ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
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Appendix A 178 ATP 5-0.2-1 07 December 2020 block their axis of attack. It is vital not to breach obstacles prematurely; this may alert the enemy to the nature and location of the future operation. Additionally, obstacles in depth are prepared to prevent the rear guard and perimeter defense forces from decisive engagement, particularly once the operation has begun. If possible, the obstacles in depth should allow forces to separate and the breakout force to make a clean break. A-101. The commander conducts a radio rehearsal, ensuring that the commander of each subordinate element fully understands their role within the commander's intent. To observe and control the main effort, the commander is initially positioned behind the rupture force. Additionally, the operations officer moves to the vicinity of the rear guard and conducts a radio check with the main CP and the commander. The breakout is an operation based on simplicity of execution, yet made difficult by simultaneous command and control operations. The commander will designate phase lines for use by the attack forces as well as the rear guard. In this way, through constant coordination with the operations officer, the commander maintains unit integrity without sacrificing the momentum of the operation. A-102. Finally, sustainment elements should be organized into a single movement formation under control of a senior officer, such as the unit sustainment officer. The sustainment officer establishes a chain of command, issues a frequency to control the formation as it moves, ensures that vehicles with externally mounted weapons are interspersed throughout the formation, posts air guards to ensure security, and augments the trains in support of the rear guard with whatever additional supplies and equipment are required. The trains should be organized to transport as many of the wounded and as much equipment as possible without causing excessive delays. EXECUTING A BREAKOUT A-103. As the unit begins the breakout, the intelligence officer monitors the enemy situation from two perspectives. First, the intelligence officer concentrates on the enemy's response to the breakout. Specifically, the intelligence officer attempts to identify possible counterattack forces or probable enemy defensive positions along the direction of attack. As the unit moves, the intelligence officer continually advises the commander of the enemy situation, to include possible courses of action. Second, the intelligence officer monitors the enemy situation faced by the rear guard. In this case, the intelligence officer is particularly interested in the enemy's ability to maintain contact with the force. The primary concern to the unit as a whole is whether the rear guard can keep the enemy from closing with the main body. As a result, if the enemy seems especially strong and tries to press the attack beyond the rear guard's ability to delay, the intelligence officer notifies the commander, who in turn either presses his attack more violently or assists the rear guard. A-104. The rupture force begins the breakout by attacking a clearly defined objective, usually an identified enemy weakness, but ultimately an objective that allows for a strong defense against enemy counterattack. The rupture force destroys the enemy encountered enroute, consolidates and reorganizes on the objective, establishes hasty defensive positions, and secures the shoulders of the penetration. A-105. Once a gap has been created, the reserve force passes through the rupture force and maintains the momentum of the maneuver. At this point, the unit is set for a movement to contact with the reserve force leading, followed on either flank by elements of the rupture force. The main body, containing the trains and the CP, is within this protective wedge, while the rear guard completes the all-around security. A-106. Although the unit moves as in a movement to contact, the execution differs in that the force does not want to establish contact with the enemy; rather it wants to bypass enemy resistance in an effort to linkup with friendly forces. Therefore, enemy elements encountered enroute will be fixed and bypassed or, if possible, avoided altogether. In this operation, speed is essential; the faster the force travels, the less likely the enemy will be able to adequately respond. However, the commander must maintain the integrity of the formation and avoid maneuvering recklessly into an enemy engagement area. As a result, if the unit must move a considerable distance, reconnaissance assets should be given the mission to screen forward of the main body. A-107. Mobility operations are essential to the success of the operation as the rupture force begins its movement. If engineer assets are limited, they may initially travel with the rupture force, then move in support of the reserve force. The important point is to keep them as far forward as possible without