Ambush Patrol

Question 1

Define Ambush

Answer 1

A surprise attack from a concealed position upon a moving or temporarily halted enemy target

Question 2

Purpose of an ambush

Answer 2

Primary - Reducing the enemy’s overall combat effectiveness: KILLING PERSONNEL AND DESTROYING EQUIPMENT
Secondary - Harassment
Changes the enemy
- Less aggressive
- More defensive minded
- Lowers enemy morale
Creates UNCERTAINTY and DISORDER
Forces the enemy to divert forces to protect/guard supplies on convoys and troop movements

Question 3

Fundamentals of an ambush

Answer 3

Surprise
Control
Coordinated Violence of Fires

Question 4

Classifications of Ambushes (HAD)

Answer 4

Deliberate Ambush
Ambush of Opportunity
Hasty Ambush

Question 5

Deliberate Ambush

Answer 5

Deliberate = details
Established on a specific location to destroy or capture a specific target
Known enemy positions

Question 6

Ambush of Opportunity

Answer 6

Established on or near a specified location against the first suitable target encountered
Most commonly used ambush classification

Question 7

Hasty Ambush

Answer 7

Immediate action where the patrol makes visual contact with an enemy force. The patrol has time to establish an ambush without being detected
Hasty ambush is an IA DRILL

Question 8

Types of Ambushes

Answer 8

Point Ambush - Has a single kill zone

Area Ambush - Has multiple kill zones

Question 9

Tactical Control Measures for an ambush

Answer 9

• Near vs Far
• Ambush Site
• Objective Rally Point
• Release Point (THE GATE)

Question 10

Near vs Far

Answer 10

Near Ambush - Located within assaulting distance of kill zone (like <100m)
Exploitation of the kill zone; Mostly conducted in close terrain: Jungle, Heavy woods

Far Ambush - Located beyond assaulting distance of kill zone; Mostly conducted in open terrain

Question 11

Ambush Site considerations

Answer 11

Kill zone

Area occupied

Question 12

Objective Rally Point

Answer 12

1. Last cover and concealed position behind the ambush site
2. Where the patrol makes its final preparations before occupying the ambush site - Mount NVDs, mark key leaders, eat, PCCs/PCIs, drop gear, etc.
3. It is also where the patrol re-organizes after accomplishing its mission

Question 13

Release Point (THE GATE)

Answer 13

Position before the ambush site where the PL releases control to the subordinate leaders
Rear security - 2 Marines

Question 14

Individual Actions

Answer 14

Ambush mentality/hunter mindset
Physically tough and mentally strong
Rehearsals

Question 15

Preparation of the Ambush

Answer 15

• Rehearsals

- Leader’s Recon

Question 16

Rehearsals - Loading the ambush site

Answer 16

Occupy the ambush site
Crow’s foot
Bent-L Method
Combination
L to R? Or R to L? (METT-TC)

Question 17

GOTWA

Answer 17

Going - azimuth
Others going
Time gone
What to do in that time
Actions

Question 18

Priorities of Leader’s Recon

Answer 18

Identify kill zone
Location (tentative)
Marking ORP
Marking gate
Establishing security

Question 19

Communication in the ambush

Answer 19

Actions during occupation - Establish a tug line

Actions during execution - Initiating ambush (How?)

Question 20

Rehearsals - Exploiting the kill zone

Answer 20

• Establish members (assault)
• Brevity code for entering
• What to expect while clearing: Hasty vs deliberate - using support to assist sweeping the kill zone
• EPW plan
• Illuminated vs non-illuminated
• Brevity code for exiting

Question 21

Continuation of the patrol - Exfiltration of ambush site

Answer 21

Formation
Movement back to ORP
Reporting