Patrol 6/12/18

[RET J. Bankshaft]

TEAM REPORTING: 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1/7th Cavalry Regiment

 

MAP: Da Krong

TASKS:

Mako element:
Locate crash site and rescue downed bomber pilot

 

Aviation:

Insert exfil of Mako element
Provide CAS for Mako and other coalition elements operating in immediate A/O

 

SECONDARY TASKS: Minimize civilian casualties   

 

 

TIME OF OPERATION: 1900EST

 

STARRING:

PFC J.Robert (TEAM LEAD)

SPC O. Birdette

SPC5 S. Avery
CW2 K.Grorud (CAS)
SGT J. Bankshaft (HQ / Zeus)
PV2 T. Kolven
PV2 V. Hanberg
SPC Flores (left early)

 

Result:
MAKO ground element: Led by PFC J. Robert, Mako element was tasked with locating and rescuing a downed bomber pilot. PFC Robert led the team deep into hostile territory to locate the pilot and was constantly outnumbered by the NVA. After inserting into the Australian outpost camp sarge and helping them fend off an NVA assault PFC Robert led the team up the river to the north to the crash site. Upon discovering the pilot was no longer in the area PFC Robert and his team engaged and NVA river patrol which was occupying the crash site. Upon refit and reinforcing there at the crash site PFC Robert led his men on a daring daylight raid to reclaim the pilot from an under strength NVA Battalion garrisoned in a nearby village.
PFC Robert's team was able to successfully rescue the downed Navy pilot and an Australian army soldier who had been recently captured and extracted them back to base. 

Aviation (CW2 Grorud): Rattler 1-1 was able to successfully complete several insertions at camp sarge while under crippling fire, while running reinforcement / refit runs to and from camp sarge, CW2 Grorud provided reconnaissance into the suspected crash site his recon provided paramount intel that gave the ground team a well marked crash site and details on enemy positions. While Mako assaulted the crash site Da Krong HQ pulled Rattler 1-1 to provide CAS to a MACV/SOG team who had eyes on an NVA Vehicle Depot. Rattler 1-1 engaged several enemy emplaced mortars and crippled the enemy depot. Upon completion of his CAS mission Rattler 1-1 provided another resupply run to Mako before their big assault. While Mako Assaulted the enemy occupied village Rattler 1-1 provided CAS to an Australian army platoon (Kiwi 6) who were being overran in a village to the south by a far larger force. Rattler 1-1 assisted Kiwi 6 fend off 4 companies of NVA soldiers and several NVA patrol boats. Rattler 1-1 finished the evening by providing extraction for Mako element and 2 POW's

[SSG D. Jordan]

+1 PP for these attendees

[SSG A. Cummings]

Individuals personnel combat records updated.