This is easy to do with a few waypoints and triggers. DePBO the 1985.pbo mission 30WakeUpCall.Cain and look at how BI setup the Hinds patrol. It uses a repeated detection trigger to call the hind multiple times, but you could easily change to a radio trigger, and with the 'setwppos' command, you could move a seek and destroy waypoint wherever you need air support. When setup properly, this is very reliable and easier to do than writing a script.
As far as the pistols go, the game is coded for the soldiers who have pistols to use them at certain ranges. It may be best to remove the pistols and only give them primary weaps. They'll probably live longer.