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Post by ghost on May 29, 2014 16:16:37 GMT -6
This is a few months overdue. But truth is, it has not been as easy as I thought it would be. This team has been around since 2005, first as a Milsim Paintball team and finishing as an Airsoft team. I have done my best to lead this team since its meager beginning, and couldn't have done it without the support of my Operators and our support personnel who took care of our off field needs. We, as a team went into "battle" knowing we could count on one another. Knowing we had each others back when things got hot. We formed a bond much like real world teams do, something many wouldn't understand. This was something that caught me by surprise. I never thought the simulated battles we fought would have such an effect. I'm not in any way comparing it to real combat, never would I dishonor those who have been in actual combat by comparing it to our "playing" the part. But I for one felt the bond get stronger after every Operation we engaged in. To my team I want to say thank you for 8 fantastic, fun years. I have many memories and fun stories to tell around the campfire now. And it is with some sadness that I say now that we are officially retired as a team.
I also want to say thanks to the many friends that we made during the many games we played. You know who you are. You became like family to us and I for one will miss our getting together as we did so many times. Thank you for letting me and this team share in the fun. We had a blast!
William "Ghost" Robinson Commander Robinson Recon Team
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Post by blueknight on Jun 29, 2014 16:19:52 GMT -6
Sir,
Though the RRT does not exist as an active team I just wanted you to know that the RRT tradition lives on:
Headquarters, 505th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division
D-Day, Saturday, 14 June, 2014 Commanders Intent • Primary Objective – o 505th PIR Pathfinders – Capture and hold the North end of Cherbourg Bridge until relieved o 82nd Airborne Div. (507th, 508th, 325th) Assault the rear of the enemy positions at Omaha Beach to allow Infantry and Armor forces to push inland o Elements of the 82nd Airborne to assault Colleville Church and pop a smoke canister to allow the US 1st Infantry Division access to the Southern flank of Omaha Beach
The 505th PIR fielded a battle strength of 43 Troopers and was assigned as the 82nd ABN. Pathfinders. Prior to Game On I directed the 505th to be dropped by 2 trucks at the Airfield Fuel tanks, with the option of pre-game movement. The remainder of the 82nd ABN, minus the Colleville Church assault force was dropped in static positions along the West side of the Airfield. Upon completion of the drop, I assembled the 505th and moved toward the East tree line, then directly to Cherbourg Bridge. Upon arrival, the Bridge was not out posted by Germans and I immediately pushed Baker Co. across with orders to establish a defensive perimeter on the South side. I ordered Able Co. to establish a defensive perimeter on the North side and pushed out recon patrols to the East and West to observe and report on enemy troop locations and strengths in response to our presence. Enemy forces took note of our position and immediately prior to Game On, gathered a force of approx. 50+ near the North Mall building in Colleville. At Game On, this enemy force chose to respond to the 82nd assault on Old Breacourt and the Colleville Church mission, which was again a major success. The enemy reacted to the presence of the 505th as more of a distraction, sending only probing patrols, which were repulsed by the recon elements and 2 snipers without friendly loses. The 505th remained in position in complete possession of the Bridge for over 90 minutes during which time the remainder of the 82nd ABN. was passed through our lines to a successful assault on the rear of Omaha Beach and into Colleville, where the presence of enemy armor was reported. I detached two of the three anti-tank teams to Colleville to assist, where both reported enemy tank kills. While still in position astride Cherbourg Bridge, I observed a truck drop of an unknown size enemy element at the East end of the ravine running below the bridge, which appeared to move North into the East tree line and reported same to 82nd HQ, along with the observation of an enemy tank moving East to West through the ravine, which is not an allowed tank route. This was addressed by D-Day Staff. At approx. 1040 hours, the 505th was relieved in place by elements of the 507th PIR along with Infantry elements, with orders to assault and capture the Airfield buildings. At this point, I turned over command on the 505th main force to LTC Spex and I took control of the 12 man Recon/Sniper unit to clear the East tree line. The 505th main element pushed North with moderate resistance, mostly from the West tree line and cleared the center of the Airfield, with orders to hold same. The enemy element seen entering the East tree line from the ravine earlier, apparently set up ambush positions near the 82nd re-spawn point at the Airfield North building and were inflicting causalities on troops trying to move south along the East tree line after re-spawn. Enemy armor then began entering the Airfield area from Colleville and inflicting causalities on the 505th main force. While with the Recon unit attempting to locate and neutralize the ambushing units in the East tree line, I became a causality. The remainder of the Recon unit successfully eliminated the enemy forces in the East tree line at that point. While I was in the dead zone, LTC Spex allowed the 505th main element to move from the Airfield positions and become involved with enemy forces at the South end of the Airfield, (this failure to remain on mission was later addressed). During my re-insertion I observed that the Airfield center buildings were now occupied by enemy forces and conferred with Gen. Posey. Re-inserting forces were used to assault and re-capture the Airfield but took heavy causalities from enemy armor, which would move north along the outer road then turn across the Airfield either North or South of the center terminal building. I addressed this off-road crossing of the Airfield by enemy tanks with the Referee (Wookie) during a re-insertion from DZ5, who advised me that Staff was allowing latitude of movement to the armor in the Airfield. During another re-insertion, while being dead walked to the North end of the Airfield along the West road, an enemy tank turned South onto the West road. Instead of continuing to dead walk the re-insertion troops, the Referee (Wookie) told us to take cover in the woods, even though we had not been released to remove barrel covers. I attempted to ask the referee if the re-insertion was live at that time and instructed the surrounding troops who had been hit with tank fire while moving into the woods to remove barrel covers and remain in play. The 505th was then ordered to move to the North end of the Cherbourg Bridge, which was reportedly now in enemy control. The 505th re-captured the bridge, which was lightly held and was relieved by mixed Infantry elements. The 505th then engaged an eneI disagreeault at the South end of the Airfield, which was supported by armor. We were able to break up the assault, but again took heavy causalities from the armor in the Airfield area. I sustained bruised ribs during this action by falling into a hole and on to the stock of my weapon. I entered DZ5 just after a re-insert was taken into the West woods and was immediately assaulted by enemy forces moving behind the DZ within the 60 ft. clear area. I alerted a Referee, who then called the enemy forces out and moved the re-insert further North in the wood line. I met with Gen. Posey in the DZ and was instructed to take command of the Division and lead the next re-insertion into the Airfield to capture and hold the Airfield for scoring. Upon my re-insertion I discovered that my comm. link with Division was dead and I was unable to communicate with other 82nd units. While being given a working radio by COL. Scarecrow I was shot out by enemy armor and relinquished command to COL. Scarecrow who led the assault. I notified Gen. Posey of the command situation. Mixed elements of the 82nd ABN and Infantry Divisions were able to re-take the Airfield and hold for points. Believing that all points scoring was done for the Airfield, Gen. Posey ordered the 82nd ABN to move South and assault Colleville. I advised him that the 1530 hours scoring for the North Airfield building was still pending and he ordered me to hold. I was able to gather 7 505th Troopers and was joined by Preacher who had gathered 10-11 Troopers from the 325th and 507th. This force attempted to hold the North building against a strong eneI disagreeault force of approx. 40, supported by 2-3 enemy tanks. During this action, a Trooper from the 507th injured his leg in the North building and had to be medevac’d from the field. We were able to hold the position until approx. 3 minutes before scoring but were overrun by a larger force with tank support, giving the last scoring to the Germans.
I missed the 1540 hours re-insert while checking on the injured trooper, but led the next re-insert of approx. 100 mixed allied troops South through the West wood line under orders to assault Colleville near the Connex building. This force made entry and remained in Colleville until Game Over.
Assessment: With the exception of being lured to the South end of the Airfield instead of remaining on mission under command of LTC Spex, the 505th PIR/Pathfinders preformed with distinction, executing and completing every assigned mission. The Recon/Sniper unit showed superior fire and movement during every assault and preformed with outstanding ability in locating and repulsing enemy probes into the Cherbourg Bridge perimeter early in the game. Their actions were a major value to the 505th PIR as a unit. The three 505th PIR AT teams made a combined 13 tank kills during the game. Seeker turned in 10 kills; Cheerio turned in 1 kill, but had to leave the field early in the game due to an ankle injury. Outlaw (a new AT gunner) turned in 2 kills. Their contribution to the Allied points was an important part of a close Allied victory.
Issues: 1. The referee from DZ5 (identified to me as Wookie) was inconsistent in his reinsertion of forces during re-spawn. In the above mentioned instance, he had reinserting forces move into the woods as enemy tanks approached and fired upon the reinsert instead of dead walking the group to the re-spawn point at the North end of the Airfield. He allowed enemy tanks to turn across the Airfield both North and South of the Terminal building in the center instead of having to remain on the East and West roads to circle the Airfield. Immediately following a reinsert I missed that moved into the West wood line, I overheard him advising unknown person(s) over a radio of the approx. strength of the reinsert, location and direction taken. His inconsistent treatment of reinserting forces and radio traffic to an unknown recipient were of great concern to me. More consistent neutral advantage reinsertions by Referee Staff are needed. Clearly defined tank routes need to be observed and enforced by Referee Staff. 2. On at least 2 occasions I observed enemy forces operating within the clear area surrounding DZ5. The first time was not addressed by the referees in the DZ and the second instance was addressed after I pointedly told the younger referee that it was against the rules. These circumstances occur every year, but Referee Staff need to be instructed to immediately address any observed violations. 3. The batteries of several radios (including mine) went dead during the game. It was determined that these radios had been used during the Friday Utah Beach game and had not been adequately re-charged prior to Saturday. This led to the situation of my being placed in command of the Division and having no communication. I also did not have communication with TOC and had to relay all traffic for the TOC through 82nd ABN HQ, since traffic was on TOC2 channel, which was not programed into my radio. A means of re-charging all radio batteries daily, after use is needed and confirmation that all necessary channels have been programed into command radios. 4. It was reported to me by Seeker and Cheerio that on two occasions enemy tanks ignored hit signals from AT teams and continued to drive away without stopping for a paint check. This also needs to be addressed by Referee Staff, which reportedly ignored Seeker when he advised a referee of same. The 82nd Airborne Division fielded more Troopers that any other Allied Unit on the field. The 505th PIR/Pathfinders fielded 43 Troopers, with approx. 50% being new players at D-Day. We did sustain 2 heat related causalities (one on Friday and one on Saturday) that had to leave the field, and sustained two leg injuries that had to leave the field Saturday. This was a close, hard fought Allied Victory, which started with a 175 point deficit from the Friday Utah Beach game. Overall this was one of the best D-Day games in years. Recommendations: On Thursday I was assigned as Commander of the 82nd Pathfinder unit. I was able to utilize Troopers from my dedicated Recon unit in the 505th PIR for the Friday, Utah Beach Pathfinder mission. Saturday the 505th PIR was designated as the 82nd Pathfinders, and assigned our initial mission based on that designation. I would recommend that the 505th PIR remain as a strike force unit and that in 2015 a specific Pathfinder Unit be formed separately from the 505th PIR, to conduct mission’s specific to the Pathfinders or in combination with the 505th, but under separate command structures. I also recommend that the Average Joe’s Recon unit be the nucleus of the Pathfinders. After addressing with LTC Spex the early game issue of remaining on task with the assigned mission, this situation was resolved. I therefore would recommend he be given command of the 505th PIR with appropriate promotion to Regimental Commander, due to my being assigned as the Pathfinder Commander. This structure would allow the 82nd Airborne Division more flexibility in combat maneuvers with a dedicated Pathfinder unit composed of those Troopers with the desire to take the fight to the enemy in true Pathfinder tradition. I would also ask that the 82nd Airborne Division Command grant me the authority to hand pick the Pathfinder members.
Blue Knight, Colonel 505th PIR/Pathfinders, Commanding 82nd Airborne Division
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Post by blueknight on Jun 29, 2014 16:23:17 GMT -6
Also Ghost, I want you to know how much of a pleasure it was to see you and your lovely wife join us at the 82nd BBQ this year. It brought back great memories. Be advised, I will be down to see you in the future and we will find the time to hit the field for some airsoft at the new place in Joplin sometime this year..................until then,
Your former Sr. NCO,
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Post by ghost on Jul 2, 2014 9:22:27 GMT -6
Excellent AAR Blue Knight! Well done. Congratulations on an Allied victory and I salute you and the 505th for being a instrumental part of that victory. It pleases me to see that members of Robinson Recon will once again lead the 505th on the field of battle next year. And now, with you at the helm of the Pathfinders, that's one more accomplishment for the resume of this team.
One that note, I expect you and Spex to continue to where the patch and the t-shirt bearing the team insignia! You guys earned those! Feel free to represent this team any time you take the field. We may be officially retired as a team, but I never said we are not all still members of the team. We are just retired from actively supporting, deploying and engaging in combat as a team. We will still get together on occasion to run the bush together. Or maybe meet for a skirmish from time to time. I look forward to that.
Thank you for the kind words concerning our visit to the field during the BBQ. It was great seeing old friends. And especially good to see the 505th once again being led by RRT. Thank you for letting us join you for the evening. We enjoyed it very much. It was a pleasant surprise to have so many of the guys remember who I was and be approached by some who, even though they never served under Predator and I, knew who we were. That was the best compliment of all. You and Spex are doing an outstanding job of carrying on the tradition of the 505th! That too is a tribute to this team. And a testament to the quality of Operators this team has fielded.
So carry on Blue Knight!! Carry on Spex!! And don't take off those patches, that's my last order to you as Commander of this team.
Ghost
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