How to conduct 'Fire Force' Operations

This guide will discuss the 'combined-arms' approach to a QRF...

Intro

The term 'Fire Force' originates from the conflict known as the Rhodesian Bush War[en.wikipedia.org] and describes a variant of 'vertical envelopment'. At the heart of the conflict was the decolonization of the African continent in post W.W.II and the fact that Rhodesia did not want to relinquish control of its minority controlled government as a British colony. This led to Rhodesia calling for its Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) in 1965. Thus began a long COIN (COunter INsergency) operation (from the Rhodesian perspective) that lasted until 1979. For several reasons the Rhodesian military was short on many items (military-aged males; equipment; supplies etc.) and as such had to devise a military plan that was resource limited. The fact that Rhodesia was 'land locked' by surrounding nations that did not want its minority led government to exist may it so that Rhodesia had to protect its entire border from insurgent infiltration/attacks. This vast and porous border, coupled with a lack of resources made it necessary to think 'outside the box' for a solution. It is in this context that the idea of a Fire Force was born.

F.F. Components

A Fire Force consisted of:

• a heli-based Commander/gunship (K-Car)

• 3X troop carrying rotary-winged aircraft (G-Car)

• a fixed-wing troop transport for ABN operations

• several fixed-winged air support (CAS); observation; recon etc.

• a mounted convoy (if possible/feasible)

K-Car with 20mm cannon

K-Car:
Occupants: 1 pilot; 1 gunner/technician; 1 Fire Force OIC (Officer In Charge) of the operation

Equipment: either a 20mm cannon or 4X medium MGs; 2 radios (1 for the OIC in case of dismount and one extra in case of a malfunction; 1 MG in case of a malfunction

Task: to provide the Commander the ability to view the battlefield and perform C2 (Command & Control); utilize the 20mm cannon to engage large groups of fighters/equipment

G-Car being boarded by Soldiers

G-Car:
Occupants: 1 pilot; 1 gunner/tech; a 'stick' of 4 infantry Soldiers

Equipment: 1 MG or twin mounted MGs

Task: to transport the stick of 4 Soldiers to a 'STOP POINT', provide suppressing MG fire; CASEVAC; supply transport if needed

Troop transport being loaded with a 'chalk' of 5 'sticks' which would drop on 1 pass (if possible)

Fixed-winged Troop Transport
Occupants: 1 pilot; 1 co-pilot; 1 load-master; 20X paratroopers (5 'sticks' of 4 personnel)

Equipment: besides the paratroopers, the A/C would carry supplies to either air-drop or land with at a DZ; conduct mass-casualty operations

Task: after guidance from the OIC as to the tentative DZ to conduct the 'SWEEP', the pilot/load-master/chalk leader would identify a DZ; supplies and paratroopers would be dropped in 1 pass (if possible); conduct resupply for the operation as needed







Fixed-winged Support A/C
Occupants: varies

Equipment: varies

Task: to provide CAS/observation to troops; to interdict large groups of fighters/equipment/supplies etc.

Mounted convoy that linked-up with dismounted Fire Force Soldiers

Ground Convoy:
Occupants: various numbers of vehicles; 1 driver; 1 vehicle commander; gunner(s) depending on vehicle used

Equipment: armored/'soft-skinned' vehicles; dismounted Soldiers depending on vehicle used; various supplies; prisoner transport; mass-casualty transport

Task: 'LAND TAIL' is to link-up with dismounted elements of the Fire Force in order to provide: reinforcements; supplies; fuel for rotary-winged A/C; blocking positions; follow-on mission(s); RTB (Return To Base) with force

F.F. Tactics

The ideal Fire Force consisted of:
1X K-Car (OIC/20mm gun); 4X G-Cars with a stick of 4 Soldiers each; 1X fixed-winged plane with 20 paratroopers; 1X light-attack A/C; and a ground convoy

Sometimes one or more of these crafts was not available (usually the fixed-winged planes) due to low inventory of working A/C. If so, then additional rotary-winged sticks were added (if possible).

The bare minimum used would be a K-Car and 3X G-Cars (12 Soldiers total)

There were only a few permanent Fire Force Bases. Notice the tarmac stand-by readiness.

A company sized infantry unit plus combat service/support units rotated F.F. duties for several weeks at a time before being relieved by another force. All infantry Soldiers were ABN qualified and AASLT trained to ensure maximum flexibility in employment (airborne or air assault). After being activated to launch, the F.F. eight 4-man sticks (32 Soldiers) would 'kit up' with webbing/parachutes and board the helicopters and plane. This 'first wave' would be followed by the 'land-tail' as a 'second wave' or the return of the 1st lift for a second lift of additional troops to the area in need. Often times, the ground convoy was needed as a FARP (Forward Aerial Rearming and refueling Points), to transport KIA Soldiers/insurgents; to collect captured supplies/equipment etc.

While on a 'Bush Trip' (time rotated at a F.F.), the possible positions were:

• airborne force

• helicopter force

• ground-tail (mounted convoy)

• off-duty/reserve/training/base defense

Methods to employ the Fire Force:
QRF (Quick Reaction Force) to an insurgent attack/ambush etc.; Soldiers would set-up OPs (Observation Posts) at known/suspected choke points; litter the outback with multiple 4-man roving patrols; receive intelligence/information from local inhabitants, utilize signal and other forms of intelligence. Once an insurgent force was identified the F.F. was launched. The OIC would have to coordinate with air/in-direct fire assets; intelligence; conduct a map reconnaissance of the area; and create a plan of attack.

The plan of attack was based on the following tactics:

• K-Car aerial recon to confirm/modify plan of attack

• initial air/in-direct prepping of the battle space

• multiple 'stop' group insertion(1 helicopter stick was usually per 'stop' group)

• 'Sweep' via ABN insertion

• Ground Convoy (Land-tail)

Infantry 'stick':
The typical infantry fighting force was comprised of 4 Soldiers. This size was chosen because it was the passenger capacity of the helicopters.

Each stick had:

• stick LDR (NCO)

• 7.62 mm machine gunner

• rifleman

• rifleman/medic

'Stop Points' & 'Sweeps'

Phase I
The Commander would conduct a map recon at the F.F. base and prepare the lift for departure

Phase II
The K-Car would come on scene and conduct an aerial reconnaissance of the ground below and finalize an attack plan. Key points were:

• were to place the 'stop' stick and how many would be needed

• were to place the 'sweep' sticks (usually ABN)

• what direction of attack to utilize

• coordinate with fires (air/in-direct)

Phase III
The 3X G-Cars would either immediately land at their designated 'stop' points, or circle the area while the Commander finalized the plan. The Commander would base the 'stop' points based on:

• natural/man-made choke points or canalizing terrain (dry riverbeds etc.)

• thick vegetation that concealed view

• high-speed AoA (Avenues of Approach) such as roads, highways etc.

• key terrain (hilltops)

• 'dummy' drops/false insertions were used as deceptive measures

Practice...Practice...Practice

Fire Force ops are complex mission profiles and as such, must be rehearsed

You have a C2 (Command & Control) element that must plan and coordinate

Stop point and Sweep Soldiers need to know where to land and what actions to take

Coordinating indirect fires and CAS must be synchronized

Ground convoy need to navigate to an specific location, bring necessary supplies and leave room for additional WIA/KIA/EPWs

Several 'dry runs' should be performed as practice

F.F. SOUTH launches operations to interdict possible ENY SQD

3X STOP POINT - each with a different color marker and time stamp
STOP GROUP 1 - GREEN - immediate launch from Release Point
STOP GROUP 2 - ORANGE - launch after 2 minutes
STOP GROUP 3 - YELLOW - launch after 3 minutes
This phased launched accomplished several things:

• easier to control versus everybody launching at once

• the furthest PZ launches first

• allows for the STP GRPs to land near the same time in a synchronized manner

SWEEP GRP - PURPLE - launches after 5 minutes
This allows the STP GRPs to set their blocking positions first
SWEEP GRP has a phase line to hold position until CAS/fires are stopped

LAND TAIL - BROWN - launches immediately from F.F. SOUTH
LT waits at HOLD 1; then moves to HOLD 2 when cleared; then moves into final position depending on the developing situation

CAS/Fires - Fires initiate ASAP and hold once CAS is on station. CAS engages ASAP on station and fires hold is confirmed. CAS angle of attack is from WEST to EAST (in this specific case) and RFZs (Restrictive Fire Zones) around the different STOP/SWEEP positions.

Practical Exercise

Phase !
Phase II
Phase III

The 3 main F.F. elements displayed:
light attack A/C; 1X K-Car and several G-Cars; ABN fixed-wing;
all executing stop points/sweep tactics, CAS and C2

Actual ABN troop load in a Dakota A/C. Notice the ammo crate bundles rigged for drop.

Armored 'land tail' convoy

'Jumbo' F.F.

A Jumbo Fire Force was the combining of 2 F.F. together

Arma 3 Vanilla Variant

F.F. layout example

2 'G-Cars'; a light attack aircraft; and ground convoy escort and supplies (LAND TAIL)

MH-9 Hummingbird: K-Car without passengers

MH-9 Hummingbird: G-Car (max 6 occupants)
STOP

AH-9 Pawnee: light attack aircraft armed with 2X Minigun 7.62 mm and 2X DAR pods (12 each)

CH-67 Huron: ABN platform - SWEEP (max 16 occupants)

SWEEP

With or without parachutes based on mission. Parachutes should ALWAYS be carried as cargo.

Conclusion

A Fire Force was a modified QRF that allowed a combined-arms approach to war-fighting

It is used when a friendly force needs support or when significant ENY forces have been located

It favored both ASSLT/ABN vertical encirclement options but also utilized CAS A/C; indirect fires; and a land convoy for added support

Fire Force Operations can be used in A3 and are very practical in their use

F.F. ops need to be rehearsed

[Greybeard]

roosta'...thank YOU!

[Rockie]

another epic guide by greybeard!! keep it up homie

[Greybeard]

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[Greybeard]

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