OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

AS OF 10 OCT 04 CDC

OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

MY CENTER IS GIVING WAY, MY RIGHT IS IN RETREAT; IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER; SITUATION EXCELLENT. I AM ATTACKING. MARSHAL FERDINAND FOCH BATTLE OF THE MARNE SEPTEMBER 1914.

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE

y

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 321.10, and achieve a 70% pass in overall testing.

ADMINISTRATION
y

SAFETY:

NONE

RISK ASSESSMENT:

LOW

ENVIRONMENTAL:

NONE

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

Company: FM 3-21.10 Platoon: FM 3-21.8

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
What is the purpose of Offensive Operations?
OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS SEEK, RETAIN, AND EXPLOIT THE INITIATIVE TO DEFEAT THE ENEMY DECISIVELY.

FM 3-0 pg 7-2

OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
Additional Tasks: Disruption of the enemy Denying the enemy resources Fixing the enemy Securing terrain Gaining 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.
y

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 321.10, 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

SURPRISE
STRIKING THE ENEMY AT A TIME OR PLACE OR IN A MANNER FOR WHICH HE IS UNPREPARED.
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.

FM 3-0 pg 7-5

CONCENTRATION
CONCENTRATION IS THE MASSING OF OVERWHELMING EFFECTS OF COMBAT POWER TO ACHIEVE A SINGLE PURPOSE.
Attacking commanders manipulate their own and the enemys concentration by combining dispersion, concentration, military deception, and attacks.

FM 3-0 pg 7-5

TEMPO
TEMPO IS THE RATE OF SPEED OF MILITARY ACTION.
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.

FM 3-0 pg 7-6

AUDACITY
A SIMPLE PLAN OF ACTION, BOLDLY EXECUTED.

Understand when and where to take risks. Audacity inspires soldiers to overcome adversity and danger.

FM 3-0 pg 7-6

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 attacks designed 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

Security Operations

Shaping Operations Supporting attack

Decisive Operations 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

FORMS OF MANEUVER
Envelopment Turning Movement Infiltration Penetration Frontal Attack

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

Decisive Operation

Shaping Operations

TURNING MOVEMENT
is a form of maneuver in which the attacking force seeks to avoid the enemys principal defensive 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

INFILTRATION
a form of maneuver in which an attacking forces conducts undetected movement through 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
Decisive Operation

OBJ

ENY ENY

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
Decisive Operation

OBJ OBJ
Shaping Operation Shaping 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. A frontal attack is rarely the preferred technique!! An assailable flank is always a commanders first choice!

FM 3-0 pg 7-15

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.

TYPES OF OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

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 develop the situation and to establish or regain contact 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

MOVEMENT TO CONTACT (Approach March)

...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 (Meeting Engagement)

...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

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 distinctive methods and require special planning. They are: Spoiling attack Counterattack Raid Ambush Feint Demonstration

FM 3-0 pg 7-20

SPOILING ATTACK
Commanders mount spoiling attacks from a defensive posture to disrupt an expected enemy attack. A spoiling attack attempts to strike the enemy while he is most vulnerable during his preparations for attack.

FM 3-0 pg 7-20

COUNTERATTACK
Commanders conduct counterattacks with lightly committed forward elements. They counterattack after the enemy launches his attack, reveals his main effort, or creates an 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

AMBUSH
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

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
y

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 OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

y y

PLANNING

PREPARATION
y

EXECUTION

FM 3-0 pg 7-23

PLANNING
Tailor the concept of operations to the situation during offensive planning:
y y

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

y y y

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 in the focus of combat power to take advantage of opportunities. Sustaining a tempo the enemy cannot match is vital to success.

FM 3-0 pg 7-26

OPERATIONS IN 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.

ORGANIZATION FOR THE ATTACK

ORGANIZATION FOR THE ATTACK

When attacking an objective, the attacking force must be organized 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.

OBJ DOG

BREACH ELEMENT
Breaches obstacles. Marks lanes. Ruptures enemy defenses. Provides security. Facilitates passage of the assault element.

OBJ DOG

ASSAULT ELEMENT
Attacks 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.

OBJ DOG

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

RLY

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 321.8 and FM 3-21.10

WEAPONS
y y y y y y y y

M60 / M240B M249 (SAW) M203 M16A2 DRAGON / JAVELIN AT-4 GRENADES MORTARS

DIRECT & INDIRECT FIRE CONTROL MEASURES

DIRECT FIRES
y

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
y

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.

TARGETS
AB0006

AB0005 AB0004

AB0003

OBJ DOG

A2
AB0002 AB0001

LD REAR AREA

LD