Newsgroups: sci.military
Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!att!cbfsb!cbnewsc!cbnews!cbnews!military
From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)
Subject: Re: Deploying Divisions
Organization: The Boeing Co., MMST, Seattle, Wa.
Date: Thu, 29 Nov 90 02:04:35 GMT
Approved: military@att.att.com
Message-ID: <1990Nov29.020435.27303@cbnews.att.com>
Summary: REFORGER
References: <1990Nov16.054727.24406@cbnews.att.com> <1990Nov20.015647.24467@cbnews.att.com>
Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker)
Lines: 65



From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)

> The NATO deployment plan assumed away the need for sealift by building the
> POMCUS sites, and requiring only airlift of the units from CONUS sans
> equipment.  There were questions as to whether this was inded realistic;
> before the collapse of the Soviet empire, NATO strategy was sometimes
> characterized as "fight three days, then blow up the world".

  I deployed with the 1st Infantry Division twice on REFORGER, drawing
  our POMCUS stocks.  There is, stored in climate-controlled warehouses
  around Karlshruhe and Pirmasens, an entire mechanized division's rolling
  stock of tanks, APCs, self-propelled artillery, wheeled vehicles - a 
  'one-for-one' stockage of the division's TO&E, line item by line item.
  All on-board equipment is also stocked (radios, OVM, etc).  Personnel
  deploy with personal baggage and personal weapons.  For practical reasons,
  mechanics hand-carried their tool kits.  Besides our 'carry-on baggage'
  TAT baggage (To Accompany Troops), a duffle bag and a foot locker, were
  put on the same C-141 as the troops.  CONEX containers with 'other stuff'
  carried unit supplies (field desks, tentage, maps, documents, etc.)
  
  Once we arrived at our POMCUS site, we had exactly 24-hours to draw
  our equipment - install batteries - check fluid levels - form convoys -
  and convoy to a nearby (within 5Km) IUAA (Initial Unit Assembly Area).
  Within that 24-hour period the POMCUS site 'owned' the equipment and
  were responsible for any maintenance/repair/replacement.  After 24-hours
  it was the unit's responsibility (and our organic maintenance folks).

  The division would be reinforced with its forward deployed 3d Brigade
  and usually with another NATO brigade - either a German Panzer/Panzer
  Grenadier Brigade or the 4th Canadian Brigade.  Then we would conduct
  about a 10-day Manuever exercise against the 3d ID or the 1st AD - also
  reinforced with a NATO brigade.  

  After the manuever phase - we would road march to Grafenwehr where the
  artillery and tanks would undergo live-fire gunnery.  After that - we
  would load all our tracked vehicles on rail cars for the trip back to
  the POMCUS sites and the wheels would convoy back.  

  We would then reverse the drawing process and prepare all vehicles for
  storage and turnback to POMCUS folks - and fly back to Fort Riley and
  begin planning next year's Reforger.

  It was a pure logistical exercise.  The sole purpose was deployment and
  practice drawing POMCUS stocks and exercising them.  
  
  Was it realistic?  I believe it was.  I've seen the major combat elements
  of the 1st ID deploy from CONUS by C-141, draw their POMCUS equipment,
  convoy into an assembly area and be ready to go on the offensive within
  72 hours.  Of course, to 'close' the entire division into Europe took
  about 10 days.  

  I don't know the status of all that POMCUS today - and Reforger was being
  de-emphasized - and will probably not take place again, any time soon.

  But, having participated in 7 Reforger exercises - it was 'fun' while it
  lasted.


  mike schmitt