[Homer]

Awesome update!

The PAMSS sounds like an interesting idea. Assuming it’s an ISO 20 foot container, it can deploy on C-5/C-17 and move intratheater on a C-130 with handling kit. The issue would be tactical movement since the PLS truck isn’t on the L series MTOE for light/airborne/air assault infantry/artillery battalions or infantry brigades at this point. The division MSB has 9 PLS trucks, almost invariably managed as division assets and anecdotally ending up spending NTC/JRTC/BCTP events dropping skids of ammo to support DIVARTY, dropping skids of barrier material and mines to support the engineer obstacle plan, or helping to jump the DIV Main/AVN Assembly Area or BSA/DSA. If additional PLS are fielded with the system, they will require the fielding of suitable recovery and maintenance assets and personnel in the FSB and BDE/BN HHC/HHB, change the fuel and POL resupply requirements (PLS and HEMMT vehicles seem to drink oil and fluids like there’s no tomorrow!) and will change the transportation equation (a PLS can’t be slung under a chinook or flown in a C-130) for air assault and air mobility operations.

However, there are 5 ton M1087 expando-vans with mobile, plug and play type shelters. The M1086 LWB MTV is also made to move up to an ISO 20 foot container and has onboard MHE and winch (M1085 is base LWB). The MTV is already organic to DISCOM, DIVARTY, AVN, and the DIV base, so assets could be reallocated, or additional systems supported relatively easily. There are also shelter options for the LMTV and HMMWV (s-250/s-788/SICPS, etc). As designed they’re soft, but some have the ability to provide GPFU/over pressure, EMP isolation, and accept ballistic panels. However, dismounting ISO based shelters in a field environment requires dedicated MHE not present at any echelon in the Division.

They do need something considering the average light infantry bn TOC of the era is a few SICP tents moved around in the back of the S-3 shop’s LMTV and set up with mapboards hung on the wall, radios mounted on tables and broadcasting with OE-254s. The TOC personnel were housed in poncho hooches around the perimeter roughly aligning to their defensive sector. Camo nets were hung over SICP tents and associated vehicles (All HMMWVs parked with hoods up and mirrors turned in!). Easy to hide, but exceptionally unsurvivable, time consuming to move, and a cramped and miserable smelling place to work in at night with the sides of the SICPS tents down! Just being able to crank vehicles and drive away in an emergency would make a huge difference to TOC survivability.

Digging the “Escape from Yazd”! “Death of a Motor-Rifle Division” handout to follow?