MOUT warfare

Email Me When A New Comment Is Made
Show Only Poster Name and Title Newest to Oldest

Pages: 1 2 3 4 NEXT

shek RE:MOUT warfare 9/8/2005 11:23:39 AM

Exactly how the US Army has armed its rifle platoons.

Quote Reply

shek RE:MOUT warfare 9/8/2005 11:36:15 AM

To clarify my response, for dismounted platoons, the US Army is right on target - I'm sure that other armies as just as well and appropriately equipped, I just can't speak smartly on their equipment. So, to go over some of the basic equipment: -Close combat optics for all soldiers except those with high powered optics -Small handheld or wrist worn GPS -Easy access at the company level and below to imagery software -Mechanical breach kits consisting of hooligan, sledge, bolt cutters, and battering rams at the squad level in most units -Specialized breaching tools with platoon master breacers (pre-made shape charges, Broco Torch, quickie saws) -Skedcos for quick dismounted CASEVAC and resupply capability -Squad designated marksmen with high powered optics and 7.62mm capability -Snipers at the company level that can be attached to a platoon -Intrasquad radios for the entire platoon and MBITR radios for squad leader and up to allow for comms with platoon, company, battalion, CAS, rotary wing, etc. -Bendable fiber optic viewers that allow for covert observation where it can fit -Knee and elbow pads to allow for more comfortable firing positions and prevents laceration wounds from urban debris That's not an all inclusive list, but goes pretty far. In the end, tactics and training are equally important as the training. The M68 Aimpoint CompM2 doesn't do you anygood if it's not zeroed and you don't have the muscle memory to conduct fast, accurate, reflex shooting.

Quote Reply

flamingknives RE:MOUT warfare 9/8/2005 1:36:01 PM

Lots of grenades. Something to allow them to see round corners without getting their heads blown off. A bonus if this also allows them to aim round corners. Easily handled rifle. Some more grenades. Anti-structure rocket of some description. The SMAW-D is a good example. Explosives. Grenades

Quote Reply

TriggaFingaz Hooligan 9/8/2005 3:43:50 PM

To Shek: Hooligan definition one: a roughly bipedal humanoid who often but not always reeks of alcohol, bearing improvised melee and throwing weapons (ie, bottles, 2x4s, stones). Often encountered following soccer matches. What's the other 'hooligan' in your list of breaching tools? Is it some kind of battering ram, like used by SWAT teams to enter crack dens?

Quote Reply

TriggaFingaz MOUT gear: 9/8/2005 3:46:51 PM

Apart from the weapons and tools mentioned by earlier posts? A small shaving mirror mounted on a bayonet with chewing gum, like used by Tom Hanks' Captain in Saving Private Ryan's opening to spot the German gunners. Improvised smoke producing devices, C4 blocks and propane cylinders- there's an AAR written by 3/1 Marines about the Nov Fallujah experience that was posted on SFTT several months back. That's where they mention these devices.

Quote Reply

shek RE:MOUT gear: hooligan tool 9/9/2005 7:07:16 AM

Trigga, It's a tool used by fire departments to open locked doors - it's basically a huge, specialized pry bar. The sledge hammer is used to set the hooligan tool - the biggest mistake in mechanical breaching is to see guys try to use the sledge hammer as the breaching tool. Nothing funnier (during training, of course) than seeing some soldier try to breach with a sledge and then it plows right through the wooden door and becomes stuck. But, embarassment is a powerful training method, and I can guarantee that those that find themselves in this situation never try to use the sledge as an independent breaching tool again. Try a Google for "hooligan tool" and you should turn up a handful of companies that make them.

Quote Reply

Yimmy RE:MOUT gear: hooligan tool 9/9/2005 9:58:40 AM

Isn't the idea with hammer type breaching tools, to hit the lock?

Quote Reply

AlbanyRifles Halligan Not Hooligan 9/9/2005 10:26:51 AM

Its actually called a Halligan, named for the fire captain, Mike Halligan, who invented it. (If I hadn't have been a soldier, I'd have been a fireman!) link

Quote Reply

shek RE:Halligan Not Hooligan 9/9/2005 1:29:28 PM

AR, Thanks for the real story. I was corrupted by the guys from Ranger Regiment who called them hooligan tools. Sounds cooler. This is similar to "technical" vehicles, terminology used to described pickups with mounted machine guns. Turns out that they were called "techno" vehicles in Somalia due to the techo music that typically blared from them. Not very good noise discipline, but then again, you need to do something to show off the most tricked out vehicle in the neighborhood. If only I can get myself properly orientated! (although it's actually now a word in the Webster Dictionary, whose definition is "to orient" - nevertheless, it's still a wasted syllable to me)

Quote Reply

Horsesoldier RE:Halligan Not Hooligan 9/10/2005 6:04:05 PM

Our master breacher where I presently work also insists on the "Halligan tool" terminology, which, while correct just doesn't play well. In modern usage it's a Hooligan tool or a Hoolie tool.

Quote Reply

1 2 3 4 NEXT