squad tactics- ambush

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Revision Date: 31 July 2011

Squad Tactics- Ambush

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Lesson Objectives Compare and contrast the two categories of ambush –

hasty and deliberate Compare and contrast the two types of ambush – point

and area Compare and contrast the two formations of ambush –

linear and L-shaped List key planning considerations for a squad ambush List common elements and teams that squad leaders

consider when organizing a squad ambush Plan a point or area ambush using a linear or L-shaped

formation

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Revision Date: 31 July 2011 Slide 3 of 303

Ambush

An ambush is a surprise attack from a concealed position on a moving or temporarily halted target.

Anti-armor ambushes are established when the mission is to destroy enemy armored or mechanized forces.

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Elements of an Ambush

The three basic elements are:

Security

Support

Assault

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Ambush Classifications

Category Hasty Deliberate

Type Point Area

Formation Linear L- shape

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Ambush Stages

Planning

Occupying

Executing

Withdrawing

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Considerations for Planning an Ambush

Route ORP Leader’s recon of objectives Indirect fires and obstacles Occupation of ambush site Initiate ambush Actions on Objective Withdrawal

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Identify OBJ

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Route From patrol base to ORP From ORP to objective From objective to ORP From ORP to patrol base

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Objective Rally Point (ORP) Select location based on map recon

and OAKOC analysis Occupy ORP by force or by deliberate

occupation Establish ORP

Sectors of fire Priorities of work Local security

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Select ORP

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Leader’s Recon of Objective

Issue five point contingency plan Plan the kill zone

Identify Objective Identify kill zone / center of the kill zone Special Teams Locations LOA Fires Collection Points Release Point

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Leader’s Recon of Objective (2)

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Leader’s Recon of Objective (3) Establish special teams location and

sectors of fire Security Support Assault Surveillance

Determine limit of advance (LOA) Determine release point (RP)

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Leader’s Recon of Objective (4)

Plan indirect fires Determine collections point

Enemy prisoners of war (EPW) Casualty collection point (CCP) Demolition (demo)

Complete plan Issue OPORD

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Indirect Fires and Obstacles Plan indirect fires to destroy

enemy in kill zone Cover dead space Isolate objective from escape or

reinforcement (left, right, and far side)

Screen movement off objective

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Indirect Fires and Obstacles (2) Tie in kill zone with impassable terrain

(OAKOC) Place mines to cover dead space or

likely escape and counterattack routes

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Select Location for Key Components

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Occupation of Ambush Site Travel from ORP to RP Security halt at RP Emplace left and right flank security Emplace support team Emplace assault team Emplace mines and obstacles PL must have visual center of kill zone PL positions for direct control of most casualty

producing weapon If no claymores, PL must co-locate machine gun

with PL in order for PL to give MG order to fire

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Initiate Ambush Left and Right Flank Security Give Early

Warning to PL (SALUTE) Number of enemy and traveling technique Movement formation and speed Location of key leaders Distance from front to rear of enemy formation Location of most casualty producing weapons

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Initiate Ambush PL can not delegate task of initiating ambush PL initiates ambush with the most casualty

producing weapon Goal is to initiate when the majority of the enemy

is in the center of the kill zone PL Initiates preplanned indirect fires Shift and lift fires signal to assault through kill

zone Assault team assaults through kill zone to LOA

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Actions on Objective Assault element reports LOA to PL Consolidate and reorganize to

establish a hasty 180 degree defense to prevent counterattacks

Team leaders request LACE report and submit LACE report to PL

PL reports LACE, and SALUTE to higher command

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Actions on Objective (2) PL Calls for Special Teams

EPW Team Aid and Litter Team Demo Team

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Withdrawal Demo is prepared PL signals for assault elements to

withdraw PL signals for support team to

withdraw PL gives “fire in the hole” signal Demo team ignites charges &

departs with PL

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Withdrawal (2) The APL is at the RP counting squad members through

the RP. Once to the RP, squad members form a hasty perimeter with EPWs and casualties in the center. They await PL’s order to move back to ORP.

While en route to ORP, PL calls for preplanned indirect fires to cover his withdrawal. PL moves patrol to ORP.

Patrol remains in ORP only long enough to collect and disseminate CCIR among all patrol members.

The PL goal should be to depart from the ORP within three or four minutes. While en route to Patrol Base, PL sends required reports to higher (SALUTE and LACE and CCIR).

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Platoon Area Ambush

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Squad Ambush Technique 1

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Squad Ambush Technique 2

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Platoon Linear Point Ambush

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Platoon L-Shaped Area Ambush

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Limitations to Squad Ambush 9-Soldier squad limits ambush techniques and

options Squad size limits ability to deploy 2-Soldier

security teams out on flanks and to rear (leaves 3 Soldiers to conduct ambush)

Number of organic squad radios limits ability to displace support and security elements

Number of Soldiers and radios limits ability to conduct effective L-shaped ambush

Two techniques exist to assist squad leaders to plan and conduct squad ambush

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Closing

Summary Review Objectives Questions???

Slide 32 of 3032

squad tactics- ambush

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