Motorized Operations

Question 1

The tactical planning process for convoy is the same as any other operation save one important consideration:

Answer 1

the selection of the route is based off a comprehensive METT-T that includes all route options and comes before the EMLCOA, Commanders Intent, and SOM. By selecting your route prior to developing your EMLCOA, CI, and SOM, you can focus your effort and the products of your planning. Keep in mind, your route is not your SOM; it is one of several elements that craft your SOM.

Question 2

Whether a route is dictated by higher or left up to his/her discretion, the convoy commander will always conduct a

Answer 2

METT-T analysis

Question 3

The mission states the desired convoy objective or end state (deliver what to who, where, when, and why). Implied tasks may apply, such as:

Answer 3

Intelligence Collection
Route Clearing
Snap Vehicle Checkpoints (VCPs).

Question 4

As with any other operation, as soon as the convoy commander receives the mission, he or she should issue a

Answer 4

warning order to his subordinate unit leaders to ensure they have maximum time to prepare themselves, troops, and equipment.

Question 5

Quick reaction forces (QRF), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel, CASEVAC capabilities, and recovery assets are all things the convoy commander should be considering while he or she is

Answer 5

analyzing his/her route options

Question 6

What are some of the Marine Corps wheeled vehicles that are commonly used in convoy operations today:

Answer 6

Marine Armor System Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MAS MTVR 7-Ton).

Up-Armor HMMWV (UAH).

Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP

Question 7

What are three types of communications in a convoy

Answer 7

External To The Convoy
Vehicle To Vehicle
Vehicle Internal

Question 8

Aircraft can provide a wide range of capabilities to support convoy operations. The most common are:

Answer 8

 Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance (ISR). Aircraft can fly ahead and to the flanks of the convoy and report on enemy and route conditions.
 Show of Force. Aircraft make their presence known to enemy forces making the convoy a “hard” target.
 Close Air Support (CAS). Destroy enemy through fires from the aircraft.
 CASEVAC. Highly responsive evacuation of wounded personnel.

Question 9

The JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) is responsible for the following:

Answer 9

 Develop an air support plan that supports the convoy commander’s SOM
 Process the raw information coming from the aircraft into actionable intelligence for the convoy commander while filtering out unnecessary information
 Prosecute targets using CAS
 Execute air CASEVAC missions as needed

Question 10

The specific information a convoy must provide to aircraft is:

Answer 10

 Number of vehicles in convoy
 Vehicle number JTAC/Convoy Commander are in
 Convoy route
 Concerns
 Named Areas of Interest (NAI)

Question 11

What affects the routes, the performance of your vehicles, your Marines and therefore must be heavily considered during your analysis.

Answer 11

Weather conditions such as rain, fog, snow, and sandstorms

Question 12

The enemy should be analyzed using

Answer 12

SALUTE and DRAW-D to assist in the development of the EMLCOA.

Question 13

What is an important planning factor in mission preparation

Answer 13

Time

Question 14

Your EMLCOA will begin with a statement describing

Answer 14

the overall intent of the enemy and be followed by a partitioning to reflect the analysis, organized by the use of CPs

Question 15

Commander’s Intent (Method) should be based on the following template:

Answer 15

 The key strength should be something that allows the EN to stop/slow the convoy
 The key weakness should be a gap that is linked to the EN capability to stop/slow the convoy
 Exploitation Plan should be a combination of an IA drills, convoy TTPs, and the use of organic and supporting arms to keep the convoy moving

Question 16

The convoy order is the method by which

Answer 16

the convoy commander conveys his or her plan to the rest of the convoy.

Question 17

Like defensive operations, convoy has a unique combination of elements that make up the SOM. They are

Answer 17

 Task Organization
 Distribution of Forces
 Route (a named route or CPs)
 Movement Formations
 Tactical Control Measures
 Actions on the Objective

Question 18

The Lead Security Unit provides

Answer 18

180 degree security to the front of the convoy and its tactical task is to screen to the front.

Question 19

The Rear Security Unit provides

Answer 19

180 degree security to the rear of the convoy and its tactical task is to screen to the rear

Question 20

The Main Body Security Unit provides

Answer 20

flank security for the convoy and its tactical task is to protect; the cargo falls within the main body, in between the security vehicles

Question 21

Open Column is

Answer 21

Distance between vehicles is approximately 100m-200m. This formation works best in open terrain and on roads that allow for travel at higher rates of speed

Question 22

Close Column is

Answer 22

Distance between vehicles is approximately 50m-100m. This formation works best at night, in urban areas, or in high traffic areas

Question 23

(TCMs) Tactical Control Measures are used to

Answer 23

command and control a convoy much as they would be used for a squad or platoon attack.

Question 24

Some commonly used TCMs are

Answer 24

Check Points
Rally points
Unit Boundaries

Question 25

Some responsibilities of the convoy commander include

Answer 25

 Overall command of the convoy
 Assess enemy situation; plan the convoy: formation, route, fire support plan
 Develop and issue the convoy order (and warning orders)
 Conduct COC and cross-boundary coordination (both during preparation and execution)
 Coordinate actions on the objective (link up plan, offload/upload plan, destination of cargo and personnel, return cargo/personnel)
 Develop IA drills, ensure Marines are trained to standard, constantly evaluate IA drills and change if necessary
 Submit a detailed manifest (name, rank, SSN, blood type, and location in the convoy of all personnel to include attachments; type, serial number, and order of vehicles, all serialized gear, type and location of cargo)

Question 26

Some responsibilities of the assistant convoy commander include

Answer 26

 Second in command
 Responsible for vehicle preparation, loading, and staging
 Conduct rehearsals prior to execution
 Assess and attempt to repair or recover down vehicles or ones with maintenance problems
 Maintain formation, dispersion, and order of march
 Make recommendations to the convoy commander as appropriate
 Compile detailed manifest for convoy commander

Question 27

Lead Security Unit Leader responsibilities are

Answer 27

 Controls all vehicles and personnel that make up the lead security unit
 Responsible for forward security
 Performs convoy navigation duties
 Communicate checkpoints, turns, danger areas, etc. to Convoy Commander
 Maintains convoy speed/interval for the Lead Security Unit
 Understand and rehearse convoy commander’s IA drills and contingency plans for that specific mission, to include vehicle unloading drill. Train and rehearse with rest of convoy.

Question 28

Main Body Security Unit Leader responsibilities are

Answer 28

 Controls all vehicles and personnel that make up the main body security unit
 Responsible for outboard security
 Communicate checkpoints, turns, danger areas, etc., to Convoy Commander
 Maintains convoy speed/interval for the Main Body Security Unit

Question 29

Rear Security Unit Leader responsibilities are

Answer 29

 Controls all vehicles and personnel that make up the rear security unit
 Responsible for rear security
 Maintains rear security for the convoy
 Communicate the convoy’s passing of checkpoints, turns, danger areas, etc., to Convoy Commander
 Maintains convoy speed/interval for Rear Security Unit

Question 30

Some responsibilities of the vehicle commander are

Answer 30

 Take charge of the vehicle
 Know the route
 Defend the driver and the vehicle; ensure 360 degree security is maintained
 Ensure the vehicle follows IA drills and commands of the convoy commander
 Account for all personnel and equipment in that vehicle
 Handle communications within the vehicle and between the vehicle and the convoy commander

Question 31

Some responsibilities of gunners are

Answer 31

 Maintain assigned sectors of fire
 Positively identify and engage targets per Rules of Engagement (ROE)
 Ensure weapons are manned at all times
 Properly maintain and employ weapons

Question 32

Some of the responsibilities of drivers are

Answer 32

 Drive the vehicle. That is their primary duty. If possible other tasks should be assigned to someone else.
 Maintain correct interval and speed. Always keep vehicle to the front and rear in sight.
 Employ vehicle within its capabilities and know its limitations
 Conduct all required checks and service on vehicles
 Ensure vehicles are roadworthy
 Follow directions of the vehicle commanders

Question 33

Immediate Action (IA) drills are

Answer 33

pre-planned actions in response to common and anticipated events and enemy action

Question 34

Pre-Combat Checks and Inspections confirm that the plan is

Answer 34

executable by verifying that all personnel and materials are present and operational

Question 35

Both personnel and equipment (weapons, communication gear, vehicles, etc) must undergo

Answer 35

checks and inspections prior to any mission in order to identify and correct any potential issues

Question 36

The purpose of conducting rehearsals is to

Answer 36

enable final reinforcement of critical habits of thought/action before departing friendly lines. Rehearsals serve as an opportunity for commanders to practice critical tactical actions that are anticipated or expected while conducting their convoy.