[ARG] Exercise Steppe Warriors

[Naio90]

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EXERCISE STEPPE WARRIORS Classified Information ​

Operation Background

As part of the general training program of the Argentine Armed Forces, the military command would order further training of the Airborne Brigades of the Argentine Army, consisting in practical experience of operations in cool/temperate steppe conditions, as found in msot of the Patagonia region of the country. The exercise would consist in parachuting and following operations/maneuvering on said terrain/climate region.

Deployed Forces
Argentine Army Units: 1st Airborne Brigade 2nd Airborne Brigade 4th Airborne Brigade 5th Airborne Brigade Argentine Air Force Units: 6th Tactical Airlift Squadron (12x Hercules C-130H) 4th Tactical Airlift Squadron (18x Hercules C-130H)

Logistical Details

The units would be temporarily be rellocated to the Patagonia region, being housed in three different areas: Near the Comodoro Rivadavia Air Force Base Rio Gallegos Puerto San Julian Where available, military barracks would be used, suplemented by privately hired lodgings and camps. The aircraft belonging to the Air force would be rellocated to Comodoro Rivadavia Air Force Base and Rio Gallegos Air Force Base, together with their crews and maintenance equipment. The army units would be moved with their full combat gear. Logistical assistance would be provided by local military units in the form of food supplies and other required material. Exercises would happen on sector FE, with all units rellocating safely in the most direct routes to their destinations.

 

[Naio90]

The involved Brigades would be transported to their designated quarters in the areas of operations of the present exercise. They would do so with their complete airborne troop-equipment.

Once settled in, they would be briefed on the structure of the exercise, which would consist in the execution of two jumps into the patagonian- steppe environment. The first would be simply a familiarization jump, to learn about the climate conditions and terrain, while the second one would be more complex, done under night low light conditions and including a set of maneuvers in the terrain afterwards.

The troops would prepared their gear the night before and be assigned shifts to divide them in groups of 64, the max. capacity of airborne troops on the Hercules C-130H transport aircraft.

All this would be private.

 

[Naio90]

With the early morning lights, the Hercules would be lined up on the tarmacs of the involved airfields. Groups of 64 fully geared paratroopers would board each of them, and ocne ready, the big transport aircraft would form a line just before the runway. Once cleared for take off, all aircraft would depart in an orderly and synchronist fashion, climbing to an altitude of 15,000 feet (4,600 m). The Hercules crews would fly to pre-establish drop zones. Once there, the prepared troops would line up and wait for the light next to the open backhatch to go green.

Outside, the chilling morning wind of the Patagonia was hitting hard, and this was a good exercise to get used to these hard conditions.

The light would go green and one the other, the 64 troops in each Hercules would jump in an orderly fashion. Once at a safe distance, they would open their parachutes and control their chute towards terrain references previously determines as gathering points.

Each Hercules and batch of 64 troops would do this exercise, mantaining safe distances between one another and in different geographical areas, but always within the patagonia region.

Private.

 

[Naio90]

The troops would be parachuted and maneuver themselves to head directly to the signaled redevouz points. Once close to the ground, they would select the exact place to land and adopt the usual posture and technique they learned at the parachuting training center. Each soldier would quickly recover from the landing, unstrip from their parachutes and ready their gear to move. They would first locate some cover, in case enemy fire was inbound, afterwards they would try to find other friendly troops that landed nearby by and together, using standard cover and mvoement techniques, they would close the last gap towards the rendevouz point. While the units regroup, the soldiers that had already reached the gathering point would form a perimeter, watching out for potential enemy movements.

As soon as the whole unit was ready, they would move to a secondary location. This would simulate basic maneuvering in the local terrain and the "taking" of a second "target".

All groups would carry this exercsie out. The aircraft in the meantime woudl return to their respective airfields and resupply.

Secret.

 

[Naio90]

After all groups had "taken" their objectives, they would begin a march back to their bases or to pre-designated pick-up points. They would move in formation, through the windy and chilly environment of the Patagonia, through low hills covered with dry grass and low vegetation, ocassionally climbing over small rock formations. They would take note of their usefulness in case of an ambush (or to hide themselves), since they provided a good vantage point and coverage, being able to hide several soldiers among them.

Such positions could be fortified and, if accompanied with aerial and artillery support, could proof a secure point to provide cover for further incoming airborne troops.

All troops would continue their march, with their combat gear on, eventually some of them employing night-vision googles as soon as night falls, to lead the contingent and to scout ahead for potential "hostile" presence in the area.

Once all troops got to their locations, they would rest and prepare for a second flight and drop.

Private.

 

[Naio90]

3 Days after the culmination of the first exercise, the troops would, fully geared, board their assigne transports again in groups of 64 and take off in shifts, this time in dusk, to practice parachuting down to the Patagonia in low visibility conditions.

The aircraft would reach the standard altitude for dropping airborne troops, the hatch would open and the light would turn green. Troops would begin jumping into the semi-darkness. They would safely stear towards predesignted points, trying to mantain a safe distance but always keeping visual from other troops, to provide safety in groups.

As soon as they touche the ground, they would roll and quickly free themselves from the parachute, prepare their equipment and re-group. Once again, they would cross the broken patagonia terrain in a long march, familiarizing themselves even more.

After several hours of operating in the area, they would reach their objectives and they would be picked up.

The aircraft would have long returned to their bases.

With this, the airborne troops and aircraft crews would be debriefed and the exercise would be concluded, providing the involved units in experience in airborne operations in patagonia/cold steppe terrain.

All units would return to their routine assignments.

Training complete. Secret.