Operation Extract
Posted on May 17,2019Article Date Dec 01, 2003
by Capt Brian S. Christmas
Situation
You are the rifle company commander for Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. Your battalion has been operating in this area for the last 30 days with great success. The enemy has been reduced to operating as elements smaller than platoon size. Currently your battalion is attempting to conduct a helicopterborne extract and plans to secure two landing zones within its area of operation (AO).
The AO is heavily forested with clearly defined trails overlooked by steep mountainous terrain. The enemy is foot mobile and is armed with AK-47 rifles and medium machineguns. There is an unknown enemy force that is consolidating to the northwest and looks to be in a recovery mode. You are currently moving south to north en route to an open area large enough for 1.5 CH-53Es.
Mission: Charlie Company (Rein), 1st Battalion, 6th Marines conducts a foot movement to secure and prepare a landing zone to accommodate two CH-53Es in order to facilitate the expeditious extract of the battalion.
Table of organization and equipment:
* Three rifle platoons (75 percent strength). (Each fire team has one AT-4.)
* One weapons platoon (75 percent strength).
* One Javelin squad (100 percent). (Each team has a demo kit with C4 (Composition 4) and detonation chord.)
* One section of 81mm mortars is in general support from the south.
Requirement
In a time limit of 10 minutes, identify your specified and implied tasks and develop your scheme of maneuver and fire support plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #03-12, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134, fax 703-630-9147, or e-mail to <gazette@mca-marines.org>.
