Task Verbs Flashcards
Block
A tactical task that denies the
enemy access to their area or
prevents their advance in a
given direction or along an
Avenue of Approach.
Breach
A tactical task where any means
available are employed to break
through or secure a passage through
an enemy defence, obstacle,
minefield or fortification.
Bypass
A tactical task which involves
manoeuvring around an obstacle,
position or enemy force to maintain
the momentum of advance.
Canalise
Army – A tactical task to restrict
enemy movement to a narrow zone
by the use of obstacles, fires or
friendly manoeuvre
Clear
A tactical task to remove all
enemy forces from a specific
location, area or zone
Contain
To stop, hold or surround the forces
of the enemy or to cause the enemy
to centre activity on a given front, and
to prevent the enemy with drawing
any part of the forces for use
elsewhere.
Counterattack
A tactical task, which consists of an
attack by parts or all of a defending
force against an enemy attacking
force. Specific purposes such as
regaining lost ground, cutting off or
destroying enemy advanced units,
with the general objective of denying
the enemy the purpose of attack. In
sustained defence activities, it is
undertaken to restore the battle
position and is directed at limited
objective
Delay
A tactical task in which a force under
pressure trades space for time by
slowing down the enemy’s movement
and inflicting maximum damage on
the enemy without in principle
becoming decisively engaged
Destroy
A tactical task to physically
render an enemy force combat-
ineffective unless it is
reconstituted
Disrupt
A tactical task that breaks apart an
enemy’s formation and tempo,
interrupts the enemy’s timetable,
causes premature commitment of
forces and/or splinters their attack.
Fix
A tactical task in which actions
are taken to prevent the enemy
from moving any part of their
forces from a specific location
and/or for a specific period of
time by holding or surrounding
them to prevent their withdrawal
for use elsewhere.
Interdict
To carry out a tactical task to
prevent, hinder or delay the use
of an area or route by enemy
forces
Neutralise
To render enemy personnel or
material incapable of interfering
with a particular operation.
Occupy
A tactical task in which a force
moves onto an objective, key
terrain or other man-made or
natural terrain area without
opposition and controls that
entire area.
Penetrate
In land operations, the breaking
through of the enemy’s defence and
disrupting the defensive system.
Relief in Place
An operation in which, by direction of
higher authority, all or part of a unit is
replaced in an area by the incoming
unit. The responsibilities of the
replaced elements for the mission
and the assigned zone of operations
are transferred to the incoming unit.
The incoming unit continues the
operation as ordered
Screen
A tactical task to observe, identify and
report on enemy movement and to
deny the enemy direct observation of
our movement and/or disposition
Secure
In an operational context, to gain
possession of a position or terrain
feature, with or without force, and to
make such dispositions as will
prevent, as far as possible, its
destruction or loss by enemy action.
Guard
A security element whose primary
task is to protect the main force by
fighting to gain time while also
observing and reporting information
Seize
A tactical task to clear a designated
area and gain control of it.
Withdraw
Army – A tactical task where a force
in contact disengages from the
enemy and moves in a direction
away from the enemy.
Retain
A tactical task to occupy and hold a
terrain feature to ensure it is free of
enemy occupation or use.
Isolate
A tactical task given to a unit to seal
off an enemy from its sources of
support, to deny an enemy freedom
of movement and prevent it from
having contact with other enemy
forces.
Follow and Support
An operation in which a committed
force follows and supports the
mission accomplishment of a force
conducting an offensive operation.
Such a force is not a reserve, but is
committed to accomplish specified
tasks
Follow and Assume
An operation in which a committed
force follows a force conducting an
offensive operation, and is prepared
to continue the mission of the force it
is following when that force is fixed,
attrited or otherwise unable to
continue.
Assembly Area
An area in which a command is
assembled preparatory to further
action.
Feint
A deception measure/
diversionary attack in which
kinetic contact is made with
the enemy
Demonstration
Any deception
measure employing the
manoeuvre or deliberate
creation of visual, auditory or
electro-magnetic sign that does
not gain kinetic contact with the
enemy. (Unit inside the frame
indicates the unit conducting the
diversion.
Dummy Battle Position
A false battle
position that is developed in order to
deceive the enemy.
Dummy positions require one third of
the force. Eg. To convince enemy a
PL is present the dummy position will
require a Section to occupy it.
Objective
The physical object of the action
taken (eg, a definite tactical feature,
the seizure and/or holding of which is
essential to the commander’s plan).
Attack by Fire Position
Fire employed to destroy the enemy
from a distance. Normally does not
dictate or support occupation of the
objective. This task is usually given to
the supporting element during the
offensive and as a counterattack
option for the reserve during
defensive operations.
Support by Fire Position
A tactical task by which a manoeuvre
element moves to a position on the
battlefield where it can engage the
enemy by direct fire. The manoeuvre
element does not attempt to
manoeuvre to capture enemy forces
or terrain.
No Fire Area
An area in which no fires or effects of fires
are allowed. Two exceptions are:
1. When establishing HQ approves fires
temporarily within the no fire area on a
mission basis; and
2. When the enemy force within the no fire
area engages a friendly force, the
commander may engage the enemy to
defend own forces.
Phase Line
Linear control Measure that requires
permission to be sought before crossing
and which denotes the commencement of a new phase. Typically a higher headquarters will seek to set a number of conditions before ordering subrodinate units to cross a phase line.
Report Line
Linear control Measure at which all units
must report as they cross over for
purposes of control, coordination and battle tracking
Form up Point
An area in which a force occupies in order to adopt an appropriate formation prior to crossing the line of departure and commencing an assault.
Engagement Area
An area along an enemy AA where
the commander intends to contain
and destroy an enemy force with the
massed fire of all available weapons.
The size and shape of the EA is
determined by the relatively
unobstructed intervisibility from the
weapon systems in their firing
positions and the maximum range of
those weapons.
Ambush
A surprise attack by fire from
concealed positions on a moving or
temporarily halted enemy.
Named Area of Interest
A point or area along a particular AA
through which enemy activity is
expected to occur. Activity or lack of
activity within an NAI will help to
confirm or deny a particular enemy
COA
Target Area of Interest
The geographical area or point along
an MC, the successful interdiction of
which will cause an enemy to either
abandon a particular COA or require
the enemy to use specialised
engineer support to continue, and
where the enemy can be acquired
and engaged by friendly forces
