If you haven't been following the story of the 10 KY National Guard MPs that took on - and defeated - a much larger insurgent force which attacked a truck convoy, read the After Action Report that was sent to Blackfive.
UPDATE: H/t to Dvidshub for hosting video taken by the insurgents of the first part of the attack and interviews with SGT Leigh Ann Hester, SGT Morris and other members of the MP squad. The last link gives a blow-by-blow account from the second woman in the squad. And don't miss The Donovan's discussion of this event and women in combat. Plus, Paul at PrincePundit gives the names and towns of the MPs in the video clips.
On Sunday afternoon, in a very bad section of scrub-land called Salman Pak, 40 to 50 heavily-armed Iraqi insurgents attacked a convoy of 30 civilian tractor trailer trucks .... These tractor trailers, driven by third country nationals (primarily Turkish), were escorted by 3 armored Hummers from the COSCOM. When the insurgents attacked, one of the Hummers was in their kill zone and the three soldiers aboard were immediately wounded, and the platform taken under heavy machinegun and RPG fire.Each of the enemy had hand-cuffs and were looking to take hostages for ransom or worse, to take those three wounded US soldiers for more internet beheadings.
About this time, three armored Hummers that formed the MP Squad under call sign Raven 42, 617th MP Co, Kentucky National Guard, assigned to the 503rd MP Bn (Fort Bragg), 18th MP Bde, arrived on the scene like the cavalry....
What follows next is a classically executed counterattack. The two senior NCOs, one a woman, take the fight directly to the insurgents in their trenches:
The Squad leader dismounted with his M4 carbine, and 2 hand grenades, grabbed the section leader out of the first vehicle who had rendered radio reports of their first contact. The two of them, squad leader Staff Sergeant and team leader Sergeant with her M4 and M203 grenade launcher, rush the nearest ditch about 20 meters away to start clearing the natural trenchline. The enemy has gone into the ditches and is hiding behind several small trees in the back of the lot. The .50 cal and SAW (squad automatic weapon - corrected) flanking fire tears apart the ten enemy in the lead trenchline.Meanwhile, the two treating the three wounded on the ground at the rear vehicle come under sniper fire from the farmer's house. Each of them, remember one is a medic, pull out AT-4 rocket launchers from the HMMWV and nearly-simultaneously fire the rockets into the house to neutralize the shooter. The two sergeants work their way up the trenchline, throwing grenades, firing grenades from the launcher, and firing their M4s.
The sergeant runs low on ammo and runs back to a vehicle to reload. She moves to her squad leader's vehicle, and because this squad is led so well, she knows exactly where to reach her arm blindly into a different vehicle to find ammo-because each vehicle is packed exactly the same, with discipline.
And that is the way a professionally trained unit does things. Every one of those soldiers showed incredible discipline, initiative and skill. More importantly, they functioned as a unit.
Now, rejoined ... the two sergeants continue clearing the enemy from the trenchline, until they see no more movement. A lone man with an RPG launcher on his shoulder steps from behind a tree and prepares to fire on the three Hummers and is killed with a single aimed SAW shot thru the head by the previously knocked out gunner on platform two, who now has a SAW out to supplement the .50 cal in the mount.The team leader sergeant--she claims four killed by aimed M4 shots.
The Squad Leader--he threw four grenades taking out at least two AIF, and attributes one other to her aimed M203 fire.
The gunner on platform two, previously knocked out from a hit by the RPG, has now swung his .50 cal around and, realizing that the line of vehicles represents a hazard and possible getaway for the bad guys, starts shooting the .50cal into the engine blocks until his field of fire is limited. He realizes that his vehicle is still running despite the RPG hit, and drops down from his weapon, into the drivers seat and moves the vehicle forward on two flat tires about 100 meters into a better firing position. Just then, the vehicle dies, oil spraying everywhere. He remounts his .50 cal and continues shooting the remaining of the seven cars lined up and ready for a get-away that wasn't to happen...
Those seven Americans (with the three wounded) killed in total 24 heavily armed enemy, wounded 6 (two later died), and captured one unwounded, who feigned injury to escape the fight. They seized 22 AK-47s, 6x RPG launchers w/ 16 rockets, 13x RPK machineguns, 3x PKM machineguns, 40 hand grenades, 123 fully loaded 30-rd AK magazines, 52 empty mags, and 10 belts of 2500 rds of PK ammo....
Of the 7 members of Raven 42 who walked away, two are Caucasian Women, the rest men-one is Mexican-American, the medic is African-American, and the other two are Caucasian-the great American melting pot.
They believed even before this fight that their NCOs were the best in the Army, and that they have the best squad in the Army. The Medic who fired the AT-4, said he remembered how from the week before when his squad leader forced him to train on it, though he didn't think as a medic he would ever use one. He said he chose to use it in that moment to protect the three wounded on the ground in front of him, once they came under fire from the building. The day before this mission, they took the new RFI bandoliers that were recently issued, and experimented with mounting them in their vehicles. Once they figured out how, they pre-loaded a second basic load of ammo into magazines, put them into the bandoliers, and mounted them in their vehicles---the same exact way in every vehicle -load plans enforced and checked by leaders!
Leadership under fire-once those three leaders (NCOs) stepped out of their vehicles, the squad was committed to the fight.
And one of those NCO leaders is a woman, who took the fight right into the trench.
As the Brigade S-2 (Intelligence officer) says:
I participated in their AAR as the BDE S2, and am helping in putting together an action report to justify future valor awards. Lets not talk about women in combat. Lets not talk about the new Close Combat Badge not including MPs.
In other words, these soldiers deserve combat awards because that's what they just accomplished. That they are trained as military police and that two are women is interesting, but doesn't change the fact that they are combat heroes who saved 3 regular army soldiers from an ordeal and perhaps a gruesome death at the hands of fanatics.
The era of clearly defined frontlines and clear distinctions between combat and support roles has faded away. As the Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Schoomaker says, "Every soldier is an infantryman first." If these KY national guardsman are any indication, we've come a long way from the Jessica Lynch capture towards that goal.
I'll give the last word to COL Buzz Kriessel:
It is a testimony to the professionalism of the soldiers our army continues to field. Bear in mind as you read this, these are support troops, Military Police and Medics, who normally occupy rear areas and provide logistics and route security to tactical forces. Here is one further comment that may explain why they were so successful...and deadly. Army doctrine and training teaches that, when ambushed, move directly into the ambush. Never away, always into it. Believe me, only highly trained and disciplined troops will do that. These are some remarkable soldiers. Their discipline and ability to use their weapons speaks volumes for the officers and NCO's who trained them.
Indeed.
All are soldiers. True. There is, however, some poetic justice here.
Dear Jihadis: Please enjoy explaining to your fellows in jehannum how you were sent there by a woman.
Joe,
This is quite a change from the West Virginia maintenance unit caught off guard during the opening of the war, and a good sign that troops are well trained. I noted a similar thing in my post today:
"Imagine the humiliation of the misogynist Islamist terrorists as they are being routed by women on their own turf."
God bless those soldiers. Almost makes me wish I was an American :)
This one could even go in the "Good News" category.
Video links added above to video taken by the insurgents and to interviews with SGT Leigh Anne Hester and other members of the MP squad.
Great job. Didn't think to check DVIDS.
BTW, the name is Blackfive. Blackhawk is an Indian Tribe, an Army Helicopter, or a usually crappy Chicago Hockey Player (should know, I live there).
Oh man, I should NOT blog when I'm in a hurry. Huge apologies, Blackfive. I've corrected that.
Sheesh.
I'm amazed that in such a short time the military has gone from defined "non-combat" and "combat" roles, through the Jessica Lynch transformation, and back out the other side with National Guardsmen making head shots from SAW's and medics trained on rocket launchers.
How did the Army adapt that quickly? It's absolutely amazing.
Hey, Islamofacists: you got beat by a girl.
I believe that SAW stands for squad automatic weapon, it is a full auto rifle. one per squad.
This story and video proves (without a doubt) that the terrorists are incompetent at both fighting AND movie-making. Jeez... Get the poor sucker a Steadycam.
Jeffrey: hard to take good video when you're worried about getting your ass blown off.
Jim, a SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) is actually a light 5.56mm machine gun, with a magazine of up to 200 rounds. It largely (but not completely) replaced the old Vietnam-era M-60.
Here's a Florida National Guard page with more info
And an FAS page with more history etc.
Bullet Time, the US military has talked for some time about the emergence of "nonlinear battlefields" in which there are no longer clear distinctions between the "front" and "behind the lines". They've designed future vehicles, thought about the combat implications and brought some sophisticated analytic techniques to bear on the question of how to fight on one and how to evaluate success.
On a nonlinear battlefield, the distinction between combat and support roles begins to blur and there are particular challenges for logistics.
As a result, the Army has been re-emphasizing combat-important skills for support troops. This has been a particular focus of the current Chief of Staff of the Army. The rubber hits the road, however, down at the platoon and squad levels where leadership and constant training and discipline makes all the difference. These National Guard MPs were trained and were executing their jobs with the discipline and precision that makes all the difference.
Jim, you're right - correction made.
Blackhawk is also a statue overlooking the Rock River near Oregon.
All in Illinois.
Does anyone know what happened to the troops in the other two escorting Hummers? Presumably they weren't close to the Hummer with the wounded soldiers and were pinned down by fire, or Michael Moore's Minutemen wouldn't have been able to advance toward that vehicle. I don't see any mention of them other than the "escorted by three armored Hummers from COSCOM".
I'm sorry, but I've been reading alot of different comments about the new Close Combat Badge, and I have to admit I'm starting to get a little angry because people don't seem to understand why it was created. It wasn't created to "make people happy". And, many high ranking soldiers and veterans investigated this matter for some time before finally settling on this decision. The close combat badge is not just for someone in a combat arms MOS that served in a combat zone. It is for those combat arms soldiers (other than infantry) in units that were specifically re-trained and re-structured to operate as infantry, and subsequently came under and/or were present under fire and returned fire in a combat situation. The CCB was created so as to not tarnish the history of the CIB being only for infantry. People making comments on the CCB really need to do their research. The CIB was created for the infantry because they are "on the ground" and get into combat situations often. However, it was also created because they train to "go after" the enemy specifically and deliberately put themselves in harms way, that's why in the past only infantry and special forces have had such an award. Now, the other units that train to "go after" the enemy and put themselves in harms way (namely other combat arms) are also being retrained as infantry and are being put on the ground to do the same job. That's who this new award is for. Despite MOS's like combat MPs and even truck drivers who see alot of combat and should be commended for their efforts, they still do not train like this. They aren't a direct combat arms job and despite what anyone in those jobs say, don't always delibertely put themselves in harms way going after the enemy. They do see alot of combat but most of that is in situations like pulling security for a convoy and then taking fire. In fact, most of these "support units" are trained to step on the gas to get out of harms way! Not to hunt them down. I was in Iraq for over a year. I was a tanker who was re-trained and operating as infantry. My unit even got filled out with infantry. Hell, my squad leader in Iraq was a ranger. I got in more firefights in Iraq then anyone should ever have to be in, and I lost some friends over there. Yet, I still could care less if I get an award, but that's not to say we don't deserve one. I also think alot of other guys in my unit would be proud to wear it, knowing they earned it. I hope no one making negative comments about the new CCB will talk so harshly about it around these soldiers that will be wearing them. That is all.
-Just another OIF soldier.
Old Guy, I'm not certain. This was a long convoy and I imagine the other two Hummers were far enough away so that they couldn't get back to respond quickly.
SGT Knight, thank you for your service and for taking time to comment here. I have great respect for those who have earned the CCB and especially for those who have retrained for infantry. You're absolutely right that what most MPS see of action doesn't come close to the job our infantry trains for and accomplishes daily under difficult conditions.
My colleagues in green suits have differing opinions about who should be eligible for the CCB. As a civilian, I'll withhold judgement on that other than to say that a) you are right about the importance and value of our infantry soldiers and b) I would like to see some significant recognition of combat valor for those MPs who do take the fight to the insurgents and perform with courage and effectiveness against a heavily armed enemy.
Old Guy, I'm not certain. This was a long convoy and I imagine the other two Hummers were far enough away so that they couldn't get back to respond quickly.
SGT Knight, thank you for your service and for taking time to comment here. I have great respect for those who have earned the CCB and especially for those who have retrained for infantry. You're absolutely right that what most MPS see of action doesn't come close to the job our infantry trains for and accomplishes daily under difficult conditions.
My colleagues in green suits have differing opinions about who should be eligible for the CCB. As a civilian, I'll withhold judgement on that other than to say that a) you are right about the importance and value of our infantry soldiers and b) I would like to see some significant recognition of combat valor for those MPs who do take the fight to the insurgents and perform with courage and effectiveness against a heavily armed enemy.
The Haji's are crappy cameramen (along with being crappy fighters...).
The Haji's are crappy cameramen (along with being crappy fighters...).
SGT Knight: The CCB was created so as to not tarnish the history of the CIB being only for infantry.
I believe this occurred after an incident in Panama where a female MP engaged in combat, and liberals led by Patricia Schroeder demanded that she be given a CIB.
When of course it was pointed out that the highly esteemed CIB is reserved for infantry and medical corpsmen, who face the enemy on an extended basis, they responded that the Army just wanted to see women die in combat and not get any recognition for it. (I do not exaggerate their tone, because I remember Schroeder using almost those exact words).
That doesn't disparage the valor of anybody who has earned a CCB (which could have used a more distinctive and original name) but you can see why some of the "Old Breed" might hold it in some disdain.
SGT Knight: The CCB was created so as to not tarnish the history of the CIB being only for infantry.
I believe this occurred after an incident in Panama where a female MP engaged in combat, and liberals led by Patricia Schroeder demanded that she be given a CIB.
When of course it was pointed out that the highly esteemed CIB is reserved for infantry and medical corpsmen, who face the enemy on an extended basis, they responded that the Army just wanted to see women die in combat and not get any recognition for it. (I do not exaggerate their tone, because I remember Schroeder using almost those exact words).
That doesn't disparage the valor of anybody who has earned a CCB (which could have used a more distinctive and original name) but you can see why some of the "Old Breed" might hold it in some disdain.
Three quick comments.
1. This is the first I've heard of the CCB. But if it requires specific training for the infantry mission then both MP and combat engineer units qualify. Since the earliest days of their existance these type units have had a stated secondary mission to fight as infantry, and not just as local defense. I'm a former combat engineer and a large portion of our training involved infantry missions as well as mines, explosives and construction. One engineer battalion even held off a panzer regiment during the Battle of the Bulge. That was one reason for some resentment about the CIB being only for infantry units.
2. If you don't qualify for the CCB, that is what they have Bronze and Silver Stars for.
3. The above excerpts leave out some details (see full AAR) The other 2 COSCOM Hummers had to be there since they were closer than the MPs who were shadowing from several miles back. I assume they were laying down covering fire to protect the convoy. The MPs moved to the sounds of gunfire so somebody was shooting and probably not the civilian drivers. The actions of the COSCOM soldiers are not included in any detail in the MP after action report because they are different units. The 3 COSCOM vehicles were widely separated to start (typically w/ three convoy escorts, one is at the front, one at the rear and the commander in the center). With 30 trucks separating them and the commander knocked out they would be more disorganized and less able to coordinate their actions (notice that the MPs stayed in a tight group). However it should be realized that if the Raven 42 were the designated quick reaction force the plan was for the COSCOM Hummers to do the close defense of the convoy and the MPs to counterattack. The fire of the COSCOM Hmmers may also have been less effective since they were COSCOM troops (mechanics, supply clerks, etc) and not trained as well in infantry tactics as the MPs (ie see comments on the CCB)
Ron makes some good points. I've been discussing this incident with some field-grade commanders, both infantry and MPs. There were 5 or 6 opinions among 4 officers (heh) re: the badge, but all agreed that medals might be appropriate.
I've been wondering about the other COSCOM hummers. The AAR doesn't say how spread out the convoy was but I got the impression that the insurgents attacked the tail end of the convoy. The MPs could have been responding to the heavy attack on the disabled hummer rather than to covering fire .... ??
This absolutely ends the debate about women in combat. They should have been at Pusan, Bastonge and Tet as well. They would have performed just as well, right? The Iraqi's they were fighting were just as tough as the Germans, Chinese and NVA, right?
Now, let's get rid of the lower physical fitness, height and weight standards as well. They tend to make male soldiers think the females are less capable.
Betsy, I'm not sure what different height and weight standards for the sexes have to do with anything.
As for women in earlier combat, the equipment, tactics and challenges were different then. And there was no oral contraception available at that time to a female soldier to allow her to prevent conception in the case of capture and rape.
Different times, different technologies, different kinds of fights and appropriate differences wrt women in combat IMO.
Ok I am getting a lil mad cause everytime I click on the link or anything regarding the video of the RAVEN 42 ambush it won't let me view it sayting page currently unavailable blah blah you know the usual black and white page so does anybody have a for sure good link DIRECTLY to the video rather than just a site that has the video on it? I am a MP and would like to see the video. Thanks all.
Cody, I don't. I'll look around ... in the meanwhile, perhaps you can email the site owner? rrodd [at] dvidshub [dot] net
Quoting another Post: "Dear Jihadis: Please enjoy explaining to your fellows in jehannum how you were sent there by a woman." and I would like to add.. some "part-time help" National Guardsmen! Ok...got that out of my system...high fives though to folks (guys and gals) that had the Cajones to charge an ambush, and get the job done...plain and simple. If ANYthing positive has come out of the "Jessica Lynch convoy debacle" this is it. Proper Pre-Combat checks, ammo and Medic supplies placement, redundant commo, and having EVERY swinging Richard (and Rachel?) on board any vehicle cross trained in EVERY weapon and EVERY aspect of moving that vehicle should it be engaged and or damaged. Well done, and Kudo's all around.
Small extra note to the "Blackhawk" comments above: Its an :Indian Tribe, the Army's primary Troop Helo, yes, a Hockey team, and, the Motto and main name of America's oldest, longest serving, and HIGHEST decorated Cavalry squadron...(of which I was a proud member in Combat as a
AH-1F Cobra Pilot in Desert Storm) 1st Squadron, 1st US Cavalry, 1st Regiment of Dragoons..."BLACKHAWKS"! ANIMO ET FIDE!