1st ID in OIF II: the role of the TAB in radar operations.

Radar operations are a critical component of the 1st Infantry Division's multi-battlefield operating system counterstrike fight. The operating environment in Iraq is defined by non-contiguous battlespace, the inability to provide mutual support in traditional ways and, most importantly, an adaptive, determined enemy.

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The 1st ID relies on its target acquisition batteries' (TABs') headquarters to manage the 15-plus radars operating in support of the division. This article makes the case for the importance of these headquarters in future force structures. It was co-authored by three TAB commanders--two in the Active Component and one in the Minnesota Army National Guard (MNARNG).

Colonel Richard C. Longo

Commander, 1st Infantry Division

(Mechanized) Artillery in Iraq

From March through May 2004, 1st Infantry Division forward operating bases (FOBs) were attacked by enemy indirect fire on 435 occasions. Of those attacks, 194 were acquired by radars. Radars are part of a force protection package and indispensable for counterstrike operations in theater.

Yet radars require constant maintenance and repair, especially in the Iraqi climate. Frequently, units that own and position the radars are unable to meet all the radars' maintenance needs. Individual radar sections neither have access to repair parts nor exposure to or oversight of all radars in the area of operations (AO), which is where the division artillery (Div Arty) and TAB headquarters come in.

The Div Arty headquarters provides the only holistic radar analysis in the division and is primarily responsible for radar management across the division's AO. This is because the artillery battalions embedded in the brigade combat teams (BCTs) are serving as maneuver task forces. Two of the Div Arty's principal assets in completing this mission are the divisional TAB headquarters elements of D Battery, 1st Battalion, 33d Field Artillery (D/1-33 FA) and E/151 FA, the latter an echelon-above-division (EAD) unit. The 25th FA Detachment (FAD) from the 25th Infantry Division (Light) served with the division in Iraq as well.

It would be difficult for the Div Arty to manage the division's radars without TABs because radar sections are not meant to be independent operators. TABs are essential to radar maintenance, training, command flexibility, personnel management and various other important functions.

Radar Maintenance. The most critical function of the TAB headquarters is radar maintenance. The TAB's radar maintenance section has one senior radar repairman, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 35M Radar Repairer, and the battery's essential repair parts stockage listings (ERPSL) and recommended stockage inventory listing (RSIL) stored on two five-ton trucks.

The radar repair section is supplemented with Soldiers from the TAB headquarters who man the vehicles. This section routinely conducts combat patrols throughout the sector to help repair the division's radars; on many occasions, the section has been instrumental in keeping other counterstrike radars operational in theater.

In most cases, the TAB can fix a radar without seeking assistance from a Communications Electronic Command (CECOM) logistics assistance representative (LAR) or from the Div Arty because it has a senior radar repairman with a wealth of experience working on the battery's systems. The TAB has fixed problems at the lowest level and saved limited resources at the division level.

The TAB maintains a full set of ERPSL and RISL at the headquarters level. Having all radar equipment under one command allows better equipment visibility. The high cost of radar repair parts and limited number produced does not allow every radar section to have its own set of parts. Each radar has limited parts for the most common faults.

The battery's mobile ERPSL allows the radar repair team to travel to the non-mission-capable (NMC) radar, troubleshoot the system and draw from the stock of parts on site. If systems need to be parked side-by-side comparing oscilloscope readings, it can be done in a TAB unit owning more than one system. This allows repairs to be made without having to tap external resources, pull parts from other radars or request LAR support.

The oversight of a strong radar-focused headquarters element also shows in coordinated preventive maintenance schedules and command-directed focus areas. In the quest to keep radars fully functional, a clear understanding of the faults and the ability to accurately communicate those faults is essential when reporting to higher headquarters and requesting support.

The artillery community, by and large, lacks a complete grasp of radar particulars; therefore, the knowledge a seasoned radar platoon sergeant brings to the fight is invaluable.

Finally, radar parts are priceless, in some cases. Properly accounting for ERPSL is essential, and while supply warehouses take the utmost care, the requisition and handling of radar repair parts is always best left to the Soldiers who care the most--the headquarters of the team desperate for a specific part that will fix a down system.

Radar Section Training. Having all the repair personnel in a single organization enables a consolidated training program. The training of a radar section includes many external resource requirements that can be better used for a large number of Soldiers to train instead of individual radar's training independently. The training includes, but is not limited to, mortar or artillery live-fire exercises, digital communications drills and lane training run by external evaluators.

The TAB training also is standardized across sections because the commander, who is the subject matter expert, drives training standards and develops a common training program. The leadership of the radar sections can leverage each other to work through training issues and improve tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) and standing operating procedures (SOPs).

This consolidated training paid dividends in Iraq. We observed that the combination of a solid radar training foundation and the creative minds of radar warrants and senior NCOs changed the way we dealt with overheating and dust in Iraq. The TAB or FAD headquarters connected to the Div Arty counterstrike officer helped disseminate these modifications and troubleshooting procedures in a timely manner, keeping the team functioning properly. Communications about training techniques between sections and batteries was essential to team success.

Command Flexibility. TAB commanders are assets to the deployed force. The TAB commander and support staff can be used to best meet the needs of the division, Div Arty or counterstrike headquarters. These assets can work longer term issues while the Div Arty counterstrike officer works the current fight, or they can work emergency issues the counterstrike officer does not have the capacity to support. This allows the counterstrike officer to work technical issues while the TAB commander is working logistical and tactical issues.

Personnel Management. The TAB allows a commander, first sergeant and first-line leaders to manage personnel across the radar sections to ensure that each radar has a balance of both seasoned and new Soldiers to make up a cohesive team. The many 13R FA Fire-finder Radar Operator and 131A Radar Technician slots allow the flexibility to put together five strong sections. A young sergeant can be teamed with an experienced staff sergeant; a new warrant officer can be teamed with a strong staff sergeant; or a brand new staff sergeant can be matched with a strong section to allow him to learn his job and be set up for success.

In the Reserve Component, NCO courses can keep first-line leaders out of training cycles for up to eight months. Forming a section that has the proper mix of personnel can alleviate such a training loss. The freedom to shift and move personnel empowers a commander to make the strongest collective sections possible to meet the needs of the mission.

Having five sections from which to select allows a TAB commander to conduct proper military decision-making to assign his sections to maneuver units where the strength of the section matches the needs of the maneuver commander and the combat situation. This could result in emplacing either a Q-36 or Q-37 system for proper radar coverage for an AO. It also may mean positioning sections in locations where they can best tackle the problems at hand. An example of this is placing a section with a strong 35M or 131A at a site at the end of a support chain and putting a section weaker in maintenance at a location with a LAR or a forward support battalion (FSB).

The ability to flex specialty MOS Soldiers to critical points on the battlefield is a strength of TABs. 35Ms and 52D Generator Mechanics are in short supply. Their skills and tireless efforts in difficult situations keep the counterstrike battle raging. The division's fight gets a significant boost from the traditional TAB or FAD headquarters commander's knowledge of radar operations and their assets.

Other Functions. The TAB headquarters also performs other functions. It coordinates for limited resources for all radar sections.

For example, the TAB headquarters has worked through the Div Arty headquarters to the division G4 to obtain solar shades for the radars, which are critical to keeping the systems operational in the 130-degree heat of the Iraqi summer. The TAB headquarters also has supplied the radar sections additional Class IV material to protect the radars from both direct and indirect fire. In short, the TAB headquarters provides leadership and guidance from senior radar leaders within the TAB to warrant officers and NCOs across the battery.

Another example--the TAB moved, coordinated for the distribution of and supplied the technical assistance for the division's deception wooden radars. The battery also provided the camouflage nets, tents and generator equipment that made the deception radars a success.

The TAB works directly with the division counterstrike officer to monitor and augment existing radar operations and to ensure that the radar element of the counterstrike fight is successful. The TAB acts as the Div Arty Commander's eyes and ears at the section level to ensure that radars are getting the support they require.

Also, the TAB or FAD commander plays an important role in future procurements for his team. The Army's technological growth demands leaders capable of envisioning a need, finding the tool to solve the problem and then actively pursuing the equipment for the unit. TAB and FAD commanders are requisitioning air conditioning systems for Q-37s, lightweight countermortar radars (LCMR) for FOB force protection and acoustic radars as added counterstrike resources.

TAB headquarters can move across the battlefield without external support and offer leadership and guidance across the battery. It is imperative that this organization be retained to fight and win in the future.

RELATED ARTICLE: Bringing in a Bad Guy

Above, CPL Ryan Brazil, A/2-8 FA, and PFC Jose Rosas, HSB/2-8 FA, bring in a Bad Guy in Ash Shurah, south of Mosul. These Task Force 2-8 FA Soldiers are assigned to the 1/25 SBCT, currently serving in Iraq. Top right, SGTs Daniel Dicker, HSB/2-8 FA, and Timothy Phillipson, A/2-8 FA, search a cave for weapons caches near Ash Shurah, Bottom far right, SGT Sampson Mitchell, B/2-8 FA, unloads desks in Farisiyah, south of Mosul, Right, SPC Brandon McClure, 2-8 FA, stands guard at a "flash" traffic control point west of Qayarrah.

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By Captains John J. Neal and Adam C. Wojcik and Major Mark N. Roder, MNARNG

Captain John J. Neal is the Commander of the 1st Infantry Division's Target Acquisition Battery, D Battery, 1st Battalion, 33d Field Artillery (D/1-33FA) deployed to northern Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) II in February 2004. Previous assignments include serving as Assistant S3 for 1-33 FA in Germany, also in the 1st Infantry Division, and Battalion Fire Direction Officer (FDO) for 1-15 FA, 2d Infantry Division in Korea.

Captain Adam C. Wojcik commands the 25th FAD, part of the 25th Infantry Division, and deployed to OIF II in February 2004, assigned to the 1st Infantry Division in Iraq. His assignments include serving as Executive Officer and FDO for C/2-11 FA. He was a Fire Support Officer (FSO) for A/1-14 IN in the 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Major Mark N. Roder commands E/151 FA (TA), part of the 34th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Minnesota Army National Guard (MNARNG). He also deployed his battery in support of the 1st Infantry Division in OIF II in February 2004. He has served as the Battalion FDO and A Battery Commander in 1-125 FA (155-mm self-propelled), also in the 34th Division.