US Army Sappers (combat engineers)

This adds sapper units and teams to the US Army roster. Updated to v0.4 beta, 6 Feb 2012.

U.S. Army Sappers

by strac_sapper

Introduction:

US Army sappers work in squad and team sized elements in cooperation with Armor and Infantry, and this addon creates the necessary units and groups for easy use in missions. A team of engineers is seen as a "force multiplier", able to increase the fighting ability of nearby units by doing specialized tasks as well as direct combat.

All of the members of a sapper unit are able to do normal infantry tasks, but more importantly every member also performed their specialized tasks. In every (good) unit this author was in, everyone in the unit worked including the squad leaders. The only exception was the MG and his assistant who would provide over-watch.

Also, in Takistan, there is need for EOD teams, highly trained specialists in dangerous removal of explosives among other tasks.

Units:

All personnel, including squad and team leaders, have the ability to perform engineer tasks. And all sappers carry a mix of demo and mines, with more of one or the other. This way you can be prepared for changes in mission.

Vehicles have load of mines and satchel charges. Their crew also have engineering capabilities.

The units are set up as follows:

Included Files:

asr_abridged_throwablesatchel.pbo

strac_engineer_veh.pbo

strac_us_sappers.pbo

maxxpro.pbo

sti_stryker.pbo

maxxpro_sti_sapper_cfg.pbo

Installation:

Extract the contents of the 7zip file into your My Documents\Arma2 folder, so you should have My Documents\Arma2\@strac_us_sappers as the filepath. Then add -mods=@strac_us_sappers to the command line in your Arma2OA.exe. Be sure to remove all old files before inserting the new ones.

Notes and issues:

I plan to add more in the future, to include other factions.

Also, you can use any replacement skins you want, as I like to use Multicam and weapons replacements.

All pbo's are independent (except for maxxpro_sti_sapper_cfg.pbo which requires maxxpro.pbo and sti_stryker.pbo). You can pick and choose what you like. The best bet is to use Robalo's full ASR Throwable Satchels addon.

Changelog:

v0.08 - Initial alpha release

v0.1

- beta release, fixed class name overwrite, made EOD armed with M4A3's and added backpacks to them.

v0.2

- added 3 engineer Stryker variants

- added 2 engineer HMMWV variants

- added engineer crew for Stryker.

- added Robalo's throwable satchel addon, abridged for only engineers.

- other config and text changes that are small

v0.3

- signed pbo's and added key

- added Engineer Bradley Fighting Vehicles

- added namman2's MaxxPro MRAP in 6 variants

- added Sapper AR, AAR, HAT, AHAT

- added Sapper EBFV dismount squad

- small text and config fixes

v0.4

- added Stiltman's woodland Strykers

- added BigMorgan and ThePieSky's woodland Bradley

- changed EOD uniforms to Special Forces models

- added M107 EOD

- added woodland HMMWV's

- other small text and config changes

Suggestions:

Give me suggestions about this.

Required Addons:

-Arma 2

-Arma 2 OA

Usage:

Feel free to use for any non commercial or non military purpose. All contributors retain sole rights to their work.

Thanks and Credits:

Thanks to all of the modders on BI forums and Armaholic for the inspiration.

Robalo for ASR Throwable Satchel addon

namman2 for MaxxPro MRAP addon

Stiltman for STI Strykers addon

BigMorgan and ThePieSky for M2 Bradley Reskin addon

Foxhound for all his help and patience.

DevilDog0352 for suggestions about current sapper units

BIS for a great game and the models I have used in this mod

Download: (if gamefront link doesn't work, try Armaholic)

Gamefront

Armaholic

Maybe make it possible for the AI to actually use mines/satchels on there own? Or create a way for them to be attached to a vehicle or building?

Maybe make it possible for the AI to actually use mines/satchels on there own? Or create a way for them to be attached to a vehicle or building?

Getting the AI to use them is a great idea. A mission could be to stop the enemy from placing a minefield as the engineers will have infantry/armor support. For now I'm just putting the units together, but it is easier than i though.

What do you mean about attaching mines? You cannot get them into vehicles? I admit I haven't tried yet.

Ok, here is the first allpha. The process was easier than i had expected. I think BIS did a great job on this system. For now it is only US Army and EOD is just regular BI engineers skins, but eventually I would like to change that.

Well done mate.

Here is a slightly improved config: http://pastebin.jonasscholz.de/1665

You can use diff tools like compareIt to see the changes easily.

Well done mate.

Here is a slightly improved config: http://pastebin.jonasscholz.de/1665

You can use diff tools like compareIt to see the changes easily.

Downloaded!

Thanks a lot, I see cosmic differences and unused calls removed. Not exactly sure how to use compareIt etc, but I can figure it out ;)

You can get it here: http://grigsoft.com/wincmp3.htm

You drag two files one after another into the app window.

Or use the "compare files" action.

You can get it here: http://grigsoft.com/wincmp3.htm

You drag two files one after another into the app window.

Or use the "compare files" action.

Wow, i just did it on the pastebin site. very neat, you cleaned it up quite a bit.

I'll try the other too. What do you use to write up your configs?

I use EditPadPro. Mostly as it has the best regex support I am aware of.

The interface is also slick and you can configure it a lot to your preference and needs.

For a free text editor notepad++ is good. Yet it lacks a lot in regex/search and replace;

both interface and powerfulness wise.

EPP has a trial version with a fairly long test phase. There is also a free edition - without

regex support though.

In case you want to try it, PM me and I can send you my configuration files.

Thanks for sending us the release :cool:

Release frontpaged on the Armaholic homepage.

US Army Sappers v0.08 Alpha

PS:

Be adviced we clean our public FTP now and than so its best to replace the link with this one!

Thanks for the mirror and for the tips on scripting. Notepad++ is an amazing step up for me. Thanks a lot.

Version 0.1 beta now. I am going faster than I thought. All the units are done I think. I would love to add more armor to the EOD, but that is for much later i think. Next I am going to create some engineer loaded vehicles. Humvee, Stryker, and Bradley with engineer crew and demo/explosives loadout.

Good stuff, if you would like to go farther with this addon by adding new models / textures and such I may be of assistance.

Good stuff, if you would like to go farther with this addon by adding new models / textures and such I may be of assistance.

Thanks for the offer :) I would definitely like to add armor to the EOD soldiers. At the very least shoulder and neck protection if possible. Maybe even light thigh armor, although I don't want them in their full heavy gear as that is too cumbersome for normal maneuver. A visor would be problematic because of night vision. How difficult are these changes? I haven't yet tried to edit models in Arma.

I think the BIS uniforms for the regular soldiers are fine, although I don't know much about the modern gear to be honest. One thing I don't like is the MG in t-shirt. In the army I was in that would result in instant verbal and possibly physical lashing. I do like the BIS units because I can add multicam replacements etc.

Your other stuff is great by the way. I use your 08 and 09 as USMC replacements when playing vanilla A2.

edit: yeah, i'm gonna replace the MG model with the AR model that has a shirt on.

Alright, updated with new loadouts for vehicles. For now I have used all BIS stuff, but definitely want to add dozers and other stuff to the Strykers as here:

M1132 Engineer Squad Vehicle

Also, I "created" a unit I called the Stryker CEV. It is my idea of what could replace this beauty:

M728 CEV

Without the 165mm HESH main gun of joy. And a 105mm isn't near as joyful, but the HESH is great for taking out buildings and bunkers, which is a main engineer task. I will eventually make all the rounds in the CEV HESH. The M728 during the 1991 gulf war couldn't keep up with the M1's so its gone. Well, it also broke down like crazy. The replacement is an M1 chassis without the 165mm. Really, what's the point then?

Anyhow, I think all the scripting for units is done. Now I would like to start adding more difficult stuff.

Thanks for sending us the update :cool:

Release frontpaged on the Armaholic homepage.

US Army Sappers v0.2 Beta

I take it the EOD teams are separate from the Sapper elements and are not considered a component of the Engineer Plt?

I take it the EOD teams are separate from the Sapper elements and are not considered a component of the Engineer Plt?

Great question. Yeah, they're definitely separate. I don't think EOD is a combat arms MOS, and if I remember correctly it is in the ordnance corps and not the corps of engineers. I never saw them much, and during the invasion of iraq in '91 I never saw them. It appears they are getting a lot of duty now in Iraq and Afghanistan though, so they should be added I think. Edit: it is an insane job, they deserve to be here!

Gave the EOD random weapons, and I really like the M14 so I added that as well. I'm going to add namman2's MaxxPro MRAP as and EOD/Engineer vehicle in the next update.

Great question. Yeah, they're definitely separate. I don't think EOD is a combat arms MOS, and if I remember correctly it is in the ordnance corps and not the corps of engineers. I never saw them much, and during the invasion of iraq in '91 I never saw them. It appears they are getting a lot of duty now in Iraq and Afghanistan though, so they should be added I think. Edit: it is an insane job, they deserve to be here!

Gave the EOD random weapons, and I really like the M14 so I added that as well. I'm going to add namman2's MaxxPro MRAP as and EOD/Engineer vehicle in the next update.

EOD has always done their own thing and are never assigned to a line unit. As of now, they fall under SOCOM with branch managers still with USAOC. I've worked with them in Iraq and Afghanistan and they are a dedicated group of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines to be sure. You need to remember that the gear they wear is totally different from what we typically wear, to include the weapon systems utilized. If you need help with this addon on the technical side let me know.

FYI - The M728 was phased out a long time ago. To answer your question, yes. I am a Combat Engineer.

http://www.bragg.army.mil/sorb/EOD.htm

EOD has always done their own thing and are never assigned to a line unit. As of now, they fall under SOCOM with branch managers still with USAOC. I've worked with them in Iraq and Afghanistan and they are a dedicated group of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines to be sure. You need to remember that the gear they wear is totally different from what we typically wear, to include the weapon systems utilized. If you need help with this addon on the technical side let me know.

FYI - The M728 was phased out a long time ago. To answer your question, yes. I am a Combat Engineer.

http://www.bragg.army.mil/sorb/EOD.htm

Damn straight I'd like some input. And thanks for living the life; it ain't an easy road.

1) The first thing is the use of Bradley M2A2ODS-E: I just made some up but want to know if they are in use in Mech/Cav/Armor units. It appears from the internets they are, along with the M113/ACE/Grizzly.

2) Also, I noticed there are now Javelin sub skills to the 12B (now 21B) MOS. Is this correct? Where do they fit in the sapper platoons and squads? We usually carried a few AT-4's in each squad only. EDIT: I almost forgot the 105mm recoilless rifles we used in mech units. Nice.

3) Do you use the M249 now? We never used them, only M60's as that was our squad firepower, and the rest used M16's to do work.

4)I've also read that sappers are now used more in the infantry role with their Bradley's, and that there is a constant shortage of them. Especially with regard to route clearing. How does this mesh with your experience?

5)I also assume Airborne/Light/Mountain/Air Assault sappers haven't changed as much, so the squad I created should be accurate. Correct me if I'm wrong. If you have time/inclination could you give me the TOE of engineer units you've been in? Primarily the platoon/squad/team level.

EDIT: Yeah, the death knell was sounded for M728 during Desert Storm. They could neither keep up with the Abrams/Bradleys, nor could they stay functioning. RIP. And yeah, I never noticed EOD to actually have much of a uniform. I assume they can still get away with a lot, and deservedly so.

Damn straight I'd like some input. And thanks for living the life; it ain't an easy road.

Meh, I love this s#@t!

1) The first thing is the use of Bradley M2A2ODS-E: I just made some up but want to know if they are in use in Mech/Cav/Armor units. It appears from the internets they are, along with the M113/ACE/Grizzly.

I've only ever read about the Engineer version of the Brad (EBFV), but I've never actually encountered one and I've been in light and heavy units. My unit has several M113's however, we've never deployed with them. As for the ACE and Grizzly, well, that's outside my job description. I'm a Combat Engineer and those belong to the Engineer Heavy Equipment Operators or 12N's.

2) Also, I noticed there are now Javelin sub skills to the 12B (now 21B) MOS. Is this correct? Where do they fit in the sapper platoons and squads? We usually carried a few AT-4's in each squad only. EDIT: I almost forgot the 105mm recoilless rifles we used in mech units. Nice.

We're back to being 12B's now. Some units might have the Javelin but I've yet to encounter those that actually do employ them. The RCLR recoilless systems have been phased out but we've been using the LAW on the regular.

3) Do you use the M249 now? We never used them, only M60's as that was our squad firepower, and the rest used M16's to do work.

Our primary weapons are the M4, Mk-14 EBR, 249, and 240B.

4)I've also read that sappers are now used more in the infantry role with their Bradley's, and that there is a constant shortage of them. Especially with regard to route clearing. How does this mesh with your experience?

Of my four deployments, only in one have I actually performed the typical engineer mandate i.e. Route Clearance. The rest were typically serving in a infantry role. Might wanna get away from the Bradley aspect. Our primary vehicles are usually the RG-31, Buffalo MRAP, Caiman MRAP, 1151, etc with the rollers in the lead vehicle.

5)I also assume Airborne/Light/Mountain/Air Assault sappers haven't changed as much, so the squad I created should be accurate. Correct me if I'm wrong. If you have time/inclination could you give me the TOE of engineer units you've been in? Primarily the platoon/squad/team level.

I think you've hit it about right, though some aspects could be tweaked. I could go into a MTOE but they are always changing. Unless you really want me to do that?

EDIT: Yeah, the death knell was sounded for M728 during Desert Storm. They could neither keep up with the Abrams/Bradleys, nor could they stay functioning. RIP. And yeah, I never noticed EOD to actually have much of a uniform. I assume they can still get away with a lot, and deservedly so.

The EOD cats (89D) typically wear ERSH plate carriers only, so they always standout among the RA. M4's, 249's, 240's, HK-416's, the M107 etc, are there weapons load-outs they take on mission with them.

Thanks a load. I'm always glad somebody loves it, cuz my knees weren't gonna last past 8 years! Not to mention the sheer volume of det cord/c4/bangalore torpedoes/breaching charges/blasting caps/tnt/mines that would detonate sometimes too close by. Also, not to mention four deployments to war! (christ man) Glad they are back to 12B; 21B doesn't seem right.

Your info is outstanding. A few more clarifications if you don't mind:

A. How many 249's and 240's per squad on average? Just added the SAW to the config and want to know about numbers in a squad/team. Also, Mk14's: how many in a squad as well?

B. wtf is ERSH plate carrier? Remember we used flak vests; it might have stopped a 5.56 on the other side :( And they were OD green half the time too.

C. If you don't think i'm too far off on the sapper units then don't worry about the TOE.

I think I'm still gonna add the Bradley's because one of my old units (3ACR) has them. At least that's what the net says. A little nostalgia. EDIT: damn, it appears they just switched to the stryker. No more 3ACR. Still, I like the brads.

Thanks a load. I'm always glad somebody loves it, cuz my knees weren't gonna last past 8 years! Not to mention the sheer volume of det cord/c4/bangalore torpedoes/breaching charges/blasting caps/tnt/mines that would detonate sometimes too close by. Also, not to mention four deployments to war! (christ man) Glad they are back to 12B; 21B doesn't seem right.

My knees are blown out, no doubt about it. It comes with the territory. That said, I was a Infantryman in the Corps and I'm a CE in the Army. I love the Engineer side of the house... wouldn't give it up for anything.

A. How many 249's and 240's per squad on average? Just added the SAW to the config and want to know about numbers in a squad/team. Also, Mk14's: how many in a squad as well?

It's going to differ but not by much and resembles a infantry platoon/squad breakdown. My suggestion would be to look up FM 3-21.8 as my "suggestions" would be a little off SOP wise. It should be section 1-11 or 1-16, I don't recall off the top of my head.

EDIT- Here ya go. http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/FM%203-21.8%20%20The%20Infantry%20Rifle%20Platoon%20and%20Squad_1.pdf

B. wtf is ERSH plate carrier? Remember we used flak vests; it might have stopped a 5.56 on the other side :( And they were OD green half the time too.

The type of plate carriers differ when it concerns the EOD guys. Sometimes they utilize the IOTV (plate carrier and frag protection) that we all are issued, more often then not though, they only wear a plate carrier which is either issued or another type purchased via unit funds.

Plate carrier example: Notice it only holds the ballistic plates (front/rear and sides) and has no frag protection.

http://www.optactical.com/pasowiarr.html

The currently issued IOTV all Soldiers receive: Photo is in the upper left hand corner (don't worry about the DAPs, we rarely utilize them).

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/iotv-interceptors-incremental-improvement-03381/

I think I'm still gonna add the Bradley's because one of my old units (3ACR) has them. At least that's what the net says. A little nostalgia. EDIT: damn, it appears they just switched to the stryker. No more 3ACR. Still, I like the brads.

We still have them, a lot of them in-fact. However, given the terrain of Afghanistan, they usually stay at home simply because they become more of a hindrance then anything.

Great info. The only change in the infantry is the introduction of the designated marksman with M16A4 or Mk14. The change to the sappers is that they are closer to the infantry. We used the infantry manuals, but changed our weapon loadout to serve the mission. I'm sure you do the same.

Signed all the pbo's and added a key. Added namman2's MaxxPro MRAP in 6 variants, and added the Engineer Bradley Fighting Vehicle with a dismount squad. Don't know how much it is in use, but this game allows us to try out theoretical options :biggrin_o:.

Also added some more troopers in the form of SAW gunner and Javelin gunner.

I really appreciate the feedback I've gotten to improve this.

Thanks for informing us about the update :cool:

Release frontpaged on the Armaholic homepage.

US Army Sappers v0.3 Beta



Arma 2

Hey there hard-chargin' Sapper! Are you planning on adding a multi-cam texture in the near future?