Fiddle's Green

[dragoon500ly]

Halfway down the trail to hell
In a shady meadow green,
Are the souls of all dead troopers camped
Near a good old-time canteen
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler's Green!

Marching past, straight through to hell,
The infantry are seen, '
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marine,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Flddlers' Green!

Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene,
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen,
And so rides back to drink agaln
With friends at Fiddlers' Green!

And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge or fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers' Green!


This thread is based on an idea from Panther Al. Both of us being members of the proud brotherhood of the armored cavalry, here is a thread where the Dragoons of the 2ACR and the Riflemen of the 3ACR can snipe at each other as well as the members of the other regiments of Uncle Sam's Finest....The U.S. Cavalry!!!

[Panther Al]

And even those that served in other countries cav units are welcome here.

And yep, the second drops it again: Fiddle's green?!?

[dragoon500ly]

Sorry, thought I was a member of the Black Horse!

Actually, my 3-year old decided to bounce a ball off the keyboard...

So I can blame the third!!!!

[Panther Al]

So anyway, what's your take on the this whole Stryker thing? I've read that the third is going to get reissued with the things in 2012. Not so sure that's a very good idea in my opinion.

[dragoon500ly]

Reequipping the 3rd....well that will be the last of the ACRs. And I don't feel that it is a very good idea. Its the continual loss of our heavy firepower in favor of Strykers. They are not even trying to keep alive the ideal of a balanced force...

How about that Stryker, now there is no need for heavy armor because the Stryker can do everything....

But ya know...I somehow think that when a Stryker goes up against a T-72....the T-72 will win.

[dragoon500ly]

So just what is a ACR?

The armored cavalry regiment is a corps level asset that has several missions.

First up is the reconnaissance-in-force mission, its light enough to move fast and heavy enought to punch through just about anything in its way.

Second is the screening mission, the ACR can cover the corps front or one of its flanks. The size of an ACR and its equipment mix can also be used in a deception mission, impersonating a mech brigade for example.

During my time in service, there were two TO&Es used. The older TO&E used a ten vehicle platoon (the largest platoon in the Army) made up a scout section equipped with 4 M-113 APCs carrying a Dragon mount, a tank section with 4 M-1IPs and a command section consisting of a M-113 and a M-106 4.2-inch mortar carrier. The mortar carrier was often detached to the troop headquarters, giving the troop 3 mortar carriers. Three cav platoons and a HQ platoon make up a armored cavalry troop.

A armored cavalry squadron is made up of a headquarters troop, three cavalry troops, a tank company (14 M-1IPs) and a howitzer battery (8 SP 155mm). The regiment itself has three armored cavalry squadrons, a air cavalry squadron, a headquarters troop and attached Stinger platoon, target acquisition platoon (OH-58D) a engineer company and a military intelligence company. As you can see, a powerful combined arms organization capable of performing a variety of missions.

The ACRs do not use the standard phonetic alphabet names, but use a more evocative series:

First Squadron
Apache Troop
Bull Troop
Charlie Troop
Delta Company
How Battery
Second Squadron
Eagle Troop
Fox Troop
Ghost Troop
Hawk Company
How Battery
Third Squadron
Iron Troop
Killer Troop
Lightning Troop
Mad Dog Company
How Battery
Fourth Squadron
Nomad Troop (8 OH-58C and 4 AH-1F)
Oscar Troop (ditto)
Palehorse Troop (ditto)
Quickstrike Troop (4 OH-58C and 8 AH-1F)
Redcatcher Troop (ditto)
Sierra Company (12 UH-60A)

[Panther Al]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

Reequipping the 3rd....well that will be the last of the ACRs. And I don't feel that it is a very good idea. Its the continual loss of our heavy firepower in favor of Strykers. They are not even trying to keep alive the ideal of a balanced force...

How about that Stryker, now there is no need for heavy armor because the Stryker can do everything....

But ya know...I somehow think that when a Stryker goes up against a T-72....the T-72 will win.

I have nothing against the concept of one chassis providing the base for a number of specialised vehicles, its an even better idea for the ACR's as they need to run on as small as possible logistical tail. My problem with it is that they made far far to complex for what was needed. The original base vehicle, the piranha is great: mechanically and electrically simple that can be maintained with great ease: they stryker on the other hand... Hell the Centaro armoured cars we loaned from italy are easier to maintain.

[dragoon500ly]

Towards the end of the Cold War, those fun-loving guys at FMC Corporation decided to explore the possibilites of the Bradley, three versions actually reached prototype stage:

The Combat Vehicle Armament System Technology (CVAST) redesigned the turret of the Brad and mounted an Aeries 35mm Talon cannon. First tested in 1984, the new turret was not placed in production since it was felt that the larger caliber gun was not needed.

An offshoot of CVAST was a plan to take advantage of recent advances in polymer composites and ceramic armor witht he intent of replacing much of the Brad's existing armor. This new armor package would have resulted in a substantial weight reduction, enhanced crew survival, reduced manufacturing cost, and decreases in maintenance due to less corrosion and metal fatigue. It was killed by Congress due to budget concerns.

As the Army announced the retire of the M-551 Sheridan and the requirements of the Armored Gun System, FMC submitted a light tank based on the Bradley and M113 components. The Close Combat Vehicle, Light (CCVL) used a three man-crew (loader was replaced by an autoloader). It was armed with the M-68 105mm Cannon (fitted with a multi-baffle muzzle brake) and used laminated armor similar to that fitted to the Bradley A@. The CCVL could withstand hits of up to 30mm over a 60 degree froontal arc, wiits flanks and rear protected against HMG. two sixteen-barreled smoke grenade launchers were mounted on either side of the turret. Secondary armament consisted of a M-240C 7.62mm machine gun. Combat weight was 20 tons and it was fitted witha 575hp Detroit Diesel Allison that gave the CCVL a top speed of 45mph and a combat range of 300 miles. Of real intrest was its ability to be loaded into a C-130 transport and delviered via the Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES). This is the vehicle that placed second, losing to the M-8.

The final variant, and the one that really caught a lot of intrest is teh M-987 Fighting Vehicle System (FVS). This is the Chassis of the M-993 MLRS without the launchers and replaced with a payload area that could accept a wide variety of "pods", six versions were initially planned:

M-993 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)

M-987 Forward Area Armored Logistics System (FAALS): a armored box (with crane) that allowed the protected transport of fuel, ammunition or other necessary supples to front line troops. Could be fitted with a weapons station for a M-2HB.

M-987 Armored Maintenance Vehicle (AMV): This pod allowed the transport of mechanics, tools and spare parts in apod, similar in shape to the FAALS. Fitted witha 7.5-ton capacity crane at the rear, it acould change power packs and gun tubes. This would save time in repairing and returning to sevice damaged vehicles as the AMV would be able to repair vehicles at the battalion level, and not have to tow such vehicles back to rear areas. Armed with a M-2HB and smoke grenade launchers.

M-987 Electronic Fighting Vehicle System (EFVS): This pod was designed for commanders and carried a wide vareity fo communications packages, electronic components and computers. Was also fitted with a remotely activated telescoping mast with antenna that reaches up to 70 feet.

M-987 Firefighter: This version uses a Hughes phased array surveillance radar for counterbattery locatiing of enemy artillery, mortar and rockets.

M-987 Long Range Anti-Tank Program (LRAT): This pod uses a telescoping 50 foot mast linked to a Martin Marietta Target Acquisition and Designation System. It was intended to act as a "forward controller" for Hellfire/ADATS missiles.

Sourcesinclude promo flyers from FMC as well as personnel observation.

[Webstral]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

An offshoot of CVAST was a plan to take advantage of recent advances in polymer composites and ceramic armor witht he intent of replacing much of the Brad's existing armor. This new armor package would have resulted in a substantial weight reduction, enhanced crew survival, reduced manufacturing cost, and decreases in maintenance due to less corrosion and metal fatigue. It was killed by Congress due to budget concerns.

In other words, “The people who paid for me to get here are concerned that the proposed changes will mean less money in their pockets. Sorry, Joe. My job security is more important than your life.”

[dragoon500ly]

LOL!

Congressmen....during wartime, the plan is to drop them into enemy territory to cause havoc and force the enemy to surrender.

Of course this could be considered to be "Crimes Against Humanity"....

[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

LOL!

Congressmen....during wartime, the plan is to drop them into enemy territory to cause havoc and force the enemy to surrender.

Of course this could be considered to be "Crimes Against Humanity"....

Don't forget the lawyers! And the HMO executives, who will be in every aid station and field hospital, telling you whether or not the care you're giving to each soldier is covered by their policy.

[dragoon500ly]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

Don't forget the lawyers! And the HMO executives, who will be in every aid station and field hospital, telling you whether or not the care you're giving to each soldier is covered by their policy.

Kinda transends Crimes against Humanity and goes into the realm of Crimes Against Everything...