The Battalion’s priority for the past two weeks has been the battalion machine gun leaders Course for weapons squads, Division deployment readiness exercise, joint forcible entry into an off-set drop zone, and a battalion attack.

After completing a total battalion 18-hour outload sequence, 1-508 PIR executed an off-set drop zone JFE onto Salerno DZ, rapidly assembled, and conducted a battalion attack on Holland DZ in order to deny SAPA influence in the AO and establish an air head line to enable the build of combat power in the AO.

Finally, the battalion was able to reduce the number of excess pieces of rolling stock to zero last week. With Brigade PBO and Division G4 assistance, HHC/1-508 PIR transferred 3 x M966s, 1 x M997, and 1 x STT trailer to Division for turn in. 1-508 PIR now has no rolling stock over MTOE in our motor-pool. We appreciate all of the support the division consolidated turn-in that helped alleviate the burden of conducting weekly PMCS and annual service on these un-needed pieces of equipment enabling us to focus on our efforts on the true go-to-war items we need to jump, fight, and win tonight.

1-508 PIR Readiness Statistics:

1-508 PIR Overall Individual Qualification: 98%

1-508 PIR M4 Qualification: 97%

1-508 PIR M9 Qualification: 100%

1-508 PIR Aggregate Crew Qualification: 100%

1-508 PIR M240 Qualification: 100%

1-508 PIR M3 Carl Gustav: 100%

1-508 PIR Aggregate Platform Qualification: 100%

1-508 PIR 60mm Mortar: 100%

1-508 PIR Aggregate Personnel Non-Deployable: 11%

1-508 PIR MRC-3 Total #: 43

1-508 PIR MRC-4 Total #: 4

1-508 PIR MED Board Total #: 11

1-508 PIR Chapter #: 14

1-508 PIR SRP Packets Complete: 99%

1-508 PIR Aggregate OR Rate: 98.6%

1-508 PIR Pacing Item OR Rate: 100%

1-508 PIR Overdue Services: 0

1-508 PIR NMC Equipment over 60 Days: 84

1-508 PIR Delinquent Lateral Transfers - Internal: 0

1-508 PIR Delinquent Lateral Transfers - External: 2

1-508 PIR Pieces of Excess Property: 0
 

Line of Effort #1: “Fight Tonight”.

1. Marksmanship.

B/1-508 PIR led the Battalion Machine Gun Clinic for all 1-508 PIR weapons squads as well as the scouts, mortars, and 307th ENGs. The result was standardized SOPs and TTPs for weapons squad operations throughout the Battalion, and better trained and ready weapons squad Paratroopers. The Battalion Machine Gun Clinic consisted of a four day training model. The first day focused on zeroing machine guns, crew-drill instruction/demonstration/rehearsals, shooting Table I of machine gun qualification, as well as zeroing all associated sites and optics of the machine guns. Day two, all weapons squads received classes on machine gun theory, the duties and responsibilities of weapons squads, organic equipment, doctrinal tasks associated with weapons squads, and machine gun planning considerations. On day three the weapons squads transitioned to OP9 for weapons squad LFXs. The LFX model had three separate engagement areas for weapons squads to work transitioning between targets, searching/traversing, and fire commands. All weapons squads executed both hasty and deliberate occupations of support-by-fire positions in both full and limited visibility. Day four incorporated a culminating event executed as the "Battle Rattle". This event included a six mile foot march by squad, sector sketch build, disassembly/reassembly of M240B, and a written test. The top two teams then executed a deliberate occupation of a support-by-fire position where the leaders’ recon took contact. The winning team was 3rd PLT Bravo Company.

2. Physical Fitness.

There are currently 13 personnel enrolled in the 1-508 PIR Pre Ranger Physical Fitness Program being run by B/1-508 PIR. 1SG Lyons leads this program and we are already seeing positive results from this battalion consolidated effort.

In preparation for upcoming training, A/1-508 PIR continues to implement a Ruck March regiment. The glide path will culminate with a 25 mile road march before the end of the fiscal year.

3. Medical Skills.

1-508 PIR is 100% complete with smallpox vaccinations across the formation.

CLS Qualified- 348 PAX

CLS+ Qualified- 238 PAX

The next CLS + Certification Course is scheduled for 20-23 February.

C/1-508 PIR conducted medical training lanes in the local training area from 29 January – 01 February 2018 to augment the skills of newly minted CLS+ Paratroopers. The training was overseen by the company’s senior medic and taught by platoon medics in three phases. The first phase was additional classroom instruction were Paratroopers received enhanced training on applying tourniquets, reacting to gunshot wounds, transporting a casualty, and performing first aid. The second phase occurred in the Fury AO with hands on familiarization training. The third phase culminated with a combat scenario trauma lane evaluation that required Paratroopers to employ all skills taught during the course.

4. Communication.

1-508 PIR Paratroopers were trained by NWFI FSRs on the IMBITR and the new updates to the ATAK EUDs in preparation for the Joint Forcible Entry Exercise conducted on 06 February 2018. The new updates to the radio and EUD significantly increased the battalion’s situational awareness and ability to communicate during the JFE, and increased lethality significantly by placing each squad leader and above with the ability to monitor TSM and FM communication within the Companies. This allowed leaders to monitor two separate nets and transition between wide band and narrow band easily enabling greater situational awareness, shared understanding, and mission command on the drop zone.

Scout platoon Paratroopers conducted a combined training event with the Air Force 21st Special Tactics Squadron on High Frequency (HF) communications instructed by HARRIS. The training taught the scouts how to use the modern HF CPAs (communication planning application) and VOCAP application, allowing them to integrate location/range/antenna type and variables to predict the reliability of frequencies to use during each hour of the day. Ultimately, this training vastly improved the way the scout platoon will implement HF capabilities for future operations. The scout platoon's next effort will be to pass along this knowledge to the S6 Shop to increase the battalion's understanding of HF Ops.

5. Small Unit Tactics.

A/1-508 PIR and C/1-508 PIR conducted Call for Fire Training culminating in a Virtual Fire Support Coordination Exercise (VFSCX) from 29 January - 01 February 2018. During the VFSCX, FSOs developed a scenario in which platoon leadership planned an operation using the virtual center, briefed their Paratroopers on the tactical scenario, and then executed their plan with all appropriate indirect fires integration. This gave Paratroopers at all levels the opportunity to familiarize and become more proficient with calling for fire.

B/1-508 PIR executed Shoot-house training during training 29 January - 01 February 2018 at Range 75. The training focused on single team single-room under limited visibility and CBRN conditions. The original layout included three targets in a center fed room which was conducted by all fire teams in full visibility, limited visibility, and finally under CBRN conditions. Day two progression of training advanced to single team multi-room, where teams engaged five total targets spread across two center fed rooms. Paratroopers executed the multi-room layout in both full visibility and under CBRN conditions and for each iterations the side of entrance into the room varied.

D/1-508 PIR conducted Squad dismounted STX 29 January - 01 February 2018 in NTA 1 and 3. Platoon Leaders and Platoon Sergeants were able to walk with their squads for multiple day and night iterations, focused on traditional map and compass navigation skills, movement, react to contact, and ambushes. The regularly mounted Paratroopers were additionally challenged by rotating young leaders through different leadership positions within a rifle squad.

6. Mastery of Maintenance.

1-508 PIR maintains zero overdue services for this month. This is a result of the maintenance platoon's ability to execute services while supporting other critical missions such as the Juliet Company change of command inventories and the 2BCT OPFOR DRE on 05 February 2018. The battalion continues to improve our efforts to synchronize maintenance with operations by adding scheduled services to the SRTC and LRTC. The maintenance platoon will continue to conduct scheduled and unscheduled services while supporting the 2BCT FTX from 09-13 FEB. This includes twenty-four hour operations forward at training areas as well as in the rear echelon in our motor-pool. Unscheduled services and recovery missions will be the focus of the platoon during this time period.

During the previous 2 weeks the automotive section completed nine scheduled services, including two FLAs, one CK, two trailers, two LHS, and two LMTVs. The small-arms repair section completed two companies worth of quarterly services, and one company of NVG semi-annual services. The shop office section turned in $12,254 worth of credit on our ORIL report, and work orders in GCSS-Army indicated over 325 direct labor man hours completed across scheduled and unscheduled services.

In addition, the platoon will continue to support Juliet Company during the change of command inventories. The automotive section will complete nine scheduled services to include two LMTVs, three trailers, two Humvees, and all CROWS systems. The small-arms repair section will complete one company worth of quarterly services, and one company worth of NVG semi-annual services.

In support of the ongoing Command Maintenance LPD program, CPT McCormick, the 307 BEB S4, provided and LPD on DST rights and procedures on 29 January 2018 for Company XOs and supply sergeants. This LPD was essential to training the "trainer" and providing the left and right limits for the company XOs and staff after recently getting new rights for DST. This LPD set the conditions for the battalion to create DST turn in directives for the 6 pieces of equipment this week.

Finally, the battalion was able to reduce the number of excess pieces of rolling stock to zero. With CW4 Collier's and CPT James Benton's help, HHC/1-508 PIR transferred 3 x M966s, 1 x M997, and 1 x STT trailer to Division for turn in. 1-508 PIR now has no rolling stock over MTOE in our motor-pool. We appreciate all of the support the division consolidated turn-in that helped alleviate the burden of conducting weekly PMCS and annual service on these un-needed pieces of equipment enabling us to focus on our efforts on the true go-to-war items we need to jump, fight, and win tonight.

CLIII(P)

1-508TH- DOS O/H: (18 ), DOS Short: (12 ), Short $(1,278.54)

CLIX

1-508TH- DOS O/H: ( ), DOS Short: ( ), Short $(244,625.72 ) - 54% of supply.

7. Airborne Proficiency.

1-508 PIR Airborne Readiness:

Total # Current Jumpmasters: 57/59

Total # Current DZSO: 5/5

Total # Current DACO: 5/5

Total # White Slip Holders: 7

On 02 February 2018, A/1-508 PIR participated in an airborne operation on Normandy DZ, exiting 57 Paratroopers on mission to rapidly assemble with zero communications in a simulated CBRN environment. A/1-508 PIR moved tactically under pro masks and NODs to their airborne objectives.

After completing a total battalion 18-hour outload sequence, 1-508 PIR executed an off-set drop zone JFE onto Salerno DZ, rapidly assembled, and conducted a battalion attack on Holland DZ in order to deny SAPA influence in the AO and establish an air head line to enable the build of combat power in the AO. 1-508 PIR defeated the OPFOR element being played by 2-505 PIR by overwhelming the enemy with superior synchronized direct and indirect fires, rapid maneuver, and massing at critical seems in the enemy’s defensive posture.

1LT John Han, Mortar Platoon Leader, completed all necessary requirements to earn his Senior Parachutist Badge on 06 February 2018.

HHC/1-508 PIR’s CPT Irvine completed PWAC and is our newest Jump Master

8. Live Fire Exercise.

The Mortar Platoon culminated their MORTEP training with an LPD and both daytime and nighttime live fires on OP12. All mortar sections and the battalion FDC were certified. The Mortar Platoon was assisted by personnel from PEO Soldier Development Partnership, who captured valuable tactical insight and data for future research and development from the Mortar Platoon's use of new STORM systems.

Line of Effort #2: “Win Tomorrow’s Fight”.

HHC/1-508 PIR’s PFC Standard is participating in the 2018 All Army Small Arms Championships training.

Line of Effort #3: “Paratroopers for Life”.

A/1-508 PIR reenlisted 4 Paratroopers in the last two weeks. SSG Duffield (Drill), CPL Mastantuono (Stabilization), SPC Powell (Stabilization), and CPL Estrada (Hawaii) are all excellent young Paratroopers that are going to continue to make the Battalion and the Army better.

B/1-508 PIR had one Paratrooper re-enlist, SPC Locklear, and was also able to promoted two SPC to Sergeant.

Line of Effort #4: “America’s Guard of Honor”.

1-508 PIR participated in the 3BCT outload LPD in Charleston.

B/1-508 PIR successfully executed a Green Corvette Alert and the associated 18 Hour Sequence in support of the DRE on 5 February.

1-508 PIR will conducted ACF transition from B/1-508 to A/1-508 on 15 February 2018.

NEXT TWO WEEKS

Over the next two weeks 1-508 PIR will conduct OPFOR operations in support of 2BCT. 1-508 PIR will occupy a total of 7 total objectives in a dynamic and continuous fight, providing 2BCT with realistic and tough training in preparation for their deployment to JRTC 18-06. 1-508 PIR will also continue to prepare for upcoming squad live fire exercises and urban maneuver training at Fort A.P. Hill.

Airborne!

Respectfully,

MAJ Adam Scher

1-508 PIR Executive Officer

3BCT, 82nd ABN DIV

FURY FROM THE SKY