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Chapter I

DOCTRINAL REVIEW

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The movement to contact (MTC) is an offensive operation designed to establish or regain contact with the enemy. It is conducted when little information about the enemy is available, and the situation must be developed to facilitate future operations. FM 7-30 presents three techniques units can use to execute the MTC. They are the approach-march technique, the reconnaissance-in-force technique, and the search-and-attack technique. Each technique has its own advantages and disadvantages that must be assessed while deciding which technique to employ.

The approach-march technique is best used when the following conditions apply:

• Enemy force is more conventional in nature.
  
• Enemy force follows a more structured order of battle, and is more predictable in nature.
  
• Enemy force is more centrally located.
  
• Enemy conducts more centralized operations.

The unit conducting a MTC using the approach-march technique doctrinally organizes its forces into a security force, advanced guard, flank guard, main body, and rear guard. These forces typically move along an axis of advance or direction of attack oriented on a series of march objectives, through areas where contact with the enemy is likely. This process is continued until contact with the enemy is made, and the situation can be further developed to facilitate future operations.

The reconnaissance-in-force technique is similar to the approach-march technique, but is used primarily to gain information about the enemy, locate and test enemy disposition, composition, and reaction. The reconnaissance in force is planned and conducted as an attack, but the objective is more limited in nature. The objective is not necessarily to gain control of a piece of terrain, or to defeat an enemy force, but to force the enemy to react, allowing the unit to determine the size, composition, and location of the enemy force to facilitate future operations. Although the objective is limited, success should be exploited if possible.

The search-and-attack technique is significantly different from the other two techniques and is executed in a different manner. This technique is best used when the following conditions apply:

• Enemy forces are unconventional in nature.

• Enemy typically operates in small teams using "hit-and-run" tactics to gain and maintain the initiative, only making contact when he feels he has the advantage.

• Enemy conducts operations over a very large area, and in a very decentralized manner, forcing friendly units to disperse to locate him, and then mass to destroy him.

Units conduct search and attacks for numerous reasons. According to FM 7-20, page 3-19, units conduct search and attacks to destroy the enemy, facilitate force protection measures, area denial, and information collection. Regardless of the reason, the force conducting the search and attack should be organized into three elements (find, fix, and finish). The size and composition of these elements will vary depending on the factors of METT-T. Although a battalion headquarters can be the controlling headquarters for the search and attack, more appropriately, a brigade headquarters should be the controlling headquarters, with multiple subordinate battalions participating. These subordinate battalions will fulfill one or multiple roles of the find, fix, and finish functions.

FM 7-20 presents one technique a battalion task force can use to execute such a mission (see chart below). This method is initiated by the scout platoon, or a reinforced scout platoon conducting an area or zone reconnaissance ahead of the task force. Serving as part of the find force, the scout platoon attempts to locate and gain information about the enemy, initially in AO blue, then AO red, and eventually AO white. At designated times, or once the enemy force is located, the scout platoon conducts a linkup with the task force at linkup point 1, exchanging information, and,if necessary,guides them into AO Blue. If the scout platoon is successful in locating the enemy, the task force then postures itself to attack. If the enemy has not been located, the task force then occupies the area and continues to search for the enemy. The scout platoon then moves to another area (AO red, then AO white) to continue the reconnaissance effort once again. The process is continued until the enemy force is located and destroyed, or the battalion area of operations is determined to be free of enemy activity. If the area is determined to be free of activity, another area of operations is designated, and the process begins again. These techniques are valid, but additional discussion is required to refine the process and to help focus the effort, resulting in a more integrated and synchronized operation.

FM 7-10 presents a very similar technique to be used at company level. Using this technique, the company commander designates small teams or squads (find element) to reconnoiter a designated zone. Once the find element completes its reconnaissance, either finding the enemy or gaining information about the enemy, the rest of the company then occupies the area and continues the search and attack. The find element then moves to the next designated area and continues the process. The company commander can enhance his ability to mass his combat power by keeping the areas relatively small, minimizing the distance required to move the fixing and finishing force once contact with the enemy is made.

This newsletter addresses the search and attack in three separate phases. The phases are:

• Phase I, Planning.

• Phase II, Setting the Conditions.

• Phase III, Execution.

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Foreword
Chapter II: Planning