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Convoy Defense: Techniques and Strategies. Reference: FM 55-30. Terminal Learning Objectives. Describe convoy defense operations. Enabling Learning Objectives:. A. Identify possible threats to convoys. B. Explain how to maintain operational security.
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Reference: FM 55-30
Terminal Learning Objectives Describe convoy defense operations.
Enabling Learning Objectives: A. Identify possible threats to convoys. B. Explain how to maintain operational security. C. Describe the implementation of fouroperational security measures.
Enabling Learning Objectives: D. Discuss terrain considerations affecting convoy defense. E. Discuss active and passive measures to defend against air attack, indirect fires, snipers, ambushes, and NBC attacks.
Threats to Convoys Include: ELO A • Airborne or airmobile forces • Long-range artillery and rockets • Irregular or guerilla forces • Terrorists • Civilians on battlefield Disruption activities may include: ambushes snipers raids sabotage FM 55-30 pg 3-1
Operational Security (OPSEC) • Leaders must make OPSEC an integral part of planning for operations, unit training, and day-to-day operations. • Leaders must develop OPSEC protective measures. security measures throughout planning, preparation, and execution phases. Maintain FM 55-30 pg 3-1
OPSEC Planning Sequence • Determine enemy capabilities for obtaining information about the convoy. • Determine what information obtained by the enemy can compromise the operation. • Determine which actions taken by your unit before an operation, if understood by the enemy, would give the enemy an advantage. • Determine what protective measures are warranted and where they must be implemented. FM 55-30 pg 3-2
OPSEC Measures Include: • Countersurveillance • Signal security • Physical security • Information security Think active and passive measures. FM 55-30 pg 3-2
Countersurveillance • Includes all active and passive measures taken to prevent threat forces from seeing your area, equipment, and movements Train on this: Camouflage and tone down vehicles. Move at night. Use terrain as concealment. Enforce noise, litter, and light discipline. Techniques FM 55-30 pg 3-2
Signal Security • Use communication and electronics security techniques to prevent disclosure of information. Try this: Keep radio transmissions short. Maintain signal silence whenever possible. Use wire communications. Use low power radios. Techniques FM 55-30 pg 3-2
Physical Security • Use security forces, barriers, dispersal, concealment, and camouflage to deny enemy access to areas of operations (AO) Use LP/Ops in AO. Use front, rear, and flank placement of security. Identify OCOKA. Use obstacles. Use challenge and passwords. Use early warning devices. Be Proactive Techniques FM 55-30 pg 3-2
Information Security • Information security is the control of written, verbal, and graphic information to prevent the disclosure of operational information. Post information out in the open. Let civilians without clearances into work areas. Handle classified/sensitive papers improperly. Do Not Techniques FM 55-30 pg 3-3
Terrain Considerations • Terrain creates the most common natural obstacles affecting convoy movements. • How can you prepare for natural obstacles? • How do you plan for movements through hilly or mountainous terrain? • How do you need to change your plans for movement through swampy ground? FM 55-30 pg 3-3
Convoy Defensive Measures • Include both active and passive actions. • Convoys must defend against air attack, indirect fires, snipers, ambushes and NBC attacks. FM 55-30 Chapter 6
Reaction to Air Attacks • Convoys are most vulnerable while moving along open roads/during halts with no overhead cover. • How do you prepare your convoy? FM 55-30 pg 6-1
Reaction to Air Attacks • The convoy commander must: • Prescribe alarm signals (unit SOP) • Direct actions on contact (guidance) • Prescribe actions to take in absence of orders (battle drills) • Ensure actions on contact are rehearsed • Review the procedures with convoy personnel before the convoy moves out FM 55-30 pg 6-1/6-2
Passive Defensive Measures against Air Attacks • Passive measures are more effective for logistics units. Why? • The key is convoy dispersion. • Commanders must decide whether to use an open or closed column . • Distance between vehicles must not be fixed. • Factors influencing vehicle distance include: • Mission • Cover and concealment • Length of road march • Type of road • Type of vehicle • Nature of cargo • Enemy threat • Available defense support FM 55-30 pg 6-2
Defend Against Air Attack with Passive Reactions • If aircraft are spotted or early warning is received, the convoy commander has three options: • - Stop in place • - Continue to march • - Disperse quickly to concealed positions • If the convoy commander chooses to halt the • convoy, the vehicles simply pull of the road in a herringbone pattern. • What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the herringbone pattern? FM 55-30 pg 6-4
Reaction to Indirect FireActive Defensive Measures • Active defensive measures are limited but should not be overlooked, they include: - Directing counterbattery fire - Directing small arms fire or artillery against the enemy forward observer (FO) if located - Coordinating air strikes against enemy artillery Train on this Preplanning target reference points (TRPs) and identifying critical friendly zones (CFZs) FM 55-30 pg 6-7
Reaction to Indirect FirePassive Defensive Measures • Similar to reaction to enemy air, to march, or disperse into concealed positions • The company movement formation either (open or closed) can be a type of passive defense. • Regardless of the action taken, it should be SOP and performed as a battle drill. FM 55-30 pg 6-7
Reaction to Sniper FireDefensive Measures • The best actions are passive. • All vehicles should move through the area without stopping. • Be careful of fratricide and civilians on the battlefield when returning fire. • Remember to send a contact report up to higher HQ. FM 55-30 pg 6-7
Reaction to Ambushes • How can you avoid ambushes? • If an ambush can’t be avoided, what can do to minimize the effects? Think battle drills Attempt to avoid ambushes or reduce their effectiveness FM 55-30 pg 6-8
Reaction to Ambushes • If the road is not blocked, only a portion of the convoy will likely be in contact. • The part of the convoy in the kill zone must get out rapidly. • Disabled vehicles may be pushed out of the road by follow-on vehicles. • Escort armored vehicles will return fire. • Other vehicles not in the kill zone will stop. • Soldiers will dismount and take up defensive positions and wait for further instructions . FM 55-30 pg 6-8
Reaction to Ambushes • If the road is blocked, an element is halted in the kill zone and is unable to move because of disabled vehicles or some type of obstacle. • Personnel must dismount, take cover, and return fire. • Reaction forces should fire and maneuver up to conduct a hasty breach of the obstacle. • Detailed rehearsals of actions at the breach are critical. FM 55-30 pg 6-9
Defend NBC Attacks • Chemical agents can be delivered by artillery, mortars, rockets, missiles, aircraft, spray bombs, grenades, and land mines. • Always be alert because agents may already be on the ground or in the air. • Chemical agents are substances in either gas, liquid, or solid form. • Protect against an NBC attack, you need to know how those agents affect your body if used against you. • Plan to sustainment training on NBC periodically. • . FM 55-30 pg 6-10
Convoy Defense: Techniques and StrategiesSummary • Name the possible threats to convoys • How do you maintain operational security? • What are the four operational security measures and how do you implement them?
Convoy Defense: Techniques and StrategiesSummary • Name the terrain considerations affecting convoy defense. • What are the active and passive measures used to defend against air attack, indirect fires, snipers, ambushes, and NBC attacks?