Leaders control fires using standard commands, pyrotechnics, and other prearranged signals. The platoon increases the intensity of fires as the enemy closes within range of additional weapons. Squad leaders work to achieve a sustained rate of fire from their positions by having buddy teams engage the enemy so that both soldiers are not reloading their weapons at the same time.

The enemy closes on the platoon’s protective wire. Crew-served weapons and machine guns fire along interlocking fields of fire or final protective lines (FPLs) as previously planned and designated. These include the platoon’s machine guns, while other weapons fire at their designated fields of fire. Grenadiers engage the enemy with M203 grenade launchers in dead space or as the enemy attempts to breach protective wire. The platoon leader requests final protective fire (if assigned in support of his positions).

The platoon continues to defend until it repels the enemy or is ordered to disengage. If the platoon cannot destroy the enemy from its assigned positions, the platoon leader reports the situation to the company commander and continues to engage the enemy. He repositions the platoon (or squads of the platoon) when directed by the commander to continue fires into the platoon sector, occupy supplementary positions, reinforce other parts of the company, counterattack locally to retake lost fighting positions, and/or withdraw from an indefensible position using fire and movement to break contact.

Counterattack

As the enemy’s momentum is slowed or stopped, friendly forces may counterattack. Counterattack can be launched purely for offensive purposes to seize the initiative from the enemy, or it may be mainly defensive—for example, to reestablish the forward edge of the battle area (FEBA) or to restore control of the sector. The company or platoon may participate in the counterattack as a base-of-fire element or as the counterattack force.

Consolidation and Reorganization

The platoon secures its sector and reestablishes the defense by repositioning forces, occupying advantageous terrain, destroying enemy elements, processing EPWs, and reestablishing obstacles. The platoon conducts all necessary combat service support (CSS) functions as it prepares to continue defending. Consolidation includes organizing and strengthening a position so that it can continue to hold against the enemy, using means such as adjusting other positions to maintain mutual support; reoccupying and repairing prior positions; relocating selected weapons to alternate positions if leaders believe that the enemy may have pinpointed them during the attack; repairing damaged obstacles; replacing mines (Claymores) and booby traps; and reestablishing security and communications.

Reorganization includes shifting internal resources within a degraded unit to increase its level of combat effectiveness, using means such as manning key weapons; providing first aid and preparing injured soldiers for casualty evacuation (CASEVAC); redistributing ammunition and supplies; and processing and evacuating EPWs.

BATTLEFIELD OPERATING SYSTEMS PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

The Battlefield Operating Systems (BOS) are the seven critical tactical activities whose synchronization and coordination are critical for success. The following BOS pertain to defense operations.

Maneuver. Effective weapons positioning enables the platoon to mass fires at critical points on the battlefield and to enhance survivability. The combat leader must maximize the strengths of the platoon’s weapons systems while minimizing its exposure to enemy observation and fires.

Fire Support. For the indirect-fire plan to be effective in the defense, the unit must plan and execute indirect fires in a manner that achieves the intended task and purpose of each target. Indirect fires slow and disrupt the enemy, prevent enemy breaching operations, destroy or delay enemy forces at obstacles, defeat attacks along dismounted avenues of approach using FPF, and obscure enemy observation, among other effects.

Mobility, Countermobility, and Survivability. Mobility in defense means the ability to reposition forces, including unit displacement and the commitment of reserve forces. The company commander’s priorities may specify that some routes be improved to support such operations. Countermobility (obstacles) limits the maneuver of enemy forces and enhances the effectiveness of the defender’s direct and indirect fires. Survivability focuses on protecting friendly forces from the effect of enemy weapons systems.

Air Defense. The focus of an air defense plan is on likely air avenues of approach for enemy fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles, which may not correspond with the enemy’s ground avenues of approach. A platoon leader is not likely to emplace air defense assets; however, he must be aware that higher headquarters may employ air defense assets near his defensive position.

Combat Service Support. In addition to the CSS functions required for all, the platoon leader’s mission analysis (or guidance) may reveal that the unit’s ammunition needs during an operation could exceed its basic load. This requires the platoon to establish ammunition caches. These caches, which may be positioned at alternate or subsequent positions, should be dug in and security provided by active or passive means (such as guarded or observed) or passive measures employed to indicate when and if the cache is tampered with.

Intelligence. Gaining information about the enemy is critical in defense. Continuing intelligence updates as well as constant reconnaissance of the area afford the infantry leader the information needed to constantly improve the unit’s position.

Command and Control. Command and control refers to the process of directing, coordinating, and controlling a unit to accomplish a mission. Having effective communication to higher and supporting units is an essential BOS.

ENGAGEMENT AREA DEVELOPMENT

The engagement area (EA) is the place where the unit leader intends to destroy an enemy force using the massed fires of all available weapons. The success of any engagement depends on how effectively the leader can integrate the obstacle and indirect-fire plans with his direct-fire plan in the EA to achieve the unit’s purpose. Despite its complexity, EA development resembles a drill. The leader and his subordinate leaders use a standardized set of procedures. Beginning with an evaluation of the factors of METT-TC, the development process covers these steps:

1.Identify likely enemy avenues of approach.

2.Identify the enemy scheme of maneuver.

3.Determine where to kill the enemy.

4.Emplace weapons systems.

5.Plan and integrate obstacles.

6.Plan and integrate indirect fires.

7.Conduct an EA rehearsal.

Identify Likely Enemy Avenues of Approach

The infantry leader conducts an initial reconnaissance of the enemy’s probable avenue of approach into the sector or EA. He confirms key terrain identified by the company commander, including locations that afford positional advantage over the enemy and natural obstacles and choke points that restrict forward movement. The platoon leader determines which avenues will afford cover and concealment for the enemy while allowing him to maintain his tempo. The leader also evaluates lateral mobility corridors (routes) that adjoin each avenue of approach.

Identify the Enemy Scheme of Maneuver

The leader greatly enhances his planning by gaining information early. He attempts to receive answers (from higher headquarters) about the enemy’s purpose, direction, terrain orientation, mission, objectives, attack structure, recon assets, expected rate of movement, and response to friendly actions.