Float Tapes: Part - 22

Published on February 13, 2020
Duration: 21:09

This episode of Float Tapes details a challenging night mobility hike in December 2001, north of Camp Rhino in Afghanistan. The narrative focuses on the difficulties of a forced march with heavy MOLLE packs, the subsequent road interdiction mission involving stopping a vehicle, and a firefight that ensued. The speaker, Ivan from Kit Badger, recounts the physical and mental toll of the operation, including hallucinations and injuries, highlighting the tactical challenges and lessons learned from the engagement.

Quick Summary

In Float Tapes Pt 22, a challenging night mobility hike in Afghanistan is detailed, highlighting the difficulties of operating with heavy gear in darkness. A subsequent road interdiction mission involved stopping a suspect vehicle using concertina wire, leading to a firefight where auditory exclusion masked incoming fire and the vehicle's explosives caused significant cook-offs.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Float Tapes Pt 22
  2. 00:20Setting the Scene: Mid-December 2001, North of Camp Rhino
  3. 01:32The Challenging Night Mobility Hike
  4. 03:53Reflections on the Movement
  5. 04:04The 'Stupidest' Military Evolution
  6. 06:30Delirium and Hallucinations During the Hike
  7. 06:50Critique of the Force March Tactics
  8. 07:57Encountering Strangers in the Desert
  9. 09:26Setting Up Claymores in the Desert
  10. 10:05Mission Brief: Road Interdiction
  11. 10:34Tasked with Interdicting a Road
  12. 11:32Obstacle Planning: Concertina Wire Funnel
  13. 12:01Mobility and Vehicle Deployment Strategy
  14. 12:34Encountering a Steep Embankment
  15. 12:53Vehicle Approaching: JSTARS Reports
  16. 13:14Solid Word: Vehicle Identified
  17. 13:33The Interdiction Maneuver
  18. 13:48Target Vehicle Encounters Concertina Wire
  19. 14:03Engagement Procedures: Dismounting and Sectors of Fire
  20. 14:35Initial Contact and Commands
  21. 15:04The Firefight Begins
  22. 15:32Effectiveness of Fire and Target Neutralization
  23. 15:56Vehicle Catches Fire
  24. 16:39Post-Firefight Actions and Withdrawal
  25. 17:03Cook-offs and Explosions
  26. 18:32Lessons Learned: Auditory Exclusion
  27. 19:03Unperceived Incoming Fire
  28. 19:25Fighting Stances and Communication
  29. 20:02Reflecting on Military Evolution and Technology
  30. 20:29Conclusion: Float Tapes Episode 22

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the main challenges faced during the night mobility hike described in Float Tapes Pt 22?

The night mobility hike involved significant challenges including darkness, heavy MOLLE packs, broken gear, and difficult terrain. Participants experienced numerous falls, injuries, and even hallucinations due to fatigue and the demanding conditions, making it a physically and mentally taxing evolution.

How was the road interdiction mission conducted in Afghanistan in December 2001?

The interdiction involved setting up a concertina wire funnel across a road. A Humvee and IFAV were positioned nearby. When a suspect vehicle approached, the Humvee 'jumped' onto the road, pursued the vehicle, and forced it to slow down and get stuck in the wire, leading to an engagement.

What tactical lessons were learned from the firefight during the road interdiction?

Key lessons included the importance of clear sectors of fire, the effectiveness of neutralizing threats rapidly, and the phenomenon of auditory exclusion which can mask incoming fire. The engagement also highlighted the dangers of vehicles carrying explosives, leading to significant cook-offs and secondary explosions.

What is auditory exclusion and how did it affect soldiers in this engagement?

Auditory exclusion is a physiological response where individuals in high-stress situations, like combat, may not perceive loud noises. In this scenario, soldiers did not hear the gunfire from their own weapons or the incoming rounds, only noticing a bullet hole in their Humvee two days later.

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