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The doctrinal tenets of breaching, namely the fundamentals of Suppress, Obscure, Secure, and Reduce (SOSR), and the need for the maneuver commander to organize his unit into Support, Breach, and Assault Forces do not change during a "defile" breach. What does change is how the fundamentals are applied, the specific missions of support, breach, and assault elements, and the task organization of the maneuver force.

During a breaching operation in a "defile," the biggest threat to the attacking force is normally artillery fire. This fire is usually called in by a squad size or smaller unit observing the obstacle or the entrance to the "defile". Based on the threat, the need to eliminate the eyes of the enemy, and our ability to execute accurate and timely counter-battery fire cannot be overemphasized.

TACTICS, TECHNIQUES, AND PROCEDURES

When planning an attack along a narrow axis of advance, the type of breach needed to negotiate an obstacle depends on METT-T. Restricted terrain and the associated limited mobility lends itself to a task force in-stride (company team deliberate) breach operation -- if a bypass is not available.

In highly restricted terrain, the lead platoon of the lead company team may find it necessary to conduct a deliberate (company team in-stride) breach. This technique accepts some risk. A platoon cannot doctrinally conduct a deliberate breach. Therefore, the platoon leader may have difficulty synchronizing all the assets required to set the conditions for success.

When time and resources (infantry dismounts) are available, a task force can plan a covert breach in a "defile." This type of breach operation requires detailed planning, and enough dismounts to secure and defend the obstacle until the main body of the task force arrives. It can be planned as either a task force in-stride, or as a variation of a deliberate breach.

• Task Force In-Stride Breach. The company team responsible for conducting the breach moves forward early to secure the obstacle. The engineers attached to the company team reduce the obstacle just prior to the arrival of the main body of the task force.

• Deliberate Breach Variation. The dismounted company team focuses on eliminating the eyes of the enemy, securing the "defile", and preventing enemy reinforcement. The lead company team of the main body of the task force serves as both the breach force and assault force. Engineer assets are positioned forward in its task organization to reduce the obstacle(s) and mark lanes.

Observation: Planners rarely consider the terrain and the enemy's past practices when planning breaching operations in restricted terrain. Breach rehearsals are routinely conducted in large open areas that do not replicate the restricted terrain of the axis of advance. Additionally, the obstacles constructed for the breach rehearsal do not replicate the OPFOR's norm.

TTP: Engineers and maneuver commanders need to know what they're facing so they can conduct detailed planning and realistic rehearsals.

Conduct detailed IPB (especially obstacle templating and terrain analysis)!

• Based on the enemy's doctrine and past experience, what type of obstacles and overwatching elements can we expect in the defile?

• What type and how many breaching assets are required?

• Plan reconnaissance to confirm the templated obstacles and enemy locations.

Observation: Planners fail to understand the need for, or mission of, dismounted infantry during "defile" breach operations.

TTP: Concentrate mobility support (engineers) with the company team designated to conduct the breaching operation.

Make sure the task organization of the unit responsible for conducting the breach includes sufficient dismounted assets to:

• Eliminate the eyes of the enemy.

• Provide security for dismounted engineer assets.

• Ensure the enemy does not try to replace the eliminated observers. A covert breach may require more dismounted assets since the enemy could have longer to react to the elimination of the observers. Plan for remounting the dismounted troops. Plan for rally points, near and far recognition signals, fire control measures, and anti-fratricide measures.

NOTE: This is one planning consideration often overlooked in dismounted operations. In the smoke and confusion normally associated with breaching operations, consolidating and reorganizing for continuous operations becomes difficult.

Observation: During "defile" breaches, units routinely focus indirect suppressive fires on the objective.

• The MRPs at the enemy's strong point may not be able to observe the obstacle in the "defile".

• The threat during a "defile" breach is the enemy's dismounted observers at or near the obstacle.

TTP: Consider using indirect fires to eliminate the enemy observers.

• Plan to lift or shift fires to enable dismounts to assault to envelop the flanks, and eliminate the enemy near the obstacle.

• Position forward observers to execute this task and provide redundancy in capability to ensure success.

BREACHING FUNDAMENTALS AT THE "DEFILE"

Suppress TTPs. Direct fire suppression of the enemy during a defile breach can be difficult with tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. The restricted terrain may allow only one or two vehicles to see the obstacle. Additionally, the enemy dismounted observers may be positioned so that they are concealed from view. This leads to a greater reliance on indirect fires to provide the suppression.

1. Plan indirect point targets on the overwatching elements either when they are identified or after the IPB is complete.

2. Plan linear targets along the obstacle before the unit arrives to suppress overwatching elements near the obstacle and possibly break up the obstacle prior to reducing the lane (may require filling the craters before the attack continues).

3. Consider a counter-battery fire program using MLRS and aviation assets (both rotary and fixed wing) to eliminate enemy artillery fires.

Obscure TTPs. Obscure the main body of the task force from enemy eyes watching the "defile" entrance with indirect smoke missions.

• Remember, the enemy does not have to be near the obstacle to observe you. The observers can be positioned to observe open terrain before the "defile" and likely hide locations for attacking units.

• Use the terrain (ravines and ridge lines) and smoke grenades/pots for local obscuration and concealment at or near the obstacle.

• Artillery-delivered smoke and chemical smoke tracks can be used to mask the flanks of the main body of the task force from enemy observers.

Secure TTPs. When conducting reduction of an obstacle in a "defile" or in restricted terrain:

• One or two tanks or infantry fighting vehicles positioned to observe the obstacle can provide local security.

• Dismounted infantry can focus on eliminating the enemy's observers before or as the mounted forces arrive, or by bypassing the obstacle and preventing enemy reinforcement (i.e., establishing hasty ambushes along likely dismounted avenues of approach).

• During a dismounted reduction of the obstacle, enhance local security by using dismounted infantry.

  • Can also assist in emplacing obscuration (smoke pots and grenades).

  • Carry additional demolitions.

Reduce TTPs.

1. MICLICs can be effective in the defile breach if the road or designated lane is straight.

• Curved roads can limit MICLIC effectiveness. It can't fire around corners or through dense forest.

• Ensure dismounted security is out of the danger area prior to firing.

2. Dismounted engineers may not have the capability to carry all the necessary demolitions to reduce a complex obstacle in a defile. If the plan calls for a covert breach,

• consider the need for additional troops to carry the explosives.

• task the infantry unit designated to provide security.

3. Consider using the Grizzly (CEV if still available), and possibly the ACE to eliminate other obstacles (road crater, abatis, or log crib) when extensive wire or other physical obstacles limit the effectiveness of plows and rollers.

CONCLUSION

The first step in achieving success is always to conduct a detailed IPB. A complete IPB enables forces planning a "defile" breach to use the TTPs outlined in this article to develop a detailed plan of execution. Units should select a site that replicates the terrain where they will be fighting, and construct a realistic obstacle for a complete series of rehearsals. The rehearsal must incorporate all tasks associated with the breach including: eliminating the enemy forces, securing the obstacle and actually reducing the obstacle. Maneuver commanders can take advantage of these techniques to develop detailed, rehearsed plans that will enhance the chances of success.

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