CHAPTER 5
DEFENSE
This chapter discusses the role of the BSFV platoon in defensive operations. The immediate purpose of defensive operations is to defeat an enemy attack. Army forces conduct defensive operations as part of major operations and campaigns, in combination with offensive operations.
PURPOSE OF THE DEFENSE
Military forces conduct defensive operations to gain sufficient strength to attack. Though the outcome of decisive combat derives from offensive operations, it is often necessary, even advisable, to defend. When commanders choose to defend, they can apply defensive strategies that achieve the following results:
- Enemy destroyed.
- Enemy forces weakened as a prelude to the offense.
- Failure of an enemy attack.
- Time gained for further defensive operations.
- Opportunities created to concentrate forces elsewhere.
- Control of key or decisive terrain.
- Terrain retained.
CHARACTERISTICS OF DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
History has shown that normally the defender has the advantage over the attacker. This is due to the defender's time to prepare and knowledge of the terrain. The attacker has the initiative to choose the time and place of battle. He tries to shatter the defense quickly and prevent its reconstitution by continuing the attack at a fast pace. The defender must slow the attack to provide time to isolate, fight, and destroy the attacker. However, the defender's concept must be tempered with the understanding that, ultimately, offensive operations must be conducted to ensure defeat of the enemy. Defensive operations are characterized by prepared positions, security, disruption, mass and concentration, and flexibility.
PREPARATION
Using the advantages of time and knowledge of terrain, the defender enhances his disposition by preparing positions from which to fight. Like offensive operations, every defense has a focal point or main effort. Preparations include but are not limited to--
- Positioning forces in depth.
- Improving terrain.
- War-gaming defensive plans.
- Organizing logistics support.
- Strengthening air and missile defenses in critical areas.
- Rehearsing.
The efficient use of time during preparation by the defender normally leads to success during execution of the defense.
CONTENTS
Characteristics of Defensive Operations
Battlefield Framework Considerations in the Defense
Air Defense Planning Considerations in the Defense
SECURITY
Commanders must provide security for their forces during both defensive preparations and execution of the defense. During preparation, a task force provides security by establishing a screen line to protect the force, conducting counterreconnaissance operations in sector, and repositioning elements during preparations to deceive the enemy as to the true positions in the main defensive area. During execution, security is provided at the task force level by the screen line and local counterrecon operations to provide early warning, disrupt the enemy attack early, and protect the main defensive positions.
DISRUPTION
An attacker's strength comes from momentum, mass, and synchronization. The defender attempts to disrupt the attacker's tempo by preventing him from massing his combat power. The defender never allows the attacker to get set. The defender interrupts the attacker's command and control, fire support, and logistics system. Disruption can be caused by--
- Defeating or misleading enemy reconnaissance forces.
- Isolating enemy units.
- Breaking up enemy formations, causing them to attack piecemeal.
MASS AND CONCENTRATION
He who defends all defends nothing. Like the offense, the defense has a main effort, designated by the task force commander in his intent. The defender seeks to mass the effects of overwhelming combat power to defeat the attacker. To concentrate forces at decisive points, the defender accepts risk in some areas. Obstacles, security forces, and fires can assist in reducing these risks. He retains and, when necessary, reconstitutes a reserve. He maneuvers to gain local superiority at the point of decision. The defender may have to surrender some ground to gain the time necessary to concentrate his forces.
Defending commanders normally mass effects and concentrate forces repeatedly during battle. They do so swiftly since periods that allow them to develop superior combat power will be brief. Concentration of the force increases the threat of large losses from weapons of mass destruction. Defending commanders use deception and concealment to hide their vulnerability from the enemy. Furthermore, defending commanders protect the force from weapons of mass destruction through integrated air and missile defenses.
FLEXIBILITY
The defender must plan his defense in depth and build in the agility to counter the attacker's initiative. He designs contingency plans that allow for rapid action and exploitation of enemy weaknesses. He must anticipate the enemy's decision-making and maneuver forces to apply combat power before the enemy can react against it. The flexibility to outmaneuver the enemy during the defense stems from detailed planning and a thorough IPB. Flexibility allows the defender to shift his point of main effort quickly, without losing the advantage. The defender adds flexibility to his defense by planning alternate and supplementary positions throughout the depth of the battlefield. The defender must be prepared to assume the offensive through planning and preparation for a counterattack.
SEQUENCE OF THE DEFENSE
As in the offense, defensive operations are normally phased. Defensive operations routinely adhere to the following phases.
PREPARATION FOR OPERATIONS
During this phase, units prepare for defensive operations. This is the most important phase of defensive operations. Reconnaissance and counterreconnaissance operations, defensive position preparations, refinement of the plan, and rehearsals occur during this phase.
DEFENSE
During this phase, the task force conducts the main defense. Obstacles are closed and armed; units occupy initial defensive positions; engagement areas are structured; and the task force fights its main defensive battle. Local counterattacks and repositioning of forces to complete enemy destruction are accomplished during this phase.
CONSOLIDATION, REORGANIZATION, AND
PREPARATION FOR THE ATTACK
The unit consolidates forces, conducts resupply, reorganizes (if required), and prepares for future operations. Often, security forces for the next battle are positioned forward during this phase to facilitate transition to follow-on missions.
BATTLEFIELD FRAMEWORK CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DEFENSE
The TF normally defends as part of a brigade plan. The defensive battlefield framework consists of the deep, close, and rear battles. Even though the battlefield framework components are the same for offensive operations, the objectives are different.
DEEP OPERATIONS
The defender designs deep operations to achieve depth and synchronization in the defense and to secure advantages for future operations. Deep operations disrupt the enemy's movement in depth, destroy high-payoff targets vital to the attacker, and interrupt or deny vital enemy operating systems such as command, logistics, or air defense at critical times. As deep operations succeed, they upset the attacker's tempo and synchronization. The defender selectively suppresses or neutralizes some of the enemy's operating systems to exploit the exposed vulnerabilities. Individual targets in depth are only useful as they relate to the destruction of a critical enemy operating system. A defender denies freedom of maneuver to the attacker with deep operations; he also seeks to set the terms for the transition to the offense.
Deep operations provide protection for the force as they disrupt, delay, or destroy the enemy's ability to bring combat power to bear on friendly forces. As with deep operations in the offense, activities in depth, such as counterfire, focus to protect close combat operations directly. To synchronize the activities that encompass both deep and close objectives, commanders integrate and prioritize reconnaissance, intelligence, and target acquisition efforts to focus fires and maneuver at the critical place and time on the battlefield.
Normally, the task force has limited involvement in deep operations. True deep operations in the defense are fought at brigade levels and higher. The primary task force responsibility is to monitor the progress of deep operations and adjust the close battle plan as necessary to gain maximum advantage over the enemy.
CLOSE OPERATIONS
Close operations are the activities of the main and supporting efforts in the defensive area to slow, canalize, and defeat the enemy's major units. The task force plays the primary role in close operations. The defending commander may do this in several ways. Often, he fights a series of engagements to halt or defeat enemy forces. This requires him to designate a main effort, synchronize effects to support it, then shift the main effort to concentrate forces and mass effects against another threat if necessary. Maneuver units defend, delay, attack, and screen as part of the defensive battle.
Security operations warn of the enemy's approach and attempt to harass and to slow him. A covering force meets the enemy's leading forces, strips away enemy reconnaissance and security elements, reports the attacker's strength and locations, and gives the commander time and space in which to react to the enemy. The security force at the task force level is normally the task force scout platoon. It may be reinforced with additional infantry fighting vehicles and tanks to strip away enemy reconnaissance elements at the forward edge of the task force main battle area.
Reserves conduct operations throughout the defense and may require continual regeneration. They give the commander the means to seize the initiative and preserve his flexibility; they seek to strike a decisive blow against the attacker but prepare to conduct other missions as well. They provide a hedge against uncertainty. Reserves operate best when employed to reinforce and expedite victory rather than prevent defeat. In defensive operations, a task force reserve is usually no smaller than a platoon and no larger than a company team.
REAR OPERATIONS
Rear operations protect the force and sustain combat operations. Successful rear operations allow the commander freedom of action by preventing disruption of command and control, fire support, logistical support, and movement of reserves. Destroying or neutralizing enemy deep battle forces achieves this goal.
Rear operations must retain the initiative and deny freedom of action to the enemy, even if combat forces are not available. A combination of passive and active defensive measures can best accomplish this. Commanders assess threat capabilities, decide where risk will be accepted, and then assign the units necessary to protect and sustain the force. Unity of command facilitates this process.
Regardless of the proximity or separation of elements, defense of the rear is integrated with the deep and close fights. Simultaneous operations defeat the attacking enemy throughout the battlefield and allow an early transition to the offense. In task force rear operations, the headquarters and headquarters company commander or the task force S4 may be designated to control rear operations.
FORMS OF DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
The two primary forms of defensive operations are mobile and area. Mobile defenses orient on the destruction of the attacking force by permitting the enemy to advance into a position that exposes him to counterattack by a mobile reserve. Area defenses orient on retention of terrain by absorbing the enemy in an interlocking series of positions and destroying him largely by fires.
MOBILE DEFENSE
Mobile defense orients on the destruction of the enemy force by employing a combination of fire and maneuver, offense, defense, and delay to defeat his attack. The minimum force possible is committed to pure defense; maximum combat power is placed in a striking force that catches the enemy as it is attempting to over-come that part of the force dedicated to the defense. Commanders conducting a mobile defense take advantage of terrain in depth, obstacles, and mines, while employing firepower and maneuver to wrest the initiative from the attacker. A mobile defense requires a mobility greater than that of the attacker. The defenders cause the natural aggressiveness of the attacker to focus on the wrong objective, setting him up for attack from an unexpected direction and driving that attack home with overwhelming force and violence.
Terrain is traded for maximum effect to divert the attention of the enemy from the defender's main force, overextend the attacker's resources, exposing his flanks, and leading him into a posture and terrain that diminishes his ability to defend against the counterattack of the larger, mobile reserve. The mobile defense sets up large-scale counterattacks that offer the defender the opportunity to gain and retain the initiative, going over to the offense, and moving into exploitation and pursuit.
AREA DEFENSE
Commanders conduct an area defense to deny the enemy access to designated terrain or facilities for a specified time. In an area defense, the bulk of defending forces deploy to retain ground, using a combination of defensive positions and small, mobile reserves. Commanders organize the defense around a static framework provided by defensive positions, seeking to destroy enemy forces with interlocking fires. Commanders also employ local counterattacks against enemy units penetrating between defensive positions. A security area or covering force is also part of an area defense.
Commanders position their forces in platoon, company, or battalion battle positions on suitable terrain, with a specific orientation and direction or sector of fire. On occasion, commanders may also direct the construction of a strong point to deny key terrain to the enemy and force his movement in a different direction. The construction of a strong point requires considerable time and combat engineer support. In some cases, because of terrain restrictions, requirements to hold specific terrain, or when enemy forces are weak and disorganized, area defenses without much depth may be necessary, requiring the main effort to be well forward.
THREAT
During defensive operations, friendly forces are the most vulnerable to the full spectrum of threat aerial platforms. The enemy will attempt to use aerial platforms to monitor friendly forces for targeting.
The number one challenge to the BSFV platoon will be to deny the enemy's use of RISTA air assets. We can expect the enemy to use UAVs, rotary-wing aircraft possibly fixed-wing aircraft to determine locations of friendly artillery, command and control, ADA assets, logistical sites, and troop concentration areas. Once these sites are located, we can expect threat forces to disrupt or destroy these sites with the use of artillery or rocket fire, air attacks and air insertions.
Artillery and rocket attacks will be the enemy's preferred weapons against US forces and air defense assets. These systems are usually numerous, inexpensive, survivable, and highly effective. UAVs can be extremely effective for threat use during this phase. The UAV's low detection signature and standoff capability make them ideal for providing targeting data. Rotary-and fixed-wing attacks are less likely during this phase due to the low survivability of these systems. In most cases these systems are limited to daylight operations. These attacks will be supported with preattack and postattack reconnaissances.
Threat air insertion operations will be conducted with either fixed- or rotary-wing assets and probably during the hours of limited visibility. The threat will likely conduct daytime reconnaissance of landing sites and target areas within 24 hours prior to attack. These operations will fly at low levels attempting to infiltrate into friendly rear areas.
AIR DEFENSE PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DEFENSE
In the defense, the task force commander will prioritize his requirements for air defense coverage, based on his mission analysis, IPB, and METT-T. Priority for air defense in the defense may be to the battle positions in the main engagement area, command and control elements, or logistics assets. While most supported unit SOPs outline generic air defense coverage priorities for defensive operations, each mission will have its own specific requirements.
The BSFV platoon leader must perform a mission analysis, ensuring he understands the commander's intent and the task force concept of the operation. The BSFV platoon leader must clearly understand where the task force's effort will be weighted. Based on these considerations, the platoon leader will develop a coverage plan to support the defensive concept of operations. The entire BSFV platoon may be deployed to cover the defensive main effort, or the platoon may be task-organized into sections, with one section covering one asset on the battlefield (for example, the reserve) while the other section provides coverage for another asset on the battlefield (for example, the main engagement area). In either configuration, the platoon leader must ensure he conducts his planning in conjunction with the six air defense artillery employment guidelines and can mass his air defense fires at the critical point on the battlefield when necessary.
Actual positioning of vehicles should be based on the air IPB, the commander's priorities for the air defense, and the location of the supported unit's assets. Vehicles should not be further than 2,000 meters apart, or as METT-T dictates, for the Stinger weapon system. In the defense, BSFVs may be prioritized for engineer effort and dug in to maximize survivability. The TOW, 25-mm automatic gun, and 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun should be used against ground targets in self-defense.
If BSFVs are tasked to provide coverage for the task force reserve, they should be positioned along identified enemy air avenues of approach that influence the task force reserve's initial positions as well as routes to its defensive or attack by fire positions.
The platoon leader's decision support template will result in an air defense artillery plan that synchronizes his operations with the supported commander's concept of the operation. Planning and troop-leading procedures must occur as early as possible to allow maximum preparation time. Once the basic plan is established, reconnaissance and rehearsals are key to an effective defense.
DEFENSE IN SECTOR
A defense in sector defines the unit's boundaries, terrain responsibilities, and where it will operate. A defense in sector is the most common defensive mission given to a task force. The task force commander is expected to defeat enemy forces within his sector forward of a no penetration line and maintain flank security. A defense in sector is one of the least restrictive missions.
MANEUVER ELEMENT
Normally, a task force commander is given the latitude to develop his defense as long as he complies with boundary restrictions directed by higher headquarters. He must develop a plan to defeat the enemy forward of a designated point. Preparation of a defense begins with a thorough IPB. The IPB must clearly describe all enemy ground and air avenues of approach into the task force sector.
Once the IPB is completed, the task force commander designates the point on the ground within his sector where he wants to kill the enemy. This location becomes the cornerstone upon which a defensive engagement area is built. An engagement area is an area in which the commander intends to trap and destroy the enemy force with the massed fires of all available weapons. Within the engagement area, the task force will use the following techniques to destroy the enemy:
- Target reference points to coordinate both direct and indirect fires.
- Obstacles to turn the enemy into the engagement area and to impede its movement once in the engagement area.
- Battle positions to specify unit locations from which units defend, alternate positions for units to occupy when not in their assigned battle positions, positions for the initial placement of the reserve.
- Routes between positions.
Depending on the size of the sector the task force is required to defend, there may be more than one engagement area designated by the task force commander. However, one engagement area must be designated as the task force main effort, and priority of effort must be given to building this engagement area. The following is a general sequence of events that a task force may use to construct an engagement area:
- Identify the spot on the ground to kill the enemy.
- Construct obstacles to turn the enemy into the engagement area and to block the enemy in the engagement area.
- Position direct fire assets in battle positions to engage at the designated killing spot. Must have the ability to mass fires at the specified point. Adjust battle positions as necessary to ensure effective fires into the engagement area.
- Develop indirect fire support plan to kill the enemy at a specified point on the battlefield. Position indirect fire support assets to range engagement area.
An engagement area is built from the inside out. It is imperative that assets are planned and positioned to support the building of the engagement area.
The task force commander will designate those areas within his sector where he intends to take risk. Through a combination of deception, obstacles, and unit positioning, he will structure his defense to "turn" the enemy into his main engagement area.
Strong points and perimeter defenses can be used in a defense in sector. If used, the commander will designate their locations and those assets dedicated to building the strong point or perimeter defense.
ADA COVERAGE OF A DEFENSE IN SECTOR
In a defense in sector, priority is based on the supported commander's intent and METT-T. Commanders designate priorities for air defense coverage. Maneuver forces, command and control elements, and logistics nodes are normally among priorities identified for air defense coverage.
BSFVs are normally allocated to the force anticipating the enemy main effort. If the tactical situation dictates, the platoon may split into sections to cover various enemy air avenues of approach in sector. Stinger sections from the battery may be allocated to augment the BSFV platoon defending against the main attack.
BSFVs may provide overwatch for reserve forces. BSFV crews protecting reserve forces must be aware when friendly reserves are committed, they will most likely receive the brunt of the enemy air attack. The illustration below, portrays an example of BSFV platoon support of an engagement area.
A task force which is part of a brigade level defense in sector may be assigned the defense of an engagement area. This type of defensive mission is more restrictive than a defense in sector. The task force may be given a series of battle positions in support of a specific engagement area within a brigade sector.
The BSFV platoon leader uses the air IPB to identify the location of expected air avenues of approach. He plans his defense to mass fires on these avenues.
BSFVs provide overwatch of maneuver units defending battle positions. The platoon leader must plan primary, alternate and supplemental positions. If dismounted Stinger teams support the defense, they must be dug in. BSFVs will use their 25-mm chain guns to support the Stinger teams and for self-defense. See the Air Defense Artillery Coverage of a Battle Position illustration.
DEFENSE OF A STRONG POINT
The mission to create and defend a strong point implies retention of terrain with the purpose of stopping or directing enemy formations. Strong points can be used in conjunction with battle positions to maximize effectiveness. The construction of strong points involves a considerable engineer effort and an extensive amount of time, equipment, and materials. Once constructed, all positions must allow massed fries from two or more units.
A battalion task force establishes a strong point with all units within the strong point perimeter. Positions are mutually supporting and allow massed fires from at least two units on any target area. Avenues that cannot be covered by fire are kept under observation.
In a strong point defense, ADA systems must be positioned within the strong point and oriented on the most likely air avenues of approach. METT-T and OCOKA must be used to maximize effectiveness of all air defense weapon systems. Plans must still be flexible enough to adjust and synchronize against any air threat. See the Strong Point Defense illustration. Stinger teams are dismounted and dug in. BSFVs are in turret-down positions and initially oriented for the use of the 25-mm chain gun. All positions will have primary target lines.
COUNTERATTACK
Counterattacks are conducted to block a penetration, to attack through forces to seize terrain, or to attack enemy forces from the flank or rear. Counterattacks are conducted by fire and maneuver. A Counterattack must develop quickly to surprise the enemy before he has time to consolidate and react.
A task force conducts a counterattack against an attacking force. The enemy attack is initially blunted in sector, causing a loss of momentum. The brigade commander's guidance is to counterattack the enemy's flank. The task force commander repositions his forces to support the counterattack.
Normally in a counterattack, some ADA systems will travel with the counterattack forces to protect them from enemy aerial platforms. BSFVs may travel with the counterattacking force or operate from over-watch positions. BSFV fires are oriented on the flanks to defend the maneuver forces moving to conduct the counterattack. When counterattack forces move to accomplish their mission, BSFVs must be prepared to maneuver with them on a moment's notice. See the Task Force Counterattack illustration. If attacked by air, the BSFVs will return fire with all available means. If possible, Stinger teams should be dismounted to overwatch the counterattack.
PERIMETER DEFENSE
A perimeter defense protects the force from all directions. A task force organizes a perimeter defense to provide self-protection. A perimeter is established to hold critical terrain in areas where the defense is not tied in with adjacent units. A perimeter defense may also be used to defend from a strong point. A perimeter is normally formed when a unit has been passed and isolated by the enemy and must defend in place.
A battalion task force organizes a defensive perimeter to hold a critical piece of terrain for future operations. The TF may defend with three teams in sector and one in reserve. It defends with scouts in the primary direction of the enemy attack and listening posts or observation posts in all directions.
The platoon leader uses the air IPB to determine the most likely air avenue of approach. BSFV units cover the most likely air avenue of approach but are not positioned outside the perimeter. The commander and platoon leaders must conduct detailed planning to ensure systems are integrated and positioned to quickly mass against the air threat. Stinger teams will be dismounted and dug in. BSFVs will cover assigned PTLs. See the Typical Perimeter Defense Configuration illustration.
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