US Marine BLT

[Timothy OConnor]

Thanks Shortround! Have updated per your information.

Just a few questions: Why are the AGLs and HMGs in the TOW platoon and not with the Javelins? Since the TOWs are mounted on top of the humvees and Javelins are not, why don't they mount the AGLs and HMGs on the Javelin platoon's humvees as standard procedure, especially since the Javelin has a shorter range compared to the TOW?

Are the AGLs and HMGs intended for dismounted use as a standard procedure? And if they are, does the Heavy Weapons Platoon have enough soldiers to man both the TOWs AND all of those dismounted AGLs/HMGs?

Finally, what else does the Javelin platoon carry and how many men are in it? Based on the number of vehicles it looks like it could be 24-32. Any M249s or M240s in that platoon?

I ask these questions since I'm trying to figure out what this would look like in a battalion-level game at 1 stand = 2-4 squads / heavy weapons / vehicles.

[Devildog]

Ok, the Javelin teams are usually distributed out as combat attachments to the Rifle Companies, on foot, to supplement the AT firepower of the SMAW teams in the weapons platoon - in fact I don't even think they have their own HMMWV's.

In the HMG platoon, which has the Mk 19 and M2HB's the HMMVW's mount either one or the other depending on the tactical situation - they are usually matched up with the TOW HMMWV's to form CAAT Teams - Combined Arms Anti-Tank, often with a rifle squad or two attached (see Marine Corps Gazette article on CAAT Teams in Afghanistan, forget issue date)

[Timothy OConnor]

Thanks Devildog. That acutally makes my wargame version easier to define. Here's a draft:

1x HQ Stand w/Humvee

3x Rifle Companies, each with
----3x MG5 Stands w/advanced ATRL
----1x 60mm Mortar Stand
----option: add Javelin to up to 3 MG5 stands in the battalion

1x Heavy Company
----2x 81mm Mortar Stands w/Humvee
----2x TOW Humvees
----2x Weapons Humvees (either may be AGL or HMG)

The rifle company MG5 stands are defined based on number of autmatic weapons. About 4 SAWs and LMGs = MG3 (roll 3d6 to hit). About 6-9 SAWs and LMGs = MG4. About 11+ SAWs and LMGs = MG5. In this case it's assumed that the Weapons Platoon 6x M240s are distibuted among the platoons each of which starts with 9x M249s.

Since each stand represents 2-4 squads, weapons, or vehicles I didn't want to give the Weapons Company Humvees too much staying power by allowing three of each type. This is handy enough that you can leave the 81mm mortar stands as a company and attach the other stands to rifle companies in two teams of two stands each (eg TOW+HMG and TOW+AGL).

[Devildog]

That looks about right. If I remember correctly the 81mm Mortars would be retained under Battalion control with the Weapons Company commander responsible for calling in supporting fires (Arty/Air.)

You could then deploy your TOW and HMG/AGL armed HMMWV's as two CAAT Teams two screen the flanks, act as a mobile reserve or as very mobile scouts. At this scale it would be tough to account for an attached rifle squad often used to provide a dismounted element to the CAAT Team.

The next decision of course is what other assests are attached - BLT's as part of MEU(SOC) are very flexible - a tank platoon? an LAV platoon? AAV platoon (capable of transporting one of your rifle companies?) There is also the artillery battery, engineers, recon platoon, ADA detachment etc.

Don't forget air support - MEU's have a mixed helo squadron with 4 to 8 AH-1W, several UH-1N (forget the exact number, 1 or 2) 4 or 8 CH-53 and I believe up to 12 CH-46, as well as (if I recall) either 6 or 8 AV-8B.

[Timothy OConnor]

Yeah, that's just the wargame version of the "core" battalion. Would add stuff like:

---1x LAV-AT Stand and 1x LAV-25 Stand from the LAR platoon
---1x M1A2 Tank Stand
---4x AAV Stands
etc...

According to Clancy's book air support assets would be:

----12x Sea Knights (4 stands)
----8x Super Stallions (4 stands)
----8x AH1W Cobras (2 stands)
----6x Harrier II Attack Jets (2 stands)

So, each stand represents about 2-4 aircraft based on function, lift capacity, etc.

Re: that infantry attached to the CATT...how many dismounts is that? At my scale ** CENSORED ** units of around 16-20 men can show up as a stand since that's about the size of two squads. Also, I'm interested in function than just pure numbers so if it's off a little bit that's ok. My criteria is that if a knowledgable gamer is handed the unit at a game he immediately reconginzes the bits and sees them as reasonable from a game perspective.

[Devildog]

If I remember the article correctly, it was from the Marine Corps Gazette - written by an officer serving with a CAAT Team in Afghanistan, it was one rifle squad per CAAT Team in one or two cargo (up armored high-back) HMMWV's. As a Marine rifle squad is 14 men I suppose you could have one stand per CAAT Team as dismounts and assume the cargo HMMWV is represented by the models making up the team.

[ShortRound70]

Devildog & USMC'ers:

I retrieved this from the USMC Info thread. It's from last year, but is still current for Weap. Co., 3/23 Mar. here in Baton Rouge.

"Elements of Weapons Co., 3rd Bn./23rd Mar. have served in both Afghanistan and Iraq. The TO&E's provided are as follows:

Afghanistan: 1 CAAT attached to each rifle company; 2xM-2 HMG hardback Hummers, 1xMk 19 AGL hardback Hummer, 2xArmored Cargo Hummers w/1xRifle Squad. Sometimes a Javelin team and/or M-240G MMG team were attached.

Iraq: 1 CAAT attached to each rifle company; 2xM-2 HMG hardback Hummers, 1xMk 19 AGL hardback Hummer, 2xTOW Hummers. Sometimes attached were 2xArmored Cargo Hummers w/1xRifle Squad. Again, a Javelin team and/or M-240G MMG team could be attached. A "heavy" CAAT" would have 2xLAV-25's w/scouts instead of the rifle squad & Hummers.

These TO&E's were primarily used for convoy escort and route security, but probably used for more missions. Hope this is what you were looking for. CAAT's in a MEU must be similar. Oh, the 81mm Mortar Platoon was split into 2 sections (4 tubes each section) and remained at battalion."

I'll have to check, but if I remember correctly, when the Javelin teams are afoot, the drivers stay with the vehicles. They can then be up-gunned, and spare TOW platoon bodies become gunners to form a Heavy MG Platoon. Anyone have any other info to share?

Tim, your orbat looks good for your game scale IMHO. I've worked my MEU to fit either 1:1 (squad) or 1:5 (platoon).

Semper Fi!

[redleg]

I'm also starting on my modern US Marines. I'm having some trouble with paint color though. Would anyone care to share paint suggestions for LCAC and USMC aircraft? I'm using various shades of gray from Model Master, but they don't look right to me.

[voltigeur]

I bought an airbrush for that very reason. The 2 tones of grey have to be feathered to look right. Also, selective black wash (Heavier around engine exaust) will help. I don't really use paint numbers so I'll leave the exact colors to others. I usually make the decision based on how the color works with the model at this scale.

I'm wanting to do a BLT late Cold War, for my helocopters I'm not sure if I should go with the drab green used from Vietnam through the early 80's, or the grey, lome green, forest green pattern used in the very lagte 80's. The drab green gives me a wider time frame to use the helos but the 3 color pattern looked soooooo cool.

[av8rmongo]

Go with the 3-color!

[chrisswim]

Use the three color scheme. You will like it more. Use it in any time period that you wish.

[av8rmongo]

I can't give the link because its from a paint competitor but if you google Don Color you will get to a pretty comprehensive site for camouflage schemes which include specific paint color recommendations.

Paul

[redleg]

That's a great site, Paul. Once again, thanks for the help with paint.