The following Tactical Decision Game (TDG) is a scenario-driven way to look at a situation and what tactical decisions would need to be made and then think through projected outcomes: a way to look at capabilities, needs and outcomes and then think of better ways of doing things ---an interesting way to think through the impact of Jakes in support of our ground forces.
(This particular TDG was posted as a tread for consideration and vetting of ideas by the contributors of Small Wars Council http://council.smallwarsjournal.com)
For background to this game, the basic outline of JAKE capabilities is at:
http://www.americanagility.com/catalyst.asp
TACTICAL DECISION GAME PROPOSAL -“GAME A”
Action Café
Situation
You are 1st Squad leader, 3d Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. Your battalion is assigned to stabilize a town where major groups of insurgent fighters have been driven out. Businesses are getting back to normal and people are showing up again on the streets, in the shops and cafes. Your presence is appreciated amongst the population for quelling violence against local police and forces your battalion replaced. However, insurgent fighters remain as you work to gain information from amongst the population of this town of Imabod. Your presence provides stability while your battalion and a Civilian Corps improve infrastructure and train local leadership and police.
The AOR is urban with densely positioned two and three story homes and businesses with several taller buildings, all with flat roofs. There are several main two-lane streets with wide sidewalks that are home to cafes, shops, widening in areas with markets. These are paved, as are the more prevalent one and a half lane streets cluttered with parked cars. Numerous small paved and dirt alleys link these streets.
The insurgents generally dress to fit in with the crowd. They place IEDs and execute ambushes, after which they fight while they have advantage, then rapidly retreat. Their weapons are the AK-47s, RPGs, mortars and light machine guns.
Your platoon is at the end of a second patrol. It is hot and you are moving to the west along one of the two lane streets off of which branch small streets and alleys. Your squad is working the left side of the street filling a generally middle position along the sidewalk, while 2d Squad is ahead on the right in the street and securing the coming intersection with the command element. 3d Squad is to the rear on the right along the street and sidewalk at the intersection behind. You have only your weapons and carried gear and have radio contact with the other squads and command.
You are with two other Marines, speaking briefly with a small group of local men outside a café with tables along the sidewalk. Suddenly, there is an explosion across on the right side and up the street. Dust clears with flames from what is left of a car and a number of people are on the ground, hit by the blast. You notice at least one is a Marine, just as gunfire starts coming from two buildings on your side of the street targeting the other two squads. One Marine to the rear is hit while exposed on the street and goes down at the side of a car, remaining exposed to the direction of fire, not seen by his squad members due to the timing of their movements and their taking positions to return fire. Command is immediately informing you of UAV aerial shots showing four or five people with weapons coming out the back of the building you are in front of. They ask if you can pursue them, as gunfire continues sporadically from above and up the street.
Requirement
What now, Sergeant? In a time limit of 45 seconds, determine the actions you would take, the maneuver orders you would issue, and what actions you would expect of 2nd and 3rd squads. Note reports you would make, if any.
Second Run Through Same Problem Except This Time:
 Assume you have one fire team mounted on JAKEs. These four units are continually moving, taking up positions of support, then moving again as your squad moves, like large “bodyguards”. One JAKE has an M134 mini-gun, one with a 50 cal and two with M240s on the mounts, each operator also having his personal M4. One cargo area is configured for medical evac (semi-reclined), the others are carrying a spread load of additional ammo, water, batteries, food, and cargo area. All units are robot operation ready, have operator identity/denial systems and each is equipped with sniper sensors and IED jammers.
Second and Third Squad are similarly equipped.
What would you do differently?
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