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Lion Claws Tactical Challenge - Mission 1
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The first mission for Team ICS at the Lion Claws Tactical Challenge was to overrun an enemy airport and extract a High-Value Target (HVT). This mission had a time limit of 20 minutes to complete. This was the three missions' largest area of operations (AO). There were 14 aircraft on the enemy airfield and a few structures. For intelligence, we received a map of the AO, a picture of the HVT, and an estimated enemy strength of 9. We were also told that the HVT may or may not be friendly and that they would use "Black Book Rules". Black Book is a form of play that allowed the HVT to become injured if shot in nonlethal places (legs and arms).
A picture of the AO for Team ICS's First Mission (Competition Lane # 2)
We put together a basic strategy for the mission - dividing our six-man team into two main elements - a main assault force and a blocking force. The main assault force's role was to flush all of the enemy towards the extraction point, while the blocking force was to contain them in the area. I'm the type of guy who loves strategy games and thinking through complex problems. The hardest thing for me to do is to keep something complex simple, but thankfully, I have some great team members who keep me in check. This strategy was simple; everyone understood the objective, and we focused on that.
A map of our general strategy - The Red Arrow is the Main Assault Force, and the Blue Arrow is the Blocking Force
I've played at Lion Claws Events for over ten years, and one of my favorite sayings is from Col. Paul Longgrear. He always said, "The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing." Simply put, focus on the objective; nothing else matters.
J.D. and Troy from Team ICS at the Lion Claws Tactical Challenge 2015 using the ICS HOG
For this mission, it didn't matter how many targets we eliminated; all that mattered was getting the HVT out. Anything outside this scope would be a good use of time and cost us the mission and, ultimately, the competition. On a side note, we were the only team to complete this mission, with the 2nd and 3rd place teams coming very close - we needed to complete this mission to take 1st place at the Challenge.
A group shot of Team ICS just before the beginning of Mission 1
The main assault force moved south along the field's western edge while the blocking force moved towards the east side of the field and then south. The main assault force spotted targets in 2 structures in the southwest corner of the AO. As we were approaching, we saw some of the targets move away from the structures and towards the aircraft. We set up to assault and clear out the buildings. Meanwhile, the blocking force moved to the southeast corner of the AO and began engaging targets. They took out three targets in the initial push.
The main assault team began its push into the airplanes from the structures. On the push, we encountered enemy fire from multiple aircraft, and the main assault force was eliminated, so we had to go back to regen. As the main assault force was returning from regen - Jeff from the blocking force disabled the HVT without realizing it.
This map shows the actual location of the HVT
The main assault force was now back in the fight, engaging multiple targets. They eliminated four enemy targets as they pushed a phase line against the aircraft.
While the main assault force was moving, the blocking force successfully identified the HVT. After he was successfully identified, the entire team moved toward the extraction area and completed the mission in 16 minutes and 47 seconds.
The hindsight is always 20/20—when I look at this mission, I feel that the overall strategy worked, and I would try it again if faced with a similar situation. Tactically, there is plenty to improve upon.
Let me know what you think - what did we do well, and what can we improve?
