a0cake
02-12-12, 17:17
I'm assuming we're still operating under the same rules where if you want to add an opinion on a question posed to an SME, you should make a new thread in a general section. So that's what this is.
Original thread posed to LAV here:
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?p=1228150#post1228150
Original question by user The Swede:
I'm currently serving as an officer working with an Infantry platton in the Swedish Army. We are to deploy to AFG in
1,5 years and I'm looking to step up our training with our carbines to make me and my soldiers into better shooters.
So far focus has been on weapons manipulation and speed inside 100 yards. What do you feel is important to focus on considering
combat distance in said country? Any tips on drills to enhance capability on longer distances?
Due to ITAR, training with you or any other accalaimed shooting coach in the US is not possible. Are you aware of something of similar quality in Europe?
Looking to become a better "duty shooter" as well as stepping up my 3-Gun game with my AR15.
Hope you had a nice weekend!
My suggestions:
- LAV's point about being able to make headshots is pretty good. Thick mud walls are everywhere in Afghanistan. It is no mistake that they are built high enough to stand behind with only the head exposed. Afghan "Qualats," or compounds, are built to fight from. You will need to be able to make shots on targets with only their heads exposed. For training, you can setup the range so that only the head and neck portion of a silhouette type target is exposed. Spray paint the barrier as well as the target tan. The targets should not "pop" color wise. Make your soldiers really struggle to see the exposed heads.
- Building on my point above, focus on integrating "Target ID" into your marksmanship training. Partially obscure your targets with tall vegetation that mimics corn and marijuana fields (you will become intimately familiar with these two things). Being able to identify and engage targets behind partial concealment is of paramount importance in Afghanistan. Make it a lesson that when the Taliban are using tall grass as concealment (they will, a lot), but you can see part of them, maybe just a shoulder or a leg or a head, you can still aim center mass. Many people will try to shoot only the part they can see in these scenarios. Try to break that.
- Focus on inclination and declination marksmanship. In southern Afghanistan (Helmand and Kandahar), you will often be on relatively flat terrain. In parts of the north and especially the east, you will rarely be engaging targets on the same plane as you. You'll either be shooting down or up at relatively extreme angles. Make sure your soldiers understand that they will have to aim lower.
- Make it an SOP to carry no tracers in all but one of your magazines. That last magazine should be ALL tracers. Tracers work both ways. Only use them when you intend to (for marking targets for attack aviation assets etc.) When you need to use tracers for marking, just insert the dedicated tracer mag. When you're done, replace it with a standard magazine. It helps to identify the tracer mag in some way that can be felt at night. I use a thick wrap of tape at the bottom near the floor plate.
- Work on developing some kind of SOP for what to do when you can't PID any targets but are receiving small arms fire. Sometimes it can take a good couple of minutes to figure out where you're getting shot at from, especially in the mountains. Once you do get a general location figured out, it will take a few more minutes to bring indirect fire assets to bear. Resist the urge to just light up the whole area with small arms. Often, the Taliban will use caves or outcroppings of rock for cover. You'll get good at ID'ing which rock clusters they're likely shooting from, even though you can't really see them. Instead of just trying to shoot up an entire mountain, train your soldiers to place a few well aimed shots on the left and ride sides of large boulders, or a few shots into the recesses in the mountains, etc...basically anywhere you think they're firing from. This seems obvious, but still, some units just shoot haphazardly when they can't ID any targets.
- Long range marksmanship. Although you will have a number of systems available that are better suited to servicing long range targets than the carbine, it's still good to be proficient at ranges up to 600M. Depending where in Afghanistan you are, many if not most of your contacts are going to occur at ranges of over 400M.
- Focus on marksmanship using your vehicles as cover. Develop an SOP or at least practice having each vehicle's dismounts take up cover behind the vehicle and engaging targets. Space is limited, and you'll find that some of them are going to have to use less than ideal firing positions. Knowing which positions to take behind the vehicle before hand will save a lot of confusion and aimless wandering around when time comes. Not every right handed shooter will be able to fire from the rear or front of the vehicle in a perfect setup. That said, don't use the vehicles for cover unless you have to (sometimes you will). They're RPG magnets.
If I think of anything else Afghan specific I'll update this.
Original thread posed to LAV here:
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?p=1228150#post1228150
Original question by user The Swede:
I'm currently serving as an officer working with an Infantry platton in the Swedish Army. We are to deploy to AFG in
1,5 years and I'm looking to step up our training with our carbines to make me and my soldiers into better shooters.
So far focus has been on weapons manipulation and speed inside 100 yards. What do you feel is important to focus on considering
combat distance in said country? Any tips on drills to enhance capability on longer distances?
Due to ITAR, training with you or any other accalaimed shooting coach in the US is not possible. Are you aware of something of similar quality in Europe?
Looking to become a better "duty shooter" as well as stepping up my 3-Gun game with my AR15.
Hope you had a nice weekend!
My suggestions:
- LAV's point about being able to make headshots is pretty good. Thick mud walls are everywhere in Afghanistan. It is no mistake that they are built high enough to stand behind with only the head exposed. Afghan "Qualats," or compounds, are built to fight from. You will need to be able to make shots on targets with only their heads exposed. For training, you can setup the range so that only the head and neck portion of a silhouette type target is exposed. Spray paint the barrier as well as the target tan. The targets should not "pop" color wise. Make your soldiers really struggle to see the exposed heads.
- Building on my point above, focus on integrating "Target ID" into your marksmanship training. Partially obscure your targets with tall vegetation that mimics corn and marijuana fields (you will become intimately familiar with these two things). Being able to identify and engage targets behind partial concealment is of paramount importance in Afghanistan. Make it a lesson that when the Taliban are using tall grass as concealment (they will, a lot), but you can see part of them, maybe just a shoulder or a leg or a head, you can still aim center mass. Many people will try to shoot only the part they can see in these scenarios. Try to break that.
- Focus on inclination and declination marksmanship. In southern Afghanistan (Helmand and Kandahar), you will often be on relatively flat terrain. In parts of the north and especially the east, you will rarely be engaging targets on the same plane as you. You'll either be shooting down or up at relatively extreme angles. Make sure your soldiers understand that they will have to aim lower.
- Make it an SOP to carry no tracers in all but one of your magazines. That last magazine should be ALL tracers. Tracers work both ways. Only use them when you intend to (for marking targets for attack aviation assets etc.) When you need to use tracers for marking, just insert the dedicated tracer mag. When you're done, replace it with a standard magazine. It helps to identify the tracer mag in some way that can be felt at night. I use a thick wrap of tape at the bottom near the floor plate.
- Work on developing some kind of SOP for what to do when you can't PID any targets but are receiving small arms fire. Sometimes it can take a good couple of minutes to figure out where you're getting shot at from, especially in the mountains. Once you do get a general location figured out, it will take a few more minutes to bring indirect fire assets to bear. Resist the urge to just light up the whole area with small arms. Often, the Taliban will use caves or outcroppings of rock for cover. You'll get good at ID'ing which rock clusters they're likely shooting from, even though you can't really see them. Instead of just trying to shoot up an entire mountain, train your soldiers to place a few well aimed shots on the left and ride sides of large boulders, or a few shots into the recesses in the mountains, etc...basically anywhere you think they're firing from. This seems obvious, but still, some units just shoot haphazardly when they can't ID any targets.
- Long range marksmanship. Although you will have a number of systems available that are better suited to servicing long range targets than the carbine, it's still good to be proficient at ranges up to 600M. Depending where in Afghanistan you are, many if not most of your contacts are going to occur at ranges of over 400M.
- Focus on marksmanship using your vehicles as cover. Develop an SOP or at least practice having each vehicle's dismounts take up cover behind the vehicle and engaging targets. Space is limited, and you'll find that some of them are going to have to use less than ideal firing positions. Knowing which positions to take behind the vehicle before hand will save a lot of confusion and aimless wandering around when time comes. Not every right handed shooter will be able to fire from the rear or front of the vehicle in a perfect setup. That said, don't use the vehicles for cover unless you have to (sometimes you will). They're RPG magnets.
If I think of anything else Afghan specific I'll update this.