(b) Prepare. Conduct troop-leading procedures.
(c) Infiltrate. Avoid enemy contact; move by smallest units possible.
(d) Consolidate. Link up and prepare for actions at the objective.
(e) Execute. Complete the mission.
(3) Infiltrations do not always require that all units move through the enemy's positions without detection or contact. Depending on the mission, the company can still complete the mission even though some of the squads make contact en route to the linkup point. Although the enemy may have some idea of what is taking place, it is very difficult for him to estimate exactly what these small contacts mean. OPSEC may require that only key leaders have the entire plan during the infiltration step to prevent disclosure due to casualties or friendly prisoners.
b. Considerations. The SBCT infantry company commander must prepare an infiltration plan and give units enough time for preparation and movement. The company may infiltrate by itself or as part of the SBCT battalion. In either case, movement techniques and formations are based on the likelihood of enemy contact, the terrain, the level of visibility, and the need for speed and control.
(1) Size. The size of the infiltrating unit depends on the amount of time available, the amount of cover and concealment, and the enemy. Other considerations may include the need to communicate, the difficulty of navigation, the number of infiltration routes, and whether or not to take vehicles. Generally, smaller units can move more quickly and make better use of available concealment, but they may increase the number of linkups, requiring more time. Infiltrating by company or platoons ensures control and provides more combat power in the event of contact.
(2) Infiltration Lane. The company may be assigned an infiltration lane or zone. The company commander must decide whether to move the entire company together through the company's lane or to assign each platoon a separate infiltration lane within the company lane. He also has the option to stagger the start time for each platoon on the one company lane. The infiltration lane should be wide enough to allow the infiltrating units
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to change their planned routes to avoid enemy contact. If the company uses a single company lane (Figure 4-20), the company commander picks a route through it and a company ORP. If the company commander uses multiple lanes (Figure 4-21), the company commander assigns each platoon a lane and a start time, picks linkup points for the platoons, and picks a company ORP. The platoon leaders pick the routes through their lanes. In making his decision whether to use single or multiple lanes, the company commander considers several things.
(a) Moving as a company on a single lane--
• May get the company to the ORP faster.
• Makes control easier.
• Makes navigation easier.
• Increases the chance of the entire company being detected but provides greater combat potential if detected.
(b) Moving on multiple lanes or by platoons on one lane--
• Requires linkups.
• Makes control harder.
• May make navigation more difficult.
• Decreases the chance of the entire company being detected but provides less combat potential if detected.
Figure 4-20. Company moving on single infiltration lane.
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Figure 4-21. Company moving on multiple infiltration lanes.
(3) Routes. The routes selected must avoid enemy positions, use the best available cover and concealment, ease control and navigation, and avoid obstacles and danger areas.
(a) Routes should be reconnoitered without alerting the enemy. This may be possible by using RSTA assets within the SBCT; however, leaders should consider using a map reconnaissance or guides, or marking the routes.
(b) Rally points may be selected based on the reconnaissance assets available to the commander; others are selected as the company moves along the route. If the infiltrating company is dispersed by enemy action, it rallies at the last rally point passed that is not within enemy small-arms range. The assembled unit then waits until a set number of units or soldiers arrive at the rally point, or until a specified time, before continuing the mission. The senior man at the rally point should, in the absence of the commander, assume command and decide how best to continue the mission within the commander’s intent.
(c) Locate the ORP as close to the objective as possible without being detected or losing security. The ORP should be large enough so that the company can deploy in it. It should be cleared before it is occupied.
(4)
Linkup Point. When using multiple lanes, the platoons meet at a linkup point and then move as a company to the ORP. Do not plan linkups at the ORP. If a unit misses its linkup, it moves to a contingency linkup point located away from the ORP and links up with a small element from the ORP.
(5)
Signals. Visual signals, such as arm-and-hand signals, infrared devices, and flashlights with colored lenses, reduce the chance of detection. Avoid sound signals and flares. Recognition signals are critical for actions at a linkup or rally point.
(a) Radio listening silence should be enforced, except when a unit must report its progress or when a unit detected by the enemy needs supporting fire.
(b) Radio messages to report crossing of phase lines or checkpoints (if required) should be brief--one code word. They may be transmitted without using call signs to identify units, providing each unit has separate code words.
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(c) When required, units operating out of radio contact (because of terrain or distances) can monitor or send codes only at a certain time. At these times, they set up expedient antennas or move to terrain better suited for communication.
(6)
Fire Support. Indirect fires are always planned but are used only when contact is made or when needed to support the mission. If contact is made with an enemy element, the infiltrating unit should use indirect fire to divert the enemy's attention, suppress enemy positions, and screen friendly movement as they disengage. Indirect fires may also be used to assist in navigation and to cause enemy soldiers on security to seek cover.
(7)
Actions on Contact. When infiltrating on multiple lanes, detection of one infiltrating unit may alert the enemy and compromise the other infiltrating units. The company OPORD must state whether to continue the mission or return to friendly lines if detected by the enemy. Units following on the same lane should switch to an alternate lane. If a soldier in the unit speaks the enemy's language, he should be positioned at or near the front of the column in case an enemy OP or patrol challenges the unit. The order also must specify what to do in the event of casualties.
(8)
Methods of Handling Casualties and Prisoners. During the infiltration, it may be hard to evacuate casualties or move prisoners without jeopardizing security. Casualties can be carried to the ORP or linkup point and evacuated when the operation has ended, or they can be concealed and left for pickup later. Moving casualties or prisoners to the ORP
is dangerous when trying to avoid detection. Soldiers with medical supplies stay with any casualties left behind. The killed in action (KIA) can be concealed and recovered later.
Leave prisoners under guard at a rally point and evacuate them when the operation is over.
(9)
Rehearsals. Every soldier must know the plan and his role in it. Units should rehearse their formations, their movement techniques, and their actions--
• On enemy contact.
• At rally points.
• At the linkup point.
• At the ORP.
• At danger areas.
• At the objective.
4-38. OVERWATCH
Overwatch is the component of tactical movement in which an element observes and, if necessary, provides direct fire support for a friendly moving element. Situational understanding of the tactical environment is crucial for the overwatch unit, whose objective is to prevent the enemy from surprising and engaging the moving unit. The overwatch force must maintain communications with the moving element and provide early warning of enemy elements that could affect it. The overwatch must be able to support the moving element with immediate direct (to include dismounted antiarmor fires) and indirect fires; it can do this in either bounding overwatch or traveling overwatch. The key to successful overwatch is aggressive scanning of gaps and dead space within the moving element’s formation and on surrounding terrain. If the overwatch is unable to scan gaps and dead space and effectively engage the enemy, it must alert the moving element of the lapse in coverage. The moving element normally adjusts its movement speed, formation, or both, and initiates its own overwatch until the 4-58
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overwatch force completes movement to a position from which it can continue the overwatch mission.
a. Bounding Overwatch. The overwatch element occupies firing positions that afford effective cover and concealment, unobstructed observation, and clear fields of fire.
The leader of the overwatch element (such as the SBCT infantry commander, platoon leader, or section leader) assigns sectors of observation and fire. The overwatch element is responsible for its own security during both occupation of the overwatch position and execution of the operation. A common security measure is to clear the position with the infantry prior to occupying with the vehicles.
(1) Squads or platoons scan their assigned sectors to identify enemy elements and positions. The leader must structure the mission so the overwatch element can effectively scan for known or likely enemy positions, paying close attention to possible gaps and dead space. The overwatching element must have a clear understanding of the enemy situation so soldiers know what to look for and where to look. They use applicable search techniques and employ all available sights and other visual devices (such as binoculars and night vision goggles).
(2) If contact is made, the overwatch element initiates a high volume of direct fires. It moves between primary and alternate positions as necessary to avoid being decisively engaged by the enemy.
b. Traveling Overwatch. While maintaining its location in the overall unit formation, the overwatch element (usually a platoon or section) continuously scans the lead element’s battle space and closely monitors all potential gaps and dead space. The overwatch maintains a specified interval from the lead element; this interval is dictated by weapons capabilities and the effects of terrain and movement speed. As needed, the overwatch can execute short halts to provide more effective observation, facilitating acquisition of enemy forces.
4-39. FOLLOW
AND
SUPPORT
Follow and support forces are employed in the offense to maintain the momentum of an operation. They do this by providing support or assistance that relieves the lead element of hindrances that could slow its advance. Follow and support missions are usually assigned when the enemy situation is vague and speed of the operation is important.
a. The SBCT infantry company may be task-organized to conduct follow and support missions in one of several ways:
• It can be part of an SBCT battalion with the mission of maintaining the momentum of a brigade attack.
• It can function as a separate maneuver element in support of the movement of another SBCT battalion element.
• Platoons within the company may conduct follow and support missions in support of other infantry elements.
b. Follow and support operations may require the company to conduct a variety of tactical tasks, including the following:
• Conduct linkup operations with the lead element’s fixing or overwatch force.
• Destroy bypassed pockets of resistance.
• Secure the flanks of a penetration to prevent the enemy from closing the penetration.
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• Secure lines of communications.
• Secure bypassed key terrain.
• Protect key installations.
• Guard EPWs.
• Evacuate casualties.
c. The follow and support force receives information on the enemy or the supporting tasks from the lead element’s fixing or overwatch force.
d. The follow and support force conducts linkup with the fixing force on the ground, completes the exchange of critical tactical information, and accepts responsibility for the assigned tasks. The fixing force then rejoins the lead element, and the follow and support force executes its tasks. If enemy contact occurs, the follow and support force conducts actions on contact as outlined earlier in this chapter.
4-40. BYPASS
The company may bypass an enemy force or obstacle to maintain the momentum of the attack or for another tactical purpose. The SBCT battalion commander often establishes bypass criteria.
a. The SBCT infantry company commander designates a fixing force to maintain contact with the enemy and assist the remainder of the company during the bypass. This fixing force may not come into direct fire contact with the enemy force.
b. The bypassing force uses covered and concealed routes and, if possible, moves along bypass routes that are outside the enemy’s direct fire range. If the situation dictates, the company can also employ smoke to obscure the enemy or to screen the bypassing force’s movement. The company must conduct adequate reconnaissance of the route to confirm the feasibility of the bypass; the enemy may intentionally leave a bypass route unguarded to draw attacking forces into his kill sacks.
c. Once the rest of the SBCT infantry company clears the enemy position, the fixing platoon normally hands the enemy over to a supporting force, breaks contact, and rejoins the company. The fixing platoon may be attached to the follow-on force, but this is unlikely.
4-41. CLEAR AN OBJECTIVE
The company may be tasked with clearing an objective area during an attack to facilitate the movement of the remainder of the SBCT battalion or with clearing a specific part of a larger objective area. Situations in which the SBCT infantry company may conduct the tactical task CLEAR include the following:
• Clear a defile, including high ground surrounding the defile and choke points within the defile.
• Clear a heavily wooded area.
• Clear a built-up area. (For more detailed discussions of UO, refer to FM 90-10
and FM 90-10-1.)
• Clear a road, trail, or other narrow corridor. This may include obstacles or other obstructions on the actual roadway, as well as surrounding wooded and built-up areas.
a. Terrain Factors. The commander must take several important terrain considerations into account in planning and executing the task CLEAR. These factors 4-60
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include obstacles, avenues of approach, key terrain, observation and fields of fire, and cover and concealment:
(1) Obstacles. Obstacles influence the maneuver of any vehicle entering the objective area. The narrow corridors, trails, or roads associated with restricted terrain can be obstructed easily with wire, mines, and log cribs.
(2) Avenues of Approach. Avenues of approach are limited. Consider the impact of canalization and estimate how much longer it will take to clear the objective area.
(3) Key Terrain. Key terrain may include areas that dominate the approaches or exits for the objective area as well as any terrain that dominates the fight inside the defile, wooded area, or built-up area.
(4) Observation and Fields of Fire. Observation and fields of fire favor the enemy.
The attacking force must neutralize this advantage to be successful. Identify dead space where the enemy cannot see or engage friendly forces. In addition, identify multiple support by fire positions; these are necessary to support a complex scheme of maneuver that covers the company’s approach, the actual clearance task, and maneuver beyond the restricted terrain.
(5) Cover and Concealment. Cover and concealment are normally abundant for dismounted infantry elements but scarce for vehicles. Lack of cover leaves vehicles vulnerable to enemy antitank guided missile (ATGM) fires.
b. Enemy Situation. Careful analysis of the enemy situation is necessary for success. The enemy analysis should include the following elements:
• Determine the location of the enemy’s vehicles, key weapons, and infantry elements in the area of operations.
• Identify the type and location of enemy reserve forces.
• Identify the type and location of enemy contact.
• Assess the impact of the enemy’s NBC and artillery capabilities.
c. Clearing in Restricted Terrain. Clearing in restricted terrain is time-consuming and resource-intensive. During the planning process, the SBCT infantry company commander evaluates the tactical requirements, resources, and other considerations for each of the three steps of the operation:
• Approach the restricted terrain.
• Clear the area in and around the restricted area.
• Pass friendly forces, as required.
(1) Approach. The approach focuses on moving combat power into restricted terrain and posturing it to begin clearing. The company commander takes the following actions: (a) Establishes support-by-fire positions; destroys or suppresses any known enemy positions to allow forces to approach the restricted terrain.
(b) Provides additional security by incorporating suppressive indirect fires and obscuring or screening smoke.
(c) Provides support by fire for the dismounted infantry. Be prepared to cover infantry elements from their dismount points to the points at which they enter the restricted terrain such as high ground on either side of a defile, wooded areas on either side of a trail or road, or buildings on either side of a road in a built-up area.
(d) Moves dismounted infantry elements along axes that provide the best available cover and concealment. The approach ends when the infantry elements are prepared to conduct an attack.
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(2) Clear. The clearing begins as the infantry squads begin their attack in and around the restricted terrain.
(a) Locations where this maneuver may take place include the following:
• On both sides of a defile, either along the ridgelines or high along the walls of the defile.
• Along the wood lines parallel to a road or trail.
• Around and between buildings on either side of the roadway in a built-up area.
(b) The following actions and considerations are applicable during this step:
• The infantry squads clear in concert with the MGS and or ICVs. Vehicles provide a base of fire to protect infantry squads as they clear an area. The infantry stops at a designated point or terrain feature where observation is affected; it provides a base of fire to allow the MGS or ICVs to bound to a new support-by-fire position. This cycle continues until the entire area is cleared.
• Direct fire plans should cover responsibility for both horizontal and vertical observation and direct fire.
• Infantry squads should clear a defile from the top down and should orient on objectives on the far side of the defile.
• Dismounted engineers with manual breaching capability should move with the infantry squads. Additionally, mounted engineer assets should move with the overwatching MGS to reduce obstacles.
(3) Pass Friendly Forces. The SBCT infantry company may be directed to assist the passage of another element forward to continue the clearing. When clearing is complete, the company must be prepared to take any action necessary to pass friendly forces, such as the following:
• Within the capabilities of the company, assault to destroy enemy forces and secure the far side of the restricted terrain.
• Maneuver mounted elements to establish support-by-fire positions on the far side of the restricted terrain.
• Conduct support by fire to protect the deployment of the follow-on force that is assuming the fight or to destroy or suppress any enemy elements that threaten the SBCT battalion as it exits the restricted terrain.
• Defeat any counterattacks.
• Protect the obstacle reduction effort.
• Maintain observation beyond the restricted terrain.
• Integrate indirect fires as necessary.
4-42. THE COMPANY AS A RESERVE
The company may be held as the SBCT battalion reserve during an attack. The SBCT
infantry battalion commander commits the reserve to decisively influence the action and to maintain the momentum of the attack. To exploit the success of the other attacking SBCT infantry companies and to achieve surprise, the reserve should attack the enemy from a new direction. Because of the various missions that the reserve may be assigned, the reserve commander must keep abreast of the tactical situation, know the missions and the tactical plans of the other companies, and be familiar with the terrain and the enemy situation in the objective area. The reserve must act quickly and effectively when 4-62
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committed. The reserve may be assigned one or more of the following tasks as part of its be-prepared missions:
• Protect the flanks or the rear of a battalion.
• Assume the mission of another company.
• Support by fire.
• Clear a position that has been overrun or bypassed.
• Attack from a new direction.
• Assist during the consolidation on an objective.
• Guard and evacuate prisoners.
4-43. SECURITY
OPERATIONS
The battalion may assign the SBCT infantry company commander a security mission, such as to screen or guard another friendly unit or asset. This may be part of the SBCT
battalion counterreconnaissance mission (FM 3-21.21 [FM 7-22]). The company commander may also assign one of these tasks to his platoons as part of his scheme of maneuver. Security operations require the unit to orient on the friendly forces to prevent enemy forces from detecting, observing, and engaging. The commander analyzes the situation and develops his plan as in any tactical situation. Refer to Chapter 7 for detailed discussion of security operations.
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CHAPTER 5
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
The SBCT infantry rifle company has the flexibility to defend in both restricted and unrestricted terrain through the use of its infantry forces and the precision direct fires of its MGS platoon. When defending against a mounted threat in open terrain, it uses its dismounted AT weapons and MGS to destroy enemy vehicles while its infantry protects its AT assets from a dismounted assault. However, this unit defends best in restricted terrain using light infantry decentralized tactics. This chapter covers specific considerations for use of vehicles (both the MGS and the ICV) in defending restricted terrain. It also addresses the defensive employment of MGS vehicles below the platoon level.
Section I. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
The immediate purpose of defensive actions is to resist, defeat, or destroy an enemy attack and gain the initiative for the offense. Defensive operations defeat an enemy attack, buy time, economize forces, or develop conditions favorable for offensive operations. Defensive actions alone are not decisive; they must be combined with or followed by offensive action. Though the outcome of decisive combat derives from offensive actions, commanders often find that it is necessary, even advisable, to defend.
Once they make this choice, they must set the conditions for the defense in a way that allows friendly forces to withstand and hold the enemy while they prepare to seize the initiative and return to the offense. A thorough understanding of the commander’s intent is especially critical in defensive operations, which demand precise integration of combat, combat service, and combat service support elements.
5-1. DEFENSIVE
OPERATIONS
As part of the SBCT defensive operations, the company may defend, delay, withdraw, or counterattack. The company also may perform security tasks. The company normally defends as part of the battalion’s defense in the SBCT’s main battle area (MBA). The three types of defensive operations are--
• Area Defense. Concentrates on denying the enemy access to designated terrain for a specified time, rather than the outright destruction of the enemy.
The SBCT infantry rifle company, with its enhanced mobility, has the capability to perform an area defense.
• Mobile Defense. Orients on the destruction of the enemy through a decisive attack(s) by a striking force. The SBCT infantry rifle company participates in a mobile defense as the striking force or as part of a larger striking force.
• Retrograde Operations. Forced or voluntary movements to the rear or away from the enemy. The SBCT infantry rifle company normally participates i