Once the maneuver force has gained the positional advantage, it can execute a tactical task, such as an assault to destroy the remaining enemy.

MOVEMENT TO CONTACT

Platoons and squads participate in an MTC as part of a company, using the movement formations and techniques explained in Chapter 3. A company generally conducts an MTC when it must gain or maintain contact with the enemy or when it lacks sufficient time to gain intelligence or make extensive plans to defeat the enemy.

Planning an MTC

Firsthand enemy information provides the intelligence necessary to respond to the enemy, so reconnaissance is a critical aspect to planning. However, if the enemy situation remains vague, the platoon must be prepared to act in any situation. This is accomplished through proper planning, appropriate movement formations and techniques, fire control measures, platoon SOPs, engagement criteria, and studying the terrain before and during movement to anticipate likely enemy locations. While moving, all leaders study the terrain (geometry) and anticipate enemy contact by noting positions that would facilitate enemy attack. Based on these terrain studies, leaders should avoid likely areas of enemy ambush or exposing their platoon to long-range observation and fires.

Techniques

Infantry units will participate in two techniques for conducting an MTC: approach march or search and attack (see page 86). The approach march technique is used when the enemy is expected to deploy using relatively fixed offensive or defensive formations but the situation remains vague. The search and attack technique is used when the enemy is dispersed, or expected to avoid contact or quickly disengage and withdraw, or when the higher unit needs to deny the enemy movement in an AO.

Command and Control

The company commander will dictate a number of C² techniques for the unit to employ. The platoon leader may modify these to better control his squads based on the commander’s intent and guidance and METT-TC. Some examples of C² follow.

Phase Lines and Checkpoints. The company commander will normally assign phase lines and checkpoints to control the forward movement of the platoons. The platoon does not stop at a phase line unless told to do so. If necessary, the platoon leader designates additional phase lines or checkpoints for use within the platoon to reduce the number and length of radio transmissions used to control movement.

Fire Control and Distribution. The platoon uses boundaries, direct-fire plans, pyrotechnics, signals, and FRAGOs for direct-fire control and distribution. This is important because of the scarcity of information about the enemy and is crucial in avoiding fratricide.

Indirect-Fire Plan. The platoon leader must have a good indirect-fire plan for his route in order to cover anticipated places of contact. Precoordinated target reference points (TRPs) are the basis of a fire plan; the leader can quickly use them for immediate fire suppression. They can be points that are easy to recognize to adjust fire from or points where enemy activity is suspected.

Developing the Situation

Once the platoon makes contact with the enemy, it maintains contact until the commander orders otherwise. The platoon leader develops the situation based on the effectiveness of enemy fire, friendly casualties, size of the enemy force, and freedom to maneuver. A good MTC plan will provide the infantry leader with the knowledge needed to take advantage of the terrain. It will also facilitate reporting critical information about the enemy in order to recommend a COA. The platoon can bypass the enemy with permission from the commander, conduct an attack, fix the enemy so another platoon can conduct the assault, conduct a defense, establish an ambush, or break contact.

Defensive Considerations

In some situations, a platoon conducting an MTC makes contact with a much larger and more powerful enemy force. If the platoon encounters a larger enemy force where the terrain gives the platoon an advantage, it should attempt to fix the enemy force. This allows the rest of the company to maneuver against the force. If the platoon cannot fix the enemy, it may have to assume a defensive posture or break contact to more advantageous terrain, but it should do so only if it is in danger of being overwhelmed.

Approach March Technique

The approach march technique may be used when the enemy is expected to deploy using relatively fixed offensive or defensive formations. The concept behind the approach march is to make contact with the smallest element, allowing the commander the flexibility of maneuvering or bypassing the enemy force. As part of a larger unit using the approach march technique, platoons may act as the advance, flank, or rear guard. They may also receive on-order missions as part of the main body.

Advance Guard. As the advance guard (probe), the platoon finds the enemy and locates gaps, flanks, and weaknesses in its defense. The advance guard attempts to make contact on ground of its own choosing, to gain the advantage of surprise, and to develop the situation (either fight through or support the assault of all or part of the main body).

The advance guard operates within the range of the main body’s indirect-fire support weapons. One rifle squad leads the advance guard. The platoon uses appropriate formations and movement techniques, and the leader rotates the lead squad as necessary to keep soldiers fresh.

Flank or Rear Guard. The entire platoon may use the approach march technique to act as the flank or rear guard for a battalion conducting a movement to contact. The platoon moves using the appropriate formation and movement technique; provides early warning; destroys enemy reconnaissance units; and prevents direct fires or observation of the main body.

Main Body. When moving as part of the main body, platoons may be tasked to assault, bypass, or fix an enemy force or to seize, secure, or clear an assigned area. The platoon may also be detailed to provide squads as flank guards, stay-behind ambushes, rear security, or additional security to the front. These squads may come under the direct control of the company commander. Platoons and squads use appropriate formations and movement techniques, assault techniques, and ambush techniques.

Search and Attack Technique

Search and attack is used when the enemy is dispersed or is expected to avoid contact or quickly disengage and withdraw, or to deny the enemy movement in an area. The search and attack technique involves the use of multiple squads and fire teams in coordinated actions to make contact with the enemy. Platoons attempt to find the enemy and then fix and finish it. They combine patrolling techniques with the requirement to conduct hasty or deliberate attacks once the enemy has been found.

LIMITED-VISIBILITY ATTACKS

Effective use of night vision devices (NVGs) during limited-visibility attacks enhances squad and platoon ability to achieve surprise and cause panic in a lesser-equipped enemy. NVGs allow soldiers to see farther and with greater clarity, and provide a marked advantage over the enemy. Leaders also have an increased ability to control fires during limited visibility.

The well-equipped platoon has multiple types of enhancements for use, including laser target designators; aiming lights; and target illuminators consisting of infrared parachute flares, infrared trip flares, infrared 40mm rounds, infrared mortar rounds, infrared bike lights, and remote black lights. These assets greatly aid in target acquisition and fire control. The platoon leader and squad leaders follow tactical SOPs to synchronize the employment of infrared illumination devices, target designators, and aiming lights during their assault on the objective.