ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
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Defensive Tactics, Techniques, Procedures, and Considerations 07 December 2020 ATP 5-0.2-1 185 The enemy may employ weapons of mass destruction because this type of defense reduces the vulnerability of the force to attack and preserves its freedom of action. The mission does not require denying the enemy specific terrain. The AO lacks well-defined avenues of approach and consists largely of flat, open terrain. PLANNING A MOBILE DEFENSE B-17. In a mobile defense, reconnaissance and security, reserve, and sustaining forces accomplish the same tasks as in an area defense. The commander organizes the main body into two principal groups—the fixing force and the striking force. The commander places the majority (typically one-half to two-thirds) of available combat power in the DO, which is a dedicated counterattack by a striking force. The commander commits the minimum possible combat power to the SO, which uses a fixing force to control the depth and breadth of the enemy's advance. The fixing force also retains the terrain required to conduct the striking force's decisive counterattack. B-18. The striking force is the key to a successful mobile defense. The striking force must have mobility equal to or greater than that of its targeted enemy unit. The commander's ability to maintain the mobility advantage is an important aspect of the mobile defense. Countermobility assets support the fixing force and mobility assets support the striking force. If the striking force's planned maneuver places it outside the supporting range of the defending commander's fire support systems, the commander must either plan to move fire support assets to locations where they can support the striking force or incorporate them into the striking force. The commander takes precautions to prevent fratricide as the striking force approaches the fixing force's EAs by establishing restrictive fire lines (RFLs). PREPARING A MOBILE DEFENSE B-19. The fixing force develops defensive positions and EAs. The commander aggressively uses reconnaissance assets to track enemy units as they approach. The striking force assembles in one or more areas depending on the width of the AO, the terrain, enemy capabilities, and the commander's intent. Before the enemy attack begins, the striking force may deploy some or all of its elements forward in the main battle area to— Deceive the enemy regarding the purpose of the force. Occupy dummy battle positions. Create a false impression of unit boundaries, which is important when operating with a mix of armored, Stryker, and infantry forces or multinational forces. Conduct reconnaissance of routes between the striking force's avenues of approach and potential EAs. EXECUTING A MOBILE DEFENSE B-20. In a mobile defense, a commander must have flexibility to yield terrain and shape the enemy penetration. The commander may even entice the enemy by appearing to uncover an objective of strategic or operational value to the enemy. The striking force maneuvers to conduct the decisive operation—the counterattack—once the results of the actions of the fixing force shape the situation to meet the commander's intent. Execution of the mobile defense is divided into a five step sequence: Gain and maintain enemy contact. The commander conducting a mobile defense focuses on discovering the enemy's strength and exact locations to facilitate the effectiveness of the striking force. Disrupt the enemy. The commander conducts SOs designed to shape the enemy's penetration into the main battle area and disrupt the enemy's introduction of fresh forces, reserves, and follow-on echelons into the fight. Fix the enemy. Fixing the enemy is the second half of SOs and establishes the conditions necessary for the DO by the striking force. Maneuver. The actions of the striking force are the echelon's decisive operation on its commitment.