Armoured Support Troops

[George Wallace]

This topic, Mortars: 51 mm, 60 mm, 81 mm, 120 mm & more in the Infantry forums is very interesting and has me wondering whether the Armour Corps should be looking at bring back the Support Sqn that it once had in the 1940's.  With the loss of the Assault Troop from Recce Sqns, like the loss of the Pioneers, Mortars and TOW from the Infantry, have we denigrated the capabilities of Armour Sqns?  Could be reemergence of the Support Sqn be the answer?  What would it comprise of, or would it be better to integrate them into existing sqns again?

Would a Support Sqn look something like this:

1  X  SHQ;
2  X  120mm LAV Mortar Tps;
2  X  AT LAV Tps;
1  X  Assault Tp; and
1  X  Admin Tp.

Would numbers have to be increased/decreased  to allow detachments out to other sqns?  Would the size be large enough to be used in the Defence, on Flank Security, in the Advance, or as Layback/ambush (in the Delay), etc.? 

Would advances in technology, bring in an armed UAV Troop?  Would such a Troop be better in a separate sqn or better in RHQ?  Would this compliment ISTAR, or create more problems with independent "Empires" being built to diminish the effectiveness of ISTAR?  Would it be better to bring back the Hel Troop as well or instead of?

 

[Rowshambow]

I liked Assault Troop, back when it was Assault Troop, the problem was just before it was phased out, it became a dumping ground. The Assault Troop course (in my Regt) was basically just a glorified Inf sect. They didn't do demo course, and didn't do any of the "cool" ied/wire...etc. I think that the big guns (120 mm mortar etc) should be kept with the Arty, as they are the indirect fire specialist.
The largest problem with a support Sqn now, is retention and recruiting. Now that the economy is taking a dump, you might find more people signing up as there is good job security, but we don't currently have enough soldiers to handle what we have now, and its not just 1 Regt, its all 3!

 

[McG]

... and didn't do any of the "cool" ied/wire...etc.

Well, give that even the average Cbt Engr should not be touching an IED, Assault Troops probably shouldn't be doing the "cool" IEDD thing.  There is plenty of documentation floating around on bringing the Pioneer capability back to the infantry, and you will find these specifically state that most EOD (including all IEDD) is excluded of the Pioneer role.  It is a job that requires specialist teams with the most current specialist equipment.  It is a job where a failure to specifically recognize the munition, or the use of the wrong tool/technique will kill you even under permissive circumstances.

There is arguably a role in breaching IEDs integrated into complex ambushes, but this requirement would only have gained serious consideration in recent years.

 

[George Wallace]

Well, give that even the average Cbt Engr should not be touching an IED, Assault Troops probably shouldn't be doing the "cool" IEDD thing.  There is plenty of documentation floating around on bringing the Pioneer capability back to the infantry, and you will find these specifically state that most EOD (including all IEDD) is excluded of the Pioneer role.  It is a job that requires specialist teams with the most current specialist equipment.  It is a job where a failure to specifically recognize the munition, or the use of the wrong tool/technique will kill you even under permissive circumstances.

There is arguably a role in breaching IEDs integrated into complex ambushes, but this requirement would only have gained serious consideration in recent years.

On the other hand, there is a requirement to be knowledgeable in setting up/siting such munitions.  This training re-enforces knowledge needed in detection.

 

[Rowshambow]

Sorry MCG,
I was not specific, but once again George is right, our assault troopers used to set up, IED's and other "harassing" obstacles, not take them apart!

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Sorry MCG,
I was not specific, but once again George is right, our assault troopers used to set up, IED's and other "harassing" obstacles, not take them apart!

But as any EOD guy will tell you, "You have to know how to build them to take them apart" 

 

[geo]

But as any EOD guy will tell you, "You have to know how to build them to take them apart" 

At least the good & smart ones do