Small Kill Teams in Iraq

[Jedburgh]

Are these Army resources/organizations? I've never even heard of them.

Yes, they're Army-specific resources.

AKO = Army Knowledge On-line. Every service member has an AKO log-in, that provides access to most of these resources. "The Army's Enterprise Portal, Army Knowledge Online (AKO), is a primary component of The Army Knowledge Management (AKM) strategy and The Army Transformation. As the single point of entry into a robust and scalable knowledge management system, AKO is strategically changing the way The Army does business. By enabling greater knowledge sharing among Army communities, AKM fosters improved decision dominance by commanders and business stewards in the battlespace, organizations, and Army's mission processes." Sounds great, but it's a loooong way from that point right now. But it does maintain a HUGE amount of information readily accessible in its numerous "Knowledge Center" files.

BCKS = Battle Command Knowledge System. Pretty good mix of professional discussion forums linked with subject-specific FOUO-and-below document archives. Great potential although not used nearly enough; still working out kinks in the system.

CALL = Center for Army Lessons Learned. Self explanatory - great resource.

[jcustis]

Xenophon,

I can access CALL using the DEERS logon feature, even though I do have an AKO guest account. BCKS does have some interesting info at the link provided up thread, but just like the Marine Corps Lessons Learned system, it is only as strong as the material input by users who are at the "tip of the spear".

Recommend you look at getting an AKO account (you need to find an Army sponsor), and definitely MCLLs to fill in some of the gaps of doctrinal information you've learned in the schoolhouse thus far. There are some very interesting articles out there about urban fire support coordination/execution. I suspect you'll be able to get hooked up with AKO/BCKS when you get to Ft. Sill, and the period of instruction may cover some of those TTPs already.

Me thinks the concept of "killer teams" may be localized to a particular unit, so if it is an emergent concept, it's not going to be out there. Infantrygw21 has received some excellent direction so far: see the S2 and if he doesn't have the answers, push him to find them. That's what they should be excelling at anyway.

[slapout9]

I am not sure and I may be wrong but this sounds alot like Drop Off or Stay Behind Teams that were adapted to LE special ops to catch serial bombers.
It was based upon FBI and ATF profiles to catch bombers. Also based upon the old theory that repeat criminals always return to the scene of the crime.
Don't know if this helps but sounds very close.

[infantrygw21]

Ok, gentlemen, obviously this has sturred a little debate. I understand the OPSEC implications, yes I know what AKO is, yes I do have access to SIPR/NIPR accounts. I was tasked with finding some info out on the "internet" to see if there was any info that people were talking about on unsecure forums regarding STK. Because the idea is fairly new to the current theater, there are many different briefs and such coming thru SIPR.

I apologize to those who have been distrought at the thought of a "cherry LT", as stated before, violating OPSEC.

[Shek]

Ok, gentlemen, obviously this has sturred a little debate. I understand the OPSEC implications, yes I know what AKO is, yes I do have access to SIPR/NIPR accounts. I was tasked with finding some info out on the "internet" to see if there was any info that people were talking about on unsecure forums regarding STK. Because the idea is fairly new to the current theater, there are many different briefs and such coming thru SIPR.

I apologize to those who have been distrought at the thought of a "cherry LT", as stated before, violating OPSEC.

The idea has been around since 2003 and put into practice since 2003. How it has evolved, I don't know, but my guess is that the tools have improved, creating a shift in TTPs.