The Assault Cycle & Sequencing

Here you will learn how 3 fighting elements can be rotated through the 3 primary attack roles...

Intro

The Assault Cycle and Sequencing describes the role that small units (PLTs/COYs) play in an offensive attack.

For this particular assault to take place, there must be 3 equally sized elements of similar nature. Additional support by way of indirect fires/CAS can be used as a force multiplier.

Attack roles include:

• Assault element

• Support By Fire (SBF) element

• Security/Reserve element

The Sequencing part of this equation occurs once the Assault is initiated and ends with Mission Complete (MC). A series of sequential events will/must take place in order for the offensive attack to take place and end in success.

3 Main Elements

Using a PLT as a force structure:

1) Assault force

2) Support By Fire (SBF)

3) Security/Reserve element

Assault force
1st SQD
Without rucksacks or shoulder fired rockets
Extra smoke grenades of varied colors
Extra fragmentation grenades
Less M203 grenades on hand
Less medical equipment/supplies
Signal devices

SBF
WPN SQD (2X MGs and 1 DM)
2nd SQD to augment SBF with 2 ARs
Tripods and rucks with spare barrels/ammo
Binos
Entrenching tools (E-tool) to dig hasty defensive position(s)
Signal devices
Firing sector stakes

Security/Reserve
3rd SQD
1 SQD divided into 3 sections (R/L security and rear security)
Claymore AP mines
Extra M203 grenades from 1st SQD
Shoulder fires rockets

Assault Element

The objective of this element is to move as close to the Enemy as possible while remaining undetected and ideally under C&C.

Once the attack is initiated or an element is compromised, the Assault element must close in on the Enemy by way of Fire & Maneuver.

Initiates the attack only if compromised, if not then awaits the SBF to initiate

Once on the OBJ, the force must assault through until the Limit Of Advance (LOA)

TL responsibilities:

• tracking the physical location and status of the ASSLT force

• avoiding fratricide by fellow ASSLT fires

• avoiding fratricide by SBF

• clearly signal 'Lift' and 'Shift' fires to SBF

• clearing the OBJ and stopping at the LOA

SBF

SBF - Support By Fire

"During a deliberate attack for example, the assaulting force is supported by the support-by-fire (SBF) element. The SBF element’s focus is to gain fire superiority and cover the maneuver of the assaulting force as it gains a foothold onto an objective."

The role of the SBF is to provide the suppressing fires on known/suspected ENY position(s) In Order To (IOT) support the ASSLT fire and maneuver onto the OBJ

Traditionally, the WPN SQD occupies the SBF
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1295884384
A typical U.S. Army Infantry WPN SQD includes 2X MGs

If augmented by a pair of ARs from one of the other PLT SQDs, the firepower of the element is significantly increased

Rates of fire -
Fire Control Measures (terrain/threat based) -

TL responsibilities:

• set firing stakes for flank closest to the ASSLT element

• controlling the rates of MG fire

• ensuring MG TMs are 'talking'

• closely monitoring the front line trace of the Assault force

• 'Shifting' & 'Lifting' fires as needed

• Displacing one MG TM at a time and moving onto the OBJ as needed

Security/Reserve Element

The Security force is tasked with:

• protecting R/L flanks

• protecting rear area from ENY counterattacks

• isolating the OBJ area from reinforcements/escaping ENY personnel

• serving as an early warning during an ambush/raid of approaching ENY forces

Based on the terrain and the ENY's probable COA, the Security sub-element most at risk may be reinforced

For example:


Of the 3 Security areas (R/L/rear) in this example, the most important in this example is the 'left' security force. The road close to the 'right' security force is blocked; the MG is also on the short part of the 'L'; the long part of the 'L' is the natural escape/ENY flank route; the far side of the kill zone has unfavorable terrain and AP/AT mines and is under the ASSLT fires.

Of the 9-man SQD, 1 fire TM of 4 Soldiers should man the left flank
The other fire TM should be divided into 2 buddy teams with the TL and AR at the right flank
The rifleman and grenadier should cover the rear
The SQD LDR should focus their attention most on the left flank, followed by the right flank and then the rear

Combat Sequencing

The Sequencing aspect occurs when the assault moves from one OBJ/area to another.

Scenario #1:
The SBF relocates to the next SBF position and continues to support the ASSLT force
The ASSLT Continues Mission (CM) onto the next OBJ/area
The Security element continues to provide force protection and modifies its priorities based on situation at hand

Scenario #2:
The SBF relocates to the next SBF position and continues to support the ASSLT force
The ASSLT and Security elements swap roles

*Scenario #3*:
The PLT is divided into 3 sections (2 equal ASSLT and 1 Security)
The PLTs WPN SQD is divided into the 2 ASSLT elements
The Security forces continues it role throughout the attack(s)
As one ASSLT element gains a foothold, it becomes the SBF for the other ASSLT force
The 2 ASSLT elements continue to bound through the OBJ area(s) until MC

Bounding Techniques

While applying the ACS, units can:

• bound on line (Successive bound)

• 'Leap Frog' (Alternative bound)

Successive bounding
Pros:

• less fratricide risk (Soldiers do not 'mask' each other's fires)

• more direct control of movement

Cons:

• slower movement (less ground covered)

Alternating bounds
Pros:

• more ground is covered in less time

Cons:

• more fratricide risk (Soldiers 'mask' each other's fires)

• less direct control of movement

PL/PSG/ASSLT/SBF/Security Roles

PL - Is the OIC and in command. Traditionally stays with the ASSLT to better tackle the OBJ area. Helps control indirect/CAS fire as needed.

PSG - Is the NCOIC and second in command. Traditionally stays with the SBF to better direct/control the MG fires and to prevent fratricide. Helps control indirect/CAS fire as needed. Creates a Casualty Collection Point (CCP) and executes MEDEVAC Ops



ASSLT SQD LDR - Follows the PLs combat speed/violence of action. Tracks the status/position of all their Soldiers on the Battlefield. Ensures enough cover fire from the SBF position provides ease of movement onto the OBJ. Informs the PL/PSG of location/status while in the OBJ area. Informs the PSG/PL of needed items (reserve Soldiers/indirect fires/CAS/specific targeting etc.). Rotates lead fire TM to ensure optimum use of Soldiers.

WPN SQD LDR - Is the 3rd in command. Tasked with setting up the SBF position. Ensures Soldiers do not fire too close to the advancing Assault element. Carefully tracks the Assault element as it advances toward/onto the OBJ. 'Shifts' and 'Lifts' MG fire as appropriate. Takes 1 MG out of battery at a time from the SBF position and relocates them onto the OBJ after actions on the OBJ are complete.

Security SQD LDR - Ensures the OBJ area is sealed off from: ENY 'runners' escaping the battlefield and from ENY reinforcing forces entering the OBJ area. Divides the SQD into 3 sections (R/L/rear). Ensures to reinforce the section most at risk by ENY counter-attack/runners/reinforcements. Employs AP mines (Claymores) to facilitate force protection and AT rockets for vehicles destruction.

Modes of Application

The ACS can be applied to any offensive/defensive operation:

• Movement To Contact (MTC)

• Attack (raid/ambush/counterattack/feint/demonstration/spoiling raid)

• Exploitation

• Pursuit (frontal/combination)

• Area defense

• Mobile Defense

• Retrograde (delay/withdraw/retirement)

The ACS is not well suited for:

• Recon (area/zone/route/special/in force)

• Passage of Lines

• Troop movement

• Relief in Place

• Security

To a lesser extent, the ACS process can be applied to:

• Stability Ops

• Defensive support of Civil Authorities

The ASC can be applied in any environment - jungle/desert/mountain/cold/MOUT

Operating the ACS in low visibility conditions is more demanding and challenging...just like all other military ops

Conclusion

The ACS system creates a flexible SOP for small units to adhere to. It creates a framework that can be molded to best suit the current METT-TC at hand

When dealing with more complex combat operations its use is a must for battlefield Commanders who are looking to smooth out the difficult coordinating task of mutually supporting infantry units in the field.

[Niko]

when the army, is using steam powered guns!

[Puppy The Dog]

This is definitely cringe.