1. DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS TC9B83

2. Terminal Learning Objective
Task: Execute defensive operations.
Conditions: Given classroom, one PE, and multiple training areas.
Standards: Apply defensive doctrine to platoon operations IAW FM 3-0, FM 7-8, FM 7-10, and FM 71-1.
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

3. Safety Requirements: General: Fire Exits
Risk: The risk assessment level is low
Environmental Considerations: None
Evaluation: The performance of the TLO will be evaluated using a written quiz on day two and an operations order practical exercise due on 30 Sept 04. Students must score at least 70% (60% for international students) on the written exam and the operations order practical exercise. You cannot test out.
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

4. Enabling Learning Objective
Action: Define basic defensive doctrinal terms
Conditions: Given a 45 minute lecture in a classroom environment
Standards: Students will define the basic defensive doctrinal terms IAW FM 3-0, FM 7-8, FM 7-10, and FM 71-1.
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

5. PURPOSES OF DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
Defeat enemy attack
Gain time
Concentrate forces
Control key terrain
Wear down enemy forces in preparation for attack
Retain objectives
FM 7-10 pg 5-3, FM 71-2 pg 4-3
What is the key to a successful defense?
- Synchronization
- Combined Arms
How can we take away the enemies initiative?
- Attempt to reduce the enemies options and increase your options.
What must all leaders know?
- Commander’s intent.
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

6. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DEFENSE
Preparation
Security
Disruption
Massing effects
Flexibility
FM 3-0 pg 8-2
What are the advantages of attacking?
- Can talk the characteristics of the offense.
- Surprise, Concentration, Tempo, Audacity
Who retains the initiative initially?
How can we take away the initiative and make the enemy react to us?
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

7. PREPARATION Defender arrives first Terrain analysis Rehearsals
Security and reconnaissance
Continuous process
FM 3-0 pg 8-2
What is involved with preparation?
- positioning in depth
- improving terrain
- war gaming
- rehearsing
- synchronizing
- coordination
- planning
- R&S
Why do we do these tasks to prepare?
- To take away the initiative from the attacker
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

8. SECURITY Deceive enemy Counter-reconnaissance Early warning
Disrupt enemy attacks early
Preserve combat power
FM 3-0 pg 8-2 & 8-3
Why is security important in the defense?
- Deception, deceive the enemy of our strengths and weaknesses
- Prevent the enemy from gaining intelligence on our positions.
- Provide early warning
What can the platoon leader do to provide security?
- R&S patrols
- LP/OPs
- 33% security
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

9. DISRUPTION Prevent massing of combat power Counter-reconnaissance
Disrupt in depth by: Defeating and misdirecting enemy recon, breaking up formations, and isolating units
FM 3-0 pg 8-3
How do we disrupt?
- Defeat or mislead
- separate/ isolate
- break up formations
- Get in the enemies decision cycle
- If he can’t execute his plan his will react to our plan.
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

10. MASSING EFFECTS
Concentrate combat power at the decisive point through flexibility
Defender may accept risk in some places to mass at another
FM 3-0 pg 8-3
What are the risks?
How do we compensate?
- concealment/ deception
- security/ flexibility
What combat power does a Mechanized platoon have?
BFVs, 25mm Chain Gun, thermal sights, TOW
What combat power does a Light Infantry platoon have?
Dragon/ Javelin, AT-4, M60 Machine Gun, SAW, M203
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

11. FLEXIBILITY Preparations in depth
- Alternate and supplementary positions
- Alternate EAs
Reserves
Counter-attack plans
FM 3-0 pg 8-3
How do we achieve tactical flexibility?
- planning
- counter attacks
- Be Prepared or On Order missions
What is the goal?
- We want to be able to shift the main effort with out losing synchronization
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

12. DEFENSIVE PATTERNS Mobile Area Retrograde FM 3-0 pg 8-3
What is a mobile defense oriented on?
- Mobile defense orients on the destruction of the enemy force by employing a combination of fire and maneuver, offense, defense, and delay to defeat his attack.
What force is committed to the Mobile Defense?
- A minimum amount of combat power is committed to the pure defense. Maximum combat power is committed to a striking force which catches the enemy as they are attacking the defending element. It requires mobility greater than the enemy.
What force is committed to an Area Defense?
- The bulk of the defenders combat power is deployed to retain ground.
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

13. DEFENSIVE PATTERNS Mobile - Orient on destroying enemy
- Setting conditions for counter-attack
What is a mobile defense oriented on?
- Mobile defense orients on the destruction of the enemy force by employing a combination of fire and maneuver, offense, defense, and delay to defeat his attack.
What force is committed to the Mobile Defense?
- A minimum amount of combat power is committed to the pure defense. Maximum combat power is committed to a striking force which catches the enemy as they are attacking the defending element. It requires mobility greater than the enemy.
What force is committed to an Area Defense?
- The bulk of the defenders combat power is deployed to retain ground.
FM 3-0 pg 8-4
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

14. DEFENSIVE PATTERNS Area - Orient on retaining terrain
- Expose enemy to mutually supported
Engagement Areas along avenues of approach
What is a mobile defense oriented on?
- Mobile defense orients on the destruction of the enemy force by employing a combination of fire and maneuver, offense, defense, and delay to defeat his attack.
What force is committed to the Mobile Defense?
- A minimum amount of combat power is committed to the pure defense. Maximum combat power is committed to a striking force which catches the enemy as they are attacking the defending element. It requires mobility greater than the enemy.
What force is committed to an Area Defense?
- The bulk of the defenders combat power is deployed to retain ground.
FM 3-0 pg 8-4
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

15. DEFENSIVE TECHNIQUES Nonlinear Linear Defense of reverse slope
Strongpoint
Perimeter
Battle positions
Defense in sector
FM 7-10 pg 5-22 thru 5-32
What are the five defensive techniques?
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

16. PERIMETER DEFENSE Area No adjacent friendly units
360 degrees (circular/ triangle)
Assembly areas/ patrol bases
Reserve blocks penetrations
FM 7-10 pg 5-28
What are the disadvantages of a perimeter defense?
- Easily bypassed
- Least flexible
- No concentration of firepower
Why would we use a perimeter defense?
- Enemy attacks from multiple directions
- Control
- Centralized reserve
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

17. PERIMETER DEFENSE
FM 7-8 pg 1-14
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

18. BATTLE POSITIONS Area/ Mobile Mutually supporting
Concentrate combat power into EA
Primary, alternate, supplementary positions and EAs
FM-7-10 pg 5-25
How do you secure the Battle Position to prevent the enemy from pinpointing your position?
- Must patrol forward to prevent the enemy from pinpointing the defensive trace. The platoon can harass forward to disorganize and confuse the enemy.
Does the platoon leader place fighting positions on avenues of approach?
- The platoon will cover avenues of approach with direct and indirect fires but fighting positions are not placed in avenues of approach. Common sense.
Does your indirect fire plan dictate the placement of the obstacles or does obstacle placement dictate the indirect fire plan?
- Obstacles are placed were they can best perform the assigned task and be tied into existing terrain.
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

19. BATTLE POSITIONS
FM 7-10, pg 5-25
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

20. DEFENSE IN SECTOR Mobile
Platoon sectors/ mutually supporting BPs on armor restrictive terrain or both
Positions arrayed in depth
Flexibility
Exposes flanks of enemy throughout depth of sectors
Degraded C2 and indirect fires
FM pg 5-24
What is the advantage of a defense in sector?
- Very flexible, can surprise the enemy
Do you need fighting positions for a defense in sector?
- Platoons need fighting positions to survive indirect fires prior to the enemies main attack. Camouflage as very important.
What is one of the first actions a platoon leader must do to be effective in a defense in sector?
- The platoon leader must conduct a detailed recon of the sector to identify avenues of approach, choke points, tentative obstacle locations, etc
Why is control difficult when conducting a defense in sector?
- Communication is difficult, hard to control subordinate elements, very decentralized.
Why is it difficult to control indirect fires in sector?
- The platoon leader must control indirect fires to prevent fratricide. The platoon leader must know the locations of all friendly units in sector.
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

21. DEFENSE IN SECTOR
FM 7-8 pg 1-15&16
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

22. CONDUCT OF THE DEFENSE Prepare for combat Move to defensive positions
Establish defensive positions
Locate the enemy
Action on enemy contact
Fight the defense
Consolidate and reorganize
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

23. PREPARE FOR COMBAT Troop Leading Procedures Conduct Leader’s Recon
Check equipment and ammunition
Camouflage Self and Equipment
Rehearse Critical Tasks
FM 7-8 pg. 2-66&67
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

24. MOVE TO DEFENSIVE POSITIONS
Move on covered and concealed routes
Avoid likely ambush sites
Enforce camouflage, noise, and light discipline
Maintain all around security including air guards
Use formations and movement techniques based on M-TETTC
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

25. ESTABLISH DEFENSIVE POSITIONS
Engagement Area development
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

26. ENGAGEMENT AREA DEVELOPMENT
Identify all likely enemy avenues of approach
Determine likely enemy schemes of maneuver
Determine where to kill the enemy
Plan and integrate obstacles
Emplace weapons systems
Plan and integrate indirect fires
Rehearse the execution of operations in the engagement area
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

27. IDENTIFY ALL ENEMY LIKELY AVENUES OF APPROACH
FM 71-1 pg 6-17
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

28. DETERMINE WHERE TO KILL THE ENEMY
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
FM 71-1 pg 6-19

29. DETERMINE LIKELY ENEMY SCHEME OF MANEUVER
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
FM 71-1, pg 6-18

30. PLAN AND INTEGRATE OBSTACLES
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
FM 71-1 pg 6-20

31. OBSTACLES Slow enemy advance to mass fires Canalize enemy
Separate enemy forces
Strengthen lightly defended areas
Protect defensive positions
What are some examples of obstacles?
- Triple strand concertina
- 11 row concertina road block
- Tanglefoot
- Log Cribs, Log Hurdles
- Mines
- Tank ditches
- Road craters
- Abatis
- Rubble
- Persistent agents
- Junked equipment or automobiles
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

32. OBSTACLES
Disrupt
Turn
Fix
Block
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

33. OBSTACLES Support tactical plan Reinforcing tied into existing
Covered by observations and fires
Constructed in depth
Achieve surprise
Why do we cover obstacles with direct and indirect fire?
- If not covered than the enemy can disassemble at their leisure.
Why do we tie obstacles in with existing terrain?
- Eases the size of the obstacles we assemble and the Class IV can be used elsewhere.
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

34. EMPLACE WEAPONS SYSTEMS & PLAN AND INTEGRATE INDIRECT FIRES
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
FM 71-1, pg 6-21

35. BRADLEYS AND INFANTRY IN THE DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

36. DEFENSE WITH BRADLEYS AND INFANTRY
Same BP covering Same AOA
Same BP covering Different AOAs
Different BPs covering Same AOA
Different BPs covering Different AOAs
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

37. SAME BP/ SAME AOA DEFEND AGAINST MOUNTED AND DISMOUNTED ATTACKS
RAPIDLY REPOSITION/ REMOUNT
USED WHEN TERRAIN ALLOWS GOOD FIELDS OF FIRE, COVER/CONCEALMENT FOR BOTH BFVs AND SQDs
INCREASED C2, SECURITY FOR BFVs
MOST CONSERVATIVE
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

38. SAME BP/ SAME AOA
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

39. SAME BP / DIFFERENT AOAs
USED WHEN BP HAS TWO EQUALLY DANGEROUS AOAs (ONE LONG RANGE, ONE SHORT RANGE FIELD OF FIRE)
EACH ELEMENT POSITIONED ON TERRAIN WHICH MAXIMIZES CAPABILITIES
PLANS MUST BE MADE TO SHIFT BFVs/ SQDs
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

40. SAME BP/ DIFFERENT AOAs
FM 7-7J PG 2-102
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

41. DIFFERENT BPs/ SAME AOA
Forces positioned to engage enemy on the same AOA at different ranges
BFVs must be able to support dismounted squads by fire
Three techniques
Dismounts placed close to the EA, mass fires with BFVs, and engage enemy in depth
Dismounts positioned in relation to the EA to be able to engage enemy once BFVs force him to dismount
Dismounts placed at choke point(s) and BFVs engage enemy as they try to pass
MAX BFV/SQD SEPARATION 1500m
REMOUNT DRILLS, LOCATION AND RALLY OPERATIONS REHEARSED
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

42. DIFFERENT BPs/ SAME AOA
FM 7-7 PG 2-103
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

43. DIFFERENT BPs / DIFFERENT AOAs
USED WHEN LARGE NUMBER OF DISMOUNTS NEED TO SECURE KEY TERRAIN OR DISMOUNTS MUST OCCUPY RUGGED TERRAIN BFVs CAN’T NEGOTIATE
DISMOUNTS NORMALLY CONSOLIDATED UNDER COMPANY XO
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

44. ENGAGEMENT AREA REHEARSALS
Rearward passage of security forces (as required)
Closure of lanes (as required)
Movement from the hide positions to the BP
Use of commands, triggers, and/or MELs to initiate direct and indirect fires
Shifting of fires to refocus and redistribute fire effects
FM 71-1 pg 6-22
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

45. ENGAGEMENT AREA REHEARSALS
Preparation and transmission of critical reports using FM and digital systems (as applicable)
Displacement to alternate, supplementary
Cross-leveling or resupply of Class V
Evacuation of casualties
FM 71-1 pg 6-22
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

46. LOCATE THE ENEMY LP/OPs Security Patrols/ Counter-recon Security
Night Vision Devices
Thermal Devices
FM 7-8 pg 1-16
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

47. ACTIONS ON ENEMY CONTACT
Alert platoon chain of command
Report to company commander
Call in OPs
Call for and adjust indirect fire
Initiate long range direct fire weapons
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

48. FIGHT THE DEFENSE Continue calling indirect fires Control direct fires
Fire FPF as needed
Platoon engages until enemy is repelled or ordered to disengage
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

49. PRINCIPLES OF DIRECT FIRE CONTROL
Mass effects
Destroy greatest threat first
Avoid target overkill’
Employ best weapon for target
Minimize friendly exposure
Prevent fratricide
Plan for extreme limited visibility
Develop contingencies for diminished capabilities
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

50. CONSOLIDATION AND REORGANIZATION
Reestablish security
Re-man key weapons
Provide first aid and prepare medevac
Repair obstacles
Redistributes ammunition and supplies
Reestablish communication
Prepare for enemy attack
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

51. Example Strongpoint Defense
Gate 1
house
10 ft wall
6ft wall
homes
3 Stories
1 Story
Small Alley
Side Road
Gate 2
1 Story
Major Road
Gate 3
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

52. Strongpoint Defense In Urban Environment
No true EA (Cannot canalize enemy)
Not at full security (Running missions, 1 platoon usually gone, & other priorities other than defense)
This is where you live and other civilians live (sharing the same area)
Still need battle plan if attacked (i.e. who goes where sectors of fire or wpn orientation)
Still need to account for dead space (behind walls or buildings, and etc.)
What is the engagement criteria?
Anything that moves?
Anything with a weapon?
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

53. P.E.
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

54. COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT IN THE DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

55. PERSONNEL SERVICE AND SUPPORT
Strength accountability
Casualty reporting
Services
EPWs
What are some examples of other personnel services?
- Mail
- Phone
- Showers
- Worship
- PX
How do these affect our soldiers?
- Morale
- Comfort
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

56. SERVICE STATION RESUPPLY
FM 7-7J p
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

57. TAILGATE RESUPPLY
FM 7-7J p
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

58. PRIORITIES OF WORK IN THE DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

59. PRIORITIES OF WORK
ESTABLISH LOCAL SECURITY, IMPLEMENT R&S FOR OCCUPATION, ASSUME SECURITY POSTURE (33% MINIMUM) (PG 2-26)
POSITION ANTI-ARMOR WEAPONS, MACHINE GUNS AND SQUADS AND ASSIGN SECTORS OF FIRE (CREW SERVED WEAPONS ARE ALWAYS MANNED) (PG 2-72 TO 2-76)
POSITION ASSETS ATTACHED TO THE PLATOON
ESTABLISH CP AND WIRE COMMO
What is the most important priority of work?
-Security
What order does a platoon accomplish the priorities of work?
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

60. PRIORITIES OF WORK DESIGNATE FPLs, PDFs (PG 2-74)
CLEAR FIELDS OF FIRE, PREPARE RANGE CARDS AND SECTOR SKETCHES (PG 2-76 TO 2-78, 2-80 TO 2-82)
COORDINATE WITH ADJACENT UNITS (PG 2-85,-86)
PREPARE PRIMARY FIGHTING POSITIONS (PG 2-87 TO 2-97)
EMPLACE OBSTACLES AND MINES (PG TO 2-142)
What is the most important priority of work?
-Security
What order does a platoon accomplish the priorities of work?
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

61. PRIORITIES OF WORK
MARK OR IMPROVE MARKING FOR TRP’s AND OTHER FIRE CONTROL MEASURES (PG 2-82, 2-158)
PREPARE ALTERNATE POSITIONS THEN SUPPLEMENTARY POSITIONS
ESTABLISH SLEEP AND REST PLANS
RECON ROUTES BETWEEN PRIMARY, ALTERNATE AND SUPPLEMENTARY POSITIONS
IMPROVE PRIMARY POSITIONS TO INCLUDE OVERHEAD COVER AND CAMO
What is the most important priority of work?
-Security
What order does a platoon accomplish the priorities of work?
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

62. PRIORITIES OF WORK
REHEARSE ENGAGEMENTS, DISENGAGEMENTS AND COUNTERATTACK PLANS
ADJUST POSITION OR CONTROL MEASURE AS REQUIRED
STOCKPILE AMMO, FOOD AND WATER
DIG TRENCHES TO CONNECT FIGHTING POSITIONS
CONTINUE TO IMPROVE POSITIONS
What is the most important priority of work?
-Security
What order does a platoon accomplish the priorities of work?
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

63. SUMMARY Characteristics of the Defense Conduct of the Defense
Engagement Area Development
Priorities of work
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

64. CONCLUSION Follow steps to EA development Use GTA 7-4-6 and GTA 7-6-1
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS