Explain Light Commando Batallions (LCB)

[untitled]

Interestingly all the operational battalions of the British Naval marines are referred to as "Commandos"

 

[Path-Finder]

Why not simplify things and call them Army Commando's

 

[untitled]

Why not simplify things and call them Army Commando's

The word commando is so out of fashion these days. The more in word is "Special Forces"

 

[Path-Finder]

The word commando is so out of fashion these days. The more in word is "Special Forces"

The word Commando is still being used everywhere and it wont perish either its still used in Britain where Commando's were invented. Special Forces depending on where you are are higher tier, In WW2 SAS were Commandos further trained so; Army > Commando > SAS

In Pakistan it was; Army > _ _ > SSG (refereed to as Commando)

Now it is; Army > LCB > SSG

 

[Sinnerman108]

What happens after the war on terror ramps down? What role is left for these units? I think eventually they will act as a fire brigade for the corps or a division to plug gaps created by armored thrust from the east.

PA by definition is not an offensive force so I don't see Air Assault units creating bridgeheads for following armored echelons.

Their role as I see it after the WoT is ramped down is that of a Air Lifted highly mobile anti armor group armed with TOW and All Terrain Vehicles.

WoT is not wrapping up; not for at least another 10 or so years unless someone knocks civility in Afghans.

 

[fatman17]

I have had some experience of working in Air Assault operations. My experience has been with US operating structure so my answers would be in US terms. There might have been some changes in unit structure since my time with them (90') but the basic doctrine and structure remains the same.

A typical Air Assault Battalion mission would be:

Locates the enemy and destroy his fighting capability using all available means. Closing as necessary with the enemy of fire and maneuver to destroy or capture him, or to repel his assault by the use of all available means of fire and counter attack.

To start with a battalion requires a min of 30 a/c (UH-60L -- 14 seats x 24 = 336 personnel in a single lift. 80% a/c availability is the min. standard required to go into combat operations) for air assault and air movement operations. The Aviation element is organic to the battalion or a company. It can not be a subordinated function as the above mission requires follow on waves of organic combat support functions to be transported in to the mission area.

The above figure is to lift the actual Air Assault companies. Battalion HQ would require a further 8 UH-60's for lifting the HQ element.

The battalion is equipped with it own Anti Armor element consisting of 10 TOW firing units, 3 x 6 60mm mortars. It can have access to 120mm Brigade mortars if they are in the theater. But does not have organic mobility element once on the ground.

A typical Air Assault Company requires 7,153 Lbs of equipment to be air lifted in one go.

Typically the Air Assault battalion is supported by OH-58D (4 x 8), AH-64 (3 x 8) arranged in Air Recon Troop, and Attack Company respectively. But both these elements are under the brigade and are air tasked on the request of the battalion. 3 x 16 CH-47 provide heavy lift capability for the brigade (i.e. 16 per battalion in the brigade)

There are other numerous elements including 3 EH-60 helos for Electronic Warfare. And 12 Avenger MANPADS (Stinger) for each Battalion.

I hope this helps. I will try to dig out my old Field Manual for more info.

As far as the training is concerned, Air Assault troops do a lot more physical training then the average troops. Their Assault course is longer and has a lot more obstacles than a standard obstacle course.

They are required to clear repelling, fast rope, embarking and disembarking operations, more time on map reading and orientation, door gunner ops. landing zone setup. etc.

Cannot afford such structures. Too expensive to operate.

At best the army will continue to use SSG elements in the air assault role albeit limited. The NLI is the closest within the army to the LCB concept and they are proficient in mountain warfare. Main equipment used by such are the 105mm light howie and the 106mm RR. For logistic support elements of army aviation are subordinated to them for various roles like insertion, evac, air lift of large equipment, med evac etc.

 

[fatman17]

Certain wings of the FC are also being trained / or under training for this role

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Certain wings of the FC are also being trained / or under training for this role

FC already has similiar units.. Special Operation Wings..

The unit may be commanded by a SSG officer. Al sub unit commanders should be also SSG people.

Not really .. These units aren't commanded by SSG guys at any level.. But yes they train with SSG.

 

[Army research]

Lcb are basically SSG however without the karate snake and rabbit blood extreme physical training etc but trained highly in roles like fire fights coin and behind enemy line oops they carry all weapons like ssg and are basically independent direct under Corp commander commandos as ssg are under national command

 

[Genghis khan1]

Light Commando Battalion is most likely the equivalent of US Rangers,US Marines Recon or British Royal marine (aka Commando). They are special operation soldiers without the bells and whistles of SOF like cool -secret- gadget and clandestine operations. Other than Navy Seals, both US Army special operations command (USASOC) and US Marine SOC (MARSOC) both select their candidates from US Rangers and US Marines Recon respectively based on their operational maturity and other criteria.

 

[war&peace]

What happens after the war on terror ramps down? What role is left for these units? I think eventually they will act as a fire brigade for the corps or a division to plug gaps created by armored thrust from the east.

Can LCB not be reassigned to more traditional roles and integrated into regular infantry and SSGs units if it is too expensive to maintain them?

 

[Army research]

Can LCB not be reassigned to more traditional roles and integrated into regular infantry and SSGs units if it is too expensive to maintain them?

yes they are already traditional basically slightly less trained ssg ie sag has to eat alive chicken and snake survive in snow etc but lcb are for traditional role eg in a strike corps attack ssg busy we send these guys and they take over an airbase ,fire direction center for artillery ,artillery ,air defence ,areas that need heavy reinforcement ,paratrooped in battalion size unlike ssg who go company size behind enemy lines only now days like the rest of entire army too are lcb trained in counter terrorist oops and Obviously trained and equipped better than reg infantry and in larger number than ssg so are being used in coin ops

 

[war&peace]

yes they are already traditional basically slightly less trained ssg ie sag has to eat alive chicken and snake survive in snow etc but lcb are for traditional role eg in a strike corps attack ssg busy we send these guys and they take over an airbase ,fire direction center for artillery ,artillery ,air defence ,areas that need heavy reinforcement ,paratrooped in battalion size unlike ssg who go company size behind enemy lines only now days like the rest of entire army too are lcb trained in counter terrorist oops and Obviously trained and equipped better than reg infantry and in larger number than ssg so are being used in coin ops

Then I see a permanent role/need for them and they should be kept intact even if coin ops end soon (I hope). We need a sizeable rapid response force always ready to counter any eventuality.

 

[Army research]

Then I see a permanent role/need for them and they should be kept intact even if coin ops end soon (I hope). We need a sizeable rapid response force always ready to counter any eventuality.

That's what they already are

Then I see a permanent role/need for them and they should be kept intact even if coin ops end soon (I hope). We need a sizeable rapid response force always ready to counter any eventuality.

sir

 

[Rafi]

The LCB concept has been a big success, the Army is looking to increase the no. of batts.

The LCB's do count as Special Forces, but are no regarded as Tier 1, in the ORBAT, that would be other more established and better experienced outfits.