1963 US Army Vietnam War Armor Operations ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMc. Operations with Tailored Forces. (b) Initially, artillery control is decen-(1) Composition, tralized to support the widespread(a) Composition of tailored forces willoperation.vary with the geographic area in (c) The tailored force may also employwhich they must operate. Generally,guerrilla methods: often moving atlight ground elements, that is scoutnight; remaining concetled duringsections, rifle squads, and supportthe day; using hit and run tactics;squads of the armored cavalry troopsurprise, mobility and dispersion ofand infantry elements of the mecha-forces.nized rifle company will form thenuclei of tailored forces. Air vehi- 392. Administrative Supportcles may be used to move, supply,and reinforcay be thesed to move, supply, a. When armor units are operating at a con-(b) Mechanized infantry battalions may siderable distance from support elements, the(b)also be uschanized infantry battalionst, mayobile, strength of accompanying combat trains in thehard-hitting task forces. Air cavalry area may be increased considerably, includingattachment of division support elements. Beunitsand air vehicles may be a part cause of the frequency of independent and semiofthe task force to provide greatermob) Artiltlery engineers, medical, psyindependent operations, the provision of sup-plies and evacuation of casualties may pose seri-(c) Artillery, engineers warfare, mediitary intelli, psy- ous problems. Protected convoys may be rechologicagence,signal,warfare,and civilmilitaryaffairsintelliunitsquired for supply trains and medical evacua-will also be included in a tailored tion. Emphasis will be placed on air supplyforce, and air medical evacuation. Conditions maydictate frequent use of motor vehicles or hand-(2) Variations in techniques. carrying parties for some supply operations.(a) Operations conducted by tailored When practicable, local civilian labor is used.forces will not vary greatly fromthose employed by TOE units. b. Within the restrictions of internationalRather, it is a matter of emphasis. law, maximum use is made of non4JS forcesGreat reliance is placed on combat and personnel for all activities in which theypatrols, roadblocks, raids, ambushes, may be employed profitably. These include comandpursuit actions until such timeas the irregular forces can be conbatoperations, security of the civil populaceand critical facilities and installations, and usetained.of guides and interpreters.Section XIV. DIVISION REAR AREA SECURITY393. General in division rear areas are responsible for theirown local security. However, armor unit maymeasures, except for active air defense, takenbe designated as rear area security forces toto neutralize or destroy localized enemy forces,of conventional or insurgency nature, whichconduct operations in the division rear area thatare beyond the capabilities of these tenantconstitute threats to units, activities, and instal- units, activities, and installations.lations in the division rear area. Enemy operationsand threats that endanger the command as 394. Rear Area Security Operationsa whole become operational matters and are a. Concept. Rear area security operations,beyond the scope of rear area security opera- by armor units designated as rear area securitytions.forces, include the location, engagement, andb. In forward areas, each combat unit is responsiblefor its own local security. Unit, acdestructionof guerrilla, infiltrator, sabotage,and conventional forces whether ground, airtivity,and installation commanders (tenants) borne, or airlanded. Tenant unit, activity, orAco 9139A 199