combatreform.org/itmaneuversabattalion.htm

1. Dragoon Squadron (Airborne)
A Proposal to Provide Provide All
Weather Armor Support, Anti-Armor
and Assault Fire Support, Protected
Maneuver, Shock Action and
Mobility to the Airborne, Air Assault,
and Light Infantry Divisions

2. Purpose
• To provide a replacement for firepower
and mobility lost by the retirement of the
M551 Sheridan Armored Reconnaissance
Air Assault Vehicle (AR/AAV) and
cancellation of the M8 Buford Armored
Gun System at minimum cost to the U.S.
Army using the M113 Gavin originally
known as the Airborne Multi-Purpose
Vehicle Family (AM-PVF) to prevail in 21st
full-spectrum operations against nation-
state and sub-national enemies with or
without surveillance strike systems

3. U.S. Army XVIII Airborne Corps must be able to rapidly
air-deploy anywhere in the world to overcome enemy
Surveillance Strike Complex observation/fires--must be
able to clear Assault Landing Zones quickly and
without casualties: Light tracked armored vehicles
needed so decisive follow-on-forces can airland

4. Bird’s Eye view: even a Short Take-Off
and Landing (STOL) strip is a large area
for ground forces to secure and clear for
airlanding

5. Army Airborne must clear a The Threats
large open-area, minimally 3,000
feet by 100 feet landing strip of
all threats, obstacles and
foreign objects so rubber-tired
aircraft can airland follow-on-
forces in just 4 hours... Foot Soldiers vulnerable to enemy fires
*Small-Arms fire
*Mortars
*Machine Guns
*Grenade launchers
*Artillery
*Mines
*Obstacles

6. M113A3 ACAV: light tracked armored
vehicle in U.S. Army service today
M113A3s lead way
into Bosnia
FM 7-7
Goes U.S. Army Europe Immediate Reaction
anywhere! Force uses C-130 airlanded M113A3s

7. M113 Proven in combat; on
duty today all over the world by
free world armies...
Palestine/Lebanon
Panama
East Timor
Vietnam
Iraq

8. M113A3 ACAV: 10.5-ton AFV easily
Airborne, rapidly deployable to anywhere in
the world by airdrop/airland
airland
airdrop
All needed expertise ready at Fort Bragg and Pope AFB

9. Designate 1 Squadron of the 2nd ACR to be
the Dragoon Squadron (Airborne) with
Airborne-qualified Dragoons/Scouts on jump
status at Fort Polk, Louisiana equipped
primarily M113A3 ACAVs: M113A3s already
successfully used by Airborne at JRTC
Airborne Sappers @JRTC
with borrowed M113A3
Airborne Partners

10. M113A3 ACAV: Air Assault transportable by
U.S. Army helicopters
Flies over enemy mines
and ambushes to do CE
operations on terrain of
our choosing like British
Army entered Kosovo in ‘99

11. M113A3 ACAV Armor Protects Dragoons from
enemy threats in order to accomplish the mission
Tracks not stopped by fires

12. M113A3 ACAV tracked mobility delivers Dragoons
rapidly/safely to clear large open areas; can push
aside, crush large vehicle-emplaced obstacles
without time-consuming hand reduction (dozer
blade and bump guards can be fitted)

13. Mission
• Provide All-Weather, Anti-Armor
protection, Assault fires, security, and
reconnaissance to the Airborne
Division.
• Close with and destroy enemy forces
using fire, maneuver, and shock effect
in digital coordination with other arms.
• Mechanize up to one infantry battalion
of the Airborne, Air Assault, or Light
Division when required or act as a
separate Cavalry unit

14. Employment
• The Dragoon Squadron may be employed
– As a organic, separate battalion for mounted
combat or combined with up to an infantry battalion
of dismounting infantry in offensive or defensive
operations similar to a tank-mechanized infantry TF
– As detached companies to brigades or battalions
– As detached platoons to battalions or companies
– to conduct mounted raids
– by airdrop or air assault into a combat zone for
forced-entry shock action to secure the airhead
– Mobile Reserve for Commanders available from
initial assault

15. Characteristics
• Air-Transportable by C-130, C-17, C-141B or C-
5 fixed-wing aircraft
• Air-liftable by CH-47D/F or CH-53E rotary-wing
aircraft
• Air-Droppable by LVAD parachutes
• HHC has sufficient transport to move the HHC
of a Airborne, Air Assault, or Light Infantry
Battalion in addition to its own units.
• Dragoon Troops have sufficient transport to
mount an Airborne, Air Assault, or Light Infantry
Company and collectively an entire Infantry
Battalion

16. Organization
Dragoon Squadron (Airborne)
1-2 Dragoons 82nd ABD
HQ 1-2 DGN
A 1-2DGN B 1-2 DGN C 1-2 DGN D 1-2 DGN

17. HQ Troop
HQ 1-2 DGN
TAC CP 1-2 DGN HQ A 1-2 DGN HQ B 1-2 DGN REAR CP 1-2 DGN
4 x HMMWV 3 x HMMWV w/TLR 3 x HMMWV w/TLR 3 x HMMWV w/TLR
3 x M113A3 2 x M113A3 2 x M113A3 3 x M2 HMG
3 x Javelin ATGM 2 x M2 HMG 2 x M2 HMG
7 x M2 HMG 4 x M240B MMG 4 x M240B MMG
6 x M240B MMG
CO HQ 1-2 DGN AT 1-2 DGN MORT 1-2 DGN
3 x HMMWV w/TLR 6 x HMMWV w/TOW 2 x HMMWV w/TLR
1x LMTV 6 x M240B MMG 4 x M1064A3 120mm Mortars
4 x M2 HMG 6 x M2 HMG
SPT 1-2 DGN MED 1-2 DGN SIG 1-2 DGN MAINT 1-2 DGN
3 x HMMWV w/TLR 7 x HMMWV 3 x HMMWV w/TLR 2 x HMMWV w/TLR
19 x LMTV w/TLR 4 x M806 Recovery M113A3s
6 x LMTV w/TLR
2 x WRKR

18. HQ Troop Mission
• Provide Command, Control, and
Service Support to the Battalion
• Provide AT Fires for the Battalion
• Provide Indirect Fires for the Battalion

19. Dragoon Troop
A 1-2 DGN
B 1-2 DGN
C 1-2 DGN
HQ A MORT A 1 A 2 A 3 A
4 x M113A3 2 x M1064A3 Mort 6 x M113A3 6 x M113A3 6 x M113
1 x LMTV w/TLR 2 x M2 HMG 6 x Javelin ATGM 6 x Javelin ATGM 6 x Javelin
1 x HMMWV 3 x M2 HMG 3 x M2 HMG 3 x M2 HMG
2 x Javelin ATGM 3 x MK19 AGL 3 x MK19 AGL 3 x MK19 AGL
6 x M2 HMG
12 x M240B MMG 12 x M240B MMG 12 x M240B MMG
8 x M240B MMG
2LT – 1 2LT – 1 2LT – 1
SFC – 1 SFC – 1 SFC – 1
SSG –2 SSG –2 SSG –2
SGT – 2 SGT – 2 SGT – 2
CPL -2 CPL -2 CPL -2
SPC - 8 SPC - 8 SPC - 8

20. Dragoon Troop Mission
• Provide Anti-Armor protection, security,
and reconnaissance.
• Close with and destroy enemy forces
using fire, maneuver, and shock effect
in coordination with other arms.
• Mechanize up to one infantry company
of the airborne, air assault, or light
division when required

21. Scout Troop
D 1-2 DGN
HQ D 1 D 2 D 3 D MORT D
3 x HMMWV w/M2 2 x HMWV w/M2 2 x HMWV w/M2 2 x HMWV w/M2 3 x HMMWV
1 x LMTV (Supply SGT) 2 x HMMWV w/MK-19 2 x HMMWVw/MK19 2 x HMMWV w/MK19 3 x M120 MORT
2 x Trailer 2 x HMMWV w/TOW 2 x HMMWV w/TOW 2 x HMMWV w/TOW 3 x M2 HMG
2 x Javelin ATGM 4 x Javelin ATGM 4 x Javelin ATGM 4 x Javelin ATGM
1x M2 MG

22. Scout Troop Mission
• Provide security, and stealthy
reconnaissance for the battalion.
• Close with and destroy enemy forces
using long range fires in coordination
with other arms.
• May be used to augment the Divisional
Cavalry Squadron

23. Manning - BN
•HHC – 131
•Dragoon Troops (3@105) - 315
•Scout Troop – 96
•BN Total - 542

24. Manning HHC TAC CP
BN CDR O5 1 M113A3
BN XO O4 1 M113A3
BN S-3 O4 1 M113A3
BN CSM E9 1 HMMWV
ASST VEH CDR E6 3 M113A3
Tracked Veh Driver E5 3 M113A3
Driver E4 4 HMMWV
Gunner E4 6 M113A3
Total 20

25. Manning HHC – HQ A/B
HQ A
ASST S-3 O3 1 M113A3
ASST S-2 O3 1 M113A3
NBC OFF O2 1 HMMWV
OPS SGM E9 1 HMMWV
OPS NCO E6 1 M113A3
INTEL NCO E6 1 M113A3
Tracked Veh Driver E5 2 M113A3
E4 3 HMMWV
Total 11
HQ B
ASST S-3 O3 1 M113A3
ASST S-2 O3 1 M113A3
NBC NCO O2 1 HMMWV
INTEL SGM E9 1 HMMWV
OPS NCO E6 1 M113A3
INTEL NCO E6 1 M113A3
Tracked Veh E5 2 M113A3
Driver E4 3 HMMWV
Total 11

26. Manning HHC – Rear CP
S-4 O3 1 HMMWV
S-1 O3 1 HMMWV
PAC NCO E7 1 HMMWV
Supply SGT E7 1 HMMWV
Pers Staff NCO E6 1 HMMWV
Legal Clerk E5 1 HMMWV
Driver E4 3 HMMWV
Clerk E4 3 HMMWV
Total 11

27. Manning HHC – CO HQ
Commander O3 1 HMMWV
Executive Officer O2 1 HMMWV
1SG E8 1 HMMWV
Supply SGT E6 1 LMTV
Armorer E4 1 LMTV
NBC NCO E5 1 HMMWV
Driver E4 3 HMMWV
HQ Total 9

28. Manning – HHC AT PLT
PLT LDR O2 1 HMMWV
Platoon Sergeant E7 1 HMMWV
Vehicle E6 4 HMMWV
Commander
Gunner E5 6 HMMWV
Driver E4 6 HMMWV
Loader E4 6 HMMWV
AT PLT Total 24

29. Manning HHC – Mort PLT
PLT LDR O2 1 HMMWV
Platoon Sergeant E7 1 HMMWV
Driver E5 2 HMMWV
Squad Leader E6 4 M1064A3
Gunner E5 4 M1064A3
Driver E4 4 M1064A3
Loader E4 4 M1064A3
MORT PLT Total 20

30. Manning HHC – SPT PLT
SPT PLT LDR O2 1 HMMWV
Platoon Sergeant E7 1 HMMWV
Transportation E6 1 HMMWV
Section Leader
Driver E4 3 HMMWV
Transportation E5 1 LMTV
Section Sergeant
Truck Driver E4 14 LMTV
Ammo Handler E4 4 LMTV
Food SVC SGT E7 1 LMTV
Food SVC SGT E6 4 LMTV
First Cook E5 5 LMTV
Cook E4 5 LMTV
SPT PLT Total 40

31. Manning HHC – MED PLT
BN Surgeon O3 1 HMMWV
Physicians Asst O3 1 HMMWV
Platoon Sergeant E7 1 HMMWV
Clinical Specialist E6 1 HMMWV
Clinical Specialist E4 1 HMMWV
SR Medic E5 4 HMMWV
Medic E4 4 HMMWV
MED PLT Total 13

32. Manning HHC – SIG PLT
PLT LDR O2 1 HMMWV
Comm Chief E7 1 HMMWV
Signalmen E4 7 HMMWV
SIG PLT Total 9

33. Manning HHC – Maint PLT
Maintenance Officer O2 1 HMMWV
Platoon Sergeant E7 1 HMMWV
Auto Maintenance Tech WO3 1 HMMWV
CO MNT CHIEF E6 4 M806
Track Vehicle Mechanic E5 4 M806
Driver E4 4 M806
Mechanic E4 4 M806
HHC MAINT Chief E6 1 LMTV
Wheeled Vehicle E5 1 LMTV
Mechanic
Tracked Vehicle E5 1 LMTV
Mechanic
Mechanic E4 2 LMTV
BN RECOCERY SGT E5 1 M806
Recover Specialist E4 1 M806
Recover Specialist E4 2 Wrecker
PLL Sergeant E6 1 LMTV
PLL Clerk E4 5 LMTV
Welder E4 2 LMTV
Maintenance PLT Total 36

34. Manning – Dragoon
Troop (3)
HQ
Commander O3 1 HMMWV
Executive Officer O2 1 HMMWV
1SG E8 1 HMMWV
Supply SGT E6 1 LMTV
Armorer E4 1 LMTV
NBC NCO E5 1 HMMWV
Gunner E4 3 M113A3
Driver E4 3 HMMWV
HQ Total 12

35. Manning – Dragoon Platoons
(9)
Platoon Leader O2 1 M113A3
Platoon Sergeant E7 1 M113A3
Vehicle E6 4 M113A3
Commander
ASST VEH CDR E5 2 M113A3
Tracked Vehicle E4 6 M113A3
DVR
Gunner E4 12 M113A3
Total 26

36. Manning – Mortar Sections (3)
Section Leader E6 1 M1064A3
Squad Leader E6 1 M1064A3
Gunner E4 2 M1064A3
Loader E4 2 M1064A3
Driver E4 2 M1064A3
Total 8

37. Manning – Scout Troop HQ
Commander O3 1 HMMWV
Executive Officer O2 1 HMMWV
1SG E8 1 HMMWV
Supply SGT E6 1 LMTV
Armorer E4 1 LMTV
NBC NCO E5 1 HMMWV
Gunner E4 3 M113A3
Driver E4 3 HMMWV
HQ Total 12

38. Manning – Scout Platoons
Platoon Leader O2 1 (3) HMMWV
Platoon Sergeant E7 1(3) HMMWV
Vehicle E6 4 (12) HMMWV
Commander
Driver E4 6(18) HMMWV
Gunner E4 6(18) HMMWV
Scout E4 6(18) HMMWV
Total 24 (72)

39. Manning – Scout Troop
MORT SECTION
Section Leader E7 1 HMMWV
Platoon Sergeant E6 1 HMMWV
Vehicle E6 1 HMMWV
Commander
Gunner E5 3 HMMWV
Loader E4 3 HMMWV
Driver E4 3 HMMWV
Total 12
Unit Total 96

40. Equipment
• 73 x M113A3 ACAV
• Each vehicle:
– 1 x M2 Heavy Machine
Gun
– 2 x M240B Medium
Machine Gun
– 1 x Javelin ATGM
– 1 x AT4 rocket
• Crew
– Driver
– Vehicle Commander
– 2 x Gunners
– Mounts up to 9 Additional
Infantrymen when
required

41. Equipment
• 10 x M1064A3
120mm SP Mortar
• Mounts mortar
sections of infantry
companies when
required

42. Equipment
• 3 x M120 120mm
Towed Mortars

43. Equipment
• 4 x M806 Recovery
Vehicle based on
M113A3s

44. Equipment
• 42 x M1114 HMMWs
w/
– 42 x M2 .50 cal HMGs
– 6 x MK19 40mm AGLs
– 12 x TOW ATGMs
– Gunshields

45. Equipment
• 75 x Javelin ATGM
• Command Launch
units

46. Equipment
• 30 x M1078 LMTV
trucks
• 2 x M1089 Wrecker
FMTV trucks

47. Planned Upgrades
• 14.5mm,
30mm, RPG
resistant
applique’
armor on all
M113A3s
• 50+ mph
Stealthy
Band-Tracks
• Infared
camouflage

48. Planned Upgrades: Scouts
• HMMWV w/M242
Bushmaster Turret
– Replace 6 x M1114
w/MK19s
– Replace 42 x M1114
w/M2 HMGs

49. Planned Upgrades: Anti-Tank
& Assault
• 12 x M8 Buford Armored
105mm Gun System light
tanks E troop added when
fielded
• 6 x FOTT, EFOGM or
LOSAT HMMWVs replaces 6
x TOW II ATGM HMMWVs in
HHC for Fire&Forget (FOTT)
or NLOS (EFOGM) or
hypervelocity (LOSAT) fire
capabilities

50. Planned Upgrades: Dragoons
• M113A3 w/M242
25mm and Vehicle
Mounted Javelin
ATGM Launcher

51. Presented by the Air-Mech-Strike Study Group
Non-profit veterans group
combatreform.org/AIR_MECH_STRIKE
Please direct comments/questions to:
itsg@hotmail.com
BG David L. Grange (Retired)
LTC Mike K. Robel, AR, USAR
LTC John Cardwell, AR, USAR
LTC Richard D. Liebert, IN USAR
MAJ Allen A. Huber, AVTN
LT Mike L. Sparks, IN USAR
Emery E. Nelson, CIV ANALYST