The United States Military Salvage Teams (USMST)

[rcaf_777]

United States Military Salvage Teams (USMST)

Mission: USMST are to recover kit assets for further use by the US military

Background: In early 1999 it became apparent that there were many assets left behind on the battle that for whatever reason were not being recovered due to fog of war. It was decided on informal level for division to form salvage teams that could recover assets to used later.

What they recover: the USMST have five areas of expertise, they are automotive, mechanical, weapons, electronics, aircraft and munitions. They recover anything from whole or partial wrecks to key components to fuel and other POL from vehicles.

USMST Organization

Team Leader: This person in an Officer who command salvage operations for a unit usually at division level, held by a Captain or Major

Salvage Manager: Oversees salvage operations. Manages workflow, monitors and procures supplies, and personnel, Usually MSG or SFC

Records and Shipment Clerk: Maintains inventory control for materials recovered, and marks items for shipment usually a Spec 3/4

Salvage Coordinator: Gathers the people necessary for salvage operations, sets schedules, and secures support (e.g., drinking water, food). If the team does not have a person with expertise, he arranges with division or corps to secure the services of a member to fill this role, he also ensures that volunteers are qualified to assist with salvage efforts. He will oversee salvage operations in the field he normally have two to three sections working for him, this is a SSG

Section Leader: Applies technical expertise related to his area of expertise to ensure that procedures conform to best practice for salvaging. This could any rank from MSG down to Spc, they will traditional have a technical background in one of areas of expertise, this person could also be USAF or USN

Field Section Members: These are what persons can be found to assist in salvage operations, can from any background as they just providing the mussel, they not normally assigned to the team on a permanent basis.

Security Section Members: This a small element lead by a Spc 4/Sgt and will assign to field section on a per outing basis they provide security while away from the teams base of operations

[Abbott Shaull]

So the core of Team would be what 5 - 10 members.

With others assigned to the team to provide mule/manpower and security then Which would add significantly to a team if they are operating in unsecured areas.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

How big are the items these teams are set to recover Up to n tons Munitions and small arms only Anything bigger than a humvee they're going to need an M88 (or CEV) for.

I like the concept, though.

[dragoon500ly]

Good concept. Would need more details in so far as equipment/vehicles.

My not need a M88 unless they were retriving armored vehicles. 5-ton, 5-ton wrecker, HEMETT would most likely be the type of vehicle used. Would also expect a large selection of tool sets, cutting torches etc.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Good concept. Would need more details in so far as equipment/vehicles.

My not need a M88 unless they were retriving armored vehicles. 5-ton, 5-ton wrecker, HEMETT would most likely be the type of vehicle used. Would also expect a large selection of tool sets, cutting torches etc.

You know what else Lots of chemical neutralizers. "Hey, there's a small convoy of Humvees, just sitti- oh. Oh man. Let's...yeah, let's all get our MOPP gear on before we stroll over there..."

(OK, I'm not up on the active life of persistent agents, but still.)

[dragoon500ly]

You know what else Lots of chemical neutralizers. "Hey, there's a small convoy of Humvees, just sitti- oh. Oh man. Let's...yeah, let's all get our MOPP gear on before we stroll over there..."

(OK, I'm not up on the active life of persistent agents, but still.)

LOL, forgot about that myself! Don't forget EOD specialists, maybe an explosive-sniffing dog or two.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

LOL, forgot about that myself! Don't forget EOD specialists, maybe an explosive-sniffing dog or two.

Yeah. I could definitely see some industrious Soviet troops figuring that since they don't have anything that can fire them, there's no reason that stack of 105mm rounds can't be made to go boom in some other way - particularly against NATO scavengers.

[dragoon500ly]

Yeah. I could definitely see some industrious Soviet troops figuring that since they don't have anything that can fire them, there's no reason that stack of 105mm rounds can't be made to go boom in some other way - particularly against NATO scavengers.

And the Red Army was always noted for its extensive and clever use of bobby traps in WWII....just the sort of thing to liven up a group of players night!

[Abbott Shaull]

Well of course they would pick everything up to use against their former owners. Even the Soviets know from experience dating to WWII the Front Line could move quite a bit in few hour or days depending on the mode of transportation used by both sides....

[rcaf_777]

My not need a M88 unless they were retriving armored vehicles. 5-ton, 5-ton wrecker, HEMETT would most likely be the type of vehicle used. Would also expect a large selection of tool sets, cutting torches etc.

There are five areas that I put in the outline and I think that vehciles and other assets like the EOD and dogs ect would depend on the team missions and what is avaible. I thought a GM would run with this a basis for a adventure I think that five PC would good team for salvage a vehicles or USAF Team look for aircraft parts statside, there a salvage table some where that I remember seeing, I'll try and find it

[HorseSoldier]

Bigger problem than booby traps and IEDs is going to be the locals ripping everything of value out of hulks left on the battlefield.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Bigger problem than booby traps and IEDs is going to be the locals ripping everything of value out of hulks left on the battlefield.

Brings up an interesting question; let's say a "free" Polish town is using a US tank as a pillbox. A tank which, aside from say no fuel is otherwise serviceable. Will a recovery team have a mandate to re-acquire the hardware

[HorseSoldier]

I'd venture to guess there'd be decisions about whether to fight (or at least threaten) or bargain for such things on a case by case basis -- probably a lot to do with individual command environments on that one.

[irishboy]

Deserters

I'd also say that a trained salvage team would be among the more likely groups to desert. When the $h#@ has already hit the fan, and you know that you've got a couple friends who can keep you mobile & supplied, that's about as much incentive as many people would need.

[Abbott Shaull]

I'd also say that a trained salvage team would be among the more likely groups to desert. When the $h#@ has already hit the fan, and you know that you've got a couple friends who can keep you mobile & supplied, that's about as much incentive as many people would need.

On one hand I can see the point, but on the other hand the group would quickly realize that staying with their Command would be beneficial. It is only to the point where said Command has become so weakened that they can no longer provide the need security and support for the unit to operate they would just might go into operation for themselves, or go looking for someone who would be willing to 'pay' for their services.

In other cases, I can see this group taking control of a Command. It part of the reason why when you create such a group, especially in the T2K world there needs to be a balance of things. You want a group who can perform their duties, but also that relies on other to. I can see many of the 'specialists' in these teams coming from excess Naval and Air Force personnel where they don't have the 'Infantry combat' background where they would be more than willing to stay with the Command instead of go off on their own.