Offensive Operations Flashcards
What are Offensive Operations
Offensive Operations are combat operations conducted to defeat and destroy enemy forces and seize terrain, resources, and population center. They impose the commander’s will on the enemy.
What are the 6 purposes of an Offensive Operation
Dislocate, Isolate, Disrupt, and Destroy Enemy Forces
Seize Key Terrain
Deprive the Enemy of Resources
Develop Intelligence
Deceive and Divert the enemy
Create a Secure Environment for Stability Operations
What are the characteristics of an Offensive Attack
SCAT
Surprise
Concentration
Audacity
Tempo
Define Surprise
Striking the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which he is not prepared.
Unpredictability and boldness help gain surprise.
Delay enemy reactions, as it overloads and confuses enemy command and control (C2).
Surprise may also come from an unexpected change in tempo.
Define Concentration
The attacker masses the effects of combat power at the decisive point to achieve the unit’s purpose.
Leaders concentrate the effects of their combat power, while trying not to concentrate forces.
Define Audacity
A simple plan of action, boldly executed.
Understand when and where to take risks.
Audacity inspires Soldiers to overcome adversity and danger.
Define Tempo
Rate of military action relative to the enemy.
Tempo promotes surprise and keeps the enemy off balance.
By increasing tempo, commanders maintain momentum.
Flexibility is a characteristic of the Offense, T or F
F. All plans need to adjust at some point. Commanders maintain flexibility at all times so he can attack identified enemy weaknesses when they are presented. The commander should avoid “fighting the plan” and instead focus on fighting the enemy or attacking identified enemy weakness
How many types of Offensive Operations are there
4
List the types of Offensive Operations
Movement to Contact
Attack
Exploitation
Pursuit
Define Movement to Contact
Offensive operations designed to develop the situation and to establish or regain contact
Techniques:
Search and Attack
Approach and March
Define Search and Attack
Commanders employ this form of movement to contact when the enemy is operating as small, dispersed element, or when the task is to deny the enemy the ability to move within a given area
Define Approach and March
Infantry companies normally use movement to contact as part of a larger force
Define Attacks
An offensive operation that destroys or defeats an enemy force, seizes, and secures terrain or both
Techniques:
Hasty Attack
Deliberate Attack
Special Purpose Attacks
Define Hasty Attack
Exploit a tactical opportunity
Maintain the momentum
Regain the initiative
Prevent the enemy from regaining organization or balance
Gain a favorable position that might be lost with time
Define Deliberate Attack
Highly synchronized operations characterized by detailed planning and preparation
Use simultaneous operations throughout the AO, planned fires, shaping operations, and forward positioning of resources needed to sustain momentum
Define Special Purpose Attack
Requires distinctive methods and require special planning:
Spoiling Attack Counterattack Raid Ambush Feint Demonstration
How many types of maneuvers are there
5
What are the types of Manuvers
Envelopment
Turning movement
Infiltration
Penetration
Frontal Attack
Define Envelopment
Attacking force seeks to avoid the principal enemy defenses by seizing objectives to the enemy rear or flank to destroy the enemy in his current position
Define Turning Movement
Attacking force seeks to avoid the enemy’s principal defensive positions by seizing objectives to the enemy rear and causing the enemy to move out of his current positions or divert major forces to meet the threat
Define Infiltration
Attacking force conducts undetected movement through or into an area occupied by enemy forces to occupy a position of advantage in the enemy rear while exposing only small elements to enemy defensive fires
Define Penetration
Attacking force seeks to rupture the enemy defenses on a narrow front to create both assailable flanks and access to the enemy’s rear
Define Frontal Attack
Attacking force seeks to destroy a weaker force or fix a larger enemy force in place over a broad front
How many parts are there to an offensive operation
7
What is the sequence of an offensive operation
Assembly Area
Reconnaissance
Movement to line of departure
Maneuver
Deployment
Assault
Consolidation and Reorganization
Define the use of Offensive Intelligence
Commanders will not have complete information about the enemy intentions
Define the use of Fire Support
Commanders must refine the first plan form higher HQ to meet his mission requirements and ensure that these refinements are incorporated into the higher HQ plan
Define Protection in Offensive Attacks
Security must be a consideration in planning for offensive operations
Define Sustainment in an offensive
Assist maneuver elements in maintaining momentum
Define Command and Control in an offensive
The Commander will locate where he can maintain a current and accurate picture, and best control his elements
How many elements are there to an Attack
5
What are the elements of an Attack
Support Element
Breach Element
Assault Element
Isolation/Security Element (CORDON)
Reserve Element
Define the Support Element in an Offensive Attack
Provides supporting (indirect or direct) fires initially to the breach element, then to the assault element.
Consist of any combination of Infantry squads, mortar section, the machine gun teams, or M203 gunners.
Primary responsibilities are to isolate the breach point and suppress enemy forces in order to protect the assault force.
Define the Breach Element in an Offensive Attack
Create and mark the necessary lanes in an obstacle.
Secure the near and far sides of an obstacle.
Defeat forces that can place immediate direct fires on the reduction area.
Report the lane status and location.
Define the Assault Element of an Offensive Attack
DESTROYS ENEMY ON OBJECTIVE.
DONE WITH RAPID, VIOLENT EXECUTION.
Define the Isolation/Security Element of an Offensive Attack
Prevent the enemy from reinforcing the objective.
Prevent enemy forces on the objective from leaving.
Infantry platoon will probably be the isolating element within the company.
Define the Reserve Element in an Offensive Attack
Is normally under the control of the commander.
Is positioned where it can best exploit the success of the attack
Should not be so close that it loses the flexibility of the assault
How many principles are there to Fire Control in an Offensive Attack
8
What are the Fire Control Principles
Mass the effects of fire
Destroy the greatest threat first
Avoid target overkill
Employ the best weapon for the target
Minimize friendly exposure
Plan and implement fratricide avoidance measures
Plan for extreme limited visibility conditions
Develop contingencies for diminished capabilities
What are the offense weapons for the US Army
M60/M240
M249 (SAW)
M203
M16/M4
AT-4
Grenades
Javelin
What are the indirect fires available for an offensive
M203
Mortars
Artillery
Close Air Support
Naval Gun Support
How many primary methods of fire control are there
6
What are the primary fire control methods
Oral
Hand & Arm Signals
Prearranged Signals
Personal Contact
Range Cards
SOPs
