united states marine corps

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
1ST AIR NAVAL GUNFIRE LIAISON COMPANY
I MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
MARINE FORCES PACIFIC
BOX 555331
CAMP PENDLETON, CA 92055-5331
1000
TWO
11 Mar 14
From:
To:
Officer in Charge, Supporting Arms Liaison Team Bravo
Commanding Officer, 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company
Subj: AFTER ACTION REPORT REGARDING THE USE OF SAMSUNG TABLET AND KILSWITCH
SOFTWARE SUITE IN A TACTICAL ENVIRONMENT
1. Summary: Supporting Arms Liaison Team Bravo (SALT B), 1st Air Naval
Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan
in order to participate in Operation Enduring Freedom, Georgian Deployment
Program (GDP) Rotation Eight (ROTO-8), from 23 March to 18 October, 2013 in
support of the 42nd Light Infantry Battalion (42GEO) from the Republic of
Georgia. SALT B was introduced to, and extensively employed both seven and
ten inch variants of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 tablet with the "KILSWITCH"
software suite as a tool for the planning and execution of tactical exercises
and combat operations. KILSWITCH was developed by a U.S Navy software
engineer team called Digital Precision Strike Suite (DPSS) within the Naval
Aviation Weapons Center Weapons Development (NAWC WD) program office at Naval
Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, California. SALT B consisted of 17
Marines and 2 Sailors, all of whom became familiar with the Samsung tablet
and associated KILSWITCH software. The use of Tablet became an important
force multiplier for SALT B and greatly assisted in facilitating overall
mission success.
2.
Topic: Role of Tablets in a combat environment
Discussion: Tablets were utilized by SALT B during the entirety of the
deployment as an expeditious means to plan and assist with the execution of
company and battalion level operations encompassing coordination with
adjacent and supporting units, battle tracking, target location, target
correlation, Close Air Support (CAS), surface to surface indirect fires, Fire
Support Coordination Measure (FSCM) development, Helicopter Landing Zone
(HLZ) management and Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC)operations. During
execution phases, tablets were utilized both in the COC, where SALT staff
often used them to brief the battalion commanding officer, as well as while
on patrol "outside the wire".
The tablet offers an organic GPS capability which proved extremely effective
when a visual depiction of one's own position was required. The GPS function
displays the user's current position overlaid on the displayed map or Gridded
Reference Graphic (GRG). It also displays direction of travel and provides a
route tracking function, again overlaid on whatever map graphic the user has
displayed at the time. As hybrid patrols, those that had both mounted and
dismounted elements, often covered multiple GRG sectors, having a manportable piece of equipment serving as a moving map negated the requirement
to maintain multiple hard copy GRGs and maps, reducing wasted time and
improving overall situational awareness.
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR
OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
AFTER ACTION REPORT REGARDING THE USE OF SAMSUNG TABLET AND KILSWITCH
SOFTWARE SUITE IN A TACTICAL ENVIRONMENT
Coordination with aircrew also in possession of tablets and in support of
SALT B was streamlined as all players used and were familiar with the same
version of KILSWITCH and updated map data and GRGs. The ability to
collectively jump to a specific building on a tablet GRG yielded incredibly
expeditious SA of all players, thus saving time and fuel which would normally
be wasted conducting target correlation while sifting through paper maps and
GRGs.
In addition to the aforementioned attributes, KILSWITCH software offers many
tools including a CAS nine-line tool, view shed (depicts line of sight on the
map), ruler function and many other applications which assist with both
planning and execution.
Recommendation: Based on the functionality of KILSWITCH software for both
ANGLICO Marines/Sailors in TOCs/COCs and on patrol, it is recommended that
the distribution to SALTs and tactical use of the Tablets with KILSWITCH
software be sustained and formalized through the open purchase process for
1st ANGLICO. This tool is critical to maximizing the effectiveness of a
modern, effective ANGLICO Marine or Sailor.
3. Topic:
Portability of the Samsung tablet
Discussion: SALT B carried both seven and ten inch Samsung Galaxy 2 tablets
during combat operations. Though both sizes provide the same capabilities,
the ten inch tablet was used primarily in the COC. The seven inch variant
was used both in the COC and while on patrol. While conducting mounted
patrols, the seven inch tablet was used in the turret to assist the
JFO/JTAC/FAC with target location, coordination with aviation assets, and
overall situational awareness. A second seven inch tablet was also used
inside the vehicle by the ANGLICO Marine facilitating patrol command and
control from the position adjacent to the twin AN/VRC-110 radio mounts.
While dismounted, the seven inch tablet could easily fit in a Marine Pattern
camouflage utility trouser cargo pocket, or in body armor mounted tactical
dump pouch for easier access. Some Marines have designed custom pouches
designed to affix the tablet to body armor with a flip-down capability
similar to the one provided with the Black Diamond MTS kit, now a USMC
program of record.
The ten inch tablet afforded a larger screen size which offered the ability
to quickly show considerations for target engagement to commanders. In
seconds, one could depict friendly location, target location, collateral
hazards adjacent to the target, ranges and final attack headings for CAS
engagements. Though the tablet was the easiest means of preparing a detailed
situation update for commanders, fire supporters were still required to
refine target location and base deconfliction considerations for approval on
other systems. With that said, the tablet was in most cases the first piece
of equipment utilized in the engagement process.
Recommendation: Based on the ease of portability and the negligible weight,
tablets proved to be a critical tool during combat operations, whether in the
COC/TOC or on patrol. It is recommended that the distribution to SALTs and
tactical use of the tablets be sustained and formalized through an open
purchase process for 1st ANGLICO.
Inherently ruggedized nature and cost.
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
2
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
AFTER ACTION REPORT REGARDING THE USE OF SAMSUNG TABLET AND KILSWITCH
SOFTWARE SUITE IN A TACTICAL ENVIRONMENT
Discussion: The "Defender" series of weatherproof plastic cases,
manufactured by Otter Box, was utilized for all seven inch tablets and
improved the survivability of the equipment. These cases kept the tablet
safe from scratches to the display face, microscopic dust particles and
impacts caused by the aggressive nature of combat operations, to include
drops to the ground and from the turret inside Mine Resistant Armored
Vehicles (MRAP). The Defender Series Otter Box cases can be easily removed
to facilitate cleaning and access to the SD card. During the course of an
entire deployment, only one tablet was destroyed. The damage was caused by a
complex attack on the Combat Outpost (COP) in which a Suicide Vehicle Borne
Improvised Explosive Device (SVBIED) detonated, destroying the COC. This
tablet did not have a protective covering and was crushed by flying debris.
Though the tablet was destroyed, the cost for its replacement would have been
relatively insignificant. A new seven inch tablet costs approximately $200
and a ten inch tablet costs roughly $450. The protective Otter Box Defender
Series cases vary in price depending on tablet type and size, but usually
cost between fifty and seventy dollars. Employment of the tablet with a
protective case yields an extremely low cost to capability ratio. In the
event that a tablet is damaged or destroyed, replacement is easy.
Recommendation: Based on the low cost, rugged nature, ease of replacement
for the tablet and associated protective cases, it is recommended that the
distribution to SALTs and tactical use of the tablets be sustained and
formalized through an open purchase process for 1st ANGLICO.
5.
Topic: Training and support
Discussion: SALT B leadership received training for Precision Fires Image
Viewer (PFIV-A), the predecessor to KILSWITCH, on Samsung tablets during the
Pre-deployment Training Plan (PTP) , and quickly became intimately familiar
with its functionality. Employment of the system continued through the
deployment. The initial training for the SALT was conducted by a Subject
Matter Expert (SME) from Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One
(MAWTS-1) during a period of instruction which lasted six hours. The
software was immediately noted as being extremely simple to use and it was
found that powering on the system and spending time cycling through its
functions led to rapid proficiency and enhanced understanding of its
capabilities. Since this initial training, it has never proved difficult to
have any questions about either software or hardware concerns answered
quickly by KILSWITCH SMEs. While the SALT was deployed, fire supporters on
the ground and MAGTF aviation crews all received KILSWITCH software updates
from Regimental Combat Team Seven, and subsequently the Regional Command
Southwest air shop, simultaneously providing for a seamless transition and
continued coordination based on identical products. SMEs in CONUS could
always be reached at any time via email or a phone call and they ensured that
those employing the system were always well supported. SMEs have requested
system recommendations from those who often utilize the system, and are
always open to new ideas and concepts. Open discussion of the operating
system has led to the application of new ideas on system upgrades with rapid
turnaround. In summary, the system is extremely intuitive and requires
minimal formal training.
Recommendation: Recommend that the distribution to SALTs and tactical use of
tablets and KILSWITCH software suite be sustained and formalized through an
open purchase process for 1st ANGLICO.
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
3
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
AFTER ACTION REPORT REGARDING THE USE OF SAMSUNG TABLET AND KILSWITCH
SOFTWARE SUITE IN A TACTICAL ENVIRONMENT
6. Point of contact for this after action report is Captain Thomas Daggett
at thomas.dag jett@usmc.mil.
T. W. Daggett
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
4