MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Squad TacticsAmbush

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Lesson Objectives
Compare and contrast the two categories of ambush
hasty and deliberate
Compare and contrast the two types of ambush point
and area
Compare and contrast the two formations of ambush
linear and L-shaped
List key planning considerations for a squad ambush
List common elements and teams that squad leaders
consider when organizing a squad ambush
Plan a point or area ambush using a linear or L-shaped
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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Ambush
An ambush is a surprise attack from
a concealed position on a moving or
temporarily halted target.
Anti-armor ambushes are established
when the mission is to destroy enemy
armored or mechanized forces.

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Elements of an Ambush
The three basic elements are:
Security
Support
Assault

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Ambush Classifications
Category
Hasty
Deliberate

Type
Point
Area

Formation
Linear
L- shape
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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Ambush Stages
Planning
Occupying
Executing
Withdrawing

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Considerations for Planning an

Ambush

Route
ORP
Leaders recon of objectives
Indirect fires and obstacles
Occupation of ambush site
Initiate ambush
Actions on Objective
Withdrawal
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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Identify OBJ

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Route
From patrol base to ORP
From ORP to objective
From objective to ORP
From ORP to patrol base

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Objective Rally Point (ORP)

Select location based on map recon
and OAKOC analysis
Occupy ORP by force or by deliberate
occupation
Establish ORP
Sectors of fire
Priorities of work
Local security
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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Select ORP

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Leaders Recon of Objective

Issue five point contingency plan
Plan the kill zone

Identify Objective
Identify kill zone / center of the kill zone
Special Teams Locations
LOA
Fires
Collection Points
Release Point
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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Leaders Recon of Objective (2)

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Leaders Recon of Objective (3)

Establish special teams location and
sectors of fire

Security
Support
Assault
Surveillance

Determine limit of advance (LOA)

Determine release point (RP)
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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Leaders Recon of Objective (4)

Plan indirect fires
Determine collections point
Enemy prisoners of war (EPW)
Casualty collection point (CCP)
Demolition (demo)

Complete plan
Issue OPORD
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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Indirect Fires and Obstacles

Plan indirect fires to destroy
enemy in kill zone
Cover dead space
Isolate objective from escape or
reinforcement (left, right, and far
side)
Screen movement off objective
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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Indirect Fires and Obstacles (2)

Tie in kill zone with impassable terrain
(OAKOC)
Place mines to cover dead space or
likely escape and counterattack routes

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Select Location for Key Components

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Occupation of Ambush Site

Travel from ORP to RP
Security halt at RP
Emplace left and right flank security
Emplace support team
Emplace assault team
Emplace mines and obstacles
PL must have visual center of kill zone
PL positions for direct control of most casualty
producing weapon
If no claymores, PL must co-locate machine gun
with PL in order for PL to give MG order to fire

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Initiate Ambush
Left and Right Flank Security Give Early
Warning to PL (SALUTE)

Number of enemy and traveling technique

Movement formation and speed
Location of key leaders
Distance from front to rear of enemy formation
Location of most casualty producing weapons

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Initiate Ambush
PL can not delegate task of initiating ambush
PL initiates ambush with the most casualty
producing weapon
Goal is to initiate when the majority of the enemy
is in the center of the kill zone
PL Initiates preplanned indirect fires
Shift and lift fires signal to assault through kill
zone
Assault team assaults through kill zone to LOA
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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Actions on Objective
Assault element reports LOA to PL
Consolidate and reorganize to
establish a hasty 180 degree
defense to prevent counterattacks
Team leaders request LACE report
and submit LACE report to PL
PL reports LACE, and SALUTE to
higher command
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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Actions on Objective (2)

PL Calls for Special Teams
EPW Team
Aid and Litter Team
Demo Team

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Withdrawal
Demo is prepared
PL signals for assault elements to
withdraw
PL signals for support team to
withdraw
PL gives fire in the hole signal
Demo team ignites charges &
departs with PL
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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Withdrawal (2)
The APL is at the RP counting squad members through the
RP. Once to the RP, squad members form a hasty
perimeter with EPWs and casualties in the center. They
await PLs order to move back to ORP.
While en route to ORP, PL calls for preplanned indirect fires
to cover his withdrawal. PL moves patrol to ORP.
Patrol remains in ORP only long enough to collect and
disseminate CCIR among all patrol members.
The PL goal should be to depart from the ORP within three
or four minutes. While en route to Patrol Base, PL sends
required reports to higher (SALUTE and LACE and CCIR).

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Platoon Area Ambush

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Squad Ambush Technique 1

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Squad Ambush Technique 2

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Platoon Linear Point Ambush

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Platoon L-Shaped Area Ambush

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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Limitations to Squad Ambush

9-Soldier squad limits ambush techniques and
options
Squad size limits ability to deploy 2-Soldier
security teams out on flanks and to rear
(leaves 3 Soldiers to conduct ambush)
Number of organic squad radios limits ability to
displace support and security elements
Number of Soldiers and radios limits ability to
conduct effective L-shaped ambush
Two techniques exist to assist squad leaders
to plan and conduct squad ambush
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MSL 301, Lesson 08a: Squad Tactics-Ambush

Closing
Summary
Review Objectives
Questions???

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