Defend the Airfield, Part I

Situation

Beginning with the fall of communism in the early 1990s, the past several years have witnessed tremendous changes throughout the world. You find yourself the commanding officer of the 1st Special Infantry Company in a provisional rifle battalion that has been formed recently and deployed (without major attachments) on a deployment for training to Dull Garrison Island in the northern region of the Indian Ocean. In part, the deployment maintains presence and replaces the more expensive regular deployment of amphibious forces. It also provides familiarization and training for potential leaders of the local defense force forming on the island.

Even before international sanctions had been lifted, the Southwest Asian nation of BAD had been secretly rebuilding its military arsenal with the intent of avenging the embarrassment suffered at the hands of the United States in 1990-91 and of accomplishing its original objectives of that period, but this time BAD has determined to do it right.

You have been following the message traffic, which states that BAD has invaded its neighbor (the peace-loving nation of GOOD) and the 26th MEU with BLT 2/8 and a carrier battle group has been dispatched to the area.

You are now being told that BAD has the capability to stage limited amphibious and helicopterborne assaults using its elite Guards battalions. Furthermore, it is believed that BAD is planning an assault on the relatively large island of Dull Garrison in an effort to forestall any American effort to redevelop this island as a marshalling area. Faced with this threat, your provisional battalion is directed to deploy throughout the island and attempt to provide security until reinforcements arrive.

Your company is currently located on the southeast coast of the island in the vicinity of one of the island’s three small airfields/landing strips. Your mission is to defend the airfield so that additional forces may be introduced for the island’s defense. You have been assigned one squad each of heavy machineguns and Dragons from weapons company. Your only indirect fire support comes from the battalion’s organic 81mm mortars. Currently, both the carrier battle group as well as the amphibious task force are too far away to provide any support.

Approximately 2 kilometers northeast of the airfield is the mouth of North River, the only suitable landing beach in the immediate vicinity. North River itself is extremely shallow and often dry in this arid land. You are ordered to ensure that your deployment will in no way endanger the lives or property of the good citizens living in the area.

Requirement

In a time limit of five minutes, deploy your company. Include an overlay sketch and provide a brief discussion of the rationale behind your actions. Submit your solutions to the Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #92-3, Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134. The Gazette will publish the author’s and other solutions in the June 1992 issue.

Dull Garrison Chronicles, Part II: Buy Us Some Time, Lieutenant!

Situation

This is a continuation of TDG #923. You are the platoon leader for the 3d Platoon of the 3d Special Infantry Company of a provisional rifle battalion, which has been deployed only recently to Dull Garrison Island located in the Indian Ocean. Currently, you are located in the vicinity of the small village of Al Bandi.

The enemy is continuing its invasion of Dull Garrison Island. Against overwhelming odds and in the face of heavy casualties, the fight is not going well for your provisional rifle battalion, which has begun to consolidate into a single perimeter in the hopes that it can hold out until relieved. The 3d Company is being used to establish platoon-sized outposts across a wide front and has been instructed to trade space for time in order to give the battalion an opportunity to prepare its defensive positions.

The north-south road through Al Bandi is just one of the likely avenues of approach for the enemy’s continued advance. The enemy will be approaching from the north. Several hundred meters to the south are other fallback positions for your platoon as well as the company’s command post. The battalion’s final perimeter is located a couple kilometers to the south of those.

Your mission is to establish your first blocking position in the vicinity of Al Bandi. You are to disrupt and delay the enemy for as long as possible at this position without becoming decisively engaged. You are to fall back to your next position either when ordered to do so or when the local situation dictates. Inform the company of your withdrawal. Although most of its citizens have not yet evacuated Al Bandi, the situation has become so desperate that you have been authorized the use of its buildings as part of your position if needed. You have been assigned one machinegun squad (two M60E3 machineguns) and one assault squad (two SMAWs) from Weapons Platoon as well as one heavy machinegun squad (two HMMWVs, each with one .50 caliber M2 machinegun and one 40mm Mk19 machinegun) and one Dragon squad (four M47 launchers) from Weapons Company. For indirect fire, the company’s 60mm and the battalion’s 81mm mortars will be available.

Requirement

In a time limit of 5 minutes, decide how you will deploy your platoon. Include an overlay sketch and provide a brief discussion of the rationale behind your actions. Submit your solutions to the Marine Corps Gazette, Tactical Decision Game #92-4, Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134. The Gazette will publish the author’s and other solutions in the June 1992 issue.

Dull Garrison Chronicles, Part III: Last Stand

This is a continuation of TDG #92-3. The enemy is continuing to press its assault of Dull Garrison Island. Against overwhelming odds and in the face of heavy casualties, the fight is not going well for our provisional battalion, which has begun to consolidate its survivors into a single perimeter here at Al Habib-a relatively large town and the regional communication and transportation center for this part of the island. The enemy’s main body is still many kilometers to the north but getting closer. Eventually, the enemy’s main attack is expected to come from that direction.

The battalion commander’s plan is to shrink the perimeter and fight a defensive battle within the town itself. The final stand will be a tight “shoulder-to-shoulder” position located at the very heart of Al Habib where the battalion command post (CP) is currently positioned. The 1st Company is deployed on the outskirts of the town and will constitute the northeastern section of the battalion’s perimeter with the 2d Company on the northwestern outskirts. Both will meet in the middle and refuse their outboard flanks. Meanwhile, 3d Company will continue to delay and frustrate the enemy’s main body in order to give the battalion as much time as possible to make these final arrangements. 3d Company will ultimately constitute the entire southern sector of the battalion’s perimeter once they fall back into town.

The 2d Special Infantry Company is currently deployed with its 1st and 3d Platoons positioned facing north and 2d Platoon facing west on the company’s left flank. You are Sgt J. H. Quick, the acting platoon leader for the 2d Platoon. Your platoon sector is shown on the accompanying map. Between being deployed from the States understrength and the casualties you have sustained in the recent fighting, your platoon is down to 20 Marines, many of whom are walking wounded like yourself. Although the company’s attachments from the battalion are located with 3d Platoon, you have been assigned one machinegun squad (two guns) and one SMAW squad (two launchers) from Weapons Platoon.

Since 3d Company is doing such a tremendous job delaying the enemy, your company commander (Lt S. D. Butler, who was your original platoon leader until an enemy mortar attack hit the company CP a couple days ago) feels that he has a little extra time and has called his acting platoon leaders and remaining SNCOs together to discuss the tactical alternatives before he issues his final instructions.

Requirement

In a time limit of 5 minutes, complete your suggestions for the company commander. Include an overlay sketch indicating the recommended positions for your platoon and provide a brief discussion of the rationale behind your actions. Submit your solutions to the Manne Corps Gazette, Tactical Decision Game #92-5, Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134. The Gazette will publish the author’s and other solutions in the July 1992 issue.

Battle of the Garagiola River

Situation

You are the commander of an infantry regiment advancing generally west along the lakeshore to reestablish contact with the enemy. Your regiment, the 2d Marines, includes the 1st and 2d Battalions on amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs) approaching the Garagiola River, the 3d Battalion on trucks at Androida, and a tank battalion east of Androida. Steep banks make it infeasible for your AAVs to swim the river. The regimental TOW platoon is distributed equally among the three infantry battalions. Your mission is to defeat any enemy forces in your sector, or, failing that, at a minimum to delay and disrupt the enemy advance.

For the last 2 weeks you have been facing large enemy mechanized forces and have been forced to fall back in the face of superior numbers, slowly wearing down the enemy while conserving your own combat power. You have learned that the forces you have been facing are from the 1503d Mechanized Division, commanded by MajGen Bludski N. Gutsovich, which consists of a tank regiment and two mechanized infantry regiments. Enemy tactics emphasize attacking aggressively upon contact and maintaining the momentum. The enemy will generally try to overrun resistance with tanks and prefers to dismount infantry only when necessary for close combat.

As your leading elements approach the river, a light armored infantry (LAI) company (reinforced with assault guns and TOWs) passing westward through Tragedia reports a sizable enemy mechanized force to the west approaching Checkpoint 68. The LAI estimates an enemy division with a tank regiment in the lead. At this stage the LAI commander does not believe he has been detected by the enemy. You have an artillery battalion in direct support, but your fire support coordinator assures you he can also get reinforcing fires. Your air officer says he can get you “a couple of sorties of A-6s.”

At this rate, enemy tanks will be approaching Tragedia or Garagiola in about 30 minutes. What are your orders, colonel?

Requirement

In a time limit of 10 minutes, give the orders you would pass to your subordinates. Provide a sketch of your plan, any guidance for supporting arms, and a brief explanation of your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #92-10, P. O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134.

Quote to Ponder:

On Tactics

To move swiftly, strike vigorously, and secure all the fruits of victory, is the secret of successful war.

-Stonewall Jackson: Letter, 1863

Part VI: “Simple Choice, Lieutenant …”

by the Staff, Marine Corps Gazette

Situation

You are the 3d Platoon Commander, A Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, and you have been left in charge as the senior Marine aboard COP Ritz (Combat Outpost Ritz). It has been two days since the two squatter families living in the COP took everything they could carry and left after an unannounced visit from two “cousins.” Your company commander and a team of three MUGA commandos have been outside the wire since dawn meeting with the Imam of the Al Mumeet Mosque and a local tribal leader to try to ascertain what may have prompted the sudden departure of the squatters.

Immediately after noon prayers, two VBIEDs [vehicle borne IEDs] simultaneously struck the HESCO and “Jersey” barrier obstacles across the two northern streets approaching the COP. Immediately following the detonations, several teams of four “military age males” with automatic weapons began firing and moving toward the barriers. The obstacles were undamaged by the blasts, and the VBIEDs only added burning debris to the barrier plan. Your Marines and the MUGA commandos at the COP have been well-rehearsed for this “most dangerous enemy action”—their fire covering the obstacles has been accurate and effective. The COP’s perimeter has not been penetrated, and at least 20 attackers are dead or incapacitated. Several attackers were also wearing “suicide” explosive vests and detonated on or near the obstacles. You estimate there are at least 40 more attackers in covered firing positions to the northwest who are organizing additional attempts to breach the COP’s perimeter.

You are still unable to raise the “Skipper” on the company tactical radio net. You are attempting to contact the battalion by radio and landline but are having no success. The radio traffic is broken and unreadable, and the landline is dead. The COP has four days’-worth supply of ammunition for all weapons; however, you are within one day of a critical shortage of potable water and had been expecting a resupply convoy later in the afternoon.

Your attachments and support available at the COP have not changed. Fire support is currently limited to the battalion’s organic mortars and Marine rotory-wing CAS; however, you have not been able to communicate with the battalion. You doubt you would be able to request medevac support either.

While you are trying to raise your company commander again, the first volley of three RPGs (rocket propelled grenades) hits the COP. None get through the chain-link fencing and chicken wire installed over the windows in the Ritz, but one came close to a direct hit on an east-facing top-floor window. Your 1st Squad Leader, Sgt “Blade” Edgington, reports that there are at least four RPG gunners in the four-story building northeast of the COP and that heavy small arms fire preceded the RPG volley. You get a cold, tight feeling in your gut as you realize your men are being effectively suppressed by the RPGs teams across the street while the “suicide bombers” to your north are preparing to attack. Adding to the friction, you personally observe numerous civilians, mostly women and children, in the same building as the RPG gunners and can hear them praying and crying. Your Marines are keenly observant of the need to positively identify their targets as they judiciously attempt to return fire.

The battalion radio breaks squelch and 1stLt Fonbhone, the S-4 A, is on the line. He reports his resupply convoy hit an IED about a mile outside the city with no KIA (killed in action) and one MTVR requiring tow or recovery. Somehow, he learned from the battalion that the COP was in danger of being overrun, and he has taken his four M1113 up-armored HMMWVs with two MK-19s and two “Ma Deuce .50 cals” up to the fields just south of the city. He wants to know your situation and where you want him to get the heavy guns into action.

What is your choice: do you want him the fire on the RPG gunners, the “suicide bombers,” or do you have another idea?

Requirement

Quickly formulate your plans and issue your orders. Include an overlay sketch and provide a brief discussion of the rationale behind your actions. Submit you solutions by email at [email protected] or to the Marine Corps Gazette, TDG 08-17, Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134. The Gazette will publish solutions in an upcoming issue.

Part IV: “Should I Stay, or Should I Go?”

by the Staff, Marine Corps Gazette

Situation

Your command—A Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, aka “Red Death”—has been occupying and improving a combat outpost in “the Ritz,” a four-story building west of the Al Mumeet Mosque, for six weeks. You are still reinforced with an MUGA Commando Platoon, and both your Marines and the commandos have been regularly rotating between the company’s sector of the battalion FOB and the outpost for the last four weeks, spending two weeks in each position. The route between positions is patrolled by elements of the battalion and LAR, and it is under near-continuous observation by rotary-wing aircraft and scout snipers.

Since establishing “COP Ritz,” the residents of the mosque area have increased their support for the Marine presence and have provided through your interpreters and the elder of the Al Umm family important information on the local situation. Last week their reports led your Marines to a shallow grave containing the remains of four U.N. aid workers who had gone missing several months ago. Although supportive, the locals have not gone so far as to identify local anti-MUGA fighters from any of the various factions. Moreover, there remain very few men between the ages of 14 and 40 in the area. The locals report that they are all away working in the mines.

The JTF continues operating with degraded communications: limited to unencrypted, frequency static, voice-only radio, wire, and couriers. Commercial satellite telephones are available for emergency and morale calls.

Your attachments and support have not changed:

• 1 Machinegun Section (-) (4x M240B 7.62 machineguns).

• 1 Assault Squad (2x SMAW 83mm rocket launchers).

• 1 Joint Tactical Air Controller (JTAC) Team

• 2 Interpreters

• 1 MUGA Commando Platoon: 40 commandos total, equipped with AK-47 rifles, rifle grenades, and is reinforced with an RPK Machinegun Section (4x RPK 7.62 machineguns)

Fire support is currently limited to the battalion’s organic mortars and Marine rotary-wing CAS on alert +15 at the battalion FOB.

The battalion’s alert +5 section of Medevac helicopters has a dedicated radio net. Response time is less than 10 minutes, and the JTF Level III treatment facility is 45 minutes flight time.

Your Marines and the commandos have built a rapport with the two families of squatters inside COP Ritz—your men respect the privacy of the families, especially the women and girls, and a visit from one of the battalion’s female engagement teams (two female Marines, a female corpsman, and woman from USAID fluent in the local dialect) was very well received by both families.

Yesterday, the Al Umm elder informed you that two of his cousins would be visiting from the mines, and the two younger men spent several hours having tea with the old man yesterday evening. The two cousins were respectful and in clean local dress with “knock-off” athletic shoes dusty from the road. You and your interpreters could only catch parts of the conversation discussing the weather and family matters. During the visit, the women and girls all gathered in a separate room and kept their long, black, “Saudi-style” abbayas on the entire time. After the cousins left, you asked the elder why the women did not mix with their family. He replied that they were shy and the daughters might one day be promised in marriage to the men.

This morning, after your pre-dawn “walking the lines” of COP Ritz’s fighting positions, you notice the women and girls of both families leaving the COP with their belongings. The elder and the other men of the squatter families were collecting the heavier property and preparing to leave as well. Through your interpreter, the elder explains that his cousins offered the family a safe place to stay closer to the mines. He seemed sorry to leave and blessed you and your men profusely before quickly departing.

What do you think is going to happen and how soon?

Requirements:

1. What is your assessment of the situation?

2. What are your orders to your Marines and the commandos?

3. What is your report to your battalion commander?

4. What, if any, additional support do you request and why?

Include an overlay sketch and provide a brief discussion of your rationale. Submit you solutions by email at [email protected] or to the Marine Corps Gazette, TDG 05-17, Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134. The Gazette will publish solutions in an upcoming issue.

Note: This problem is a continuation of TDG 04-17

Part III: “Right Encrypt, Authenticate Down”

by the Staff, Marine Corps Gazette

Situation

It has been three days since a patrol from your command, A Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines reinforced with a MUGA Commando Platoon, occupied the four-story building immediately west of the Al Mumeet Mosque now known to your Marines and Sailors as “the Ritz.” Since occupying this building there have been no IDF attacks originating in the mosque neighborhood, overall IDF attacks on the battalion FOB have been reduced, and the local residents are demonstrating support for the Marine presence.

However, the entire JTF has been operating with degraded communications since the incident at the mosque. While your patrol made contact with a well-trained sniper team, the JTF networks were penetrated by malicious code downloaded through a “Trojan Horse” attack on one of the numerous commercial-off-the-shelf “tactical tablet” computers in use across the force. In addition, localized jamming of GPS satellite signals has rendered systems employing GPS time inaccurate and/or inoperative. USCYBERCOM, DISA, and the relevant agencies of the coalition partners have taken measures to contain the effects of these attacks to the operational networks in theater while the JTF and subordinate forces work to reestablish their networks. National intelligence analysis of these sophisticated attacks indicates likely support from the People’s Republic of China to one or more of the local mining syndicate’s armed gangs.

Communications are now limited to unencrypted, frequency static, voice-only radio, wire (analog field telephones still common among members of the coalition and MUGA forces), and of course couriers. The commercial Ouadiyyan telecom enterprise (landline and cellular) is also functional although typically unreliable and obviously unsecure. You have sufficient radios to maintain a company tactical radio net, one battalion tactical net, and the infantry battalion mortar net. Your JTAC team have also uncovered UHF radios to coordinate RW CAS and medevacs.

Given the present situation, you have decided to retain command of the company minus/reinforced at “the Ritz” while your XO, 1st Lt Espinoza, and the remaining elements of the company continue to secure the eastern entry point into the battalion FOB. In establishing your hasty defense you have negotiated with the two families of squatters in “the Ritz” through your interpreters and the Elder of the Al Umm family. The families have moved into the most secure rooms of the building. Your Marines and the Commando Platoon are dispersed throughout the building in combined living areas/fighting positions as shown in Figure 2. (See on next page.) Your squad leaders have already conducted short duration local security patrols in the neighborhood.

You have the following attachments and supporting arms available:

• 1 Machinegun Section (-) (4x M240B 7.62 machineguns).

• 1 Assault Squad (2x SMAW 83mm rocket launchers).

• 1 Joint Tactical Air Controller (JTAC) Team

• 2 Interpreters

• 1 MUGA Commando Platoon: 40 Commandos total, equipped with AK-47 rifles, rifle grenades, and is reinforced with an RPK Machinegun Section (4x RPK 7.62 machineguns)

Fire support is currently limited to the battalion’s organic mortars and Marine rotorary-wing CAS on alert +15 at the battalion FOB.

The battalion’s alert +5 section of medevac helicopters has a dedicated radio net. Response time is less than 10 minutes, and the JTF Level III treatment facility is 45 minutes flight time.

Your battalion commander is on his way to your position in a motorized patrol with a resupply of ammunition, water, and MREs as well as additional communications equipment and a “tiger team” to provide refresher training on the Automated Communications Electronics Operating Instructions (ACEOI) including Authentication, Alphanumeric Call signs, Encoding/Decoding Grid Coordinates and Scheduled Frequency Changes.

When he arrives, he will assess the situation and give you his intent and orders.

Requirement:

1. What is your recommendation to your battalion commander? Do you hold “the Ritz,” and if so what reinforcements do you need? Do you withdraw back to the battalion FOB?

2. What recommendations do you have regarding communications?

3. In the meantime, what are your priority of work and deliberate defensive plan for “the Ritz?”

Include an overlay sketch and provide a brief discussion of your rationale. Submit your solutions by email at [email protected] or to the Marine Corps Gazette, TDG 04-17, Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134. The Gazette will publish solutions in an upcoming issue.

>Editor’s Note: References 1 and 2 were provided by Maj Paul Stokes, USMC(Ret), Operations Officer, Future Operation/Plans Officer, MCCES, Twentynine Palms, CA.

Dull Garrison Chronicles, Part III: Last Stand R

By Carl F. Kusch

Situation

This is a continuation of TDG 08-16R. The enemy is continuing to press its assault of Dull Garrison Island. Against overwhelming odds and in the face of heavy casualties, the fight is not going well for our provisional battalion, which has begun to consolidate its survivors into a single perimeter here at Al Habib—a relatively large town and the regional communications and transportation center for this part of the island. The enemy’s main body is still many kilometers to the north but getting closer. Eventually, the enemy’s main attack is expected to come from that direction.

The battalion commander’s plan is to shrink the perimeter and fight a defensive battle within the town itself. The final stand will be a tight “shoulder-to-shoulder” position located at the very heart of Al Habib where the battalion command post (CP) is currently positioned. The 1st Company is deployed on the outskirts of the town and will constitute the northeastern section of the battalion’s perimeter with the 2d Company on the northwestern outskirts. Both will meet in the middle and refuse their outboard flanks. Meanwhile, 3d Company will continue to delay and frustrate the enemy’s main body in order to give the battalion as much time as possible to make these final arrangements. 3d Company will ultimately constitute the entire southern sector of the battalion’s perimeter once they fall back into town.

The 2d Special Infantry Company is currently deployed with its 1st and 3d Platoons positioned facing north and 2d Platoon facing west on the company’s left flank. You are Sgt J.H. Quick, the acting platoon leader for the 2d Platoon. Your platoon sector is shown on the accompanying map. Between being deployed from the States understrength and with the casualties you have sustained in the recent fighting, your platoon is down to 20 Marines, many of whom are walking wounded like yourself.

Although the company’s attachments from the battalion are located with 3d Platoon, you have been assigned one machine gun squad (two M240G guns) and one SMAW squad (two launchers) from Weapons Platoon.

Since 3d Company is doing such a tremendous job delaying the enemy, your company commander (Lt S.D. Butler, who was your original platoon leader until an enemy mortar attack hit the company CP a couple days ago) feels that he has a little extra time and has called his acting platoon leaders and remaining SNCOs together to discuss the tactical alternatives before he issues his final instructions.

Requirement

In a time limit of five minutes, complete your suggestions for the company commander. Include an overlay sketch indicating the recommended positions for your platoon and provide a brief discussion of the rationale behind your actions. Submit your solutions to the Marine Corps Gazette, TDG 07-16R, Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or by email at [email protected]. The Gazette will publish solutions in an upcoming issue.

Dull Garrison Chronicles, Part II: Buy Us Some Time, Lieutenant! R

By Carl F. Kusch

Situation

This is a continuation of TDG 07-16R. You are the platoon leader for the 3d Platoon of the 3d Special Infantry Company of a provisional rifle battalion that has been deployed only recently to Dull Garrison Island in the Indian Ocean. Currently, you are located in the vicinity of the small village of Al Bandi.

The enemy is continuing its invasion of Dull Garrison Island. Against overwhelming odds and in the face of heavy casualties, the fight is not going well for your provisional rifle battalion, which has begun to consolidate into a single perimeter in the hopes that it can hold out until relieved. The 3d Company is being used to establish platoon-sized outposts across a wide front and has been instructed to trade space for time in order to give the battalion an opportunity to prepare its defensive positions.

The north-south road through Al Bandi is just one of the likely avenues of approach for the enemy’s continued advance. The enemy will be approaching from the north. Several hundred meters to the south are other fallback positions for your platoon as well as the company’s command post. The battalion’s final perimeter is located a couple kilometers to the south of those.

Your mission is to establish your first blocking position in the vicinity of Al Bandi. You are to disrupt and delay the enemy for as long as possible at this position without becoming decisively engaged. You are to fall back to your next position either when ordered to do so or when the local situation dictates. Inform the company of your withdrawal. Although most of its citizens have not yet evacuated Al Bandi, the situation has become so desperate that you have been authorized the use of its buildings as part of your position if needed. You have been assigned one machine gun squad (two M240G machine guns) and one assault squad (two SMAWs) from Weapons Platoon as well as one heavy machine gun squad (two HMMWVs, each with one .50 caliber M2 machine gun and one 40mm Mk19 machine gun) and one anti-armor squad (four AT-4 launchers) from Weapons Company. For indirect fire, the company’s 60mm and the battalion’s 81mm mortars will be available.

Requirement

In a time limit of five minutes, decide how you will deploy your platoon. Include an overlay sketch and provide a brief discussion of the rationale behind your actions. Submit your solutions to the Marine Corps Gazette, Tactical Decision Game 08-16R, Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134, or by email at [email protected]. The Gazette will publish solutions in an upcoming issue.

Defend the Airfield, Part I* R

By Carl F. Kusch

Situation

Beginning with the fall of communism in the early 1990s, the past several years have witnessed tremendous changes throughout the world. You find yourself the commanding officer of the 1st Special Infantry Company in a provisional rifle battalion that has been formed recently and deployed (without major attachments) on a deployment for training to Dull Garrison Island in the northern region of the Indian Ocean. In part, the deployment maintains presence and replaces the more expensive regular deployment of amphibious forces. It also provides familiarization and training for potential leaders of the local defense force forming on the island.

Even before international sanctions had been lifted, the Southwest Asian nation of BAD had been secretly rebuilding its military arsenal with the intent of avenging the embarrassment suffered at the hands of the United States in 1990–91 and of accomplishing its original objectives of that period, but this time BAD has determined to do it right. You have been following the message traffic, which states that BAD has invaded its neighbor (the peace-loving nation of GOOD) and the 26th MEU with BLT 2/8 and a carrier battle group has been dispatched to the area.

You are now being told that BAD has the capability to stage limited amphibious and helicopterborne assaults using its elite Guards battalions. Furthermore, it is believed that BAD is planning an assault on the relatively large island of Dull Garrison in an effort to forestall any American effort to redevelop this island as a marshalling area. Faced with this threat, your provisional battalion is directed to deploy throughout the island and attempt to provide security until reinforcements arrive.

Your company is currently located on the southeast coast of the island in the vicinity of one of the island’s three small airfields/landing strips. Your mission is to defend the airfield so that additional forces may be introduced for the island’s defense. You have been assigned one squad each of heavy machine guns (M2 .50 caliber machine guns) and Javelins from Weapons Company. Your only indirect fire support comes from the battalion’s organic 81mm mortars. Currently, both the carrier battle group as well as the amphibious task force are too far away to provide any support.

Approximately two kilometers northeast of the airfield is the mouth of North River, the only suitable landing beach in the immediate vicinity. North River itself is extremely shallow and often dry in this arid land. You are ordered to ensure that your deployment will in no way endanger the lives or property of the good citizens living in the area.

Requirement

In a time limit of five minutes, decide how you will deploy your platoons. Include an overlay sketch and provide a brief discussion of the rationale behind your actions. Submit your solutions to the Marine Corps Gazette, TDG 07-16R, Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or by email at [email protected]. The Gazette will publish solutions in an upcoming issue.

*originally published in March 1992.