Ground Domination Activity (GDA)

GDAs are used by Soldiers to increase the force protection of static bases through the sustained use of combat/reconnaissance patrols...

Intro

GDAs are but one form of patrols...

They are used to better protect military installations such as:

• Camps (large installations for DIV/CORPs)

• FOBs (Forward Operating Bases for a BTN)

• COPs (Combat Out-Posts for a PLT/COY))

Depending on the nature of the conflict, GDAs can take 2 different styles:

• combat patrol

• recon patrol

A combat patrol is used for GDAs when ENY action is likely to be:

• force-on-force (traditional army vs. traditional army)

• no chance of civilian contact or civilian collateral damage

A recon patrol is used for GDAs when:

• asymmetrical warfare is being used (OEF/OIF)

• chance of civilian contact or damage to civilian infrastructure

Types of Patrols

'Because a patrol is an organization, not a mission, it is not correct to speak of giving a unit a mission to "Patrol."'

'Patrols require a specific task and purpose'

There are 2 types of patrols:

• combat

• reconnaissance

"Patrols that depart the main body with the clear intent to make direct contact with the enemy are called combat patrols"

"A combat patrol provides security and harasses, destroys, or captures enemy troops, equipment, or installations"

"Patrols that depart the main body with the intention of avoiding direct combat with the enemy while seeing out information or confirming the accuracy of previously-gathered information are called reconnaissance patrols"

A reconnaissance patrol collects information to confirm or disprove the accuracy of information previously gained. The intent for this type of patrol is to move stealthily, avoid enemy contact, and accomplish its tactical task without engaging in close combat. With one exception (presence patrols), reconnaissance patrols always try to accomplish their mission without being detected or observed

Patrol Overview

Definition:
"...patrols are missions to gather information and/or to conduct combat operations..."

Types of patrols

Combat

• raid

• ambush

• security patrol

Reconnaissance

• area

• zone

• route

• presence patrol

Raid - A surprise attack against a position or installation for a specific purpose other than seizing and holding the terrain. It is conducted to destroy a position or installation, to destroy or capture enemy soldiers or equipment, or to free prisoners

Ambush - A surprise attack from a concealed position on a moving or temporarily halted target.
An ambush patrol does not need to seize or hold any terrain. It can include an assault to close with and destroy the target, or an attack by fire only

***Security patrol*** - Security patrols prevent surprise of the main body by screening to the front, flank, and rear of the main body and detecting and destroying enemy forces in the local area

^ ^ ^ ^ ^

Area recon - conducted to obtain information concerning a specific location and the area immediately around it. It can be conducted during all offensive and defensive operations.

Zone recon - conducted to obtain information on enemy, terrain, and routes within a
specified zone; it includes the use of moving elements, stationary teams, or multiple area reconnaissance actions

Route recon - route reconnaissance is conducted to obtain detailed information about one route and all its adjacent terrain, or to locate sites for emplacing obstacles

***Presence patrol*** - A presence patrol is used in stability or civil support operations

Patrol Planning

*** Rehearsals of all key action and at all levels are performed ***

Planning for patrols follows similar guidelines, regardless of the specific type of patrol

Generally speaking, patrols:

- A recon of the area in question is planned (map/in-person/aerial)

- Primary/alternate routes are planned

- Crossing danger areas/rivers etc are planned/rehearsed

- Radio/hand and arm signals/code words are confirmed

- MEDEVAC/CAS/indirect fires etc coordination is performed

- Start off from an Assembly Area (AA)

- If Friendly forces are to your front, then a Forward Passage of Lines is performed

- An initial rally point (IRP) is selected in case immediate ENY contact is made

- Throughout the route, rally points (RPs) are pre-selected and then confirmed once on the ground

- A patrol base/objective rally point (PB/ORB) are selected

- Actions on the OBJ/ENY contact is planned and rehearsed

- Return to the PB/ORP and reentry to the AA is performed

- Debriefing is executed

*** Rehearsals of all key action and at all levels are performed ***

TTPs

Tactics/techniques & Procedures (TTPs) for GDA are as follows:

• change exfil/infil route of patrol

• change Start Point (SP) times (day/night)

• change duration of patrol (less than 3 hours/6-12-24hr patrols)

Ensure that the 'home' base has:

• a Quick Reaction Force (QRF)

• a 24hr manned Command Post (CP)

• a primary/alternate entrance/exit

• ISR platform

• Combat Support on-hand (even from another base/asset such as CAS/resupply etc)

Units conducting GDAs need to have relevant SOPs:

• break contact

• hasty/deliberate attack (raid/ambush)

• Key Leader engagement meeting

• 'lost commo' procedure

• 'man-down' procedure

Establish the ENYs Maximum Engagement Line (MEL) for:

• small-arms fire

• crew served weapons

• indirect/shoulder fired systems

The terrain may alter the MEL for both YOU & the ENY and you must plan accordingly

*** Be careful of deceptive measures made by the ENY to lure you into an ambush ***

'Soft' vs. 'Hard' Patrol

A GDA patrol needs to remain flexible to the reality on the ground. What might start off as a Movement To Contact (MTC) patrol, may end up with a Key Leader Engagement (KLE) meeting (or vice versus).


Battlefield Intelligence
ALL intel must be reported and followed-up on by the S-2 (including KLE)

Examples include:

• debrief/after action report form patrol

• post KLE meeting report

Ambush/Raids Use in GDAs

'Sometimes the best defense is offense' - and so is the case for GDA patrols

Laying ambush/raids/counter-IED/counter-sniper/surveillance & observation posts etc are highly effective in force protection

*** The time/manner/duration of these offensive action must vary ***

Packing List

Dog Tags/ID card
Body armor
White/red flashlight/headlamp
Load carrying vest
Service rifle/sidearm
6+1 rifle magazines
2+1 pistol magazines
Military fixed blade knife
Map/compass/GPS
Radio/extra batteries of several sizes
Food/water
*** 'Lickies & Chewies' for local children (soft/hard candies) ***
*** Medical/school supplies for local population ***

Interpreter/picture dictionary

Conclusion

GDAs significantly increase the force protection level of a base and are instrumental in gaining valuable intelligence on the surrounding communities via KLEs. Units conducting GDAs must be able to perform aggressive/passive patrols as needed to defeat ENY forces but gain local trust.

[AmericanSerb]

Apon reading you will be arma pro