ARTICLES

ARTICLES
Afghanistan mission. 17 The current echelon model is sound and should be retained with
minimal change. The administration company requires a quartermaster platoon to carry the
battalion’s maintenance load and interface with second-line supply organizations and a maintenance
platoon to repair and recover the battalion’s vehicles and equipment. The maintenance
platoon can be reduced in size from the current Force 2013 model, since non-mechanized
battalions, with much more centralized maintenance, do not require robust echelons. A unit
medical team attached from a field ambulance unit provides first-line medical support. Finally,
the transport platoon must be a versatile organization with sections focused on cargo
movement by truck, ammo and POL delivery and aerial delivery skills required to move supplies
by helicopter or parachute delivery.
VEHICLES
The discussion of sustainment inevitably leads us to the discussion of the vehicle requirements
of the infantry battalion. The Force 2013 interim infantry battalion organization contained
detailed assignment of B fleet support vehicles. However, these allotments were based off the
MSVS-SMP and the LVM-L/H projects designed to replace the current fleet of B vehicles. These
projects stalled and the current holdings were divested, severely reducing the self-sufficiency
and capabilities of units across the Army.
As the specific capabilities of future B vehicle fleets are unknown, this proposal will only make
recommendations based on anticipated capabilities. As the standard setting for the rifle
companies is to operate on foot, they will require minimal integral vehicles. The company
commander and 2IC require two small utility vehicles for command and control purposes,
while the company echelons, under the quartermaster, require four trucks for transport of
baggage and stores. This totals six light and medium platforms for each rifle company.
The combat support company requires self-sufficiency in transport through light utility
vehicles. These enable mounted recce and the movement of medium and heavy crew-served
weapons around the battlespace. The administration company is required to be self-sufficient
in transport with a mix of trucks. The supply platoon requires trucks with material-handling
crane (MHC) and palletized load system (PLS) capability to move bulk supplies with ease. The
transport platoon requires sufficient trucks to move the F echelons of two rifle companies
(224 seats) at once; when combined with company echelons, this allows the battalion to be
self-sufficient for administrative movement of itself with its trucks.
Operational requirements may require mobility to patrol at extended distances beyond the
manoeuvre envelopes of battalions and their sub-units. In some cases, the threat dictates that
this mobility must be protected. Vehicles can provide greater mobility, protection to the
soldiers, and increased firepower in terms of volume, type range and precision. They also
provide onboard communication and sensory augmentation and carry additional ammunition
and supplies, reducing the soldier’s load. There is no denying the utility of vehicles in
expanding the reach of the infantry and enabling it to get to its objective.
The Force 2013 interim infantry battalion assigns the TAPV to some non-mechanized companies
to provide protected mobility. The TAPV, based on the M1117 security vehicle, is an
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