Ambush Patrol / Patrol Base Operations Flashcards
What is an ambush?
A surprise attack by fire from a concealed position upon a moving or temporarily halted enemy target.
What is the purpose of an ambush?
To destroy enemy troops and equipment.
What is the secondary purpose of an ambush?
To harass enemy units and/or collect information.
What are the three classifications of ambushes?
- Deliberate
- Hasty
- Ambush of opportunity
What is a deliberate ambush?
An ambush planned in detail, well rehearsed, and established in a SPECIFIED LOCATION to destroy or capture a SPECIFIC enemy TARGET
What is ambush of opportunity?
An ambush that is planned and rehearsed, however, detail of a specific target is not known. It is established on or NEAR a specified location to destroy or capture the FIRST SUITABLE TARGET encountered.
What is a hasty ambush?
An immediate action where the patrol makes VISUAL CONTACT with an enemy force and has time to establish an ambush WITHOUT BEING DETECTED.
What are the two types of ambush?
- Point
- Area
What is a point ambush?
Where forces are deployed to kill a single kill zone.
What is an area ambush?
An ambush where forces are deployed to attack multiple, mutually supported kill zones.
What are the ambush tactical control measures?
- Ambush site
- Kill zone
- Objective rally point (ORP)
- Release point
What is an ambush site?
Terrain on which an ambush is established. Includes the area occupied and the kill zone.
What is a kill zone?
Portion of the ambush site where fires are concentrated to ISOLATE, TRAP, and DESTROY the enemy.
What is an ORP?
Objective Rally Point
- A covered and concealed position short of the ambush site where the patrol makes its final preparations before occupying the ambush site and where the patrol reorganizes after the accomplishment of the mission.
What is a release point?
The position after the ORP and just before the ambush site where the patrol leader passes control to element and team leaders.
What drives the route of the patrol?
The enemy patrol route
What drives the ambush site?
The enemy’s objective
What drives the withdrawal route?
The enemy’s TTPs
What should be wargamed to determine the EMLCOA?
- Task/purpose
- Route taken
- When the enemy is likely to be there
- How will they disrupt my ambush
- How can he influence my route to and from the ambush site
What are the three ambush fundamentals?
- Surprise
- Control
- Coordinate violence of fires
What determines the type and classification of an ambush?
Commander’s Intent
What are the ambush tactical tasks?
Interdict, destroy, disrupt, harass, and delay
What are the six categories of gear and equipment?
- Common to all
- Required for movement
- Required on objective
- That enhance observation
- That enhance Command and Control
- That enhance weapons employment
Effective ambush sites will:
- Canalize the enemy into the Kill Zone, trap him there, and impede his ability to maneuver once attacked
- Provide adequate observation of the enemy as he enters the Kill Zone
- Provide favorable fields of fire on the enemy in the Kill Zone
- Maximize cover and concealment of the patrol during occupation, while ambushing, and while unloading the ambush site
