(a) The BFVs and the squad in contact destroys or suppresses enemy weapons that are firing most effectively against them, including vehicles and crew-served weapons. Effectively employed, movement techniques allow the platoon to find and observe threats without being compromised. Based on this evaluation and further guidance from higher, he can then maneuver the platoon out of contact and make contact either on his own terms or as directed by the commander. It stops inside the wood line, ensuring it is still within the shadow line of the woods. When a squad acts as the base squad, the fire team on the right serves as the base fire team. During actions on contact, he adjusts maneuver plans as needed. 0000008930 00000 n The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. On this day in 1938, the Scinde Horse dismounted from horses and mounted those magnificent machines- The Tanks. It uses the four steps of actions on contact (covered in detail later in this paragraph) as the foundation for these drills: b. Locating covered and concealed movement routes for friendly attacking units. The far-side security element leader establishes an OP forward of the cleared area. An increased awareness of the situation helps the platoon leader control the platoon when it makes contact with the enemy. 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. Only in this way can it move effectively while maintaining adequate security. | Army Organic Industrial Base Modernization Implementation Plan. (3) During movement through a wooded area, the platoon should move using traveling overwatch. endstream endobj startxref The overwatching element then calls for protective fires and uses an alternate covered and concealed route to move to the rally point. 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 squad can conduct independent fire and maneuver immediately upon dismount. b. These aids also provide directional information for movement and target acquisition, and they augment operational planning graphics such as checkpoints, boundaries, coordination points, and phase lines. e. Limited Visibility Navigation. e. Communications. (1) Traveling Overwatch. When the platoon moves at normal dispersion intervals, the leader uses voice communications and visual contact to control movement. Platoon herringbone formation. (4) Echelon Formation. This means more to the nondigitized platoon than it does to the digitized platoon. "Working on this project with PM Mission Command and tactical units has enabled CERDEC to rapidly provide operational capability to the Warfighter, successively providing improvements over a four-month sprint," Barton said. When contact is made, the platoon executes battle drills, designated by SOP, to maintain freedom of maneuver and avoid becoming decisively engaged. After reporting the initial contact to higher headquarters and receiving the order to break contact, the patrol disengages. Rough terrain, limited visibility, or other factors might cause the squad to modify the wedge into a file for control purposes. The principles of land navigation while mounted are basically the same as while dismounted. Mounted Formations. The platoon employs the coil, herringbone, and triangle "Y" formations to maintain 360-degree security when stationary. Section using bounding overwatch technique. Manage Settings The earlier in the contact that the platoon leader can make this decision, the better. In this technique, the lead and trail elements move together as a unit. Planning. They use the POSNAV capabilities of the C3 subsystem as an enhancement to tactical navigation and not as a replacement. The halt should last approximately one to two minutes, with 360-degree security maintained and radio speakers minimized throughout. The squad leader relays this message to the platoon leader. Commanders must assume the risk of those Soldiers occupying dominant terrain independently to gain tactical advantage over the enemy in support of Soldiers conducting maneuver. d. Techniques. %PDF-1.6 % Figure 3-20. (1) Wedge Formation. Compared to mounted operations,. (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. 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. When the platoon conducts dismounted movement, the factors of METT-TC determine the formation of the dismounted element. By knowing these details ahead of time, the platoon leader can develop the situation more rapidly and arrive at and execute the desired COA. (f) Establish a Hasty Defense. 0000010085 00000 n When expecting contact, the platoon should use the slowest, most secure movement technique (Figure 3-19). In all situations, leaders must plan exfiltration as carefully as infiltration. In densely wooded areas, mounted elements are extremely vulnerable to dismounted enemy forces that can close on them undetected. The platoon leader issues appropriate orders directing his subordinates to prepare to support the hasty attack. Leaders must focus information-gathering assets (GSR, TUAVs, human intelligence [HUMINT], and RSTA) to provide detailed enemy locations and intentions. For example, reconnaissance forces that have infiltrated or bypassed the enemy-occupied area may need to exfiltrate as soon as they gather the required information. (1) Movement Considerations. b. The platoon must use them in conjunction with other movement- and security-related measures. For this reason, the Army considers the program to be one of its most important. Once they finish, the platoon resumes movement using its chosen movement technique. When the leader grants permission, they use covered and concealed routes back to the vehicle positions and remount the vehicles. The platoon leader then plans his routes. "These Soldiers were very professional and ready to go out on a combined mission, definitely ready to do it by themselves," stated U.S. Army squad leader, Staff Sgt. 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 . These plans should address various contingencies for movement, such as the possibility that the platoon may be able to exfiltrate intact or in smaller groups to avoid detection. 336 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<2AF0C0400991FCAF7E05FBAF2D63923D>]/Index[313 39]/Info 312 0 R/Length 112/Prev 388775/Root 314 0 R/Size 352/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream The battalion mortars can also provide effective and responsive support when elements must break contact. programs offered at an independent public policy research organizationthe RAND Corporation. The lead vehicle then moves forward again, with the overwatch vehicle providing security. There are five formations for platoon mounted movement: column, line, wedge, vee, and echelon. This information allows the platoon leader to disperse his unit during movement. Helping Coastal Communities Plan for Climate Change, Measuring Wellbeing to Help Communities Thrive, Assessing and Articulating the Wider Benefits of Research. (a) Disengage from Enemy Contact. This should be done both dismounted and mounted. From this position, he establishes local security (a hasty OP) and monitors and controls the efforts of his sections or teams. Maintain contact and bypass. Security during movement includes whatever the platoon, vehicle crews, or squads do to secure the unit or the larger force. H\n0l/$vl !AH$. 41HKBsAZVg&v"9]u}CK)oO1I}vi7r)_xxYw?M)^~WW0LVsGa~89]|{1OSL{e.YfVeFs{Ie&_`HfP. Figure 3-1 shows this type of column movement. Echelon right formation. Due to the complexity of these operations, the battalion staff and the reconnaissance platoon leader conduct detailed planning. The platoon always executes the coil from the column or staggered column, using the four-vehicle organization. Maneuver provides the foundation for battlefield employment. They should use radio listening silence except to report contact with enemy forces or to send critical information that the commander has directed them to report immediately. It simplifies maneuver, and it provides good dispersion laterally and in depth without sacrificing control. If the reconnaissance platoon is tasked to gather information over a wide area, it may employ several small teams to cover the complete sector. Since the destruction of the enemy is in accordance with the commander's order, the section or team leader simply informs higher headquarters that he is continuing the mission. The platoon leader evaluates the situation and decides which formation best suits the mission and situation. Cortez pulls security while carryi U.S. Army Staff Sgt. It employs movement routes that put ridgelines, rivers, and other restrictive terrain between the platoon and enemy security forces. This COA is appropriate when an enemy force, based on its current disposition, is not in a position to influence the platoon's higher commander. By enforcing and applying the principles of terrain driving, leaders and drivers, respectively, can enhance security. A-1. The original dragoons were essentially mounted infantry. (2) The platoon should move to the wooded area using mounted bounding overwatch. For example, the platoon must make maximum use of all available natural cover and concealment when moving. A good technique is to plot the waypoints to coincide with other graphic control measures such as checkpoints and rally points or significant terrain features. The vehicle commander can retrieve the operational overlay on one layer, the enemy situation template on another layer, the fire support overlay on another, and so forth. 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. (5) To clear intervening gaps or dead spaces, the bounding element may have to dismount infantry squads or teams. (d) Execute the COA. Ph.D. If the element in contact is unable to report or cannot report quickly, another team in the reconnaissance platoon section must report. endstream endobj 314 0 obj <> endobj 315 0 obj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 316 0 obj <>stream In conducting both mounted and dismounted movement on the battlefield, the reconnaissance platoon uses three movement techniques: traveling, traveling overwatch, and bounding overwatch. It assures PNT through integrity checks of and access to multiple integrated, modular, layered Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP)-constrained PNT sources. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. JBC-P and its associated Mounted Family of Computer Systems are part of a large-scale Army effort to standardize all Active, Reserve and National Guard units with the latest software and hardware by 2022. Then, it continues the mission. It must treat each as a separate task. Terrain considerations may also affect the choice of movement technique. Situations involving electronic warfare tactics. 0000105654 00000 n The coil and herringbone are platoon-level formations employed when elements of the company team are stationary and must maintain 360-degree security. Therefore, the platoon must make maximum use of the terrain and employ effective observation techniques to avoid exposing itself to a well-concealed and camouflaged enemy. Technology can assist in navigational planning and execution, but soldiers, and especially leaders, should be trained and able to navigate and send accurate reports, day or night, using all methods of navigation. Dismounted troops must check isolated buildings. This can best be done by moving to the enemy's flank or rear. Soldiers infiltrate by multiple lanes when two or more infiltration lanes are found through the enemy defense (Figure 3-20). Examples include large open areas, roads and trails, and bridges or crossing sites over water obstacles. (b) Evaluate the Situation. The move-set technique of movement is simply an organized way of controlling the reconnaissance section when it moves in bounding overwatch. Platoon using traveling technique and staggered column formation. Troops can be garrisoned in villages, snipers can dominate approaches, and buildings and roads can be mined and booby-trapped. Dismounted bounding overwatch. MOUNTED ELEMENT. trailer The project, known as Expeditionary JBC-P, or X JBC-P, aims to inform future decisions to deliver the vehicle-based Blue Force Tracking system's capabilities to dismounted Soldiers. Figure 3-12. The six mounted reconnaissance platoon formations are line, wedge, column, staggered column, coil, and herringbone. [Fqvh7^%.^M9]GS*Hq`PFIaK|S]!xUf9|nT2yy{M>EJgq&AtOL*E;lMz7*]L[fe:VVZI_ZRHJ6f;>8_U6LB&W{NhvXvCrOxC:.m9h+. Maneuver happens once a unit has made contact with the enemy. The squad line (Figure 3-10) provides maximum firepower to the front. One version under assessment consists of a commercial-off-the-shelf tablet loaded with the JBC-P software that is coupled with an Iridium network device the size and weight of a smartphone. (5) The platoon leader ensures accountability and resumes movement at normal speed. The commander approves or disapproves the recommended COA based on how it will affect the parent unit's mission. The squad begins bounding overwatch when within effective small-arms range (about 250 meters). The troopers then conducted a dismounted movement for 7 km with a rise in altitude of over 1000 feet. Open Areas. The sides of the wedge can contract to the point that the wedge resembles a single file. (2) Contact with an Unknown or Superior Force. In this method, the trail element advances past the lead element to the next overwatch position. (3) Squad File. Held, Bruce, Mark A. Lorell, James T. Quinlivan, and Chad C. Serena, /content/admin/rand-header/jcr:content/par/header/reports, /content/admin/rand-header/jcr:content/par/header/blogPosts, /content/admin/rand-header/jcr:content/par/header/multimedia, /content/admin/rand-header/jcr:content/par/header/caseStudies, Great-Power Competition Outside the Indo-Pacific and Europe, Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities for the Department of Defense, The Problems Facing VA Modernization Are Bigger Than Its Software Systems, Violence in Sudan, Alcohol Use, North Korea: RAND Weekly Recap, Russian Military Operations in Ukraine in 2022 and the Year Ahead. Formations and Movement Techniques. Crossing large open areas mounted (bounding overwatch). However, it must stay far enough to the rear to retain freedom of maneuver, in case an enemy force engages the lead element. Each movement technique and formation has unique advantages and disadvantages. To achieve a positional advantage to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance. f. Bounding Overwatch (Dismounted). To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The platoon leader ensures that primary and alternate linkup points are not on a single azimuth leading away from the OP or exfiltration route. The platoon leader must decide whether to use this method with the understanding that doing so will sacrifice stealth. In bounding overwatch, one element is always stopped to provide overwatch. c. Platoon Formation. a. Terrain. However, navigation, consolidation, and command and control are more difficult. Fighting through the enemy force is the least preferred COA. (2) The platoon sergeant directs positioning of the near-side security (usually conducted by the trail rifle squad). 0000063417 00000 n After determining that the commander's intent has not changed, the platoon leader recommends the COA to the commander and requests permission to execute. hb```b``a`c`bf@ aV(>cZ>e !7Rz5,-*xhd$!+vlq3V Z iiP ,H $> @l v$C[Ca/ \B !kl Ldg:.!Gd {O0U' 0000009697 00000 n RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors. (2) Bounding Overwatch. The platoon crosses a linear danger area in the formation and location specified by the platoon leader (Figure 3-22). The squad moves alone or as part of the platoon's dismounted element. When rough terrain, limited visibility, or other factors make control difficult, the fire team modifies the wedge. Traveling, which is usually employed in secured areas, is used equally at the section and platoon levels. Description. Three GCVs could carry three complete mechanized infantry squads, and the fourth GCV can carry the platoon's organic and attached enablers. c. Light Discipline. The wedge lends itself to immediate mutual support and provides depth; it is very flexible. It allows the platoon to cover the most ground systematically with maximum reconnaissance forward (Figure 3-3). The platoon leader must use all available optics and other assets, including GSR, to reconnoiter the open area and find a bypass, if applicable. The term "fire team formation" refers to the soldiers' relative positions within the fire team (Table 3-1). Figure 3-19. The platoon leader uses formations for several purposes: to relate one vehicle or squad to another on the ground, to position firepower to support the direct-fire plan, to establish responsibilities for sector security among vehicles or squads, or to aid in the execution of battle drills and directed COAs. "It's been incredibly rewarding to see our concepts, analysis, designs and adaptations go so quickly from the whiteboard into the hands of Soldiers.". It simplifies the transition to dismounted operations in complex terrain. (a) Coil. Nicholas Belz. The Precision Fires-Dismounted system has undergone the most significant changes. The term "movement techniques" does not refer to the movement of fixed formationsit refers to the fluctuating distances between soldiers, teams, and squads. Mounted infantry were infantry who rode horses instead of marching. Thus far, the R&D team is making progress on reducing SWaP of each component of X JBC-P prototypes through both government-developed and commercial technologies. (b) The element in contact sends a contact report to the platoon leader (refer to the discussion of report procedures and formats earlier in this chapter) and follows as soon as possible with a spot report using the format of size, activity, location, unit identification, time, and equipment (SALUTE ). (c) Elements not in contact temporarily halt in covered and or concealed positions, monitor the incoming reports, and plot the situation on their maps. DISMOUNTED MOVEMENT FORMATIONS. His other sections continue their reconnaissance mission. Once the element in contact has developed the situation and the platoon leader has enough information to make a decision, he selects a COA. Purposes. Based on task organization, the reconnaissance platoon leader must carefully assess METT-TC factors before deciding upon this COA. 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. The wedge expands and contracts to take advantage of the terrain. b. Crossing a small open area. The lead element moves continuously along the covered and concealed routes that give it the best available protection from possible threat observation and direct fire (Figure 3-18). This COA is appropriate when the reconnaissance platoon discovers enemy elements his higher commander wants to destroy but which it cannot destroy either because it lacks sufficient combat power or because it has other tasks to perform.
© 2023 Lembecker TV 1974 e.V.