The United States Military Salvage Teams (USMST)

[rcaf_777]

United States Military Salvage Teams (USMST)

Mission: USMST are to recover kit assets for further use by the US military

Background: In early 1999 it became apparent that there were many assets left behind on the battle that for whatever reason were not being recovered due to fog of war. It was decided on informal level for division to form salvage teams that could recover assets to used later.

What they recover: the USMST have five areas of expertise, they are automotive, mechanical, weapons, electronics, aircraft and munitions. They recover anything from whole or partial wrecks to key components to fuel and other POL from vehicles.

USMST Organization

Team Leader: This person in an Officer who command salvage operations for a unit usually at division level, held by a Captain or Major

Salvage Manager: Oversees salvage operations. Manages workflow, monitors and procures supplies, and personnel, Usually MSG or SFC

Records and Shipment Clerk: Maintains inventory control for materials recovered, and marks items for shipment usually a Spec 3/4

Salvage Coordinator: Gathers the people necessary for salvage operations, sets schedules, and secures support (e.g., drinking water, food). If the team does not have a person with expertise, he arranges with division or corps to secure the services of a member to fill this role, he also ensures that volunteers are qualified to assist with salvage efforts. He will oversee salvage operations in the field he normally have two to three sections working for him, this is a SSG

Section Leader: Applies technical expertise related to his area of expertise to ensure that procedures conform to best practice for salvaging. This could any rank from MSG down to Spc, they will traditional have a technical background in one of areas of expertise, this person could also be USAF or USN

Field Section Members: These are what persons can be found to assist in salvage operations, can from any background as they just providing the mussel, they not normally assigned to the team on a permanent basis.

Security Section Members: This a small element lead by a Spc 4/Sgt and will assign to field section on a per outing basis they provide security while away from the teams base of operations

[Abbott Shaull]

So the core of Team would be what? 5 - 10 members.

With others assigned to the team to provide mule/manpower and security then? Which would add significantly to a team if they are operating in unsecured areas.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

How big are the items these teams are set to recover? Up to n tons? Munitions and small arms only? Anything bigger than a humvee they're going to need an M88 (or CEV) for.

I like the concept, though.

[dragoon500ly]

Good concept. Would need more details in so far as equipment/vehicles.

My not need a M88 unless they were retriving armored vehicles. 5-ton, 5-ton wrecker, HEMETT would most likely be the type of vehicle used. Would also expect a large selection of tool sets, cutting torches etc.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Good concept. Would need more details in so far as equipment/vehicles.

My not need a M88 unless they were retriving armored vehicles. 5-ton, 5-ton wrecker, HEMETT would most likely be the type of vehicle used. Would also expect a large selection of tool sets, cutting torches etc.

You know what else? Lots of chemical neutralizers. "Hey, there's a small convoy of Humvees, just sitti- oh. Oh man. Let's...yeah, let's all get our MOPP gear on before we stroll over there..."

(OK, I'm not up on the active life of persistent agents, but still.)

[dragoon500ly]

You know what else? Lots of chemical neutralizers. "Hey, there's a small convoy of Humvees, just sitti- oh. Oh man. Let's...yeah, let's all get our MOPP gear on before we stroll over there..."

(OK, I'm not up on the active life of persistent agents, but still.)

LOL, forgot about that myself! Don't forget EOD specialists, maybe an explosive-sniffing dog or two.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

LOL, forgot about that myself! Don't forget EOD specialists, maybe an explosive-sniffing dog or two.

Yeah. I could definitely see some industrious Soviet troops figuring that since they don't have anything that can fire them, there's no reason that stack of 105mm rounds can't be made to go boom in some other way - particularly against NATO scavengers.

[dragoon500ly]

Yeah. I could definitely see some industrious Soviet troops figuring that since they don't have anything that can fire them, there's no reason that stack of 105mm rounds can't be made to go boom in some other way - particularly against NATO scavengers.

And the Red Army was always noted for its extensive and clever use of bobby traps in WWII....just the sort of thing to liven up a group of players night!

[Abbott Shaull]

Well of course they would pick everything up to use against their former owners. Even the Soviets know from experience dating to WWII the Front Line could move quite a bit in few hour or days depending on the mode of transportation used by both sides....

[rcaf_777]

My not need a M88 unless they were retriving armored vehicles. 5-ton, 5-ton wrecker, HEMETT would most likely be the type of vehicle used. Would also expect a large selection of tool sets, cutting torches etc.

There are five areas that I put in the outline and I think that vehciles and other assets like the EOD and dogs ect would depend on the team missions and what is avaible. I thought a GM would run with this a basis for a adventure I think that five PC would good team for salvage a vehicles or USAF Team look for aircraft parts statside?, there a salvage table some where that I remember seeing, I'll try and find it

[HorseSoldier]

Bigger problem than booby traps and IEDs is going to be the locals ripping everything of value out of hulks left on the battlefield.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Bigger problem than booby traps and IEDs is going to be the locals ripping everything of value out of hulks left on the battlefield.

Brings up an interesting question; let's say a "free" Polish town is using a US tank as a pillbox. A tank which, aside from say no fuel is otherwise serviceable. Will a recovery team have a mandate to re-acquire the hardware?

[HorseSoldier]

I'd venture to guess there'd be decisions about whether to fight (or at least threaten) or bargain for such things on a case by case basis -- probably a lot to do with individual command environments on that one.

[irishboy]

I'd also say that a trained salvage team would be among the more likely groups to desert. When the $h#@ has already hit the fan, and you know that you've got a couple friends who can keep you mobile & supplied, that's about as much incentive as many people would need.

[Abbott Shaull]

I'd also say that a trained salvage team would be among the more likely groups to desert. When the $h#@ has already hit the fan, and you know that you've got a couple friends who can keep you mobile & supplied, that's about as much incentive as many people would need.

On one hand I can see the point, but on the other hand the group would quickly realize that staying with their Command would be beneficial. It is only to the point where said Command has become so weakened that they can no longer provide the need security and support for the unit to operate they would just might go into operation for themselves, or go looking for someone who would be willing to 'pay' for their services.

In other cases, I can see this group taking control of a Command. It part of the reason why when you create such a group, especially in the T2K world there needs to be a balance of things. You want a group who can perform their duties, but also that relies on other to. I can see many of the 'specialists' in these teams coming from excess Naval and Air Force personnel where they don't have the 'Infantry combat' background where they would be more than willing to stay with the Command instead of go off on their own.

[HorseSoldier]

Looking at the organizational plan one thing that jumps out is that maintenance and related field warrant officers should be all over the organization. That's seriously their cup of tea and areas of expertise.

Besides salvaging US equipment, I'd have them heavily involved in site surveys and recovery operations when their parent unit is in cantonment. When on the offense they could be doing T2K style SSE also looking at anything of value that could be hauled off with the unit as it passes through. Lot of civil affairs/CIMIC overtones for what they'd be doing. They'd be a natural place to find Polish or German civilian (or military deserters) serving as translators and fixers too.

I definitely like it for a PC group -- interesting way to put very valuable skills in a PC group and provides more interesting background than the usualCAG/Delta assault cell that's inexplicably embedded in 5th I'D or whatever. Nice way to work in non Army personnel, also -- good place for USAF security forces as well as mechanics and maintainers from the AF and USN.

[Abbott Shaull]

Looking at the organizational plan one thing that jumps out is that maintenance and related field warrant officers should be all over the organization. That's seriously their cup of tea and areas of expertise.

Besides salvaging US equipment, I'd have them heavily involved in site surveys and recovery operations when their parent unit is in cantonment. When on the offense they could be doing T2K style SSE also looking at anything of value that could be hauled off with the unit as it passes through. Lot of civil affairs/CIMIC overtones for what they'd be doing. They'd be a natural place to find Polish or German civilian (or military deserters) serving as translators and fixers too.

I definitely like it for a PC group -- interesting way to put very valuable skills in a PC group and provides more interesting background than the usualCAG/Delta assault cell that's inexplicably embedded in 5th I'D or whatever. Nice way to work in non Army personnel, also -- good place for USAF security forces as well as mechanics and maintainers from the AF and USN.

One of the things too by 2000, each Division and even smaller units like the ACRs, 4th Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and so would have something similar to Civilian Affairs type unit that this type of unit would be working with. This would depend on largely on the personnel that the Divisional/Regimental/Brigade Commanders had to work with. Could be as small as undersized Company to Battalion strength.

One of the things I have been mulling over is introducing something along the lines of the Enhance Maneuver Brigade assigned at Division and Corps level. This type of team and placement of security personnel and other specialized MOS while not entirely taking who groups of personnel and retrain them entirely as Infantry, Cavalry, Armor, or Artillery. These troops would secure the Divisional and Corp rear area. Along with Civilian Affair Battalion for the Corps or Division assigned to the Enhanced Maneuver Brigade. Assign new provisional Infantry and Artillery Battalion to give the Brigade muscle.

Just some thoughts.

[HorseSoldier]

One of the things too by 2000, each Division and even smaller units like the ACRs, 4th Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and so would have something similar to Civilian Affairs type unit that this type of unit would be working with.

I think a unit like this would fall under a Civil Affairs cell/unit/whatever since they'd be able to double hat and work recovery/CA sort of missions as well as worrying about battlefield recovery of stuff. Honestly, by 2000, divisions are doing less fighting and more just trying to survive and control their AO for the most part. These guys would have a role in cantonment area operations sufficient to warrant them being full time guys and not just stood up when there's major fighting in the wind.

One of the things I have been mulling over is introducing something along the lines of the Enhance Maneuver Brigade assigned at Division and Corps level. This type of team and placement of security personnel and other specialized MOS while not entirely taking who groups of personnel and retrain them entirely as Infantry, Cavalry, Armor, or Artillery.

I don't think trying to spin off another brigade HQ from a division in '98-on would be real successful. Better use of existing resources would be pick a battalion from the existing OOB and scrap its prewar mission (could be from the DISCOM or Aviation, or could be freed up by consolidating manpower and resources in remaining line battalions or artillery battalions). Anyway, make that HQ the controlling parent unit for maybe eight infantry companies (or rear area security companies, or MP companies, or whatever name people want to slap on them). The usual 3-4 subordinate span of control issue isn't going to matter so much since a lot of that will be static security missions and a lot of it will be units opconned to other brigade/battalion HQs.

The main emphasis is going to be battle casualty replacements for line units, though, once divisions start really getting eaten up, so I don't see security detachments getting emphasis for manpower, even if units are trying to rerole USAF airmen who've only handled an M16 a half dozen times in their whole career.

Along with Civilian Affair Battalion for the Corps or Division assigned to the Enhanced Maneuver Brigade. Assign new provisional Infantry and Artillery Battalion to give the Brigade muscle.

I don't think the current military Newspeak like Enhanced Manuever Brigade would exist in the T2K lexicon.

[Matt W]

I think Major is a little high for a small Salvage Team CO. He or she should be in the Quartermaster Corps (MOS 92A) and in command of a Company of troops carrying out these duties.

Captain might be a more appropriate rank.

And check out this website referring to a WW2 salvage unit (scroll down to "GI Salvage")

http://www.qmmuseum.lee.army.mil/WWII/luzon.htm

[HorseSoldier]

For an MTOE unit, I'd agree. I could see a USAF Major or USN Lt Commander that no one can find any other job for getting handed the salvage mission, though, in T2K extremis.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

I could see attaching DIA agents to such an operation and giving them a pretty big "checkbook" to use to try and barter or bribe to get equipment back (vis-a-vis the "town using dug in M1 as a pillbox" scenario).

[HorseSoldier]

I can't see a national level intelligence agency being that interested in such things. The CIA didn't even embed folks with all the ODAs doing SSE on suspected WMD sites in Iraq.

[Fusilier]

I'd also say that a trained salvage team would be among the more likely groups to desert. When the $h#@ has already hit the fan, and you know that you've got a couple friends who can keep you mobile & supplied, that's about as much incentive as many people would need.

Ahh... one of the first encounters the players in my online game had was with a group just like rcaf_777's here, and they were deserters too.

[Matt W]

AD HOC SALVAGE TEAM


Just a weird collection of vehicles & people. Including some of the "trades" that I find interesting. I put in some NPCs that might round out a PC group

Vehicles

HEMTT M985 trucks with trailer x 2
Ural-43206 x 2
Motorcycles (125 cc "scramble bikes") x 4


note: Team is a lightly-armed platoon and is designed to be capabnle of splitting into 2 sections


Background History:
This unit's HEMTT trucks were the resupply vehicles for a MLRS battery. Since the ammunition ranout long ago, and the M985 has a useful crane, they were assigned to the salvage team [the crane can lift 2.5 tons]
see: http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_hemtt_m985.php

The Ural trucks are 4x4 ex-sovet army vehicles. Each has a 4-ton payload and are used to transport the team's personnel and some of the more "fragile" salvaged items

The motorcycles are requisitioned civilian machines and have been modified to run on alcohol. They are used for recon and courier duties

Notable Personnel

XO: Lt Diana Andrea Chan - is a USAF Civil Engineer (AFSC: 32EX) which means that she has some Combat Engineer capabilities. Primarily trained for tasks such as the management of static facilities and infrastructure, Chan was also trained as a firefighter. After one term of service, she was seconded to the US Army (most USAF units were broken up to provide reinforcements for ground troops) She is the unit's expert in NBC detection and decontamination

Driver: PFC John Fisher (MOS: 13M). Fisher is a 35-year-old Texan trucker (drafted into the Army after war broke out). He operates one of the HEMMT trucks. In fact, he was operating it when it was part of the MLRS battery. Fisher is a big, irritable individual who only seems relaxed when he's drunk (which is frequent when off-duty). His drinking is tolerated because of his driving skill

Medic: Sgt Kenneth Mackay USAF (4P0X1 - Pharmacy Technician). A studious-loooking individual, he is known to the team as "The Professor". As well as being a combat medic and operating the unit's stills, his duties include examining any medicines that are salvaged. To assist in this, Mackay carries several large textbooks in his backpack (other team member sjoke that these would probably stop bullets)

Wireman: Sgt Brian Kirst USMC (MOS 0613) Kirst is the unit's specialist in salvaging cables and antenna systems. He also comands the unit's Support Weapons section (which has a variety of rocket launchers, usually a couple of RPG-7s, with a few rounds of HEAT ammunition)