OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

AS OF 10 OCT 04CDC

MY CENTER IS GIVING WAY, MY RIGHT IS IN RETREAT; IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER; SITUATION

EXCELLENT. I AM ATTACKING.

MARSHAL FERDINAND FOCHBATTLE OF THE MARNE

SEPTEMBER 1914.

OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE

· Action: Conduct offensive operations.

· Condition: Given FMs, reading assignments, and an instructor in a classroom with training materials.

· Standards: Conduct offensive operations IAW FM 3-0, FM 3-90, FM 3-21.8, FM 3- 21.10, and achieve a 70% pass in

· overall testing.

ADMINISTRATION

· SAFETY: NONE

· RISK ASSESSMENT: LOW

· ENVIRONMENTAL: NONE

Doctrinal: FM 3-0 Tactics: FM 3-90

Company: FM 3-21.10

Platoon: FM 3-21.8

REFERENCES

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Action: Determine the purpose of the offense.

Condition: Given FMs and reading assignments in a classroom with an instructor and training materials.

Standards: Determine the purpose of the offense IAW FM 3-0, FM 3-90, FM 3-21.8, FM 3-21.10, and achieve a 70% pass in overall testing.

OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

FM 3-0 pg 7-2

OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS SEEK, RETAIN, AND EXPLOIT THE INITIATIVE TO DEFEAT

THE ENEMY DECISIVELY.

What is the purpose of OffensiveOperations?

OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

Additional Tasks:

Disruption of the enemyDenying the enemy resourcesFixing the enemySecuring terrainGaining information Achieved by “Aggressive Patrolling”

FM 3-0 pg 7-2

OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

THE OPERATIONAL AND TACTICAL LEVELS OF WAR

Army operational units conduct offensive campaigns and major operations to achieve theater-level effects based on tactical actions.

· Operational Offense: At the operational level, offensive operations directly or indirectly attack the enemy “center of gravity”.

· Tactical Offense: At the operational level, tactical units exploit the effects that joint and multinational forces contribute to the offense.

FM 3-0 pg 7-2

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Action: Determine the Characteristics of the Offense.

Condition: Given FMs, reading assignments, and an instructor in a classroom with training materials.

Standards: Determine the Characteristics of the Offense IAW FM 3-0, FM 3-90, FM 3-21.8, FM 3-21.10, and achieve a 70% pass in overall testing.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFENSE

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFENSE

Surprise

Concentration

Tempo

Audacity

FM 3-0 pg 7-4

SURPRISESTRIKING THE ENEMY AT A TIME OR PLACE OR IN A

MANNER FOR WHICH HE IS UNPREPARED.

FM 3-0 pg 7-5

Unpredictability and boldness help gain surprise.

Delay enemy reactions, as it overloads and confuses enemy Command & Control (C2).

Surprise may also come from an unexpected change in tempo.

CONCENTRATION

CONCENTRATION IS THE MASSING OF OVERWHELMING EFFECTS OF COMBAT POWER

TO ACHIEVE A SINGLE PURPOSE.

FM 3-0 pg 7-5

Attacking commanders manipulate their own and the enemy’s concentration by combining dispersion,

concentration, military deception, and attacks.

TEMPO

TEMPO IS THE RATE OF SPEED OF MILITARY ACTION.

FM 3-0 pg 7-6

Faster tempo allows attackers to disrupt enemy defensive plans.

Rapid tempo demands quick decisions.

Tempo allows commanders to maintain momentum and never permits the enemy to recover from the shock of the initial assault.

AUDACITY

A SIMPLE PLAN OF ACTION, BOLDLY EXECUTED.

FM 3-0 pg 7-6

Understand when and where to take risks.

Audacity inspires soldiers to overcome adversity and danger.

DECISIVE OPERATIONS IN THE OFFENSE

What are Decisive Operations?

Decisive offensive operations are attacks that conclusively determine the outcome of major operations, battles, and engagements. At the

operational level, decisive operations achieve the goals of each phase of a campaign.

FM 3-0 pg 7-7

SHAPING OPERATIONS

Shaping operations in the offense include attacksdesigned to achieve one or more of the following:

Deceive the enemy.

Destroy or fix enemy forces that could interfere with the decisive operation.

Control terrain whose occupation by the enemy would hinder the decisive operation.

Force the enemy to commit reserves prematurely or into an indecisive area.

FM 3-0 pg 7-8

SHAPING OPERATIONS

Advance, flank, and rear security forces conduct security operations.

These elements:

Provide early warning.

Find gaps in defenses.

Provide time to react and space to maneuver.

FM 3-0 pg 7-9

SUSTAINING OPERATIONS

Sustaining operations in the offense ensure freedom of action and maintain momentum.

CSS unit locations need not be contiguous with those of their supported forces.

FM 3-0 pg 7-10

AREA OF OPERATIONS

Shaping Operations

Decisive Operations

Security Operations

ENY

Supporting attack

ENY

ENY

ENY

Main attack

FORMS OF MANEUVER

While normally combined, each form of maneuver attacks the enemy differently. Each form poses different challenges for attackers and different dangers for defenders. You can determine what form of maneuver to use by analyzing the factors of METT-TC.

FM 3-0 pg 7-10

Envelopment

Turning Movement

Infiltration

Penetration

Frontal Attack

FORMS OF MANEUVER

FM 3-0 pg 7-10

ENVELOPMENT

...is a form of maneuver in which an attacking force seeks to avoid the principal enemy defenses by seizing objectives to the enemy rear to destroy the enemy in his current position.

FM 3-0 pg 7-11

ENVELOPMENT

ENY ENY

Shaping

Operations

Decisive

Operation

TURNING MOVEMENT

…is a form of maneuver in which the attacking force seeks to avoid the enemy’s principaldefensive 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.

FM 3-0 pg 7-12

TURNING MOVEMENT

OBJ

ENY

ENY

ENY

INFILTRATION

…a form of maneuver in which an attacking forces conducts undetected movementthrough 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.

FM 3-0 pg 7-13

INFILTRATION

OBJ

ENYENY

Decisive

Operation

PENETRATION

…a form of maneuver in which an attacking force seeks to rupture the enemy defenses on a narrow front to disrupt their defensive system.

FM 3-0 pg 7-13

PENETRATION

OBJ

OBJOBJ

Shaping

OperationShaping

Operation

Decisive

Operation

ENY

ENY

FRONTAL ATTACK

…a form of maneuver in which an attacking force seeks to destroy a weaker enemy force or fix a larger enemy force in place over a broad front.

FM 3-0 pg 7-15

A frontal attack is rarely the preferredtechnique!! An assailable flank is always a commander’s first choice!

FRONTAL ATTACK

OBJ

OBJ

ENY

ENY

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Action: Determine the types of offensive operations.

Condition: Given FMs and an instructor in a classroom with training materials.

Standards: Determine the types of offensive operations IAW FM 3-0, FM 3-90,

FM 3-21.8, FM 3-21.10, and achieve a 70% pass in overall testing.

TYPESOF

OFFENSIVEOPERATIONS

FM 3-0 pg 7-16

TYPES OF OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

Movement to Contact

Attack

Exploitation

Pursuit

FM 3-0 pg 7-16

MOVEMENT TO CONTACT…offensive operations designed to developthe situation and to establish or regaincontact with the enemy.

Variants:– Search and Attack– Approach March– Meeting Engagement

FM 3-0 pg 7-17

MOVEMENT TO CONTACT(Search and Attack)

...is a technique for conducting a movement to contact that shares many of the characteristics of an area security mission.

FM 3-0 pg 7-18

...is a technique for conducting a movement to contact in which a commander intends to make contact with the smallest element possible. Units follow a general direction and may act as the advance, flank, or rear guard.

FM 3-0 pg 7-17

MOVEMENT TO CONTACT(Approach March)

...is a combat action that occurs when a moving force engages an enemy at an unexpected time and place.

FM 3-0 pg 7-18

MOVEMENT TO CONTACT(Meeting Engagement)

ATTACK…is an offensive operation that destroys or defeats enemy

forces, seizes and secures terrain, or both.

Hasty attack

Deliberate attack

Special purpose attacks:

Spoiling attack

Counterattack

Raid

Ambush

Feint

Demonstration

FM 3-0 pg 7-18

HASTY ATTACK

…usually occurs during movements to contact and defensive operations.

… it intentionally trades the advantages of thorough preparation and full synchronization for those of immediate execution.

FM 3-0 pg 7-19

DELIBERATE ATTACK

…are highly synchronized operations characterized by detailed planning and preparation.

...use simultaneous operations throughout the AO, planned fires, shaping operations, and forward positioning of resources to sustain momentum.

FM 3-0 pg 7-19

SPECIAL PURPOSE ATTACKS

Certain forms of attack employ distinctivemethods and require special planning. Theyare:

Spoiling attackCounterattack

RaidAmbush

FeintDemonstration

FM 3-0 pg 7-20

SPOILING ATTACK

Commanders mount spoiling attacks from a defensive posture to disrupt an expectedenemy attack. A spoiling attack attempts tostrike the enemy while he is most vulnerableduring his preparations for attack.

FM 3-0 pg 7-20

COUNTERATTACK

Commanders conduct counterattacks with lightly committed forward elements.

They counterattack after the enemy launcheshis attack, reveals his main effort, or createsan assailable flank.

FM 3-0 pg 7-20

RAID

A form of attack, usually small scale, involving a swift entry into hostile territory to secure information, confuse the enemy, or destroy installations.

It usually ends with a planned withdrawal from the objective area upon mission completion.

FM 3-0 pg 7-20

…a form of attack by fire or other destructive means from concealed positions on a moving or temporarily halted enemy.

FM 3-0 pg 7-21

AMBUSH

FEINT

A form of attack used to deceive the enemy as to the location or time of the actual decisive operation (or main effort).

Forces conducting a feint seek direct fire contact with the enemy but avoid decisive engagement.

FM 3-0 pg 7-21

DEMONSTRATION· A form of attack designed to deceive the

enemy as to the location or time of the decisive operation by a display of force.

· Forces conducting a demonstration do not seek contact with the enemy.

FM 3-0 pg 7-21

EXPLOITATION

…usually follows a successful attack and is designed to disorganize the enemy in depth.

…seeks to disintegrate enemy forces to the point where they have no alternative but surrender or flight.

FM 3-0 pg 7-21

PURSUIT

…designed to catch or cut off a hostile force attempting to escape with the aim of destroying it.

…are decisive operations that follow successful attacks or exploitations.

…occur when the enemy fails to organize a defense and attempts to disengage.

FM 3-0 pg 7-22

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Action: Identify the Phases of Offensive Operations.

Condition: Given FMs, reading assignments and an instructor in a classroom

with training materials.

Standards: Identify the phases of the offense IAW FM 3-0, FM 3-90, FM 3-21.8,

FM 3-21.10, and achieve a 70% pass on overall testing.

PHASES OF OFFENSIVEOPERATIONS

· PLANNING

· PREPARATION

· EXECUTION

FM 3-0 pg 7-23

PLANNINGTailor the concept of operations to the situation duringoffensive planning:· Allows the rapid concentration and dispersal of units· Introduce fresh forces to exploit success while resting

other forces· Protect the force· Facilitate transition to future operations· Sustain forces throughout the operation

Staffs analyze the situation in terms of METT-TC

FM 3-0 pg 7-23

PREPARING

Begin shaping and sustaining operations:

Recon

Maintenance

Position resources

Conduct rehearsals

Follow the Troop Leading Procedures

FM 3-0 pg 7-26

EXECUTING

Offensive operations require rapid shifts inthe focus of combat power to take advantage of opportunities. Sustaining atempo the enemy cannot match is vital to success.

FM 3-0 pg 7-26

OPERATIONSIN

DEPTH

OPERATIONS IN DEPTH

These are high tempo operations that present the enemy with one continuous operation:

Deep

Close

Rear

DEEP OPERATIONS

...directed against enemy forces and functions

which are not in contact at the forward line of

own troops (FLOT). These operations employ

long range fires, denying the enemy freedom of

action and disrupting his preparation for battle.

CLOSE OPERATIONS

…where forces are in immediate contact with

the enemy and the fighting between

committed forces and readily available

tactical reserves of both combatants occurs.

REAR OPERATIONS

…including area damage control, taken by all

units, singly or in a combined effort, to secure

the force, neutralize or defeat enemy operations

in the rear area, and ensure freedom of action

in the deep & close fights.

ORGANIZATIONFOR THE

“ATTACK”

ORGANIZATION FOR THE ATTACK

When attacking an objective, the attacking force must beorganized into three main elements. These are:

Support element

Breach element

Assault element

SUPPORT ELEMENT

Provides close continuous overwatch.

Weapons are tailored to the mission.

Maintains positive control of fires.

OBJDOG

BREACH ELEMENT

Breaches obstacles.

Marks lanes.

Ruptures enemy defenses.

Provides security.

Facilitates passage of the assault element.

OBJDOG

ASSAULT ELEMENTAttacks through the breach or rupture.

Destroys enemy on objective.

Done with rapid, violent execution.

Note: The assault force must always be prepared to conduct the breach if the breaching force fails or is rendered combat ineffective.

OBJDOG

RALLY POINT

· Is an easily identifiable point on the ground at which units can reassemble or re-organize if they become disbursed

RLY 8

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Action: Discuss the employment of weapon systems in the offense.

Condition: Given FMs and reading assignments in a classroom with an instructor and training materials.

Standards: Present information on the employment of weapon systems in the offense IAW FM 3-

21.8 and FM 3-21.10

WEAPONS· M60 / M240B

· M249 (SAW)

· M203

· M16A2

· DRAGON / JAVELIN

· AT-4

· GRENADES

· MORTARS

DIRECT & INDIRECT FIRE CONTROL

MEASURES

DIRECT FIRES

· Types of Direct fire available:

Machine guns

M203

AT-4

Close Air Support

· Aids to control:

Engagement Areas

Sectors of Fire for SBF

Target Reference Points (TRP)

Engagement Priorities

INDIRECT FIRES

· Types of indirect fire available:

M203

Mortars

Artillery

Naval gun fire

· Aids to control:

Group Targets

Series Targets

Priority targets

INDIRECT FIRES

Neutralize, suppress, or destroy enemy forces.

Deprive the enemy of resources or the use of decisive terrain.

Fix the enemy in position.

Deceive or divert the enemy.

Provide screening or obscuration.

Provide battlefield illumination.

INDIRECT FIRE PLANNING

Targets in the offense should be planned en-route to the objective, on the objective, and beyond the objective.

Mortars accomplish this by positioning near the LD using the one-half two-thirds maximum range rule as a guide and then moving forward.

REARAREA

LD LD

OBJDOG

AB0001

AB0006

AB0005

AB0004AB0003

AB0002

TARGETS

A2