What is a red star cluster and how are they commonly used?

2019-07-25T11:32:43-04:00

I was on a call yesterday and a red star cluster was mentioned. Can someone explain what this is and when you would use it? Stories where this helped someone would be welcome too.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2019 11:52 AM

2019-07-25T11:52:29-04:00

It's a glorified firework. They come in packaged tubes and the user smacks the bottom of on a hard surface which launches it. They're most commonly used as a signaling device due to visibility in day and night.

They come in different colors and called clusters since they typical branch off into 5 smaller glowing pieces after the device ignites in the air.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 25 at 2019 1:53 PM

2019-07-25T13:53:12-04:00

1. a pyrotechnic ammo. A simple tube which acts like a roman candle firework. Shoot 100-or so fett in the air and separates into 5 "stars" Star Clusters come in red and green, used for signaling- the color used is selected by the group/commander. green is normally are "safe color", red is normally a "danger color"

Response by SPC David S. made Jul 25 at 2019 2:21 PM

2019-07-25T14:21:25-04:00

The M158 is used for signaling among ground troop emplacements and occasionally to aircraft. Align the firing pin with the primer and strike the tube on hard surface or use your hand and the rocket shoots up to about 300 feet after which an expelling charge ignites the five star illuminant and the assembly free falls to the ground and burns for roughly 10 seconds at an intensity of 9,000 candlepower. Good for day or night. Unit usually communicates the meaning with other troops in the marking of their position - like hey don't drop anything here or come pick me up

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2019 5:51 PM

2019-07-25T17:51:16-04:00

It's a signaling device. It looks like a bright falling star. But when someone says, "sending up a red star cluster" they mean they're sending out a call for help from all available assets or personnel in the area. Basically, it's a call for help.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Jul 25 at 2019 8:10 PM

2019-07-25T20:10:31-04:00

It is not a glorified firework! In a combat situation, a Red Star Cluster indicates an alarm the eneny is in the vicinity or has been spotted. It was also used to mark the enemy position. The green star cluster was to indicate a Patrol entering the wire to prevent friendly fire. I always carreied a green star cluster in my hand and readied when entering a NDP after spotting movement while on OP/LP. The star clusters were pretty much SOP in Vietnam. I spent damn near every night in Vietnam on either OP/LP or ambush while in the field. My team had been shot at twice while entering friendly position which stopped the firing. We were once engaed by a M2HB which thank God, the fire was over our heads and stopped once the cluster went off. Night time in Vietnam was extremely dangerious. Troops were nervious and the enemy took every advantage to bring fire. Returning to the perimeter was the most dangerious moments. There are no glorified firework used in combat. Smoke also has a purpose which is another subject. Training simulators can be classified as fireworks

Response by CSM William Everroad made Jul 26 at 2019 12:27 PM

2019-07-26T12:27:29-04:00

As others have mentioned, it is a signaling device. They do come in varying other colors, but the red star is commonly associated with danger in some way. Not to be confused with the flares or smoke, which can also mean something else, the meaning of each can change depending on the operation. Each color and type would denote a different thing and its meaning should be denoted in the OPORD under the SIGNAL section or in the command's SOI. I have been in training situations when the red star denoted a real-life emergency and the response was to hold position and cease all activity. In another situation, it was used to signal the LPOP that enemy were spotted in the AO. And in yet another it was used to as a signal to initiate contact. I have seen it listed in one SOI as a unit in distress signal as SFC Boyd mentioned, but never seen it used as such.

Response by SPC Brett Robertson made Jul 26 at 2019 3:12 PM

2019-07-26T15:12:53-04:00

Light infantry here we used them for live fire exercises to signal lift and shift fire to secondary targets. For our support fire. Basically let everyone know we were going start running infront of their line of fire during a blitz on an enemy positions.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Feb 15 at 2020 5:16 PM

2020-02-15T17:16:02-05:00

I want to mention the use of smoke. Colored smoke was used in Vietnam to signal the pilots or aviator your location. The color would be authenticated by radio from the RTO to the aircraft. The Infantry and Recon Teams used white smoke to cover an immediate action drill. White was also used to mark enemy targets for fire from attack aircraft. Landing Zones were usually marked with colored smoke which the lead helicopter would announce the color with the Radio Operator. Like anything else, the color of smoke would be covered in the Operation Order for a specific purpose.