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. In this example, because the commander had specifically addressed the contingency the reconnaissance platoon has developed, the platoon leader neither makes a recommendation to his commander nor asks his permission to execute the COA. The platoon does not intend to engage in combat, but it is dispersed to prevent destruction in case of unexpected air or ground attack. The platoon leader designates the orientation of the coil using a cardinal direction. Check out the Army Flashcards website at armyflashcards.com for more resources!This video has been around a while, but still a useful tool to help you tighte. 0 All RAND reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity. The battalion must carefully coordinate and rehearse employment of the reaction force and supporting fires before initiating the infiltration (or other tactical mission, if applicable). 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. Once they determine that the enemy in contact cannot influence them, they continue their mission with the platoon leader's approval. (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. As the Army begins its transition to fight the next high intensity conflict, mounted and dismounted reconnaissance units across the formation risk being left behind. Bounding overwatch, the slowest but most secure movement technique, is employed when enemy contact is expected. As more than one section or team becomes involved in the situation, the platoon leader or PSG (whoever is in the best location to do so) takes control of coordinating their efforts. Figure 3-7 shows the fire team wedge. It uses the four steps of actions on contact (covered in detail later in this paragraph) as the foundation for these drills: b. They could connect with a vehicle-based JBC-P system and then to command posts. 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. Once he receives this, he uses it and the commander's results of terrain analysis to analyze the terrain to find the best covered and concealed route for his mission. He uses the wood line and vegetation for cover and concealment. Dismounted troops must check isolated buildings. During planning, the leader designates near side and far side rally points. (1) Column Formation. The coil and herringbone are platoon-level formations employed when elements of the company team are stationary and must maintain 360-degree security. The staggered column is used for rapid movement across open terrain. Physical contact (direct fire) with an enemy force or civilians. Additionally, drivers and VCs have night-vision devices to aid in navigation. Traveling, squad dismounted. hb```e``_/31 P`Q;:*:2@zb1H1 {MaF+ A'2pLK`/~T'4#; |[pq2N@pQ> j * Movement into and out of the various formations must be second nature to each section. The platoon can use the line formation in the assault to maximize the platoon's firepower and shock effect. (2) Once the bounding element reaches its overwatch position, it signals "READY" by voice or visual means to the element that overwatched its bound. Initial Contact. Only in this way can it move effectively while maintaining adequate security. The overwatch vehicle engages the source of enemy fire by calling for indirect fire support, then monitors to ensure the contact report is sent. However, nothing replaces a head out of the turret, scanning the terrain, and looking for the enemy. (g) Conduct Target Handoff. US Army Cavalry and the End of the Dragoon The US Army organized another mounted force, two cavalry regiments, in 1855. 01 May 2023 10:54:03 He ensures that the COA is within the capabilities of the platoon, allows platoon members to continue the reconnaissance as quickly as possible, and supports the commander's concept of the operation. If the battalion employs multiple lanes, the platoon leader must task organize to move along all lanes. When engagement is complete and the enemy is destroyed, the COA is obvious: the section or team continues its mission. As a general rule, the platoon, section, or team should disengage from the enemy as early in the contact as possible. Each vehicle has a particular position to occupy in the coil. This chapter focuses on mechanized infantry rifle platoon and squad mounted and dismounted movement techniques, formations, and actions, and the platoon leader's options for moving the platoon tactically. This gives the rest of the platoon freedom to maneuver. Reorganization of the Bradley platoon led to squads being broken apart for transport and affected squad operations. The patrol discovered that all Ops were well-manned with disciplined ANA soldiers throughout. The near-side security element observes the flanks and overwatches the crossing. During the execution of reconnaissance and security missions, the reconnaissance platoon will encounter specific types of terrain or features that expose it to enemy fire. Nicholas Belz. Fixing Light Reconnaissance Formations. Movement during dismounted operations is similar to mounted movement but requires more command and control due to the decentralized nature of the task. (b) In addition, the squad in. Visual contact (the platoon is undetected by the enemy force). (c) The leader must designate an alternate rally point to use if the primary rally point is occupied by the enemy, is compromised, or is found to be unsuitable. Figure 3-4. a. Navigation. The term "maneuver" means "the use of movement in combination with fire (or fire potential) employed to achieve a position of advantage with respect to the enemy, and to facilitate accomplishment of the mission." The mission started at 6:30 a.m. with a linkup between Bandit Troop and the ANA at the range outside of FOB Lightning. Figure 3-8. Rough terrain, limited visibility, or other factors might cause the squad to modify the wedge into a file for control purposes. 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. a. The leader weighs these against his METT-TC analysis: Close terrain, dense vegetation, limited visibility conditions, Allows immediate fires to the flanks, masks most fires to the rear. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. MOUNTED ELEMENT. Traveling (Mounted). 0000008930 00000 n Refer to the seven general categories of contact discussed in paragraph 3-4c. The company commander should receive a copy of the modified combined obstacle overlay (MCOO) of the AO from battalion task force. It also identifies previously unknown elements, and then suppresses them with direct and indirect fires. "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. (2) The platoon should move to the wooded area using mounted bounding overwatch. Once the displacing section or team has arrived at the rally point, it takes up defensive positions and reports its arrival to the overwatch section or team. e. Traveling Overwatch (Dismounted). (2) Developing the situation is a critical step in choosing the correct COA and providing an accurate, timely report to the commander. The platoon should then practice this SOP as a drill so that correct execution of the coil becomes automatic. Platoon and section leaders and VCs use position updates from their navigation systems and analog information to assist in following their planned routes. Platoon using traveling technique and staggered column formation. (5) The platoon leader ensures accountability and resumes movement at normal speed. If time constraints prevent the platoon from bypassing a large open area, then the platoon uses a combination of traveling overwatch and bounding overwatch to cross the open area. The lead vehicle advances to a point (first move) where it can support the advance of the overwatch vehicle. Two-section platoon line formation. 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. Mounted riflemen had no sabers and had, as the name implied, rifles. Bounding overwatch can be executed using one of the following bounding methods. These reconnaissance elements move to dismount points, set their vehicles in hide positions, and send dismounted patrols to multiple vantage points using dismounted reconnaissance techniques, with the emphasis on avoiding detection. For instance, mounted and dismounted troops can conduct a mutually supporting zone reconnaissance focusing on severely restricted terrain and vehicular mobility corridors. If he cannot find a bypass, he focuses not only on finding potential enemy positions but also on locating covered and concealed routes for bounding and a covered and concealed position to which the unit can move. 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. The squad moves alone or as part of the platoon's dismounted element.. Dismounted (BATS-D) AN/PRC-161 radio fuses air and ground (friendly and enemy) situational awareness in the palm of your hand. When the platoon conducts dismounted movement, the factors of METT-TC determine the formation of the dismounted element. 0000083635 00000 n Due to mission constraints, the platoon leader may have to leave one vehicle in contact. The exfiltration plan and OPORD must address these factors. For example, the reconnaissance platoon leader must anticipate contingency measures in case his elements must conduct an unplanned exfiltration during a reconnaissance operation. (1) In planning and executing movement, leaders must consider the fluidity of formations. c. Methods. When not traveling in a column or line, squads travel in file (Figure 3-11). b. The enemy situation as he knows or suspects it to be. The platoon must keep an element in contact with the enemy unless specifically authorized to do otherwise. (2) Evaluate and Develop the Situation. Maintain contact to support a hasty attack. It is essential that the section or team left in contact understands what it needs to accomplish, who will execute the attack, and when the friendly unit anticipates being in position to receive handoff of the enemy. Christian Cortez from Minneapolis, assigned to Bandit Troop, 1st Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment, conducts a combined dismounted patrol with ANA 203rd Corps military police south-east of FOB Lightning. For over 50 years, the Army has tried to develop and field survivable, lethal infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). In densely wooded areas, mounted elements are extremely vulnerable to dismounted enemy forces that can close on them undetected. Whether the platoon plans to exfiltrate on foot, by RV, or by air, it must conduct detailed planning to establish criteria for a passage of lines to minimize the chances of fratricide. Infiltration on a single lane (Figure 3-19) is the least desirable technique because it requires all infiltrating groups to move at intervals on the same lane. 0000012803 00000 n For example, they should always use intervening terrain and avoid "skylining.". (6) The bounding element must focus on its ultimate goalgaining a positional advantage. In most cases, planning for an exfiltration operation begins at the same time as planning for the infiltration (or other tactical operation) that precedes it. Exfiltration is removal of personnel or units from areas under enemy control using stealth, deception, surprise, or clandestine means. 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 dismounted platoon members make contact as the lead platoon vehicle is engaged. Each method requires specific operational considerations, and each has tactical advantages and disadvantages. Melee Lords. It uses traveling overwatch when it needs to save time. The troopers then conducted a dismounted movement for 7 km with. (1) Movement Considerations. Maintain contact and bypass. Rifle squads use a variety of formations: a. Methods of bounding overwatch. The platoon leader follows up on the contact report with an initial spot report. The trail element moves at variable speeds, providing continuous overwatch. (2) All crews involved in the maneuver must always maintain all-round security at all times. When planning the route, the platoon leader marks the danger areas on his digital concept sketch and overlay. When the entire platoon or section has moved back to the rally point, it consolidates and reorganizes, reports its status to the higher headquarters, and continues the mission. (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. As these patrols discover the enemy and add additional information to the platoon leader's picture, the platoon leader may determine he has sufficient information to choose and execute a COA or to make a recommendation to his commander. All groups rehearse this procedure since no one knows which group will arrive first. The halt should last approximately one to two minutes, with 360-degree security maintained and radio speakers minimized throughout. The platoon must also establish a hasty defense when the enemy executes a hasty attack. (4) The platoon may encounter small clearings, buildings, or hills while moving through a wooded area. %%EOF An element (normally a section or team) maintains contact while the rest of the reconnaissance platoon continues the reconnaissance mission. These situations may entail one or more of the seven forms of contact: d. Summary of Actions on Contact. This ruggedized, handheld radio delivers real-time Link 16 communications to dismounted warfighters at the tactical edge. (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 ). endstream endobj 43 0 obj <>>>/Metadata 40 0 R/Outlines 33 0 R/Pages 39 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences<>>> endobj 44 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/Tabs/W/Thumb 34 0 R/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 45 0 obj <> endobj 46 0 obj [/ICCBased 64 0 R] endobj 47 0 obj <> endobj 48 0 obj [69 0 R] endobj 49 0 obj <>stream The platoon establishes a hasty defense if it cannot bypass the enemy, all the sections or teams are fixed or suppressed, and the platoon no longer has the ability to maneuver. 0000007423 00000 n f. Fire Support. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. (1) During dismounted movement, the section leader allows the lead team to move along covered and concealed routes as long as it does not deviate too far from the axis, route, or direction of attack. Dragoons were armed with carbines, sabers, and pistols. If the platoon concentrates, it risks losing its capability to complete its mission and jeopardizing its ability to conduct subsequent missions. Leaders move units tactically to prepare them for contact. Comparison of fire team formations. Infantry squads normally move mounted until the situation requires them to dismount. The OPORD must clearly state whether the element will continue the mission or return to friendly lines if detected by the enemy. a. The major difference is the speed of travel. To aid in the control of movement, the platoon should choose rally points for all infiltrations and exfiltrations. Examples include large open areas, roads and trails, and bridges or crossing sites over water obstacles. This equipment has greater optics resolution, which allows the leader to read his map and terrain association during mounted movement in limited visibility. 0000063417 00000 n He considers various possible COAs, based on well-developed TTP (including battle drills), to meet the types of contact. a. It attempts to confirm (or to determine in detail) enemy size, composition, activity, orientation, and weapon system locations. They use the POSNAV capabilities of the C3 subsystem as an enhancement to tactical navigation and not as a replacement. The lead element and the overwatch element see the signature of the enemy weapon system. Open Areas. (Refer to Chapter 6 of this manual for specific information on the urban environment.). The goal is always for recon units to be as small and silent as possible. Figure 3-1 shows this type of column movement. Position updates include, as a minimum, the locations of the platoon leader, his section leaders, and vehicles. The purpose of tactical movement is to move units on the battlefield to prepare them for contact with the enemy. This means more to the nondigitized platoon than it does to the digitized platoon. The hardware is smaller, lighter and less expensive through its transition to a software application hosted on the . During individual platoon movement, the platoon leader places a small element forward to allow the platoon to make contact with the smallest element possible. The platoon always executes the coil from the column or staggered column, using the four-vehicle organization. The light reconnaissance formation is undergoing an identity crisis. Mechanized infantry are infantry units equipped with armored personnel carriers (APCs) or infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for transport and combat (see also armoured forces ). This chapter includes example formations only. As the terrain becomes less rugged and control becomes easier, the soldiers assume their original positions (Figure 3-9). The reconnaissance platoon normally uses no more than two lanes due to its size and limited resources. 0000103175 00000 n (2) Squad Line. The patrol also uses the coil for tactical refueling, resupply, and issuing patrol orders. It simplifies maneuver, and it provides good dispersion laterally and in depth without sacrificing control. However, the bounding element should never move beyond the range at which the base-of-fire element can effectively suppress known, likely, or suspected enemy positions (2/3 the effective range of the weapon system). MOUNTED SECURITY HALT. (5) Coil and Herringbone Formations. If they determine the area is clear, the platoon brings vehicles forward to observation positions. As the dismounted elements remount, the vehicles use their optics to visually clear the open area again. They must also state what actions the reconnaissance platoon must take if it must exfiltrate unexpectedly. (2) Contact with an Unknown or Superior Force. a. Dismounted Formations. 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 (3) Emergency Exfiltration. The squad leader relays this message to the platoon leader. Elliot. This security technique involves the use of short-duration OPs consisting of mounted or dismounted soldiers with necessary observation equipment. "It's been incredibly rewarding to see our concepts, analysis, designs and adaptations go so quickly from the whiteboard into the hands of Soldiers.". (b) Herringbone. When choosing a movement formation or technique, the leader considers the most recent situational update and the level of C2 needed for the mission. The squad or platoon turns 90 degrees to the right or left around the open area and continues to move until it reaches the far side. b. Contingencies. (a) Deploy and Report. What he wants the section to do after the bounding element gets to the next position. At the platoon level, maneuver forms the heart of every tactical operation and task. From this position, he establishes local security (a hasty OP) and monitors and controls the efforts of his sections or teams. b. Mounted infantry were infantry who rode horses instead of marching. e. Limited Visibility Navigation. (3) During movement through a wooded area, the platoon should move using traveling overwatch. The platoon sergeant (or designated NCO, if the platoon sergeant remains with the BFVs) also moves forward to the platoon leader. It immediately sends a contact report informing higher headquarters that it has made visual contact with the enemy but is not being engaged. (1) The platoon leader receives the obstacle overlay and the situational template overlay from the commander to identify reported enemy and obstacle locations. Footage of 1-9 CAV, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division highlighting Bradley dismounted operations at Rodriguez Range. Vehicles must be located where enemy elements can not observe them. Four GCVs per mechanized infantry platoon allow for the carrying of full nine-man squads (plus the three-man GCV crews) in a single vehicle. (2) The platoon usually moves in formation when using traveling or traveling overwatch. Infantry Squad Size from World War II to the Present, Integrating Dismounted Infantry Capabilities with Combat Vehicles. After determining that the commander's intent has not changed, the platoon leader recommends the COA to the commander and requests permission to execute. FM 3-21.9 provides additional information on infantry platoon dismounted formations. The line formation has the following characteristics, advantages, and limitations: SecurityLess than other formations due to lack of depth. The decision of which technique to use is based in large part on the likelihood of enemy contact; in general, this can be summarized as whether contact is not likely (traveling), possible (traveling overwatch), or expected (bounding overwatch). His other sections continue their reconnaissance mission. 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.