Urban Operations: Platoon Offense

Urban Operations: Platoon Offense Agenda Mechanized Vehicle Missions Planning Considerations Urban Attack Phases M1/ BFV Considerations Platoon & Company Formations Summary Why Do I Need to Know What The #%&*&@ LTs Do? Planning Considerations Detailed study Best maps available May be tourist maps Ask for aerial photos Terrain analysis (KOCOA) ID danger zones and critical infrastructure Employment Dismounted Infantry is used in all urban offensive operations. Tanks/APCs in close support to secure/isolate and provide direct fire support. Mech/armor assets vulnerable Need infantry protection Top attack most deadly Combined Arms Command and Control Standard SOPs for the unit and attachments Communications needed between vehicles and infantry Rule of Three Organize single maneuver elements w/Tanks-APCs-SQDs Delegate authority down Point Element HQ Team Supporting Element Supporting Element Direction of Movement Satelliting Conduct of Urban Offensive Actions Compressed time and space Indirect Fire is Inaccurate Armor / mech attachments are potent fire support Protect Armor / mechanized assets with infantry All elements must be tied in Four Phases of Urban Attack Recon the Objective Isolate the Objective Gain a Foothold Systematically Seize and Clear the Objective Phase 1: Recon the Objective (1 of 2) Gain information Allows preparation of a workable plan Phase 1: Recon the Objective (2 of 2) Phase 2: Isolate the Objective (1 of 3) Seize dominant terrain Adjacent/tall buildings Simultaneous Maneuver (Envelopment) Prevent the Enemy’s Escape Prevent Reinforcement Provide Direct Fire Support Protect from Counter-attack Phase 2: Isolate the Objective (2 of 3) Phase 2: Isolate the Objective (2 of 3) Phase 3: Gain a Foothold (1 of 2) Eliminate enemy Observation Penetrate on a narrow front Multiple Simultaneous Directions Envelopment Concentrate fires Maximize speed Use VT fuses prevent anti-armor Maintain Communication Phase 3: Gain a Foothold (2 of 2) Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Immediately on gaining a foothold Link up with Enveloping Force Divide zones of responsibility Clear all zones completely Never leave the enemy to the rear Communicate Directly with all elements Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Phase 4: Systematic Seizure and Clearance Tactical Movement Techniques Three basic techniques: Traveling Traveling Overwatch Bounding Overwatch Successive Bounds Alternate Bounds Based on: Likelihood and type of contact Availability of overwatch METT-TSL, speed and security Using Movement Techniques (1 of 2) Traveling Continuous movement High speed Enemy contact unlikely Traveling Overwatch Contact possible Maintain depth/maneuverability based on threat Bounding Overwatch Contact expected Using Movement Techniques (2 of 2) Bounding Overwatch Contact expected Most secure – but slowest Deploy prior to contact For immediate suppression Alternate bounds Switch lead and rear elements Successive bounds Lead element retains lead Easy to control – but slower Dismounted Movement When area must be cleared Slow process Dismounted unit 3 up, 1 back Obstacle clearing tm close by NATO Standard Building Marking SOP Summary Mech / infantry teams Based on METT-TC Matched to vehicle capabilities and limitations Always protect assets with Infantry Combined arms formations Tactical movement techniques Throughout the history of urban warfare, offensive combined arms operations have always been among the hardest to coordinate. To properly employ tanks, BFVs, and other mechanized vehicles within this type of environment, the infantryman on the ground must have a good understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the supporting mechanized platforms. If these considerations are not taken into account, the supporting units may become extremely vulnerable. See word Document See Word Document See Word Document 1. The conduct of offensive operations in an urban area are similar to those of any other environment, however, time and space becomes compressed. Because of the difficulties of delivering timely and accurate indirect fires in the urban environment it is important that the infantry commander view attached tanks, BFVs, and M113s as potent direct fire platforms to fill the indirect fire void. 2. Mechanized operations are always directly dependent upon mechanized infantry support and coordination. An unprotected tank, BFV, or M113 in this high risk, chaotic environment is under threat of imminent attack. To remedy this dismounted infantry must be directly tied into their supporting mechanized assets. Development and exercise of appropriate SOPs for tactics, techniques, and procedures is paramount to the successful use of mechanized assets within the urban environment. 1. Reconnoiter the Objective. As we have already discussed the commander must gain as much information on the area of operations as possible in order to prepare a workable plan. A reconnaissance of the AO is the best method to gain information. 1. Isolate the Objective. The second phase is the isolation of the city and the seizure of terrain features that dominate approaches to it. The attacker has the advantage of maneuver to isolate the city he will seize. The enveloping force: a. Prevents the escape of the enemy. b. Prevents reinforcements from entering the urban area. c. Provides direct fire support for the direct assault. d. Protects the direct assault force from counterattack. 2. Once he has isolated the city, the attacker can either press the attack or contain the defender and force him to capitulate. If necessary, the unit then secures positions outside the urban area from which to support entrance into the city itself. The tactics and techniques for this phase of the operation are similar to those used in an attack against an enemy strongpoint. See Word Document 1. Phase four can vary from a systematic block-by-block, house-to-house reduction of the urban area to a rapid advance with clearance of critical areas and buildings. It begins without pause after the completion of phase three. Clearance and seizure techniques depend on the mission, the size of the town, construction and building arrangement, and the enemy's disposition, strength, and objective. The direct assault force clears the city of enemy resistance and links up with the enveloping force when the unit must continue to move. 2. When the urban area is large and heavily fortified or when the mission requires it, units may have to perform a methodical house-by-house, block-by-block clearance operation. 3. The commander should divide the area into zones of responsibility. Each subordinate unit must clear its zone completely, leaving no enemy to its rear. 1. Tactical movement techniques are used in conjunction with formations. Movement techniques end upon enemy contact. The unit begins its actions on contact and the over watching element begins its suppressive fire. The unit commander selects from the three movement techniques (traveling, traveling overwatch, and bounding overwatch) based on several battlefield factors: a. The likelihood of enemy contact. b. The type of contact expected. c. Availability of an overwatch element. d. The terrain over which the moving element will pass. The balance of speed and security required during movement. 1. Traveling is characterized by continuous movement by all unit elements. It is best suited to situations in which enemy contact is unlikely and speed is important. 2. Traveling Overwatch. This is an extended form of traveling that provides additional security when speed is desirable but contact is possible. The lead element moves continuously. The trail element moves at various speeds and may halt periodically to overwatch movement of the lead element. a. Dispersion between the two elements must be based on the trail element's ability both to see the lead element and to provide immediate suppressive fires in case the lead element is engaged. The intent is to maintain depth, provide flexibility, and maintain the ability to maneuver even if contact occurs, although a unit ideally should make contact while moving in bounding overwatch rather than traveling overwatch. See Word Document See Word Document Offensive operations are the primary operations for the U.S. Army. History has shown that in the urban environment we must use combined arms teams to be successful. However, it is important that you: 1. Understand fully the capabilities and limitations of each asset, train extensively with each other, and that you develop the SOPs, and IA drills necessary for effective combat operations. 2. Apply the same METT-TC factors when planning Combined Arms task organizations. 3. Consider the threat and the unique strengths and limits of each combination of vehicle-personnel combinations. 4. Always protect the vehicles with infantry and effective movement techniques.