ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
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Appendix A 172 ATP 5-0.2-1 07 December 2020 A-67. The unit's main body should displace as far forward as possible before beginning the movement to contact and support the operation with a stable command and control environment. The tactical CP operates forward with the main body to facilitate decision making and transition to other operation missions. PREPARING FOR A MOVEMENT TO CONTACT A-68. A primary concern of the command is that subordinate commanders understand their individual missions within the context of the unit commander's intent. Backbriefs and rehearsals assist in mitigating this concern. A-69. Two major areas require focus in the rehearsal: reporting procedures and actions on contact. Because the enemy situation is unknown or vague, any information regarding the enemy is important. Therefore, when conducting the rehearsal, the commander ensures the reporting procedure is well understood both up and down the chain of command. Each subordinate commander must rehearse what to do when making contact with the enemy, not only for their benefit, but so all commanders and staffs understand their responsibilities when any unit is in contact. A-70. With no initial established enemy lines, check planned logistical resupply points during the rehearsal. With the possibility of bypassed undetected enemy forces, route security and convoy security are especially important. Echeloning of trains (using combat trains and field trains) is an effective technique for moving sustainment assets without creating overwhelming space control problems. EXECUTING A MOVEMENT TO CONTACT A-71. Even though the friendly force's mission is to regain contact with the enemy, the enemy may attempt just the opposite. Bypass criteria help maintain tempo despite enemy actions that attempt to slow friendly movement. As friendly forces advance—enemy stay-behind forces provide a significant threat. Friendly forces fix, bypass, and hand over to a follow-and-support force all bypassed enemy forces. The follow-and- support force is oriented toward engaging the enemy as a function of execution versus a reserve force, which remains uncommitted until the critical point of battle. The covering force clears previously identified areas advantageous to the enemy to avoid ambush or flanking enemy attacks. A-72. A movement to contact ends with the occupation of an objective without enemy contact or when contact is made and the enemy cannot be defeated or bypassed. This can occur in a series of meeting engagements or hasty attacks. In an encounter with a moving force, immediate actions must occur without hesitation. Subordinate units use fire and maneuver to fix the enemy. The decision to attack, bypass, or defend must be made rapidly at each echelon. AIR ASSAULT A-73. This section is derived from JP 3-18, FM 3-90-1, FM 3-96, and FM 3-99. A-74. An air assault is the movement of friendly assault forces by rotary-wing or tiltrotor aircraft to engage and destroy enemy forces or to seize and hold key terrain (JP 3-18). An air assault operation is an operation in which assault forces, using the mobility of rotary-wing or tiltrotor aircraft and the total integration of available fires, maneuver under the control of a ground or air maneuver commander to engage enemy forces or to seize and hold key terrain (JP 3-18). A-75. Army aviation conducts air assaults during offensive, defensive, and stability operations throughout the depth and breadth of the area of operations (AO). Air assaults are combined arms operations conducted to destroy an enemy force or to seize and hold key terrain. AIR ASSAULT PLANNING TOOLS A-76. Planning for air assault operations mirrors the military decision-making process. It incorporates parallel and collaborative planning actions necessary to provide the additional time and detailed planning required for successful execution of an air assault mission. Standardizing operations between units conducting an air assault significantly enhances the ability of the unit to accomplish the mission. Table A-7 shows the air assault planning process in relation to the military decision-making process.