Definitions Flashcards
MOBILE DEFENSE
a defensive task that concentrates on the destruction or defeat of the enemy through a decisive attack by a striking force.
RETROGRADE
a defensive task that involves organized movement away from the enemy.
AREA DEFENSE
a defensive task that concentrates on denying enemy forces access to designated terrain for a specific time rather than destroying the enemy outright.
BATTLE POSITIONS
a defensive location oriented on a likely enemy avenue of approach
primary battle position
is the position that covers the enemy’s most likely avenue of approach into the area of operations. It is the best position from which to accomplish the assigned mission, such as cover an engagement area to prevent enemy penetration.
Alternate battle position
a defensive position that the commander assigns to a unit or weapon system for occupation when the primary position becomes untenable or unsuitable for carrying out the assigned task. It covers the same area as the primary position. The commander locates alternate positions so the occupant can continue to fulfill the original task, such as covering the same avenue of approach or engagement area as the primary position. These positions increase the defender’s survivability by allowing the defender to engage the enemy from multiple positions. For example, a unit moves to its alternate positions when the enemy brings suppressive fires on the primary position.
supplementary battle position
a defensive position located within a unit’s assigned area of operations that provides the best sectors of fire and defensive terrain along an avenue of approach that is not the primary avenue where the enemy is expected to attack. For example, an avenue of approach into a unit’s area of operations from one of its flanks normally requires establishing supplementary positions to allow a unit or weapon system to engage enemy forces traveling along that avenue.
subsequent battle position
a position that a unit expects to move to during the course of battle. A defending unit may have a series of subsequent positions. Subsequent positions can also have primary, alternate, and supplementary positions associated with them.
strong point
a heavily fortified battle position tied to a natural or reinforcing obstacle to create an anchor for the defense or to deny the enemy decisive or key terrain. The commander positions a strong point on key or decisive terrain and prepares it for all-around defense. The unit occupying the strong point prepares positions for its weapon systems, vehicles, Soldiers, and supplies. The commander also establishes a strong point when anticipating that enemy actions will isolate a defending force retaining terrain critical to the defense.
DISENGAGEMENT LINE
a phase line located on identifiable terrain that, when crossed by the enemy, signals to defending elements that it is time to displace to their next position.
Final protective fire
an immediately available preplanned barrier of fires designed to impede enemy movement across defensive lines or areas (JP 1-02). Both direct- and indirect- fire weapons can provide final protective fires (FPFs). The commander can only assign each firing battery or platoon a single FPF. A FPF is a priority target for an element or system, and those fire units are laid on that target when they are not engaged in other fire missions. When the enemy force initiates its final assault into a defensive position, the defending unit initiates its FPFs to kill enemy infantry soldiers and suppress enemy armored vehicles.
MAIN BATTLE AREA
he area where the commander intends to deploy the bulk of the unit’s combat power and conduct decisive operations to defeat an attacking enemy. The MBA includes the area where the defending force creates an opportunity to deliver a counterattack to defeat or destroy the enemy.
The MBA extends from the FEBA to the unit’s rear boundary. The commander locates subordinate unit boundaries along identifiable terrain features and extends them out beyond the forward line of own troops (FLOT) by establishing forward boundaries. Unit boundaries should not split avenues of approach or key terrain. The commander selects the MBA based on the products of the IPB process and the commander’s own analysis using the mission variables of METT-TC. The IPB process indicates how the enemy force will probably use the available avenues of approach.
SECURITY AREA
is that area that begins at the forward area of the battlefield and extends as far to the front and flanks as security forces are deployed. Forces in the security area furnish information on the enemy and delay, deceive, and disrupt the enemy and conduct counterreconnaissance.
KEY TERRAIN
Any locality or area, the seizure or retention of
which affords a marked advantage to either combatant.
DECISIVE TERRAIN
Key terrain whose seizure and retention is mandatory for successful mission accomplishment. Unlike key terrain, decisive terrain is not associated with any COA. By definition, the force cannot accomplish its mission without seizing and retaining decisive terrain.
