Exposed sections or teams should maintain minimum silhouette in their vehicles because of the danger from close-in snipers and ambush. d. Lateral or Boundary Routes. The platoon leadership must keep in perspective that during dismounted operations there is always an information-gathering element and a control and security element (Figures 3-1 and 3-2), and they should resource each operation accordingly. Helping Coastal Communities Plan for Climate Change, Measuring Wellbeing to Help Communities Thrive, Assessing and Articulating the Wider Benefits of Research. During mounted and dismounted movement, the platoon employs combat formations when the terrain supports their use or when the mission or reconnaissance objective is very focused. All RAND reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity. The platoon need not use the same formation as the company team unless directed by the company commander. (3) Squad File. Figure 3-19. At a minimum, the platoon must rehearse and be ready to execute these potential COAs: e. The Four Steps of Actions on Contact. (1) Single-Lane Infiltration. The platoon must use them in conjunction with other movement- and security-related measures. Figure 3-8. When the enemy situation seems unclear or when contact might occur, leaders often use the wedge formation shown in Figure 3-2. The section or team leader sends a contact report and quickly engages and destroys the enemy vehicle. Traveling overwatch, squads dismounted. Sometimes, platoon and company team formations differ due to METT-TC factors. c. Urban Areas. Squads move either in a column or modified wedge. e. Limited Visibility Navigation. Mounted infantry were infantry who rode horses instead of marching. (4) In severely restricted terrain, the bounding element makes shorter bounds than it would in more open areas. (3) When enemy contact is likely and the platoon must move across large open areas with limited cover and concealment, the platoon leader should consider using reconnaissance by indirect fire to provide additional security during movement. The column formation has the following characteristics, advantages, and limitations: Figure 3-1. Cortez pulls security while carryi U.S. Army Staff Sgt. The formation may be widened to permit passage of vehicles down the center of the column. RAND reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. When moving as teams, the size of the teams makes detection less likely. When the platoon leader receives sufficient reports to have a clear picture of the situation, he chooses to prepare to support a hasty attack. The platoon must conduct these halts at regular intervals (approximately every kilometer) while moving through the wooded area. (a) Deploy and Report. (2) Once it has reconnoitered the area using visual, digital, and sensor enablers, the platoon moves across the area. When planning movements, the leader must consider how terrain affects security. The element that remains in contact maintains visual contact with the enemy and reports if the enemy situation changes. The squad column is the squad's main formation. However, nothing replaces a head out of the turret, scanning the terrain, and looking for the enemy. The lead reconnaissance element (section or team) identifies an enemy element consisting of one enemy reconnaissance vehicle. (1) Traveling. The order of march in the column may depend on which organization the platoon will use at the end of the movement; in addition, the lead section may vary based on METT-TC considerations. When the platoon leader expects contact and the terrain prohibits mounted movement, or when the rifle squads move separated from the vehicles, the platoon (-) bounds with the rifle squads deployed. If soldiers need more illumination than an image intensifier can provide in infrared mode during dismounted movement, they should also use other infrared light sources. Once the element in contact has developed the situation and the platoon leader has enough information to make a decision, he selects a COA. Because breaking contact is a violation of reconnaissance fundamentals, the platoon leader must be sure that his higher headquarters is informed of and approves this COA (Figure 3-14). The rest of the platoon moves on to establish far-side security, monitor any changes in the enemy situation, and support the hasty attack by a friendly unit. Using any of the techniques of movement, the two forward vehicles perform all of the information gathering and reporting. (f) Establish a Hasty Defense. Fire team members dismount and establish security. This equipment has greater optics resolution, which allows the leader to read his map and terrain association during mounted movement in limited visibility. Maneuver provides the foundation for battlefield employment. His exfiltration plan should factor in additional time that the platoon may need to react to unforeseen circumstances, such as inadvertent contact with enemy forces or unexpected restrictive terrain. The Dismounted Soldier Training System, or DSTS, and Engagement Skills Trainer 2000 are two virtual training tools that are quickly becoming the norm for Soldiers of the 157th Infantry Brigade,. Table 3-2 compares squad formations. ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. [Fqvh7^%.^M9]GS*Hq`PFIaK|S]!xUf9|nT2yy{M>EJgq&AtOL*E;lMz7*]L[fe:VVZI_ZRHJ6f;>8_U6LB&W{NhvXvCrOxC:.m9h+. (6) Herringbone Formation. It has also consistently determined that squads should be organized around two fire teams and should contain no fewer than nine soldiers though a larger number has usually been preferred to accomplish fire and maneuver doctrine, but also for reasons of squad resilience, lethality, and leader span of control. When the terrain precludes use of the wedge, fire teams use the file formation (Figure 3-8). This technique allows for an absolute minimum of radio transmissions, positive control by the section leader, and maximum security within the section. During infiltration using multiple lanes, the detection of one platoon's elements may alert the enemy and compromise other units in the infiltration zone. 01 May 2023 10:54:03 Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Formations are intended to be flexible and easily modified to fit the situation, terrain, and combat losses. When assaulting a weakly defended objective, crossing open areas, or occupying a support-by-fire position, the platoon mainly uses the line formation (Figure 3-3). (1) Movement Considerations. If detected, an infiltrating element typically returns fire, breaks contact, and reports. The company commander should receive a copy of the modified combined obstacle overlay (MCOO) of the AO from battalion task force. Squad Formations. If this occurs, the platoon leader must decide whether to commit additional platoon assets to the contact to develop it further or to adopt a COA based on the information he has discovered to that point. When not traveling in a column or line, squads travel in file (Figure 3-11). Soldiers infiltrate by multiple lanes when two or more infiltration lanes are found through the enemy defense (Figure 3-20). The platoon leader also tracks his platoon's formation and movement in conjunction with the company's formation. It provides for immediate direct fire suppression on an enemy force that engages the bounding element with direct fire. He also receives the commander's operations overlay to identify graphic control measures impacting on his route planning. During individual platoon movement, the platoon leader places a small element forward to allow the platoon to make contact with the smallest element possible. (d) Maintain Contact to Support a Hasty Attack. This critical Army modernization priority delivers tactical communications so commanders and Soldiers can stay connected and informed at all times, even in the most austere and hostile environments. (d) Execute the COA. However, if the situation dictates, vehicles can disperse laterally to enhance security. Nicholas Belz. The Ground Combat Vehicle is an attempt to provide the infantry with an IFV that can carry a full infantry squad of nine men capable of dismounting under fire and defeating the enemy in complex terrain. Rally points may be in either enemy or friendly areas, depending on the situation. Locating covered and concealed movement routes for friendly attacking units. In general, infiltrating elements should use digital communications as the primary means of communications. | Army Organic Industrial Base Modernization Implementation Plan. If he can, the platoon leader plans avoid danger areas, but sometimes he cannot. The platoon leader maneuvers his mounted element and rifle squads to close with, gain positional advantage over, and ultimately destroy the enemy. When operating out of normal communications range, an infiltrating element that must transmit required information should move to high ground or set up a long-range expedient antenna. [ DISMOUNTED MOVEMENT FORMATIONS. The near-side security, controlled by the platoon sergeant, crosses the linear danger area where the platoon crossed. 0000105654 00000 n The platoon should also develop SOPs for limited visibility marking to aid in command and control at night. Some platoon elements remain stationary to provide protection for bounding elements by suppressing or destroying enemy elements. Rifle squads normally move in column or wedge formation (Figure 3-17). Factors. In another instance, the platoon may deploy in a stay-behind mode during defensive operations, requiring it to plan and execute movement to return to friendly controlled areas. The patrol also uses the coil for tactical refueling, resupply, and issuing patrol orders. Leaders must develop plans for extraction by applicable means (ground or air) before the operation, to include procedural contingencies such as the destruction of the RVs, evacuation of sick and wounded personnel, and disruption of communications. The platoon operates with and without vehicle support, so section and platoon leaders must understand how to move and maneuver in either tactical situation. To support fully enabled mechanized infantry squads, the Army has, for the last fifty years, tried to develop and field survivable, lethal infantry fighting vehicles that are also capable of carrying a full nine to eleven man squad that can dismount to fight on foot. The exfiltration plan should also cover other types of contingencies that will not require the platoon to exfiltrate. The coil (Figure 3-5) is used to provide all-round security and observation when the platoon is stationary. The platoon uses the herringbone to disperse when traveling in column formation (Figure 3-6). (2) Traveling Overwatch. Once he identifies these areas, the platoon leader considers where the enemy will focus its reconnaissance assets and determines their fields of observation. (In the absence of orders, the direction of travel becomes 12 o'clock.) Designating a line of departure (LD) to use as a handoff line to the attacking unit. Figure 3-7. This allows for continuation of the mission and reduces the chance of any loss of combat power. e. Traveling Overwatch (Dismounted). Maintain contact to support an attack on an inferior force. (2) Near-Side Rally Point. Once he decides on a COA, he recommends it to the battalion commander and provides information on how the platoon COA will affect the current situation. The purpose of tactical movement is to move units on the battlefield to prepare them for contact with the enemy. c. Methods. Wooded areas provide a high degree of concealment to forces that occupy them, particularly infantry forces. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The battalion commander determines if the battalion moves along single or multiple infiltration lanes with forces in the infiltration lanes separated by space and time. The squad leader moves forward to the first or second position if he wants to increase control over the formation, exert greater morale presence by leading from the front, and remain available to make key decisions at once. Situations involving nuclear, biological, or chemical (NBC) conditions (see. The squad begins bounding overwatch when within effective small-arms range (about 250 meters). Elliot. The difference between mounted riflemen and dragoons was in their weaponry. This formation can be used regardless of the platoon organization and is applicable to most reconnaissance platoon missions. b. When the platoon lacks the time to bypass a large open area, it uses a combination of traveling overwatch and bounding overwatch (Figure 3-20). a. Traveling is the fastest but least secure movement technique. The coil and herringbone are platoon-level formations employed when elements of the company team are stationary and must maintain 360-degree security. c. In the conduct of most tactical missions, the reconnaissance platoon may move as separate sections or sections under the command and control of the platoon leader. DISMOUNTED MOVEMENT FORMATIONS Infantry squads normally move mounted until the situation requires them to dismount. This will help direct the rest of the platoon to the location. Although doing so usually forces the element to make a tactical pause, it will slow the operation less than losing a vehicle and crew to a hidden threat element. (b) If the commander and the S2 have anticipated the enemy situation the reconnaissance platoon is reporting, they will already have addressed the contingency in the OPORD and given guidance to their subordinates on what COA the platoon should execute. Both the platoon leader and platoon sergeant stay in the center of the formation, with their wingmen located to the rear of and outside of them. The platoon must also establish a hasty defense when the enemy executes a hasty attack. Figure 3-9. If necessary, the reconnaissance platoon can attack unarmored reconnaissance vehicles, such as motorcycles or Soviet-style wheeled reconnaissance vehicles (BRDMs) (Figure 3-17). All leaders within the platoon must ensure that their subordinates continuously wear their night-vision devices when moving dismounted. The partnership between CERDEC and PM Mission Command is yielding significant results for DevOps assessments, said J. Tyler Barton, science and technology demonstration-objective manager for expeditionary mission command with CERDEC's Command, Power and Integration Directorate. These updates help them link up at the rally point by identifying friends and foes. As information becomes available, the element in contact sends a contact report, followed by a digital or analog size, activity, location, and time (SALT) report . 42 42 The lead vehicle occupies the 12 o'clock position, and the other vehicles occupy the 3, 9, and 6 o'clock positions in accordance with the order of march. 0000083635 00000 n Maneuver is inherently dangerous. The term "fire team formation" refers to the soldiers' relative positions within the fire team (Table 3-1). This problem increases with the addition of position updates and friendly and enemy icons during the mission. Dismounted troops must check isolated buildings. He considers various possible COAs, based on well-developed TTP (including battle drills), to meet the types of contact. Maximum use is made of folds of the earth and concealment to mask movement from likely enemy positions. The platoon leader decides whether to move as a platoon or as teams. The reconnaissance platoon may select this COA when it does not have the resources to leave an element in contact and continue to accomplish its priority reconnaissance tasks. He ensures that he receives clear guidance from the commander before moving on to the execution step. The Mounted Soldier System ( MSS) or Ground Warrior is a combat vehicle crewman ensemble integrating advanced gear as an effective force multiplier in combat theater. The trail element remains close enough to provide immediate suppressive fire and to maneuver for support. (1) Detour Bypass Method. The ANA MPs showed up prepared and ready for a mission with U.S. forces. Spacing requirements, as well as other METT-TC considerations, require the platoon to adapt basic formations. (a) The reconnaissance section or team that makes initial visual contact with the enemy deploys to covered terrain that affords good observation and fields of fire. (6) The bounding element must focus on its ultimate goalgaining a positional advantage. The platoon sergeant ensures that everyone in the platoon has crossed and sends a report to the platoon leader. The element in contact next concentrates on defining what enemy it faces. When the near-side security element is in position, the platoon leader directs he far-side security element (a fire team from the lead squad) to cross the danger area. The Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV), if developed as planned, will finally provide the infantry with an IFV that can accommodate a full squad. However, he must not commit unneeded resources to an action that will detract from other reconnaissance tasks. To accomplish a specific task, the reconnaissance platoon itself may need to infiltrate areas occupied by enemy forces. Prior to any mission, the reconnaissance platoon leader must receive a detailed IPB of the area of operations from the battalion S2. (4) Move-Set Technique. The platoon leader may ask the company team commander for a copy of the MCOO for his AO. Movement during dismounted operations is similar to mounted movement but requires more command and control due to the decentralized nature of the task. The platoon maintains contact or fixes the enemy in place until additional combat power arrives or the platoon is ordered to move (Figure 3-18. Leaders must maintain a paper map with an acetate operational graphics overlay in case of system failures. Hood, Texas, conducts a combined dismounted and mounted patrol south-east of FOB Lightning with AH-64 Apache Helicopters overhead on Aug 4, 2014. The reconnaissance platoon may have to conduct an emergency exfiltration if detected or engaged by an enemy force. Movement into and out of the various formations must be second nature to each section. 0000003880 00000 n Figure 3-13. Figure 3-2. These situations may entail one or more of the seven forms of contact: d. Summary of Actions on Contact. 351 0 obj <>stream Planning. Rifle squads use a variety of formations: a. They look for any other signs of enemy activity or any enemy response to the destruction of the vehicle. The troopers then conducted a dismounted movement for 7 km with. The move-set method can be used to control bounding overwatch within the reconnaissance section regardless of the platoon organization. (2) To maintain surveillance, the platoon can use OPs to maximize the reconnaissance effort forward. Figure 3-21. Column formation with dispersal for added security (staggered column). To enhance awareness, they may have the rifle squads give position updates at regular intervals. For IBCTs, I propose 10-wheeled platforms and 36. An effective exfiltration plan is essential for mission accomplishment and morale. (1) Squad Column. (c) Choose and Recommend a COA and Maneuver the Force. At platoon level, OPs or patrols gain contact with the enemy, then report and prepare to displace to successive positions. Visual contact (the platoon is undetected by the enemy force). The overwatching element then calls for protective fires and uses an alternate covered and concealed route to move to the rally point. Infiltration plans always cover employment of indirect fires although the platoon uses them only in limited circumstances. When terrain permits sections to be mutually supporting (such as in desert terrain) and other METT-TC factors are favorable, the platoon leader can use this technique to control bounding by sections. The troops can then. The route of the bounding element to that position. Open areas frequently afford the reconnaissance platoon the opportunity to observe the enemy or objectives from long ranges. Compared to mounted operations,. The goal is to develop a kit that is lighter and smaller, has a longer battery life, and is safe for Soldiers to use while dismounted. The lead fire team serves as the base fire team. At the platoon level, maneuver forms the heart of every tactical operation and task. Traveling Overwatch (Mounted). For instance, mounted and dismounted troops can conduct a mutually supporting zone reconnaissance focusing on severely restricted terrain and vehicular mobility corridors. (a) The first group to reach the rally point establishes security and exchanges recognition signals with subsequent groups. Delays may result when groups must avoid enemy contact. <]/Prev 486262>> During its move, the lead vehicle overwatches it. Preferably, the section leader uses hand-and-arm signals or digital communication within the section for command and control. (e) Conduct a Hasty Attack. b. The platoon leader issues appropriate orders directing his subordinates to prepare to support the hasty attack. %%EOF d. Regardless of which technique is used, the reconnaissance section leader gives the section an order explaining what each element will do. The platoon leader attempts to hand off responsibility for the enemy element. (1) The bounding element must take full advantage of whatever cover and concealment the terrain offers. By enforcing and applying the principles of terrain driving, leaders and drivers, respectively, can enhance security. By knowing these details ahead of time, the platoon leader can develop the situation more rapidly and arrive at and execute the desired COA. 0000008817 00000 n During actions on contact, he adjusts maneuver plans as needed. When conducting movement in a secure area, it is appropriate to specify the order of march by SOP. (b) The leader must allow adequate time for each group to reach the rally point. The infiltration plan must provide the platoon with enough time for preparation, rehearsal, and initial movement. (3) The leader plots waypoints on easily recognizable terrain and on significant turns on the route for ease in navigation. The leader analyzes the latest information on the enemy and determines if contact with the enemy is unlikely. It normally maintains contact with the lead element and may stop periodically for better observation. Making maneuver decisions normally falls to the leader on a specific part of the battlefieldthe one who knows what enemy elements can engage the maneuvering element and what friendly forces can provide the base of fire. Responding to units' requests to take JBC-P features outside their mounted platforms, Army researchers are prototyping options for experimentation. (2) Regardless of how thorough this analysis and planning may be, direct contact with the enemy is still a possibility, usually as a result of chance contact. Physical contact (direct fire) with an enemy force or civilians. (2) Contact with an Unknown or Superior Force. Andrew Coleman, along with 2nd Platoon Bandit Troop, 1st Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment, went on a combined mounted and dismounted reconnaissance patrol with the Afghan National Army's 203rd Corps Military Police to the south east of FOB Lightning Aug. 4, 2014. In doing so, the OP can provide security through early warning of enemy activity that the mounted element would not have detected. The platoon leader identifies and highlights danger areas when he performs his map reconnaissance during TLP. Leaders use POSNAV aids to identify their location and the location of subordinate and adjacent units. Reconnaissance forces normally conduct exfiltration via land routes dismounted when friendly lines are close or no other extraction method is feasible. The platoon leader moves his element to a covered and concealed hide position where he can maintain effective communications with both subordinate elements and higher headquarters. Manage Settings (3) Pickup Points. As a result, today's mechanized infantry are more at risk when transitioning from mounted to dismounted operations, and squad-level dismounted fire and maneuver is compromised in some situations.
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