"NATO Rapid Reaction Force - 7 Days to Deploy" Topic

Hmmmm, I guess their idea of a "Rapid Reaction Force" and mine are a little different:

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Perhaps they need the time to search for the best airfare deal, on-line, or to buy a standby bus, or train ticket, from adjacent countries in Europe.

Seems to me like an overly long time, at least to me, in the 21st Century, for such a small force to get where they are going.

Depends on whether they're counting loading/unloading time.

Friend of mine says that you're talking 72 hours to unpack vehicles from transport after arrival, and about as much time on the front end to pack up for transport.

3 days to pack up, 1 day to get there, 3 days to unpack makes 7 days.

How big are the units?

Have to agree with the OP.

I guess 7 days makes sense if you don't make any special prep. But the terrorist attacks in Paris saw hundreds of SWAT-type troops respond within minutes. Now, take that light infantry, stuff them into air transport along with pre-packed logistal support such as food, water, ammo, and medical supplies and they should be able to be anywhere within within flight range of their base within hours.

Perhaps the 7 days includes time to assemble the troops from various bases and units and does not envision hundreds of troops constantly at the ready.

Yes, there are a lot factors there … in units like 82d and 101 when I was there, back in the early '80s. You had an IRC Initial Ready Company which could be wheels up in a couple of hours. With follow on elements of the DRF – Division Ready Force, a Bn TF, incrementally deployed. As the DRF-1 unit(Bn TF) had everthing packed and ready to go. And if all went as planned the complete DRF-1 could be in most places within a day or two or a few more based on location. The IRC was the lead element of the DRF-1 TF. Which is the lead elements of the DRB-Division Ready Brigade. Which is the initial/lead Brigade(Bde) sized BG(Battle Group). Then the rest of the Bde/DRF-2 etc., deploy incrementally. Until the entire Divs if needed is, deployed. That's the short version of the process …

72 hours to unpack vehicles from transport after arrival, and about as much time on the front end to pack up for transport.

3 days to pack up, 1 day to get there, 3 days to unpack makes 7 days.

That does sound reasonable … Save for the forces that can be dropped. But as we know, paras can do a lot of damage, but you still need heavier forces to link up with them in a timely manner. Even with the advent of helicopters/V-22s that can hopefully get in and out of the DZ/Airhead in one piece repeatedly. We don't want to see another Johnny Frost's Bn holding out at Arnhem scenario … Which for many reasons is unlikely but worth remembering …

Couldn't they pretty much drive anywhere in Europe in a couple days? Preload a bunch of containers, load on tractor trailer trucks and mate up with your forces to keep them supplied.

Slightly better than the "Eventual Probable Embarrasingly Inadequate Force" with ridiculous rules of engagement.

Oh, I thought this was about the UN. Oops.

Dan

I'm recalling how long it took the US Army to redeploy attack helicopters from Western Europe to the Balkans back in the day. Thought that took entirely too long.

I'm surprised that stuff isn't already prepacked, and ready to go, for the RRF.

I mean, it is supposed to be rapid, right?

Seems to me you could unpack in a day, if the enemy was around, making you a bit motivated, though obviously vehicles might take more time.

I've unloaded tractor-trailer trucks, and that doesn't take more than a couple of hours, in most cases, even by hand (not using pallet jacks, or forklifts).

Don't know what the RRF consists of, but would think light infantry for the most part, with ATGMs, and Manpads.

They need to get the troops on the ground, to defend territory, and the heavier equipment can get there by truck, or helo, when available.

A conflict could be over in less than a week, if an opponent really wanted it. Heck, I suspect even in WWII, with foot troops, and horse-borne logistics, the Germans advanced pretty quickly.

Given truck-borne, and helo transport, not to mention paratroopers and aircraft, you can lose a lot of ground in 24 hours.

Just look at how quickly the Soviets took over Afghanistan, in late 1979.

Couldn't they pretty much drive anywhere in Europe in a couple days? Preload a bunch of containers, load on tractor trailer trucks and mate up with your forces to keep them supplied.

Depends where they have to go …

It's also not just 'unpacking', but remounting the pintle weapons and stuff.

The fastest way to get a lot of guy on the ground is still by parachute, or maybe choppers/V-22s … the latter sometimes being easier said than done …

Yeah, you can get leg infantry someplace in 24-48 hours. It's their vehicular support that takes 72 hours to prep for transport and 72 hours to unpack and prep for combat. (for example, you have to physically dismount the RWS to make a Stryker fit into a C17)

Because "TOW missile" and "man-portable" don't belong in the same sentence.

Yeah, in the 101 our TOWs were M151 Jeep mounted … A TOW system can be man packed if taken a part. But like a .50 cal it is still a heavy SoB !