Explain Offensive Operations

1. Explain Offensive Operations FM 3-0, FEB 08 FM 3-90, DEC 02 FM 3-90.1, JUN 05

2. Concrete Experience Show video clip “Saving Private Ryan”. Ask the Student to explain what type of offensive operation was utilized during the video clip? FM 1-02 p 1-1 to 1-201

3. Terminal Learning Objective Operate in Full Spectrum Operations ELO: 071-CCC-4000.01 Action: Explain Offensive Operations Conditions: In a small group classroom environment, given doctrinal readings and references, an instructor facilitated or guided discussion coupled with a multimedia presentation and incorporating student/instructor personal experiences on doctrinal concepts and tactical operations Standard: The Student will be able to explain: 1. The purpose and definition of offensive operations. 2. Characteristics of the offense. 3. The forms of maneuver. 4. The different types of offensive operations 10 Apr 2008 807-0420-VG# 3

4. The Army in Full Spectrum Operations FM 3-0, FEB 08, p 3-1

5. The Elements of Full Spectrum Operations FM 3-0, FEB 08, p 3-7

6. Purpose Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative to defeat the enemy decisively Dislocate, Isolate, Disrupt and Destroy Enemy Forces Throw the enemy off balance Overwhelm enemy capabilities Deprive the Enemy of Resources Seize Key Terrain Develop Intelligence Deceive and Divert the Enemy Fix the enemy Disrupt enemy attack/coherence Set conditions for future successful operations Create a Secure Environment for Stability Operations FM 3-0, FEB 08, p 3-9

7. Characteristics Of The Offense Surprise Concentration Audacity Tempo FM 3-90 JUL 01, p 3-1

8. Surprise Striking the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which it is not prepared Diminishes enemy combat power, allowing attacker to succeed with fewer forces How: Counter-recon Operating in an unexpected manner Unanticipated direction Change in tempo

9. Concentration Ability to mass effects without massing large formations Concentrations of forces are vulnerable Goal is to mass the effects of combat power Designate a Decisive Operation and allocate resources Requires: Speed Synchronization Security and deception

10. Audacity Bold action in concert with calculation of risk Key component of any successful offensive action Simple plan, boldly executed requires audacious leaders Must understand when and where to accept risk

11. Tempo Rate of speed of military operations Maintain relentless pressure on enemy Ensure synchronization Provides momentum From careful planning

12. Forms of Maneuver Envelopment Frontal Attack Infiltration Turning Movement Penetration FM 3-90 JUL 01, p 3-11

13. Envelopment Main attacking force passes around or over defenses to secure objectives in the rear Must find or create an assailable flank Mass combat power effects before the enemy can reorient his defense. FM 3-90 JUL 01, p 3-12

14. Envelopment

15. Turning Movement Attacker secures key terrain deep in the enemy’s rear and along his LOC’s Forces enemy to abandon his prepared defense and attack in an undesirable direction and time Deep fires are important to protect the force FM 3-90 JUL 01, p 3-15

16. Turning Movement

17. Infiltration • The purpose of an infiltration is to move by • stealth to place a maneuver force in a more • favorable position to accomplish the mission. • Infiltration rarely defeats a defense by itself • Typically infiltrations are conducted by small groups FM 3-90 JUL 01, p 3-19

18. Infiltration

19. Penetration Mass combat power to overwhelm the enemy and gain the advantage No assailable flank is available Mass effects from all available fires to make the breach, hold the shoulder, and stop counterattacks Single vs multiple axes Creates an assailable flank and provides access to rear areas FM 3-90 JUL 01, p 3-25

20. Penetration

21. Frontal Attack Strike across a wide front and over the most direct approaches Normally possess overwhelming combat power Mass effects of direct and indirect fires, shifting just before the assault Useful for overwhelming light defenses, covering forces, or disorganized forces Use in a hasty attack, meeting engagement, by a fixing force, or during exploitation or pursuit USMC favorite FM 3-90 JUL 01, p 3-30

22. Frontal Attack

23. Types of Offensive Operations Movement to Contact Attack Exploitation Pursuit FM 3-90 JUL 01, p 3-3

24. Movement To Contact • An offensive operation conducted to develop the situation and to establish or regain contact with the enemy. • Options on contact: Attack, Defend, Bypass, Delay, or Withdraw • Make contact with smallest element FM 3-90 JUL 01, p. 3-3

25. Movement to Contact Search and Attack Cordon and Search FM 3-0 FEB 08, p. 3-8

26. Search and Attack Technique • Purpose: Destroy enemy, deny area, protect the force, and collect information • Used by small, light maneuver units and air cavalry or air assault units in large areas against an enemy operating in dispersed elements • Used when one can not find an enemy weakness, to clear an assigned zone, or for area security FM 3-90 JUL 01, CH 4

27. Search and Attack

28. Attack Purpose: Destroy or defeat the enemy, seizes and secures terrain, or both Type of attack is determined by amount of planning, coordination, and preparation Successful attacks depend on skillful massing of effects on enemy weaknesses FM 3-90 JUL 01, CH 5

29. Attack FM 3-90, JUL 01, p 5-24

30. Types of Attacks Hasty Attack Deliberate Attack Special Purpose Spoiling Attack Counterattack Raid Ambush Feint Demonstration FM 3-90 JUL 01, p. 3-3

31. Hasty Attack Hasty Attack is the most likely result of a movement to contact or defensive operation Commanders launch the hasty attack with the forces at hand and minimum preparation to destroy the enemy before he is able to either concentrate or to establish a defense Maximizes effects of agility and surprise at risk of losing synchronization FM 3-90 JUL 01, p. 1-9

32. Deliberate Attack Fully synchronized operations employing the effects of every available asset against the enemy force Requires careful planning and extensive coordination Enemy situation is known Use combined arms team, bold maneuver, and annihilating fires FM 3-90 JUL 01, p. 1-9

33. Spoiling Attack Conducted to disrupt an expected enemy attack Attack when enemy is most vulnerable May be either hasty or deliberate FM 3-90, JUL 01, p 5-40

34. Counterattack Launched after the enemy begins his attack, reveals his main effort, or creates an assailable flank Use a reserve or a lightly committed forward element Anticipated, planned, and executed in coordination with other forces Can create favorable conditions causing greater effects FM 3-90, JUL 01, p 5-35

35. Limited-objective attack into enemy territory for specific purpose other than gaining terrain Key difference: planned withdrawal Objective: Destroy key installations Capture or free prisoners Disrupt enemy command and control Raid FM 3-90, JUL 01, p 5-38

36. Attack by fire or other destructive means on a moving or temporarily halted enemy Surprise is key element Effective against enemy sustaining operations Ambush FM 3-90, JUL 01, p 5-29

37. Feint vs Demonstration Feint - limited-objective attack designed to divert attention from the decisive operation Conducted by brigades and smaller units before or during the main attack Demonstration - show of force in an area where a decision is not sought Threatens attack but does not make contact FM 3-90, JUL 01, p 5-38

38. Exploitation Exploitation - extension of destruction of the defending force by maintaining offensive pressure Extend until he has no option but surrender or flight Prevents enemy from regaining the initiative Compounds his disorganization and erodes his will to resist FM 3-90, JUL 01, CH 6

39. Exploitation FM 3-90 JUL 01, CH 6

40. Pursuit Pursuit - offensive operation against a retreating enemy force Follows a successful attack or exploitation Goal is destruction of the opposing force Enemy has no organized defense and attempts to disengage Conduct air or ground operations to intercept, to capture, or to destroy forces FM 3-90 JUL 01, CH 7

41. Pursuit FM 3-90, JUL 01, p 7-3 & 7-5

42. 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

43. Questions ?