Army Chemical Review presents professional information about Chemical Corps functions related to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, smoke, flame, and civil support operations.
Issue link: https://chemical.epubxp.com/i/141522
Dawn drew to an end in 2011, closing out the theater was one of the primary assignments for the 1st Brigade Combat Team. Operating under the overall theme of force protection (which encompasses CBRN aspects), the CBRN Reconnaissance Platoon was split into two squads. On the CBRN side, Stryker NBCRVs were stationed in a battle position at Forward Operating Base Kalsu to protect the base from indirect fre and improvised, rocket-assisted mortar attacks. The remote weapon station systems served as great platforms for viewing over the wall and safely attacking while remaining protected. On the security side, the platoon leader and platoon sergeant served as an effective personal security detail, providing security escorts for the base commander during his trips to visit Iraqi counterparts, transporting personnel to and from the airport and other sites in Baghdad, providing protection for troop convoys that were leaving bases as they closed, and securing various facilities until they could be handed over to Iraqi forces. Most of the CBRN Reconnaissance Platoon missions consisted of counter indirect fre and counter improvised, rocket-assisted mortar patrols that were designed to ensure a safe forward operating base environment and a safe passage along the major route heading south from Baghdad. The platoon was proven in combat—and even made history by operating the last two Stryker NBCRVs in Iraq. Remarkably, these NBCRVs were used in patrols—and driving them from the middle of Iraq to Kuwait was no small feat. Operation Spartan Shield After a nearly 6-month combat tour in Iraq, the CBRN Reconnaissance Platoon—along with the brigade—was repositioned to Kuwait to perform Operation Spartan Shield for the remainder of the year-long deployment. The unit served as a ready-reaction force while in expeditionary garrison. The main focus was on training—and lots of it. The platoon was tasked to participate in traditional CBRN training, learning skills that were considered irrelevant during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Obviously, this was to be a crawlwalk-run enterprise. The training included basic topics such as detection and decontamination procedures; it also covered the topic of advanced detection as a CBRN reconnaissance element. Although the platoon was generally split into CBRN and infantry personnel for training purposes, such a split would have worked against unit goals in this case. Therefore, the battalion reconfgured a new, integrated CBRN/security platoon. It would have been diffcult for the platoon leader to plan training for two completely different military occupational specialties; consequently, a new approach to training was necessary. A New Approach to Training Of course, separate training for the Soldiers of each military occupational specialty is sometimes desirable—especially during the advanced run phase of training. However, cross training in basic areas is benefcial. Platoon training lanes could consist of conducting a reconnaissance mission with Stryker NBCRVs and Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems, locating a CBRN agent, reacting to contact, and engaging the infantry. The platoon should be able to carry out these skills 26 while mounted or dismounted. Planning for the training was diffcult since research was required in the areas of CBRN and infantry doctrine. As the platoon leader, I elected to have CBRN Soldiers learn to clear rooms alongside the infantry Soldiers and have infantry Soldiers help CBRN Soldiers look for CBRN agents. It soon became clear that the CBRN Reconnaissance Platoon was no longer limited to CBRN reconnaissance training. The "Combat Chemical" Platoon I jokingly referred to the CBRN Reconnaissance Platoon as the "combat chemical" platoon; yet, many a true word is spoken in jest. Platoon members began teaching each other their respective skills. A platoon with such cross training is uniquely capable of pursuing WMD in an urban environment, clearing a room by force, and neutralizing the WMD without falling victim. Other than Special Forces, 18-series career management operatives, there are few CBRN units with such capabilities. Although most CBRN reconnaissance platoons have a weapon system, tactics, techniques, and procedures dictate that the platoon break contact—not defend itself. The creation of a tactical reconnaissance platoon would allow CBRN Soldiers to safely reconnoiter the battlefeld for suspicious or dangerous chemicals and to engage a threat. With its infantry cadre, such a platoon could also attack a small element. This versatile platoon would possess CBRN skills and combat capabilities. The value of such a platoon seems evident. So why don't we have them? Show and Tell The CBRN Reconnaissance Platoon participated in stabilized gunnery with a collection of Bradleys, displaying the capabilities of the remote weapon station and its optics. This demonstrated that the platoon could operate offensively and defensively and while mounted or dismounted. Following gunnery, the platoon was put to a true test. The fnal, largescale deployment training event, which was conducted in June 2012, consisted of a multilayered, combined arms breaching exercise that involved combined arms battalions and engineers. The platoon was tasked to do what it was meant to do: conduct CBRN reconnaissance. The reconnaissance, which was carried out in cooperation with the Scout Platoon, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, consisted of performing route and area reconnaissance and conducting surveillance during the breach. Through training and cooperation, the platoon demonstrated the ideal coupling of offensive and defensive capabilities, whether mounted or dismounted. A Smaller Chemical Corps The Chemical Branch is shrinking signifcantly. Discussions about how to keep a smaller Chemical Corps relevant and effective are underway. Yet, we have still not addressed our foundations and manuals. We still train to Cold War standards, where force on force was the concern and giant decontamination lines were planned. This is no longer a realistic scenario— Army Chemical Review