delivers expanded data capabilities to long-range, beyond line of site (BLOS) environments.

– Capable of sending/receiving voice/data over 1000+ kilometers.

– 20% lighter/smaller than current PRC-150.

– Recommend testing of the RF-7800H in future TALON REACH Exercises.

Future Interests



— Near term (NLT 1 Jul 15). – TALON REACH V & WTI 2-15 (Mar-Apr 15).

―Employ armed V-22 (Griffin missile [10+ mile range].

― Integrate sensor with KILSWITCH application.

―Optimize for C2 aircraft .

Future Interests



― Desired Capabilities of Company Landing Team to execute long-range SPMAGTF-CR mission. ― Capable of en route / in-flight planning and sharing of information laterally with adjacent

aircraft/units as it is received from sensors in the objective area.

― Capable of en route / in-flight planning and sharing of information with higher headquarters.

― Digitally connected squad leaders provided intra-company situational awareness, moving map with Controlled Image Base (CIB) level imagery, and capable of messaging and file exchange with Plt/Co HQ.*

*From 15th MEU Digital Interoperability Draft Requirements

― What did it take to conduct TALON REACH? ― (2) x Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques (HRST) Masters.

― 0481 Company Logistics NCO.

― Small Unmanned Aerial Surveillance (SUAS) SMEs.

― Digital Interoperability Capable.

― (1) PRC-117G per squad – ((4) per platoon).

― (4) Tablets per squad.

― Safety Insert Officer (SIO).

Way Ahead



– IOC strongly recommends a continuation of this exercise at a similar time in relation to execution of the 2-15 WTI Course in order to provide advanced learning to the students while serving as a conduit for feedback for future TACDEMO events.

– IOC recommends continued instructor enrollment into subsequent WTI courses.

– Recommend MAWTS-1/IOC review other POI events for possible collaboration. – IOC Fires Package – week long event with classroom instruction, classroom practical application

and live fire FST quick fire plan execution. With (1) trained JTAC on the IOC staff, the potential exists for increased involvement from additional FACs and JTACs. Feedback/support from MAWTS-1 could facilitate significant increased learning for this event.

– PALMFEX – three week long culminating exercise aboard MCAGCC with multiple events that could be enhanced with incorporation of the ACE.

– Mountain Movement to Contact (MTC). – Typically involves vertical insert.

– ACE support for ISR and CAS.

– MOUT FINEX (R210). – Potential for incorporation of CAS to facilitate isolation of objective to the north.

Way Ahead



―This AAR will soon be available at the MCCLL web-site under the title “IOC TALON REACH AAR (20140919).”

―The previous exercise and TALON REACH AARs are available at the MCCLL web-site.

—The point of contacts for this AAR are: — Captain David Donahue ([email protected]) — Captain Conner Gentil ([email protected]) — Captain Tyler Anthony ([email protected]) — Major George Flynn ([email protected])

Points of Contact

mailto:[email protected]




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