FM 100-5 Operations - Survival Ebooks Military Manuals Survival ...

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMOPERATIONSarea to permit the buildup of forces. Their selectionof offensive and defensive missions changes with thesituation and flow of forces. Forced entry is clearlyoffensive, but it often leads directly to the defense ofthe newly gained lodgment area. On the other hand,the tempo of force-projection operations may movefrom the initial offensive objective to a defensive pauseand then to a subsequent limited objective to seize keyterrain essential to the defense. As the buildup of forcestakes place, tactical units conduct a combination ofdefensive and offensive operations to set the stage forthe sustained offensive operations. Such choices areinfluenced principally by the factors of METT-T. Theforms of offensive operations serve different purposesand offer specific outcomes at different points in theoffense.MOVEMENT TO CONTACTMovement to contact is the offensive operationconducted to develop the situation and to establish orregain contact. It may also include preliminary diversionaryactions and preparatory fires. The extent andnature of the movement to contact depends on whetheropposing forces were previously in contact. If forcesare not in contact, then the central feature of the movement-to-contactoperations is gaining or reestablishingcontact with the enemy. Establishing contact occursat some level in virtually all offensive operationswhere forces are not in immediate proximity to oneanother. Knowing the enemy’s location and activitiesis an underpinning of a unit’s ability to conduct mobile,force-oriented battles. Technologies such asspace-based or joint-extended range surveillance andreconnaissance systems help locate the enemy, butphysical contact by friendly troops remains a vitalmeans of finding and fixing enemy forces. It is bestwhen friendly forces discover the enemy with at leastenough time to make hasty attack plans. Being surprisedby inadvertently running into the enemy is alwaysa possibility -- but not the preferred tactical option.Approach MarchAn approach march is a variant of the movementto contact. Commanders conduct an approach marchwhen they are relatively certain of the enemy’s locationand are a considerable distance from the enemy.Commanders adjust their tempo appropriately as theyanticipate closing with enemy forces. They decidewhere their forces can deploy into attack formationsthat facilitate the initial contact and still provide freedomof action for the bulk of their forces.Two limited-purpose applications of the movementto contact are the search and attack, and reconnaissancein force.Search and AttackSearch and attack operations are conducted bysmaller, light maneuver units and air cavalry or airassault units in large areas. The purpose of this operationis to destroy enemy forces, protect the force,deny area to the enemy, or collect information. Commandersuse search and attack when the enemy dispersesin an area of close terrain that is unsuited forheavy forces, when they cannot find enemy weaknesses,or when they want to deny the enemy movementin an area. They also employ search and attackin rear areas against infiltrators or SOF. Finally, searchand attack is also useful as an area security mission toclear assigned zones.Reconnaissance in ForceThe reconnaissance in force is a limited-objectiveoperation by a considerable force to obtain informationand locate and test enemy dispositions,strengths, and reactions. If the enemy situation mustbe developed along a broad front, the reconnaissancein force may consist of strong probing actions to determinethe enemy situation at selected points.The enemy’s reactions may reveal weaknesses in hisdefensive system.Commanders may conduct reconnaissance in forceduring mobile operations as a means of keeping pressureon the defender by seizing key terrain and uncoveringenemy weaknesses. Even when commandersexecute a reconnaissance in force primarily togather information, they must be alert to seize anyopportunity to exploit tactical success.Meeting EngagementThe desired result of the movement to contact isto find the enemy. When this happens, commandersfight a meeting engagement. To maintain their freedomof action once they make contact (essential tomaintaining the initiative), commanders usually leadwith a self-contained force that locates and fixes theenemy.The commanders hold the bulk of their force backso that when their lead forces make contact they canmaneuver the majority of their force without becomingdecisively engaged. They fight through light resistancewith lead units whenever possible to maintainthe7-4