Army Memo re: Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
2D SQUADRON, 3D ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
AR-RUTBAH, IRAQ
APO AE 09320-1466

AFZC-R-J-SCO 25 February 2004
MEMORANDUM FOR Commander, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, Al Asad, Iraq, APO AE
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
1. Sabre Squadron's final AAR for Operation Iraqi Freedom follows.
(b)(2)_Lt
2.
3.
POC for this memorandum is the undersigned.

4.
Brave Rifles!

(10) (4,)-
TC, ARMOR Commanding

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (FOUO) 020588
26 February 2004AFZC-R-J-SCOC
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
1. MANEUVER
a. TCP
(1) Issue: Conductin a Traffic Control Point (TCP) using a gun platoon in urban terrain. Discussion:
L4-"l't sy‘ CO'
Recommendation:
(2) issue: "Rolling" Traffic Control Points
Discussion:

Recommendation:
b. Convoys
Issue: Convo 0 erations
Dis

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25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCOC
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

c. Stability and Security operations
(1) Issue: Int rating units into a cohesive TF for urban area operations. Discussion:
3
020590
AFZC-R-J-SCOC 25 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
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(2) Issue: The language of Peace Keeping Operations (PKO) Discussion
Recommendation:
(3) Issue: Urban Combat engagements Discussion:
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AFZC-R-J-SCOC
25 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
e9)L'
(4) Issue: Use of Bradley Fighting Vehicle as Breaching Device Discussion:
Recommendation:
(5) Issue: Dismounted Capability. All soldiers should be capable of operating 'on the ground' without their vehicles.
Discussion:
5
020592
AFZC-R-J-SCOC 25 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
(6) Issue: Combined Arms Discussion:
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AFZC-R-J-SCOC
25 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
Recommendation:
e•—¦
(7) Issue: Use urban & extended operations lessons learned in future training. 'scussion:
Recommendation:
u9PA
7
020594
AFZC-R-J-SCO 25 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
(8) Issue: Border reconnaissance Discussion:
8C 020595

AFZC-R-J-SCOC
25 February 2004SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
(9) Issue: Training not focused on missions that were actual!
executed in combat.
Discussion:
Recommendation:
(10)
Issue: Peace making trainin
Discussion:

(11)
Issue: Small Arms Gunnery skills
Discussion.

Recommended° •
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020596
AFZC-R-J-SCO
25 February 2004SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
(12) Issue: Crossin an assault float brid e.
Discussion:

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Recommendation:
d. Close Air Support:
(1) Issue: Air Ground inte ration
Discussion:

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(2)
Issue: CAS Sho
Discussion:

e.
Raids:

Issue: Raid TTP
Discussion.

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I 0 020597
AFZC-R-J-SCOC
25 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
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co mendation:
f. IED: Issue: Cleari
Discussion:
020598

AFZC-R-J-SCO
25 February 2004SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
g. Deploy/Redeploy:
Issue: Deploy/Redeploy as units.
Discussion:

h. Planning:
Issue: Collaborative v.s. Parallel Planning. Discussion:
Issue: Intelli ence Estimates
Discussion:

12
020599
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25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCO
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

Issue: Intelli
low
Discussion:
Recommendation:
2. Fire Support
a. Issue: Firing Illumination in Urban Terrain
Discussion:

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03'
ecommendation:
training the Howitzer Battery on traditional cavalry skills.
-
b. Issue: Cross
Discussion:
Recommendation:

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AFZC-R-J-SCOC 25 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
c. Issue: M xcellen nter-fire role
Discussion:

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3. Engineers:
a. Issue: Re iment did no receive its doctrinal en ineer Go-to-War package of units. Discussion:
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AFZC-R-J-SCOC
25 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
Recommendation:
b. Issue: EOD Assets
A
O'd
c. Issue: AVLBs & EAPUs. Neither work, and nobody seems to be able to fix them. Discussio •
1 5 020602

25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCOC
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
4. INTELLIGENCE le handovers.
a.
Issue: Re • _ _ Discussion:

b.
Issue: Regimental Common Operating Picture Discussion:

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AFZC-R-J-SCOC
25 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
c. Issue: Detainee Release Program Discussion: A major bone of contention for the populace of AO DOYLE was the detention of innocent people and the inability of the Regiment to release them from prison once they were deemed innocent (Habbariyah, Falcon Hunters, Radioactive Truck Guys etc.). The five layers of bureaucracy between the unit on the grounddealing with the families of the innocent detainee and the prison that releases them
was extremely difficult to deal with. Detainees would often be held for two to five months after they were deemed innocent. Recommendation: Better direct coordination between line units and Abu Ghurab/Bucca Prisons should be established in order to facilitate the release of innocent detainees and their subsequent pick up from prison.
d. Issue: Detainee personal property.
Discussion: When detainees are released from Abu Ghurab their personal belongings
are often not given back to them. For example the Radioactive Truck Guys and the
Habbariyah detainees were not given their money, jewelry or personal identification.
Great care and emphasis is placed on cataloguing and forwarding all of their personal

property when we forward a detainee up.
Recommendation: Develop and implement a detainee personal property tracking
system and ensure it is incorporated into the release process.

5. COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT
a. Property:
(1)Issue: Ne sol Ts Wea
Discuss

(2) Issue: Property Accountability / Inventories Discu
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AFZC-R-J-SCOC 25 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
Recommendation:
(3) Issue: Transportation of Property Discussion:
b. Supply:
(1) Issue: echanized Vehicle Track.
Discussion:
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25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCO
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

(2)
Issue: Resupply
Dis

(3)
Issue: C ss III lk and Package resupply
Discussio •

(4)
Issue: Class V Su ort
Discussion:

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25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCOC
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
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Recommendation:
(6) Issue: KBR Satellite Dinin
• n:
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25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCOC
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

c. Transportation:
(1) Issue:
Discussion:

(2) Issue: Vehicles must be mechanically reliable and able to withstand most likely
weapons used.

Discussion.
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AFZC-R-J-SCO 25 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
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d. Medical:
Recommendation:
t.,
(2) Issue: F 's as a standard com onent to the MAS/FAS
Discussion:

ecommendation:
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26 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCOC
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
(3) Issue: Medical e ui m
D ussion.

Recommendation:
(4) Issue: PatiCi
Discussion:

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Recommendation:

o'tis)
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25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCO
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

(5)
Issue: Medical Su
Disc

e.
Equipment:

(2)
Issue: S are tires/tow bars/fuel cans Discu si

24
020611
25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCO
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

(3) Issue: Laser Dot Pointe
Discussion:

0;13'1
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Recommendation:
(4)
Issue: Shot uns as art of Scout Platoon MTOE
Disc

(5)
Issue: Ni ht Vision Devices
Discussion:

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Lo')
eled vehicles.
25
020612
AFZC-R-J-SCOC 25 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
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Recommendation: ­
(7) Issue : Dismount kits, MGs on trucks, bustle rack extensions, lubrication for weapons, fabric

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(8) Issue: Po .stribution re uirements Discussion:
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25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCOC
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

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Rec mmendatio •C
(9) Issue: Lack of Li htin /P boxes.
Discussion:

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(10) Issue: TO extensions for M577 series
Discu

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(11)1ssue: Appropriate tank main gun ammo for urban environments. AFV MOUT
training.
Discussion.

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27
020614
25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCOC
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

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DOD-043680
AFZC-R-J-SCOC 26 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
(12) Issue: Mobilit on the Non -linear battlefield
Discussion:

,74:1AA. 1;°r \
• I
(13) Issue: Weapons Allocation
Discus •

Recommendation.
(14)
Issue: Ma s/Overhead Ima e
Discussion:

(15)
Issue: AN/PAS13 Thermal Imaging Devices

Recommendation:
-
29.
020616
25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCO
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

Discussion:
6. Maintenance:
a. Issue: Soldiers lack a sense of discernible ownershi
Discuss'

Recommenda
b. Issue: Fault identification at operator level
Disc '

Recommendation:
om the FOBs to the UMCP
c. Issue: DA
Discussion:

25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

30. 020617

7. Civil Affairs/Psyops:
a. Issue: Enabler int ration
Discussion.

Recommendation:
Establishing local trus and confidence
b. Issue:
Discussion mendation: A

Cto
c. Issue: Interpreters
Disc i

Recommendation:
25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCOC
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

31.
020618
DOD-043683
nications with the local Ira i leaders
d.
Issue: Com
Discussion:
Recommen

e.
Issue: Civil Milita 0 erations at the troop level
Discussion:

Recommendation:
f. Issue: Point en a ement
Recommendation.
g. Issue: Com etin local securit forces
Discussion:

Recommendation:
25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCO
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

32.
020619
h. Issue: Establishment of Discussion.
Recommendation:
i. Issue: Securit Force Trainin
Discussion:

eco ion:
j. Issue: Field Orderin Officer 0 erations
Discussion:

25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCO
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
33 020620

t.‘5-0-‘
k. Issue: Military Sponsored Civil Construction Pro'ects
Discussion:

0;')(5)
Recommen ation:
I. Issue: Ha- Bus Arrival at the POE
Discussion:

coL5)-1
25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCOC
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

34
020621
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ecommendations:
25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCOC
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

35
020622
AFZC-R-J-SCOC 25 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)
n. Issue: Na i I Id n " n S stem for Ira i Peo le needed
Discussio •

ecommeC' •
o. Issue: Civilian Military Relations
Discussion:

Recommendation
p. Issue: Training with and understanding the capabilities of force multipliers such as
CA, CI, and TP assets.

Discussion:
Recommendation:
8. Signal:
a. Issue: Se ovia InternetNoice over IP Phones
Discussion:

(0' A tOs)''
36
020623
25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCOC
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

Recommendati
b.
Issue: TACSAT/THURAYA CELL Phones
Disc

c.
Issue: Lon Ran e Commun cations Ca abilit
Discussion:

0-.))'j‘col,$)‘
37 020624

AFZC-R-J-SCOC 26 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR) d. Issue: Tele tion with Local Nationals Discussion:
Recommendation:
f. Issue: Limited communication between mounted and dismounted elements. Discussion:
cO)
Recommendation:
d. Issue: Com Discussion: AFZC-R-J-SCOC 26 February 2004 SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR) L19)0A,

9. Family Readiness Group:
38
020625
a.
Issue: Man family members are not connected to their FRG Discussion:

b.
Issue: There is not adequate information on soldiers who are new to the unit and

redeploy later.
Discussion:

26 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCOC
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

Recom
c. Issue: Family members create numerous web sites for family members of soldiers G information .
and post inap ro riate 0
• ussion:
39
020626
Issue: FRG leaders have been asked to identify to the command soldiers who
d.
may have an at-risk famil situation u on red lo ment.

Discussion:

Recommendation:
e. Issue: Squadron and Troo FRG Conference calls
Discussion:

ecommendation.
f. Issue: Baby Calls
25 February 2004
AFZC-R-J-SCO
SUBJECT: Final Operation Iraqi Freedom After Action Review (AAR)

Co)L
Recommendation.
g. Issue: Taking care of families of killed and wounded soldiers
Discussion:

40
020627
ecomme •
Famillialli.11111111111111111111.11.1.111111
10. Rear Detachment:
a. Issue: Pro ert remainin in the rear
Discussion:

Recommendation:
b. Issue: Selection of Rear Detachment Connmanders
Discussion:

Recommenda i
41
n2o62.8
DOD-043693