Supporting maneuver in ice, snow, cold
Russia, China and North Korea: Many of the United States’ potential adversaries live and routinely operate in frigid and snow covered environments. They are experts in winter warfare. Their artillery has no qualms with sending rounds downrange and delivering effects on target in subzero temperatures. If the U.S. wants to compete with these powers in the realm of indirect Fires we must increase our capability to operate in these same conditions.
The Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y., are no strangers to the snow and cold. Second Brigade Combat Team’s recent culminating training exercise (CTE) gave 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment significant experience with shooting, moving and communicating in winter conditions. We ran into our share of problems, but the lessons we took away from these experiences and the cold weather training in preparation for this event taught us an effective approach to supporting the maneuver fight under these conditions.
Winter is long in Fort Drum. There is usually snow on the ground from mid-October to mid-April, with temperatures fluctuating between 8 and 29 degrees Fahrenheit. During the CTE, the average temperature was 21 F, with two days of heavy snowfall at the beginning of the exercise. Snow accumulation and heavy winds resulted in snow drifts up to three feet deep. The sunlight hours involve movement and survivability moves, often in deep snow. Snow blindness afflicts drivers and hampers visibility. Heavy snowfall drops this visibility to almost nothing. Nights are even worse with temperatures reaching their lowest. We learned to focus on three areas in order to aid us in these cold weather conditions: equipment, preparation and tactics.
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Denne historien er fra September-October 2018-utgaven av Fires Bulletin.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Learning To Speak Maneuver
I am not what you would consider to be a “car person” which means that I usually pay for maintenance and don’t look under the hood unless I see smoke.
The 2017 Knox, Hamilton And Gruber Awards
The U.S. Army Field Artillery School has announced the winners of the 2017 Knox, Hamilton and Gruber awards for excellence within the field artillery branch. These awards are presented annually and recognize excellence by unit (active and National Guard) and individual. Congratulations to the 2017 award winners.
Head, Heart, Gut
A personal, ethical decisionmaking methodology
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ADA Modernization Team Seeks ‘Quick Wins' On Goals
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This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the U.S. participation in World War I. It was in 1917 that Gen. John Pershing and his American Expeditionary Force embarked onto the shores of France to begin training and readiness into what became known globally as The Great War. As America entered World War I, new technologies from the Industrial Age were introduced into combat.
What Is Old Is New Again
Field artillery in megacities
Emerging Air Defense Challenges
Unmanned aerial systems
Hello From The 53rd Commandant Of The U.S. Army Field Artillery School
Never for a second did I ever expect to become the 53rd Chief of the Field Artillery and Commandant of the United States Field Artillery School. Having said that, I am thrilled and humbled to serve our Army and our branch in this capacity.
