O160 Defensive Operations

Question 1

Types of defensive operations

Answer 1

• mobile defense
• area defense
• retrograde

Question 2

Purposes of defensive ops

Answer 2

• deter or defeat enemy offense
• gain time
• achieve economy of force
• retain key terrain
• protect the populace, critical assets, and infrastructure
• develop intelligence

Question 3

Characteristics of defensive ops

Answer 3

Disruption, flexibility, maneuver, massing effects, operations in depth, preparation, and security

Question 4

Forms of defense

Answer 4

• Defense of a linear obstacle
• Defense of a perimeter
• reverse slope defense

Question 5

What is Area defense

Answer 5

Deny enemy forces access to designated terrain for a specific time rather than destroying the enemy outright. It limits the enemy’s freedom of maneuver and channeling them into killing areas

Question 6

What is mobile defense

Answer 6

Destroy or defeat the enemy through a decisive attack by a striking force. A force oriented defensive action that focuses on the destruction of the enemy rather than the retention of terrain.

Question 7

What is a striking force

Answer 7

A dedicated counter-attack force in a mobile defense constituted w/ the bulk of available combat power

-supplemented by the fixing force

Question 8

What is retrograde?

Answer 8

Organized movement away from the enemy. Has 3 forms: delay, withdrawal, and retirement

Question 9

7 step engagement area development

Answer 9

1) identify all likely enemies avenues of approach
2) determine likely enemy schemes of maneuver
3) determine where to kill the enemy
4) emplace weapon systems
5) plan and integrate obstacles
6) plan and integrate indirect fires
7) rehearse

Question 10

2 main types of obstacles

Answer 10

1) existing (natural or manmade)
2) reinforcing (tactical or protective)

Natural: rivers, mountains, etc.
Manmade: railroads, towns, cemetery, etc.

Tactical: directed, situational, or reserve
Protective: defense or security

Question 11

Types of individual obstacles

Answer 11

1) Demolition (blown bridges, road crater, etc.)
2) Constructed (wire, tetrahedron, tank ditch)
3) Mines (conventional, scatterable)

Question 12

Effects of obstacles

Answer 12

Disrupt (break up), turn (divert), fix (slow down), or block (stop) advances. Study different shapes of arrows for each.

Question 13

5 kinds of battle positions

Answer 13

1) primary
2) alternate
3) supplementary
4) subsequent
5) strong point

Question 14

Primary battle position:

Answer 14

The position that covers the enemy’s most likely avenue of approach into the AO

Question 15

Alternate battle position

Answer 15

The position that covers the enemy’s most likely avenue of approach into the AO and occupied when the primary becomes untenable or unsuitable

Question 16

Supplementary battle position

Answer 16

The position that covers the best sectors of fire and defensive terrain along an avenue of approach that is not the primary avenue of attach

Question 17

Subsequent battle position

Answer 17

The position that a unit expects to move to during the course of battle

Question 18

Strong point battle position

Answer 18

Heavily fortified position tied to a natural or reinforcing obstacle to create an anchor for the defense or to deny the enemy decisive or key terrain.

STOP SLIDE 10/38

Question 19

what are forms of defense?

Answer 19

distinct tactical combinations of unique characteristics that differ primarily in the relationship between the maneuvering force, terrain, operational objectives, and the enemy

Question 20

2 reasons for transition

Answer 20

• if defense is successful, transition to the offense

- if defense is unsuccessful, transition to retrograde operations

Question 21

defensive planning considerations

Answer 21

• understand the CO’s intent
• establish priorities of work
• execute security and reconnaissance operations
• combine natural and manmade obstacles to canalize enemy forces into engagement areas
• position forces in depth
• prepare reserves
• designate counterattack forces
• conduct rehearsals
• continue preparation until offense begins or defenders retrograde