"SBCT: Rifle Platoon Deploying Action" Topic

First test drive of my SBCT project on the table, a small engagement using 5Core Company Command.

Enjoy!
link

Really cool man, thanks for posting. I'm looking forward to the Strykers actually deploying, great to see someone else using 5Core Company Command.

V/R,
Jack

I am actually reading FM's to figure out how to use the vehicles themselves. In a decisive action environment like this, it seems like you need to keep them under cover and ready to ferry your file squads about. Reading the rifle company FM, it states that it is primarily and infantry organization with high mobility, so not sure how to keep the Strykers from being chewed up by the BMP-3's and T-80's.

I am finding the reading fascinating as this is NOT the quality difference we expected in the 1980's. Equipment wise the Russians, err Krasnovians, err OPFOR are truly near peer and are experienced with sophisticated tactics.

Of course during the cold war the Soviets were much more sophisticated than we gave them credit for usually.

Next up, I will try an entire Stryker Company against elements of a Battalion Tactical Group.

I suspect unless you can pin the Russians down somehow, those Strykers will be very vulnerable no matter what they do, just as in real life.

Might as well be unarmored trucks I suspect, for all the good they'll do in a firefight against Russian armor.

Only real recourse to survive is to stay hidden, or away from enemy units.

As I understand things from my friend the Stryker platoon leader and later company XO, Strykers are trucks. Keep out of direct fire.

Yes, they are sufficiently armored to bounce up to .50cal (I think), but that armor won't even slow down a 30mm round.

My friend really wants a gun big enough to bust up obstacles on his Infantry Carrier Vehicles.

Tin Man,

Yeah, you'd better cross attach some tanks, some rotary attack, and put a battery or two of GMLRS/HIMARS in direct support when facing those Krasnovians ;)

Light infantry vs armored/mechanized ain't optimal!

"Of course during the cold war the Soviets were much more sophisticated than we gave them credit for usually."
Yeah, that's my read on things as well. Following 9/11 I ended up in some of the 'Stans, got to discuss with some former Soviet officers. Despite what they showed from end of WWII through Afghanistan at being adept at task organization and mechanized operations, we still seem to view them as if it were June 1941…

V/R,
Jack

I am going to set up another game sometime this week and the ICV's will try to stay tucked behind hills and out of sight.

I have a bunch of TUSK M1A2's to attach a platoon or two. I will probably do a few more defensive actions, then try a movement to contact and a few deliberate attacks. Aviation support is a must, but I may run that as off table support.

Off table aviation??? You damn Communist!!! I know you've got it, so spring some damn Apaches and Hogs on the table! ;)

All this Stryker vs Armor/Mech stuff reminds me of an old joke:

What's "shplang"?

Shplang is the sound of Marine bayonets ricocheting off enemy T-72s…

V/R,
Jack

I suppose a bayonet can be a ranged weapon, if your drill sergeant was tough enough! :-)

That's the problem, we weren't that tough!

Wait, I mean, the bayonets were in our teeth, as we rushed the T-72s! I was actually quite fortunate to not find myself in that position.

V/R,
Jack

Good one, Jack!

My rotary wing aviation is all AH-1's and OH-58's for the 80's. All of the OH-58D's have been retired, I believe and there is a gap in the armed scout capability, but I will have to order some of those great new AH-64D's from Pico Armor.

Plus, looks like I need some Bradley's anyway, because eventually I'll want to run a Company Team from a Heavy BCT and see how they fair.

Yeah, you've a wargamer! Barely got the SBCT on the table and already you're expanding for the Heavy BCT ;)

Regardless, I'm looking forward to the fights.

V/R,
Jack