Defensive Control Measures
Define Forward Line of Own Troops (FLOT)
Line that indicates the most forward positions of friendly forces in any kind of military operation at a specific time (FM 3-90)
• Actively participate in the joint and Army targeting processes.
• Plan indirect fires in support of the barrier and obstacle plan.
• Plan fires in support of patrols, convoys, or quick reaction forces.
• Plan targets, observer positions (primary and alternate), triggers, and fires in support of all EAs for all phases of the defensive operation.
• Recommend FSCMs to support each phase of the defensive operation.
• Plan targets on avenues of approach to disrupt enemy attacks by striking the enemy on the approach and during their assault.
• Ensure that forward positioned observers are resourced with adequate security, mobility, and situational understanding.
• Prepare and harden artillery and TA positions.
• Conduct rehearsals on the actual terrain
What is the goal of a retrograde?
The retrograde is a type of defensive operation that involves organized movement away from the enemy (ADP 3-90).
Part of a larger scheme of maneuver designed to regain the initiative and defeat the enemy
Define Turning Fires
To accomplish a turn effect, fires and obstacles must:
• Prevent the enemy from bypassing or breaching at the start of the turn
• Cause the enemy to bypass in the desired direction
• Maintain pressure on the enemy throughout the turn and exploit its exposed flank
What is an FPF?
An immediately available preplanned barrier of fires of designed to impede enemy movement across defensive lines or areas (FM 3-09)
Define Main Battle Area
Area where the commander intends to deploy the bulk of their unit to defeat an attacking enemy (FM 3-90)
What is one risk of massing and concentrating forces during defensive operations?
increased risk of large-scale losses from enemy fires
Define Mobile Defense
The mobile defense is a defensive operation that concentrates on the destruction or defeat of the enemy through a decisive attack by a striking force (ADP 3-90)
Define Blocking Fires
• To accomplish a block effect, fires and obstacles must:
• Prevent the enemy from bypassing or breaching obstacles
• Maximize available standoff
• Stop enemy forward movement
ATP 3-09.30 - Observed Fires
Define Security Area
Area occupied by a unit's security elements and includes the areas of influence of those security elements (ADP 3-90)
What is the purpose of a Defense?
The purpose of the defense is to create conditions for the offense that allows Army forces to regain the initiative
During which type of Defense is there some warning of an enemy attack?
Area Defense
Define Disruptive Fires
To accomplish a disrupt effect, fires and obstacles must:
• Cause the enemy to deploy early
• Slow and disrupt part of the enemy force
• Allow part of the enemy force to advance unimpeded
How many FPFs can a unit designate?
One
Define Forward Edge of the Battle Area
Foremost limits of a series of areas in which ground combat units are deployed to coordinate fire support, the positioning of forces, or the maneuver of units, excluding areas in which covering or screening forces are operating (JP 3-09.3)
DOUBLE JEOPORDY - What are the 14 methods of Control?
Fire When Ready, At my Command, Cannot Observe, Time on Target, Time to Target, Coordinated Illum, Continuous Illum, Check Firing, Cease Firing, Continuous Firing, Request Splash, Repeat, Do Not Load, Duration
What are the 3 types of Defensive Operations?
Area Defense, Mobile Defense, Retrograde
Define Fixing Fires
To accomplish a fix effect, fires and obstacles must:
• Cause the enemy to deploy into attack formation early
• Cause the enemy to advance slowly into the EA
• Make the enemy fight in multiple directions within the EA
What is the planning distance for an FPF?
200-400m
What are the 4 Key Maneuver Defensive Control Measures
Security Area, Main Battle Area, Forward Edge of the Battle Area, Forward Line of Own Troops
What are the 7 Characteristics of the Defense?
Disruption, Flexibility, Maneuver, Mass and Concentration, Operations in Depth, Preparation, Security
What are the 3 types of Retrograde?
Delay, Withdrawal, Retirement
What are the 4 types of Defensive Fires?
Disruptive Fires, Turning Fires, Fixing Fires, Blocking Fires
What are the 3 ways an FPF can be cancelled?
Firing unit is ordered to stop by the Commander, All ammunition is expended, Firing unit is forced to displace