Lessons Learned: A Ground Surveillance System Platoon in Afghanistan

摘要

This article will discuss nine (ten would have been too normal) of our hardest lessons learned while being deployed to Kandahar Airfield (KAF), Afghanistan. Qur platoon relationship while deployed was mainly direct support to the infantry battalion responsible for the perimeter defense. Throughout the deployment we worked with six various infantry battalions that included Canadians and Marines. The battalions rotated every three to four weeks; that made liaison and operation a continual battle. It was definitely an experience that will be cherished and remembered by every member of the platoon. Our first priority was to replace the Marine's ground sensors. We worked hand in hand with them for about seven days prior to taking command and control of the perimeter defense. They had only one string of sensors emplaced to the north in a mountain pass that led to Kandahar City. Problem was many nomadic and village people used the pass to travel back and forth from the city and other villages. Movement in the pass increased as the weather got warmer, and this sensor string proved to be inefficient.