Tank Organization
*Tank Companies:
Tank companies are
organized to fight the enemy either by themselves or with cross-attached
mechanized infantry platoons. The company consists of three platoons of
four tanks each, and two additional tanks in the company headquarters section
manned by the commander and the executive officer (XO -- Executive Officer).
The tank company also has a first sergeant, and NBC NCO (Nuclear and Biological
Chemicals, noncommissioned Officer), a company master gunner, a supply
sergeant, and an armorer and supply clerk in the company headquarters.
*A Tank Company:
*Tank Platoons:
The tank platoon is organized
to fight as one maneuver element. It consists of four tanks organized into
two sections. One section is led by the platoon leader, the other by the
platoon sergeant. The tank platoon moves, attacks, defends, and performs
other essential tasks to support the
company team's mission.
*A tank platoon:
*Capabilities of a
Tank platoon:
-
Conduct operations requiring
a high degree of firepower, mobility, armor protection, and shock effect.
-
Assault unprepared, suppressed
defenses.
-
Suppress enemy positions with
machine-gun fire.
-
Destroy enemy tanks and other
armored vehicles by fire.
-
Assault prepared defenses with
infantry and engineer support.
-
Support infantry units by fire,
movement and shock effect.
-
Exploit success with high cross-country
mobility.
-
Limit and exploit the effects
of mass-destruction weapons.
-
Conduct combat operations under
limited visibility conditions.
-
Employ night-vision devices
and other surveillance measures.
Limitations of a tank
platoon:
-
Limited maneuverability in built-up
areas and wooded or rugged terrain.
-
Vulnerable to antitank weapons.
-
Slow speed in crossing water
obstacles (no swim capability).
-
Difficulty identifying enemy
infantry and antitank gunners in close terrain.
-
Limited fuel supply for extended
operations (requires resupply at least once a day and often twice a day).
-
Limited capability to hold ground.
Note: all text and pictures
marked with an asterisk (*), has been excerpted from Mike Golf Page. Visit
it at:
http://www.n-link.com/~dkchaney/
