Mike Harris' Synopsis
RAS 15/RAD 152 /
T-152-1
Republic of Vietnam - 1968-69
Riverine Warfare: Back to the Future?
Naval Academy - Annapolis, MD
April 6 & 7, 2006
"Lessons Learned" Session – April 5th
Al Breininger and I have been attending
the "Riverine Warfare; Back to the Future?"
conference at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD the past 3 days. This afternoon
Al traveled back to PA to catch his flight back home to Ohio.
I am going to take a few moments to share my personal opinions regarding what I
came out of the conference with. Again, these are simply my opinions:
DAY I:
On April 5th we participated in a "Lessons Learned" session put on by
folks from "The Vietnam Center – Texas Tech
University" (TTU). Jim Reckner, PhD was the facilitator. Jim
has been a professor at TTU for years and he’s Director and Founder of the
Vietnam Center. He served two tours in Vietnam as a Naval Advisor to the
Vietnamese Navy on PBRs. Jim was assisted by Steve Maxner who Deputy Director of
the Vietnam Center.
www.vietnam.ttu.edu
Some others in attendance: Admiral Emmett Tidd, (USN Ret.) who was on Admiral
Zumwalt’s staff at COMNAVFORV. Al Breininger (CO 91 & NIOTC instructor),
Phil Ferrara (CO RAD 151), Nick Miller (XO 152), Captain John Woody (USNR Ret.
& President of the Gamewardens of Vietnam, Inc.), Vaughn Shuler (Former PBR
Boat Captain), Lee Weatherman (Former PBR sailor), Lee Wahler (Former PBR
Advisor), Capt. Peter Swartz (USN Ret. – two tours as a Naval Advisor) and
John Nugent (MCB-6).
I must say that I was most proud of our MRFA contingent..!! Phil and Nick were
not going to attend, but they did and had some great input as well as Al and
myself. We covered some super topics that ended up being stressed over and over
throughout the conference. Some topics were: Training/cross Training, Joint
Operations, Logistics, Operations/Planning, Emergencies/First Aid,
Weapons/Safety, Platforms, Post Operation, Air Cover, etc.
DAY II:
I have never seen so many Admirals and Generals in the same place at one time.
The morning started with "Riverine Warfare:
Snapshots from the American Military Experience". This
session concentrated more on early riverine type operations dating way back to
the Civil War. Someone even mentioned that Washington crossing the Delaware was
the first operation.
The 2nd session was, "Vietnam: How we Waged the
Fight for Rivers and Canals". It was pretty accurate,
although most focused on TF-115 and 116 operations. I guess our ironclad boats
just weren’t pretty enough.
By lunchtime it was being
more and more reinforced, through the subject matter, that it would be
impossible for the new Riverine Force to follow the Phase 0 format in places
like Iraq. In my opinion, it will require Phase 2-4 operations.
The keynote speaker at lunch was Admiral Robert Natter, USN (Ret.). Natter
served in the only "Special Warfare" (SPECWAR) boat command in
Vietnam. His last command was Commander in Chief of the Atlantic (CINCLANTFLT).
I kind of figured that Adm Natter would push a lesser role for the new Riverine
Force, but he did exactly the opposite. He not only pushed for Phase 4, but also
encouraged the developers to include the USMC or USA as Joint Operators.
I found out something that I had no clue of during the morning session. The USN
SPECWAR community, along with the Army Green Berets and USAF Special Forces are
in a category of their own now. They are not under the Departments of the Navy,
Army or Air Force. SEALs are no longer Navy SEALS. They are SPECWAR SEALs. This
means they acquire and utilize their own funding.
The afternoon began with, "Riverine Operations
Today: An Operator’s Perspective". Captain Michael L.
Jordan, USN, Commodore, Riverine Group One
was on the panel along with (2) USMC Majors and a USMC Captain (all active
duty). Boy do these men look young..!!! This is where we found out many details
about the structure of the new force. Ends up the USMC, thanks to a General
Gray, have had an active Riverine Force since around 1992. They have been
operating in Peru, Uruguay and Columbia for several years now. I had no clue.
Then two of the Marine
speakers were deployed to Iraq to head up a Riverine Force there. They truly
impressed me. They are extremely professional and focused. The downside is the
USMC is turning over all Riverine operations to the Department of the Navy with
the exception of the South American operations. Needless to say these Marines
are disheartened due to all of the work they have put into the force.
All of these young active duty personnel who are involved in the Riverine
Forces, whether USMC or those forming the USN Riverine Group, were very
interested in what we Vietnam veterans had to say. They wanted to hear
everything we had to share, as they know that one piece of information may be
critical to their well being and the well being of their troops. It was quite an
interesting situation having the ears of a Navy Captain/Commodore, Marine
Majors/Captains and later enlisted boat crewmembers when we toured the new
boats.
It was noted that USMC Riverine operations in Iraq ended in 2004 and nothing has
taken place since. This was due to the potential formation of the Navy Riverine
Force. At one point an active duty Navy SEAL CDR was asked why nothing was done
between 2004 and now. He really didn’t have a solid answer other than doing
operations would not line up with SPECWAR criteria.
The next session was "Lessons Learned in Joint
and Combined Riverine Operations". USMC Major Monclova
shared some very interesting information/visuals regarding the Columbian
Navy/Marines who he has been advising for 3 years. They have been fighting
Riverine operations at Phase 4 for many years with the drug cartel. A young
looking ENC/SWCC CWO shared as well.
During the evening banquet a tribute was given to John
Paul Jones. It was 100 years to the day since his remains were given
to Teddy Roosevelt and interred at the U.S. Naval Academy.
I arrived back in my room a bit tired, but feeling good about the progress of
the brainstorming sessions.
DAY III:
The day began with RADM Don Bullard, Commander, Naval
Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). NECC is the new command that
has been put in place to address "Maritime Functions" of which "Riverine
and Boat Operations" is part of. It includes the following: Maritime
Security, EOD, Diving and Salvage, Logistics, Construction and Provisional
Units.
I was impressed with how the Admiral handled the entire session without notes.
He’s obviously on top of things. It stills seems like there is a LOT of
planning that must take place before the force can be implemented.
The goals that RADM Bullard shared are as follows: 1) Reorganize current the
Expeditionary Force. 2) Recognize gaps in order to win the Global War on
Terrorism. 3) Redistribute the current force structure as needed.
The Riverine force will be made up of (3) RivRons with 16 Boats each. The
consensus is that "SOC-R" craft will be the preferred craft for these
operations, but I heard through the grapevine that only the SEALs have these
craft and it would take a long time for the conventional Riverine Force to
acquire any. There’s lots of politics going on and no solid budget has been
approved. Does this mean the new force may end up arriving with inadequate
boats? If so will that training be wasted?
A USMC boat crewman and Larry Weatherall
It was indicated that the
new force will receive "language" training, but the depth has not been
determined.
There was discussion about making the NECC a "Career" driven choice.
Too often young officers and enlisted men who volunteered for Vietnam got behind
in career advancement. Could this happen with these volunteers too? All 700
personnel will come from the Fleet and other shore stations.
It was mentioned that 42% of the force will be made up of "reserves".
The first panel of the day was "Support from
Above: Aviation in Riverine Warfare". Everyone agrees that
air cover is mandatory, but will it always be available? Who will provide it?
The next panel was "Special Operations and the
Riverine Warrior". A Navy SEAL CDR made it very clear that
the new Riverine Force was to be of a "Conventional" nature verses
SPECWAR. He suggested that training should not be as intense as BUDS or BCT (SWCC
training), but that it shouldn’t be too light either. Then the sailors must be
manned, equipped and trained.
He indicated that the unit should be trained to the level of its need and that
boats should be chosen according to the terrain and mission. A
"heavy", like a "high end monitor", may be needed. On the
other hand, "low end" faster craft may be needed for other portions of
the operations. A "Support Base" vessel was also briefly discussed.
A CWO2 (SWCC) was also on the panel. He thought the training should "put
them in situations similar to what they will see in the combat theater." (ie.
Live fire exercises). He also inferred that joining under an umbrella with Iraqi
nationals would be very important. He is the gentleman who stated that said the
SOC-R craft would best fit the need in Iraq.
These are the high points that I came out with. I tried to be the proverbial
"fly on the wall" in many situations. Not much seems to be certain at
this juncture. Sailors are beginning to filter in and be trained, but there are
MANY decisions left to be made. Budget is a big one. Without it nothing can take
place. The target is to be in Iraq by next year, but at this rate I’m guessing
that it won’t be early in the year unless folks get lazy and place a unit that
is not well trained in Riverine tactics.
This is all my opinion. Take it as you will. I simply wanted to fill you in on
how I’m seeing things. I’m sure that Al Breininger and Nick Miller will chip
in here with their opinions when they have a chance. Phil Ferrara was not able
to attend the main conference on April 6-7.
While at the Navy Historical Center Library
preceding the Riverine Conference I talked to Navy
Library Director Glenn Helm. I’ve known Glenn since 1990. He
gave me links to the new "Riverine" information that the Naval
Historical Center has posted on their website:
www.history.navy.mil/library/online/riverine.htm
Here is an updated Riverine Bibliography
that has also been added:
www.history.navy.mil/library/guides/riverine_bib.htm