Defensive Operations Flashcards
Define a Defensive Operation
Defensive operations are combat operations conducted to defeat an enemy attack, gain time, economize forces and develop conditions favorable for offensive or stability operations.
What is the purpose of a Defensive Operation
To deter or defeat enemy offensive operations
Gain time
To achieve economy of force
To retain key terrain
To protect the populace, critical assets and infrastructure
Develop Intelligence
How many types of Defensive Operations are there
3
What are the types of Defensive Operations
Area Defense
Mobile Defense
Retrograde Operations
What are characteristics of a defensive plan
Preparation
Security
Disruption
Massing Effects
Flexibility
What’s the sequence to a Defensive Operation
Recon and Security Operations and Enemy
Preparatory Fires:
Security Forces
Guides
Occupation and Preparation
Approach of Main Attack
Enemy Assault
Counterattack
Consolidation and Reorganization
What are some planning considerations
Movement and Maneuver: Depth and Dispersion Flank Positions Displacement Planning Disengagement Criteria Direct Fire Suppression Cover and Concealment Indirect Fires and Smoke
Obstacle Integration
Mobility
Counter Mobility:
Tactical Obstacles
Protective Obstacles
Supplementary Obstacles
Fire Support:
Fire Support Assets
FIST Positioning
Protection:
Air Defense
Survivability
Sustainment:
Pre-positioning and Caches
Positioning of Company Trains
How many defensive techniques are there
7
What are the defensive techniques
Defend in Sector Defend from a Battle Position (BP) Defend a Strongpoint Defend a Perimeter Defend in a Linear Defense Defend in a Non-Linear defense Defend on a Reverse slope
Define Defend in Sector
CONSIST OF PL SECTORS, A SERIES OF MUTUALLY SUPPORTING BP’S ON ARMOR RESTRICTIVE TERRAIN.
POSITIONS ARE ARRAYED IN DEPTH.
STRENGTH OF DEFENSE IS FLEXIBILITY.
ORIENTS ON ENEMY NOT RETAINING TERRAIN.
EFFECTIVE AS IT ALLOWS ENEMY TO EXPOSE HIS FLANKS & C2 ASSETS.
Define Defend a Battle Position
PRIMARY, ALTERNATE, SUPPLEMENTARY, AND SUBSEQUENT.
MORE LINEAR AND CENTRALIZED.
ACHIEVES SURPRISE AND ALLOW MANEUVER.
EFFECTIVE IN CONCENTRATING COMBAT POWER INTO EA.
MUTAULLY SUPPORTING BP’s THAT COVER LIKELY ENEMY AVENUES OF APPROACH.
Define Defend a Strong Point
HOLDS KEY OR DECISIVE TERRAIN.
PROVIDES A PIVOT POINT.
BLOCKS AN AVENUE OF APPROACH.
CANALIZES THE ENEMY.
Define Defend a Perimeter
PLT PREPARES A PERIMETER DEFENSE WHEN THERE ARE NO FRIENDLY UNITS ADJACENT TO IT.
DISPERSE THE PLT IN A CIRCULAR CONFIGURATION FOR ALL AROUND SECURITY, ACTUAL SHAPE IS TERRAIN DEPENDANT.
A VARIATION IS THE Y-SHAPED PERIMETER DEFENSE.
Define Linear Defense
Allows interlocking and overlapping observation and fields of fire
Used when fires to the front are needed
Use of Terrain and Obstacles to canalize and slow the enemy
Counterreconnaissance is critical
Define Non-Linear Defense
Enemy Orientated
Depends on Surprise, Offensive action and Small Unit Leader initiative.
Used when commanders find it hard to select one decisive point on which to focus Combat Power
