ATTACK

The Most Common Mission

References: TC 3-21.76 (Ranger Handbook) | ATP 3-21.8

Overview

The purpose of an attack is to acquire a piece of key terrain or infrastructure. Unlike Ambush and Raid, there is no withdrawal plan. you stay put and defend said terrain unless told otherwise.

Violence on the objective is key and use of fires is strongly suggested with this type of mission

There is a high chance of being compromised if your unit is being too loud when moving on to the objective. OPFOR can see and hear you from hundreds of meters away so be weary of that. OPFOR also tends to cheat and will flank your unit if you don’t maintain security at all times.

Let’s go over how to perform an attack with a modified TLP format

1. Receive the mission

Jot down everything you’re told. I recommended having your RTO as the “Scribe” and witting down every word. you can review later. Ask what your fires capabilities are because you might be using it

2. Issue the WARNO

Disseminate the who, what, where, when and why. along with other crucial details

Repeat the mission statement you received in the WARNO

• Assign your teams: Assign who will be ASS1, ASS2, SEC and WPN Squads
• Assign your RTO, Pointman, and special teams, (EPW, Aid/Litter)
• Disseminate timelines and step off times
• Any major terrain or weather considerations
• Tasks and rehearsals to be conducted
• PCC’s and PCI’s
• Disseminate ahead of time who will go on LR. For this mission, bring your RTO, all Squad Leaders and an S+O team composed of members from security squad

3. Make Tentative Plan/Issue OPORD

Once the WARNO is Disseminated, you can start working on the OPORD

Assign teams if you haven’t already. You will need primary and secondary EPW and Aid & Litter teams

For the plan you should start by considering METT-TC and OAKOC Know your environment and how it will affect the mission at hand

Complete the OPORD based on what you know and what the mission type is which in this case is an Ambush

For an attack, you need to consider the objective and best avenues of approach Identify the best positions for the machine guns with TRP’s and place accordingly You might want to leave the security squad behind in this mission, and have them act as a QRF or ruck security. Or you can bring to the objective and have them be extra security or rear security while the elements are assaulting.

Consider a Withdrawal plan. The go to is the Red, White, Blue plan.

After you complete it, Pull your key leaders in for an OPORD brief and disseminate all info. Use your terrain model as much as possible to reinforce what need to be done. Back brief your squad leaders and make sure they know what the plan is

If you can, bring the Alpha team leaders to the meeting.

PSG

As PSG you will make sure 360 security is set at all time, while PL is making the plan. Sectors of fire should be interlocked and noise discipline should be good

Assign a medic

Gather LACE reports and redistribute accordingly, request for more supplies if needed

You will create and brief CCP, HLZ and AXP points. You can use your medic yo help you out with this

4. Initiate Movement

After giving your OPORD, you are ready to move in to the ORP

Here is an ORM I would typically use for this type of mission

Once you arrive at the approximate location of the ORP the PL will conduct a SLLS halt and decide if it’s a good spot or not.

If it is then occupy the ORP.

Use the cigar shape, assault 1 which is 1st in the ORM will occupy the left side. while assault 2 occupies the right side. The Machine guns will be at each apex. Security squad will be at the leaders recon so have them be in the middle with HQ. make sure they are concealing themselves with leaves and face paint

6. Conduct Reconnaissance

After the ORP is occupied, you can go ahead and recon the objective. Take your RTO, Pointman, All squad leaders and an S+O Team (1x M249 Gunners and 1x M4A1 gunner)

There is no need for left and right security, but It might not be a bad idea if you have the resources, more specifically, rear security could be beneficial in case your unit gets flanked.

Confirm PIR’s if you have any. Once you are ready to leave, head to the release point. the PSG and Medic should be there to count out the leaders recon. Leave a GOTWA to the PSG

• G: Where you are Going
• O: Others you are taking with you
• T: Time you will take, or when you will back
• W What to do while you are gone (Maintain sec, other tasks)
• A: Action to do if you receive contact

Once you get close to the objective perform a SLLS halt and establish the RP, Leaver your S+O team there for security, they should be out of sight, remember to leave them a GOTWA.

At the objective, coordinate with your WSL on TRP’s/machine gun emplacement and your other squad leaders with assault team emplacement. Let your squad leaders become familiar with the objective so they can formulate a game plan

PSG

While the LR is out, the PSG will disseminate the GOTWA and improve security with sector sketches

For the ruck plan, you might have to place security squad on ruck detail, that is. They will bring the rucks to the objective once the attack is finished, or you could have everyone bring their rucks with them to the OBJ

7. Complete the Plan

one the LR is done, refine and make any necessary changes to the plan. disseminate and let your subordinates know of any changes. Once ready, everyone picks up and leaves the ORP. If you want security team to stay behind, then they will stay at the ORP

PSG and Medic should count people out

8. Supervise and Refine

If you planned any fires, before moving out make sure to call them in for a “shock and awe” effect on the enemy The unit will move in to the RP where the S+O team is at and then move to their preplanned locations.

Machine guns are to be set first, then emplace your assault element

After everyone is set you may initiate contact wether it’s with machine gun fire or a whistle blow

conduct the “Mad Minute” and radio higher that troops are in contact

after that call shift fire for the MG’s and let your assaulting team assault through Once both assault elements call LOA the machine guns can pick up and move towards the objective to provide additional security

Have the unit fan out and plug security holes, the entire OBJ should be covered. After that you can start the EPW and Aid & Litter process

PSG does lace reports and higher is made aware that the objective has been seized

You can then call in your security squad and S+O team to the objective. If rucks were left at the ORP then security squad will bring the rucks

Withdrawal

There is no withdrawal in the attack mission. your unit stays put at the objective unless told otherwise. While at the objective the PSG will work on security and tasks. Very similar to a Patrol Base. Do a headcount and redistribute supplies if necessary

Gotchas

• Don’t get compromised! It can ruin your entire mission. Remember, OPFOR can see and hear you from hundreds of meters away.

• Always maintain 360 security, OPFOR loves to flank around your unit and eliminate your entire unit from the rear.

• Use fires if available, to make occupation of the objective much easier

• A MASCAL plan is a requirement, expect heavy losses from this type of mission