>>5270692Tabak goes back to his screens and laptop, checking the measurements and readings on his mortars platoon, recon platoon, and forward observer units. Based on his readings, it appears that the mortars are so heavy they have to be towed, but they have long range and are close to the command of the forward observers. Placement of the observers means that any LIB company has the ability to "laze" extremely precise artillery information at will, and can verbally hear the Company leader. In the exercise, Anna Actual could've pointed at the enemy and yelled in person, and the nearby forward observers would call in coordinates for mortar fire.
In just two cycles, they would've been given a huge firepower boost. The only thing to worry about was if the enemy moved 100 meters before the mortar fire moved in.
Tabak was given another indication that things were very very serious, as he was instructed to meet someone nearby, away from his trailer. At a local barracks, he shook hands with an officer with all the trappings of a paratrooper.... blue and white striped shirt, buttonholes, streamers, tattoos and more..... As they shake and introduce themselves, Tabak asks if the other man is airborne.
<span class="mu-i">No sir, I am not actually a paratrooper. My own platoon however is given basic parachute and advanced helicopter rappelling training. Normally we would be working with people further up the chain of command, for high readiness units like your own.</span>
Tabak realizes he knows nothing about leadership above him. He should be in a brigade, with two other battalions in the same formation. There should be some general or something barking orders at him. He verbally mentions his confusion and concern.
<span class="mu-i">The thinking the last few years is that the heavy fighting will be done by Battalions, but the deployment and organization will be Brigades.... I know you are in some kind of 'extra high readiness' status, unlike your sister battalions. They are not remotely close to being prepared and thus aren't likely to be deployable for a whole week...."
Tabak's eyes widen a lot and he starts wondering if his unit is being treated like a commando battalion. He knew the airborne or spetsnaz units could be deployed as two separate brigades into the middle of Africa, to win a civil-war... but this was shocking.
"What kind of equipment and men do you have?"
Hmmm. I have a squad with radar and telephone equipment, plugged into the C4 (Command, control, communications, and computer) network. My squad and the other two are equipped with suppressed 9x39mm weapons and we have all the required stealth training, on top of being veterans. We're limited to 300 meters of range, but our job is to avoid fighting as much as possible.
The men finish their discussion and the other man leaves.</span>
