OFFENSIVE
OPERATIONS
Overview
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SCOPE
• INTRODUCTION
• PURPOSES OF OFFENSE
• CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFENSE
• FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE
• FORMS OF MANEUVER
• OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK
• PHASES OF OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
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OFFENSIVE
OPERATIONS
• COMBAT OPERATIONS DESIGNED
TO DESTROY THE ENEMY
• DECISIVE FORM OF WAR
• THE COMMANDERS’ ULTIMATE
MEANS OF IMPOSING THEIR WILL
UPON THE ENEMY
• SEIZURE AND RETENTION OF THE INITIATIVE
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PURPOSES OF THE
OFFENSE
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PURPOSES OF THE
OFFENSE
• DEFEAT, DESTROY,
OR NEUTRALIZE THE
ENEMY FORCES
OBJ DOG
• Defeat - subdue enemy’s
will to fight
• Destroy - physically render
an enemy force to be
combat ineffective
• Neutralize - to render
ineffective or unusable
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PURPOSES OF THE
• SECURE/CLEAR
OFFENSE
TE
U
DECISIVE TERRAIN RO
• Secure L
- gain possession of a A
W
terrainfeature A
R
-with or without force TH
ID
-prevent its destruction W
or loss to the enemy
• Clear - remove all enemy OBJ DOG
forces
- eliminate
organized
resistance in an area
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PURPOSES OF THE
OFFENSE
• DEPRIVE THE S
C S
ENEMY OF EN
OBJ DOG
RESOURCES
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PURPOSES OF THE
OFFENSE
• GAIN
INFORMATION
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PURPOSES OF THE
OFFENSE
• DECEIVE OR DIVERT THE ENEMY
OBJ DOG
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PURPOSES OF THE
OFFENSE
• TO HOLD THE ENEMY IN POSITION
OBJ DOG
OBJ CAT
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PURPOSES OF THE
OFFENSE
• DISRUPT ENEMY ATTACK
A
O
D
Y
EM
EN
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PURPOSES OF THE
OFFENSE
• SET-UP CONDITIONS FOR FUTURE
SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS
• Pursuit
• Exploitation
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PURPOSES OF THE
OFFENSE
• DEFEAT, DESTROY, OR NEUTRALIZE THE EN
FORCES
• SECURE/CLEAR DECISIVE TERRAIN
• DEPRIVE THE ENEMY OF RESOURCES
• GAIN INFORMATION
• DECEIVE OR DIVERT THE ENEMY
• TO HOLD THE ENEMY IN POSITION
• DISRUPT ENEMY ATTACK
• SET-UP CONDITIONS FOR FUTURE SUCCESSFUL
OPERATIONS
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CHARACTERISTICS OF
THE OFFENSE
• C - CONCENTRATION
• A - AUDACITY
• T - TEMPO
• S - SURPRISE
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CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
OFFENSE:
CONCENTRATION
• THE ABILITY TO MASS EFFECTS WITHOUT
MASSING LARGE FORMATION
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CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
OFFENSE:
AUDACITY
• SIMPLE PLAN, BOLDLY EXECUTED
• WILLINGNESS TO TAKE RISK TO ACHIEVE
POSITIVE RESULTS THROUGH A THOROUGH
ESTIMATE ON ENEMY, TERRAIN AND OWN
TROOPS.
• NEGATE THE DISADVANTAGES OF NUMERICAL
INFERIORITY.
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CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
OFFENSE:
TEMPO
• RATE OF SPEED OF MILITARY ACTION
• IT IS ADJUSTED TO ENSURE
SYNCHRONIZATION
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CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
OFFENSE:
SURPRISE
• STRIKE THE ENEMY AT THE TIME OR PLACE OR
MANNER FOR WHICH HE IS UNPREPARED
• It may be in
relation to:
– TEMPO
– SIZE
– DIRECTION OF ATTACK
– TIME
– FORMS OF MANEUVER
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OFFENSE VS DEFENSE
• CHARACTERISTIC • CHARACTERISTICSO
S OF OFFENSE F DEFENSE
– CONCENTRATION – SECURITY
– MASS AND
– AUDACITY CONCENTRATION
– TEMPO – FLEXIBILITY
– DISRUPTION
– SURPRISE
– PREPARATION
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FORMS OF
TACTICAL OFFENSE
• M - MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
• A - ATTACK
• E - EXPLOITATION
• P - PURSUIT
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FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE:
(MAEP)
MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
CONDUCTED TO GAIN
OR RE-ESTABLISH
CONTACT WITH THE
ENEMY (FM 7-20)
PURPOSE: DEVELOP
TACTICAL SITUATION
(FM 7-20)
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FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE:
(MAEP)
MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
• IT MAY BE AN:
– APPROACH MARCH
– RECONNAISSANCE IN FORCE
– SEARCH AND ATTACK
– MEETING ENGAGEMENT
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FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE:
(MAEP)
MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
• APPROACH MARCH:
– Conducted when certain of enemy
location
– Conducted to develop situation
– To establish or regain contact
FLANK
GUARD
REAR
GUARD MAIN BODY ADVANCE SECURITY
GUARD FORCE
FLANK
GUARD
REF FM 7-20, CH 3
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FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE:
(MAEP)
MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
• RECON IN FORCE
– Limited-objective operation
– To obtain information
– Locate & test en disposition/strength
– Force could seize any opportunity to
exploit tactical success
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FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE:
(MAEP)
MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
• SEARCH & ATTACK:
– Conducted by smaller maneuver units
– To destroy en forces
– To protect the force
– To deny area to the enemy
– To collect information
– Conducted in areas unsuited for heavy
forces (close terrain / dispersed)
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FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE:
(MAEP)
MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
• MEETING ENGAGEMENT:
– Force engages an enemy at an
unexpected time & place
– Lead by a force that locates & fixes the
enemy
– Majority of the force has the flexibility to
maneuver
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FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE:
(MAEP)
ATTACK
• HASTY - MINIMUM PREPARATION
• DELIBERATE - THOROUGH
PLANNING, COORDINATION, AND
PREPARATION
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TYPES OF ATTACKS:
HASTY ATTACK
PREPARATION TIME IS TRADED FOR
SPEED TO EXPLOIT AN OPPORTUNITY
MAY BE CONDUCTED AFTER MOVEMENT
TO CONTACT
MAINTAIN MOMENTUM AFTER SEIZURE
OF AN OBJECTIVE
MAINTAIN INITIATIVE AFTER A
SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE
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TYPES OF ATTACKS:
DELIBERATE ATTACK
FULLY SYNCHRONIZED OPERATION
EMPLOY THE EFFECTS OF EVERY
AVAILABLE ASSET AGAINST ENEMY
DEFENSES
OFTEN CONDUCTED FROM A DEFENSIVE
POSTURE
REQUIRES CAREFUL PLANNING
TAKES TIME TO PREPARE
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OTHER FORMS OF ATTACK
• SPOILING ATTACK -
CONDUCTED FROM
THE DEFENSIVE
POSTURE TO
DISRUPT ENEMY
ATTACK
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OTHER FORMS OF ATTACK
• COUNTER ATTACK - CONDUCTED
AFTER EN LAUNCHES HIS ATK , TO
DESTROY ENEMY MAIN EFFORT OR
ATTACK EN ASSAILABLE FLANK
Enemy Attack
PLTN CTAK
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OTHER FORMS OF ATTACK
• RAID – LIMITED OBJECTIVE ATTACK INTO
THE EN TERRITORY TO DESTROY EN
FORCES, FACILITIES, CAPTURE OR FREE
PRISONERS, OR DISRUPT EN C2.
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OTHER FORMS OF ATTACK
• FEINT - DESIGNED TO DIVERT THE
EN ATTENTION FROM THE “ME”. IT
REQUIRES CONTACT.
OBJ DOG
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OTHER FORMS OF ATTACK
• DEMONSTRATION - IS A SHOW OF
FORCE IN AN AREA WHERE
DECISION IS NOT SOUGHT.
- IT THREATENS ATTACK BUT
DOES NOT MAKE CONTACT
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OTHER FORMS OF ATTACK
• RUSES - FORMS OF DECEPTION TO
TRICK THE ENEMY
- DELIBERATELY EXPOSING
FALSE INFO TO OBTAIN
ADVANTAGE
- FALSE ELECTRONIC SIGNALS
- DUMMY FORMATIONS
- MISLEADING FORMATIONS &
MOVEMENTS
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FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE:
(MAEP)
EXPLOITATION
• ATTACKER EXTENDS THE
DESTRUCTION OF THE DEFENDING
FORCE BY MAINTAINING
OFFENSIVE PRESSURE
• PURPOSE: TO PREVENT THE
ENEMY TO REORGANIZE AND TO
CONTINUE THE FIGHT
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FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE:
PURSUIT
• A PURSUIT IS AN OFFENSIVE OPN
AGAINST A RETREATING ENEMY
FORCE
• IT FOLLOWS A SUCCESSFUL ATK
OR EXPLOITATION AND IS
ORDERED WHEN THE ENEMY
ATTEMPTS TO DISENGAGE.
• GOAL: DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY
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FORMS OF MANEUVER
• ENVELOPMENT
• TURNING MOVEMENT
• INFILTRATION
• PENETRATION
• FRONTAL ATTACK
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FORMS OF MANEUVER:
ENVELOPMENT
• USES MANEUVER AND FIRES
TO PUT GREATER RELATIVE
COMBAT POWER AGAINST
THE DEFENDER TO STRIP
ENEMY OF HIS ADVANTAGES
• ATTACKER FIX THE
DEFENDER’S ATTENTION
FORWARD AND MANEUVERS
HIS “ME” TO STRIKE HIS
FLANKS OR REAR
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FORMS OF MANEUVER:
ENVELOPMENT
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FORMS OF MANEUVER:
TURNING MOVEMENT
• THE ATTACKER PASSES
AROUND THE ENEMY TO
SECURE AN OBJ DEEP IN
THE ENEMY’S REAR AREA
• IN ORDER TO:
– FORCE THE ENEMY TO
ABANDON HIS
PREPARED DEFENSES
AND ATTACK ON
UNDESIRABLE
DIRECTION
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FORMS OF MANEUVER:
TURNING MOVEMENT
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FORMS OF MANEUVER:
INFILTRATION
• USES STEALTH/COVERT
MOVEMENT OF FORCES
THRU ENEMY LINES TO
ATTACK POSITIONS IN
THE ENEMY REAR
• ESTABLISHES
INFILTRATION
ROUTE(S)/LANE(S) (SINGLE
OR DOUBLE LANE)
THROUGH EN GAPS
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FORMS OF MANEUVER:
INFILTRATION
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FORMS OF MANEUVER:
PENETRATION
• IS USED WHEN THE
ENEMY FLANKS ARE
NOT ASSAILABLE
• ATTACKER MASS
SUFFICIENT COMBAT
POWER AT THE POINT
OF PENETRATION TO
OVERWHELM THE
ENEMY AND GAIN THE
ADVANTAGE
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FORMS OF MANEUVER:
PENETRATION
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FORMS OF MANEUVER:
FRONTAL ATTACK
• THE MOST UNLIKELY
FORM OF MANEUVER
• STRIKES THE ENEMY
ACCROSS A WIDE FRONT
AND OVER THE MOST
DIRECT APPROACHES.
• ONLY USED WHEN THE
ENEMY IS WEAK AND IS
AT CLEAR
DISADVANTAGE.
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FORMS OF MANEUVER:
FRONTAL ATTACK
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OPNS IN DEPTH OF THE BATTLE
FIELD
• DEEP OPNS – directed against enemy forces not
in contact at the Forward Line of Troops (FLOT)
T
F LO
FRIENDLY SE
ENEMY FRIENDLY ME
UNITS ENEMY
REAR
DEEP
FRIENDLY SE
T
L O CLOSE
F
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OPNS IN DEPTH OF THE BATTLEFIELD
• CLOSE OPNS – Include close combat being
conducted by the committed forces of both
combatants
T
F LO
FRIENDLY SE
ENEMY FRIENDLY ME
UNITS ENEMY
REAR
DEEP
FRIENDLY SE
T
L O CLOSE
F
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OPNS IN DEPTH OF THE
BATTLEFIELD
• REAR OPNS – Ensure freedom of action by
providing sustainment, CS, and CSS, operations to
committed forces
T
F LO
FRIENDLY SE
ENEMY FRIENDLY ME
UNITS ENEMY
REAR
DEEP
FRIENDLY SE
T
L O CLOSE
F
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OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK
• DEEP OPERATIONS
• RECON AND SECURITY OPNS
• MAIN AND SUPPORTING ATKS
• RESERVE OPERATIONS
• REAR OPERATIONS
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OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK:
DEEP OPERATIONS
• Directed against enemy forces not in
contact forward of FLOT
• Employs long range fires, air &
ground maneuver, & C2 warfare
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OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK:
RECONNAISSANCE AND
SURVEILLANCE
• Planned by S3 in coordination with the S2
and Commander
• Developed from the Event Template (IPB)
• Collects info for the Commander
• Intel Requirements (IR) prioritized
• Eliminate duplication of effort
• Systematic and continuous observation
• Reporting and dissemination of the plan
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OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK:
MAIN ATTACK
- Main attack receives the
requisite combat and
combat support assets to
ensure its success.
- The main attack is
directed to secure the
objectives that contribute
most to mission
accomplishment.
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OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK:
SUPPORTING ATTACK
- Fixes enemy forces to facilitate main attack.
- Controls terrain to facilitate movement of main attack.
- Destroy enemy as to the location of the main
attack.
- Prevents or delays enemy concentration against the
main attack.
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OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK:
RESERVE OPERATIONS
- The reserve force is
clearly designated.
- Provides commander
with the flexibility to
deal with unforeseen
contingencies.
- Used to reinforce or
maintain the
momentum of the main
attack.
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OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK:
REAR OPERATIONS
- Assure freedom of
actions of forces by
supporting
committed forces
- Protect the CS and
CSS elements in the
rear area
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PHASES OF OFFENSIVE
OPERATIONS
• PREPARATION PHASE –TLP/MDMP
• ATTACK
– MOVEMENT TO THE OBJECTIVE
– ACTION ON THE OBJ
– REORGANIZATION AND
CONSOLIDATION
• EXPLOITATION
• PURSUIT
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CONSOLIDATION
VS REORGANIZATION
• CONSOLIDATION • REORGANIZATION
– ESTABLISH – FURTHER REPLACE
SECURITY KEY PERS
– ELIMINATE EN – REPORT UNIT STATUS
RESISTANCE – EVACUATE
– HASTY DEFENSE CASUALTIES
– PLAN FIRES – REDISTRIBUTE
– CONDUCT RECON CRITICAL ITEMS
– PREPARE FOR ON- – PLAN FOR OPNS
ORDER MISSION
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TASK ORGANIZATION
• MAIN EFFORT - ASSAULT FORCE
– DESTROY, NEUTRALIZE, CLEAR,
SECURE OR SEIZE
• SUPPORTING EFFORT - BREACH AND
SUPPORT FORCES
– FIX, SUPPRESS, BREACH, ISOLATE OR
OBSCURE
• RESERVE
– BE PREPARED TO DESTROY EN CATK
OR ASSUME THE TASK OF THE “ME”
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ATTACKS
(TYPICAL TASKS)
Main Attack Supporting
Attack
- Seize - Isolate
- Secure - Fix
- Clear - Suppress
- Destroy
FM 101-5-1, 1985, CH 1
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SUMMARY
• PURPOSES OF OFFENSE
• CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFENSE
• FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE
• FORMS OF MANEUVER
• OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK
• PHASES OF OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
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Conclusion:
“Hit the other fellow as quick
as you can, as hard as you can,
where it hurts the most, when
he isn’t looking.”
--- unknown
INFANTRY
OFFENSIVE
OPERATIONS
Any Question?
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GOOD DAY
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