LAR in COE/Afghan

[RJ]

Pete,

Good luck and Safe Home for you and your men.

This comment is off topic, but I just saw Battlefield LA at the local
movied house. I had no idea it about a Marine Rifle platoon taking on a interstellar invader, along the lines of the movie "Independence Day!"

I predict this movie will be the Marine Corps' best recruiting movie of the 21 Century.

I was surprised and pleased with historical connection between modern Marines and the 2nd Bn., (2/5) 5th Marine Regiment. It is science fiction, but it shows a lot of the current Corps weapons and spirit. No love interest required. It even refers to its Regimental Commanders comment in WWI France when told to Retreat. His answer was "Retreat Hell! We just got here!"

I'm an old rifle squad leader from M-3/5. Ken, this one's for you "Guns up!"

[EPA]

82redleg,

Thanks for the posts. Read the articles you linked and it seems that the Canadians view the LAV as an IFV. They were beneficial to see how other countries are employing LAVs in Afghanistan. The MCWP 3-14, Employment of the LAR Bn specifically states that the LAV is not an IFV but a recon platform.

Interesting how two services with the same exact vehicle have a different philosophical difference about the same platform.

Pete

[82redleg]

I'm just a dumba$$ cannoncocker, with a slight interest in the rest of things military, but that is how I understand it. However, employment of the same vehicle in the same (or very similar AO) in similar operations can't be useless- at the very least, micro-TTPs (recovery, bridges, etc) should be useful.

However, in the COE, I think that LAR units (just as US Army Cavalry organizations) have been asked to do more than simply reconnaissance, and the employment of all maneuver elements has converged.

The Australians use the LAV, to, and I believe they also view it as a recon platform. The international students are on a field trip this week, so I won't be able to get anything until early next week, but I'll check with our Aussie officer and see if there are any good articles. They call their LAVs the ASLAV.

A quick google search turned up:
http://www.australiandefence.com.au/...FE0050568C22C9
and
http://www.army.gov.au/lwsc/docs/Til..._Coin_Toss.pdf

Going to the home sites of these docs should provide more than I found quickly.

[jcustis]

The Australians use the LAV, to, and I believe they also view it as a recon platform.

The treat their organizations as cavalry, and yes, employ deliberate reconnaissance techniques, but also employ troop carriers at the platoon level to carry Javelin equipped troops.

They are very good at employing them in some of the worst terrain Queensland can offer to the BLUFOR.

The Royal Australian Army and Marine Corps exchange SNCOs. Ours serves at the schoolhouse, while theirs is posted to our 1st LAR Battalion.