Boots on the Ground: The history of Project Delta

by Carpenter, Stephen

  Team work, the key to success, only comes through constant practice and training. Realism must be injected into all phases of training such as zeroing of weapons at targets in the jungle, use of live training aids for POW snatch or ambush practice, etc.

  Teams that have a good physical training program have fewer health problems.

  Make sure. that personnel take salt tablets as a preventative measure rather than waiting until collapse is imminent. One tablet in a canteen of water is a good way to take salt, especially on very hot and humid days. Only when plenty of water is available!!!

  If your mission calls for emplacing a mine in a road, ensure that an extra fuse is taken along, in case one is lost.

  All personnel should wear loose fitting and untailored clothing on field operations. Tight fitting clothing often tears or rips, allowing easy access to exposed parts of the body for mosquitoes and leeches.

  Each team leader should have a pre-mission and post-mission checklist to ensure that nothing is left behind.

  Use tact when reprimanding your personnel, especially indigenous team members. If possible, take the man aside to criticize him. This enables him to reason positively to the criticism, since he will not feel ridiculed and lose self confidence.

  Do not hang clothing or bandanas on green bamboo if you plan on wearing it afterwards. The fuzz on the bamboo is just like itching powder.

  Conduct English classes for your indigenous personnel, especially interpreters. Conduct classes for your U.S. Personnel on your indigenous team member’s dialect.

  Pre-set frequencies on the PRC-25 so that a quick turn of the dials will put you on the desired frequency. This is especially helpful at night when you want to avoid a light.

  Carry CS powder in plastic insect repellent or lube oil bottles. It is difficult to put CS powder in them but it is definitely worth the effort. Sprinkle CS powder in and on empty “C” ration cans and food containers. This will prevent animals from digging them up once you have buried them.

  M-16/CAR-15 Tips

  Tape the muzzle of your weapon to keep out water and dirt. Leave lower portion of slits open for ventilation.

  Use one magazine full of tracer during infiltration and exfiltration. If taken under fire during infiltration or exfiltration the tracers can be used to identify enemy positions to friendly air assets.

  The last three rounds in each magazine should be tracer. This reminds the firer that he needs a loaded magazine.

  Replace the cartridge in the chamber of your weapon each morning “quietly”. Condensation may cause a malfunction.

  Always carry a small vial/tube of lubricating oil for your weapon.

  Oil the selector switch on your weapon daily and work the switch back and forth, especially during rainy season. This will prevent the common occurrence of a stuck switch.

  Always carry your weapon with the selector switch on “safe”.

  To improve noise discipline, tape all sling swivels or remove them from weapons.

  During extraction do not fire weapons from helicopters after leaving the LZ because a gunship may be passing under you without your knowledge.

  Do not retrieve your first expended magazine during contact, because it will consume valuable time.

  Check all magazines before going on an operation, to ensure they are clean and properly loaded.

  Never assume that your weapon is clean enough on an operation. CLEAN YOUR WEAPON DAILY.

  Place magazines upside down with bullets pointed away from your body in the ammo pouches. This will keep dirt and water out of them and if rounds go off due to enemy fire, you won’t be injured by your own ammo.

  Load Bearing Equipment Tips

  1. Be sure that all snaps and buckles are taped. Do not use paper tape.

  2. Place triangular bandages or individual dressings (in original containers) in the ammo pouches. This makes it easier to remove magazines, and increases the first-aid capability of your unit.

  3. Cut the front corners of ammo pouches 1/2”-3/4” to make it easier to remove magazines during the rainy season. Also, have 2 magazines with pull tabs in each pouch. If they are available, use canteen covers to carry magazines rather than ammo pouches. They hold more magazines, are easier to open, and you won’t need so many pouches hanging from your web gear.

  4. Tie a string or lanyard between M-79 and web belt so you won’t lose it when firing the M-16.

  5. Keep your UPC-10 secured to your harness during use. If lost with the beeper on, it will negate all other signals on that frequency until the battery runs down.

  6. Always carry some type of knife on patrol.

  7. Snap links should be secured around the shoulder harness, NOT on the cloth loops.

  8. For survival, each individual should carry, in a first aid pouch on the harness, one tube of bouillon cubes, one tube of salt tablets, and one bottle of purification tablets. One bouillon tube in one canteen of water, when dissolved will give energy for one or two days.

  9. All team members should carry a mixture of fragmentation, CS and WP grenades on their belts for the following reasons:

  a. Fragmentation grenades are good for inflicting casualties,

  b. CS grenades are ideal for stopping or slowing down enemy troops pursuing your team. In addition they will stop dogs from pursuing you in wet weather when CS powder will dis sipate due to wetness.

  c. WP grenades have a great psychological effect against enemy troops and can be used for the same purpose as CS Grenades. The use of CS and WP at the same time will more than double their effectiveness.

  10. Smoke grenades should be carried in or on the pack and not on the web gear or harness. You don’t fight with smoke grenades and if you need one, 99 times out of 100, you will have time to get it from your pack.

  11. Fold paper tape through the rings of grenades and tape the ring to the body of the grenade. The paper tape will tear for fast use, where plastic or cloth tape will not. Also it keeps the ring open for your finger, stops noise and prevent snagging.

  12. Camouflage grenades, using black or OD spray paint.

  13. Do not bend the pins on the grenades flat. That makes the rings too hard to pull when needed.

  14. Make continuous daily checks on all grenades, when on patrol, to ensure that the primer is not coming unscrewed.

  15. Each team should carry one thermite grenade for destruction of equipment, either friendly or enemy.

  16. Do not carry grenades on the upper portion of your harness because the enemy will shoot at them, trying to inflict several casualties with one shot.

  17. Sew a long slim pocket on the side of your rucksack to accommodate the long antenna.

  18. Ensure that the snap link on your rucksack is snapped through the loop in the upper portion of your rucksacks carrying straps so that you won’t lose it during extraction if you have to snap it on a ladder or McGuire Rig.

  19. Insect repellent leaks and spills easily, therefore, isolate it from your other equipment in the rucksack. Also squeeze air from repellent container and screw on cap firmly.

  20. An indigenous poncho and/or a ground sheet along with a jungle sweater and a rain jacket are sufficient for sleeping.

  21. A claymore bag, sewn onto the top flap of the rucksack is extremely useful to carry binoculars, extra handsets, camera or URC-10, prepared rations, or any other special equipment. This gives easy access to those items while on patrol or when you have to ditch the rucksack.

  22. Tie smoke grenades on rucksack between pockets.

  23. Always use the water from canteens in or on your rucksack before using water in the canteens on your belt. This will ensure a supply of water should you lose your rucksack.

  24. Test straps on the rucksack before packing for each patrol. Always carry some parachute cord to repair straps on patrol.

  25. Use waterproof bag in rucksack to protect equipment while on patrol. This is extremely important during the rainy season.

  Recon Patrol Tips

  When
making VRs always mark every LZ within your AO and near it, on your map. Plan the route of march so that you will always know how far and on what azimuth the nearest LZ is located.

  Don’t cut off too much of the map showing your recon zone (RZ). Always designate at least 5-10 kilometers surrounding your RZ as running room.

  Base the number of canteens per map upon the weather and availability of water in the AO. Select water points when planning your route of march.

  Check all team members’ pockets prior to departing home base for passes, ID cards, lighters with insignias, rings with insignias, etc. Personnel should only carry dog tags while on patrol.

  If the team uses a grenadier armed with rifle grenades, have him place a crimped cartridge as the first round in each magazine carried. After firing the grenade, he can use the rifle normally. When the magazine is empty and a new one inserted the grenadier can then quickly fire another grenade.

  Always carry maps and notebooks in waterproof containers.

  Use a pencil to make notes during an operation. Ink smears when it becomes wet, whereas lead does not.

  Inspect each team member’s uniform and equipment, especially radios and strobe lights, prior to departure on a mission.

  If you use the Hanson Rig, adjust your harness and webbing before leaving on patrol.

  During the rainy season take extra cough medicine with codeine on patrol.

  The location and proper use of morphine should be known by all team members.

  All survival equipment should be tied or secured to the uniform or harness to prevent loss if pockets become torn, etc.

  Each US or key team member should carry maps, notebooks, and SOI in the same pocket of each uniform, for hasty removal by other team members if one becomes a casualty.

  Take paper matches to the field in waterproof container. Do not take cigarette lighters as they make too much noise when opening and closing.

  Tie panel and mirror to pocket flap to prevent losing.

  Always carry rifle cleaning equipment on operation, i.e., brush, oil and at least one cleaning rod.

  Each team should have designated primary and alternate rally points at all times. The team leader is responsible for ensuring that each team member knows the azimuth and approximate distance to each rally point/LZ.

  Never take pictures of team members while on patrol. If the enemy captures the camera, they will have gained invaluable intelligence.

  At least two pen lights should be taken by each team.

  While on patrol, move 20 minutes and halt and listen for 10 minutes. Listen half the amount of time you move. Move and halt at irregular intervals.

  Stay alert at all times. You are never 100% safe until you are back home.

  Never break limbs or branches on trees, bushes, or palms, or you will leave a very clear trail for the enemy to follow.

  Put insect/leech repellent around tops of boots, on pants fly, belt, and cuffs to stop leeches and insects.

  Do most of your moving during the morning hours to conserve water. Never be afraid to move at night, especially if you think your RON has been discovered.

  Continually check your point man to ensure that he is on the correct azimuth. Do not run a compass course on patrol, change direction regularly.

  If followed by trackers, change direction of movement often and attempt to evade or ambush your trackers, they make good PWs.

  Do not ask for a “fix” from FAC unless absolutely necessary. This will aid in the prevention of compromise.

  Force yourself to cough whenever a high performance aircraft passes over. It will clear your throat, ease tension, and cannot be heard. If you must cough, cough in your hat or neckerchief to smother the noise.

  Never take your web gear off, day or night. In an area where it is necessary to put the jungle sweater on at night, no more than two patrol members at a time should do so. Take the sweaters off the next morning to prevent cold and overheating.

  If you change socks, especially in the rainy season, try to wait until RON and have no more than two patrol members change socks at one time. Never take off both boots at the same time.

  When a team member starts to come down with immersion foot, stop in a secure position, remove the injured person’s boot, dry off his feet, put foot powder on his feet and place a ground sheet or poncho over his feet so that they can dry out. Continued walking will make matters worse, ensuring that the man will become a casualty, thereby halting the further progress of the team.

  Desenex or Vaseline rubbed on the feet during the rainy season or in wet weather will aid in the prevention of immersion foot. It will also help avoid chapping if put on the hands.

  Gloves will protect hands from thorns and aid in holding a weapon when it heats up from firing.

  Place a plastic cover on your PRC-25 to keep it dry in the rainy season.

  When using a wire tap device, never place the batteries in the set until needed. If the batteries are carried in the device they will lose power even though the switches are in the off position.

  If batteries go dead or weak do not throw them away while on patrol. Small batteries can be recharged by placing them in arm pits or between the legs of the body. A larger battery can gain added life by sleeping with the battery next to the body. Additional life can also be gained by placing batteries in the sun.

  If possible, carry on extra hand set for the PRC-25 and ensure that it is wrapped in a waterproof container.

  Always carry a spare PRC-25 battery, but do not remove the spare from its plastic container prior to use or it may lose power.

  Do not send “same” or “no change” when reporting team location. Always send your coordinates. Keep radio traffic at a minimum.

  Avoid over confidence, it leads to carelessness. Just because you have seen no sign of the enemy for 3 or 4 days does not mean that he isn’t there or hasn’t seen you.

  A large percentage of patrols have been compromised due to poor noise discipline.

  Correct all team and/or individual errors as they occur or happen.

  All personnel should camouflage faces and backs of hands in the morning, at noon and at RON or ambush positions.

  Never cook or build heating fires on patrol. No more than two persons should eat chow at any one time. The rest of the team should be on security.

  When team stops, always check out 40-60 meters from the perimeter.

  All team members should take notes while on an operation and compare them nightly. Each man should keep a list of tips and lessons learned and add to them after each operation.

  Each man on a team must continually observe the man in front of him and the man behind him, in addition to watching for other team members’ arm and hand signals.

  A recon team should never place more than one mine, AP, or AT, in one small section of a road or trail at a time. If more than one is set out the team is just resupplying the enemy, because when a mine goes off, a search will be made of the immediate area for others and they will surely be found.

  During the dry season, do not urinate on rocks or leaves, but rather in a hole or small crevice. The wet spot may be seen, and the odor will carry further.

  When carrying the M-79 on patrol, use a retainer band around the stock to hold the safety on safe while moving.

  When crossing streams, observe first for activity, then send a point man across to check the area. Then cross the rest of the patrol, with each taking water as he crosses. If in a danger area, have all personnel cross prior to getting water. Treat all trails (old and new), streams, and open areas as danger areas.

  Carry one extra pair of socks, plus foot powder, on patrol, especially during the rainy season. In addition, each team member should carry a large sized pair of socks to place over his boots when walking or crossing a trail or stream.

  During rest halts don’t take your pack off or leave your weapon alone. During long breaks, such as for noon chow, don’t take your pack off until your perimeter has been checked for at least 40 to
60 meters out for 360 degrees. During breaks throw nothing on the ground. Either put trash in your pocket or spray it with CS powder and bury it.

  In most areas, the enemy will send patrols along roads and major trails between the hours of 0700-1000 and from 1500-1900. Since most of the enemy’s vehicular movement is at night, a team that has a road watch mission should stay no less than 200 meters from the road during the day and move up to the road just prior to last light. When the enemy makes a security sweep along a road, usually twice a week, he normally does not check further than 200 meters to each flank.

  If you hear people speaking, move close enough to hear what they are saying. The reason is obvious. The VN team leader should make notes.

  While on patrol, don’t take the obvious course of action and don’t set a pattern in your activities, such as, always turning to the left when “button hooking to ambush your own back trail.

  A dead enemy’s shirt and contents in pockets, plus pack, if he has one, are normally more valuable than his weapon.

  Forward Air Controller (FAC) Tips

  The FAC is second in importance to your weapon while on combat operation. Learn all you can about FAC procedures. Proper use of FAC support could mean the difference between whether or not you return from a patrol.

  When making a FAC VR take a map that covers the AO from the FOB to your RZ.

  Never fly directly over your RZ (down the middle). Fly along the side of your RZ so you can observe as much as possible in your RZ.

  Whenever you hear an aircraft, ensure that your radio is turned on; they may be trying to contact you.

  The FAC is severely limited in bad weather and the rainy season, plan for this.

  The average time for reaction to an immediate request is 15-45 minutes.

  The tactical aircraft may have mixed ordinance or, if it’s a diverted aircraft, the ordinance someone else has requested for a preplanned target.

  If a patrol, not in contact with the enemy, requests an air strike against a specific target, request appropriate ordinance to destroy the target.