Chapter IV

MANEUVER

2. DRB Ground Maneuver Organizations

�śCommanders with a poor understanding

of the essence of maneuver; i.e., the union

A notional DRB’s ground maneuver

of efforts, prefer, most of all, to divide the area

organization may consist of a combination

of their maneuver uniformly among their

of a mechanized (mech) infantry battalion

subordinates and demand the same results

and 2 tank battalions grouped under the

from all. It is a misfortune to be subordinated

command of the brigade headquarters as

to such a �Ścorridor’ commander. A

described in Chapter II. The brigade’s

completely opposite picture obtains with a

maneuver elements fight the battle by

good, efficient leadership ....”

destroying or disrupting enemy forces and

Mikhail Tukhachevsky

seizing and holding terrain. Based on the estimate of the situation and METT-T, the DRB commander task organizes the

1. Background

battalions into mech heavy, tank heavy, or balanced task forces tailored to accomplish Integrated maneuver provides the JFC

specific missions. As a rule, the commander the opportunity to capitalize on the cross-attaches units at the battalion level.

synergistic effects of a joint force.

This is the lowest level provided a Specifically, such maneuver forces the enemy commander and staff with the necessary to orient combat power against multiple communications, logistics, and other directions and dimensions; permits the rapid support to ensure proper command and shifting of forces to multiple locations as control of tailored combined arms

required by the tactical situation; and formations.

provides the JFC with flexible, lethal options to shape and fight the battle to achieve joint a. Mechanized Infantry Battalion. The objectives. Seizing, retaining, and exploiting mech battalion consists of a HHC and four the initiative through integrated maneuver rifle companies as depicted in Figure IV-1.

in either offensive or defensive settings All battalion combat vehicles have cross-interrupts the enemy’s operational

country mobility and armor protection.

maneuver; spoils the timing of tactical Once the battalion is configured as a task operations by forcing an early culmination force, the task force commander may or diversion of resources; and ultimately further task-organize companies into creates opportunities for decisive defeat.

company teams for combat operations.

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(1) Rifle Companies. Each of the

reconnaissance and screening missions also battalion’s 4 rifle companies consist of a assist movement of battalion units and company headquarters with 2 M2 Bradley facilitate task force command and control on fighting vehicles (BFVs) and 3 rifle platoons the battlefield.

of 4 M2s each. The M2 Bradley tube-

launched optically-tracked wire-guided (b) Heavy Mortars. The battalion’s

(TOW) system and 25mm chain gun

6 heavy 120mm mortars reside on the heavy combine to provide a significant antiarmor mortar platoon, The platoon consists of a capability as reflected in Table IV-1.

platoon headquarters, 2 M577 command post-mounted fire direction centers, and 2 sections (2) HHC. The HHC contains the staff of M120mm mortars of 3 tubes each. The sections, scouts, heavy mortars, and CSS

platoon’s ability to conduct split-platoon elements.

operations greatly enhances the options available to the TFC in providing immediately (a) Scouts. The scout platoon

responsive indirect fires in support of features 10 high-mobility multipurpose committed companies/teams. (See Table wheeled vehicles (HMMWVs) organized into IV-2.)

a command and control section and 4 scout sections consisting of 2 vehicles each.

b. Tank Battalion. The tank battalion Equipped with electrooptics that enhance consists of a HHC and 4 tank companies as reconnaissance

and

surveillance

depicted in Figure IV-2. Like the mech capabilities, the scouts serve as the TFC’s battalion, once configured as a task force, the eyes for situation development and

commander may elect to task organize at the awareness.

Route, zone, and area

company level.

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(1) Tank Company. Each of the bat-

(1) MP Platoon. MP support for the

talion’s 4 tank companies consist of a company DRB resides in the MP platoon attached to headquarters with 2 M1A1 Abrams tanks the brigade HHC. The platoon’s 4 squads and 3 tank platoons with 4 MIs each, for a perform the range of MP missions: 1 squad total of 14 tanks per company. The M1A1

provides security at the brigade’s main CP; provides the

DRB with the optimum

1 squad operates the EPW collection point; antiarmor capability. (See Table IV-3.) and the remaining 2 squads conduct

battlefield circulation control and area (2) Tank Battalion HHC. The HHC

security operations throughout the brigade’s mirrors that found in the mech battalion as rear area; all contribute to law and order operations.

described above.

(2) Chemical Platoon. The DRB’s

c. Other Supporting Organizations.

attached chemical platoon provides the Although not ground maneuver organi-brigade with chemical reconnaissance zations, the DRB’s attached military police support, a smoke generation capability, and (MP) and chemical platoons support brigade the capacity to conduct limited, hasty, and operations.

deliberate decontamination operations.

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3. Maneuver of the DRB

given the probability that the brigade will revert to reserve or be directed into an adjacent zone during an operation. IPB must The DRB can execute the range of

detail lateral routes and cross-country offensive and defensive operations. The avenues of movement that connect primary brigade fights by task organizing its ground approaches. Avenues that parallel main axes maneuver battalions into combined arms’

also merit consideration for use during task forces that prosecute the close fight.

meeting engagements and in bypassing Task forces move, attack, delay, and defend enemy defenses.

according to the brigade commander’s intent and concept of operation. Although focused (2) Maneuver Techniques. Within the primarily on the close fight, the brigade can zone, the brigade commander concentrates command and control deep operations given attacks against enemy weaknesses along an aviation and combat support assets. As avenue that offers rapid access to the

discussed in Chapter III, the MEF must

objective area. The brigade will not normally provide the brigade in-depth intelligence clear its zone unless specifically directed.

about the enemy so the brigade can exploit When in contact with an enemy force enemy weaknesses and maintain the

requiring attack by more than one task force, initiative. The brigade performs security the brigade employs the task forces as operations by assigning tasks to its task maneuver and base of fire elements. Task forces and by using available augmentation forces and uncommitted units remain within assets such as Army aviation. Task forces supporting distances of each other in brigade employ organic scouts and attached resources formations. Although such mutual support for reconnaissance and security missions in does not require mutual observation, it does support of the task force and brigade mean that the brigade commander must commanders. DRB rear operations consist of retain the ability to concentrate task forces protecting units behind committed task when and where required. Committed task forces, ensuring continuous combat and CSS, forces maneuver in zones wide enough to maintaining freedom of movement for allow them some freedom of action and far uncommitted forces, and securing the brigade enough apart to give the brigade multiple command posts and support areas.

routes of advance. Task forces should be able to mass fires in a single terrain compartment a. Tactical Maneuver.

when attacking, acting as the brigade base of fire, or when defending. Uncommitted task (1) IPB. IPB focuses on the brigades’

forces normally follow the brigade’s main primary zone and objective area. The brigade attack closely to support within 30 minutes.

IPB must also extend beyond its boundaries (See Table IV-4.)

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(3) Spatial Considerations. Plans

control its operations. Graphical control officers should assign the DRB a zone of measures should extend beyond objective action that contains at least 2 task force areas and to its flanks to facilitate execution size corridors. The zone should contain of on order or subsequent missions. The terrain that allows the TFCs to maneuver DRB augment assigned graphics with task their company teams and, at the same time, force assembly areas, attack positions, permit the DRB commander to mass those zones, sectors, objectives, axes, battle task forces abreast when required. Ideally, positions,

fire support coordination

the zones will also contain at least 1 good measures, phase lines, and other control quality road to support rapid movement of measures as necessary to execute the uncommitted units behind lead units and brigade commander’s intent and concept of facilitate logistics for sustainment of operation. The brigade also employs check operational momentum. Table IV-5

points, target reference points, and on-order provides some general rules of thumb for positions, axes, and objectives to facilitate use by planners in allocating terrain to the modifying the maneuver plan during

D R B w h e n d e v e l o p i n g p l a n s a n d operational execution.

supporting operational graphics; METT-T will dictate actual employment options.

b. Tactical Movement Rates. Table

(4) Control Measures. The brigade

IV-6 defines unopposed movement

uses measures assigned by the MEF to rates.

IV-5





4. MEF (FWD) Maneuver Organizations enemy forces, fortifications, material, and by providing antimechanized fires in A notional MEF (FWD) GCE is

support of committed units, Marine and structured around a Marine infantry Army armor and mechanized infantry

regiment, The infantry mission is to close doctrine are similar; however, in some with and destroy the enemy by fire and cases, Marine armor units are task

maneuver. The regiment consists of a organized below the company level. Since headquarters company and 3 rifle battalions the Marine Corps has few tank battalions, as shown in Figure IV-3. Major supporting it rarely employs them tank pure; rather, elements include an artillery battalion, a they are typically task organized to tank company, a light armored recon-reinforce infantry units. Thus, in contrast naissance battalion, and an assault to the Army’s concept of employment that amphibian vehicle (AAV) company.

generally attempts to achieve mass by task-organizing tank units no lower than a. Artillery Battalion. The MEF (FWD) company level, Marine commanders may artillery battalion provides indirect fires employ tanks individually to support for supported units of the regiment. See committed infantry units when required.

Chapter V for detailed discussion.

The MEF (FWD)’s supporting tank

company consists of 17 M1A1s organized b. Tank Company. The tank company

with a headquarters (2 tanks) and 3

supports the MEF (FWD) by destroying platoons of 5 tanks each.

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c. LAR Battalion. LAR units conduct 5. Maneuver of the MEF (FWD)

reconnaissance, security, and economy of force missions. LAR units avoid sustained

�śManeuver is the employment of forces to

combat as their value is derived from a high

secure an advantage�"or leverage�"over

degree of mobility. This mobility enables

the enemy to accomplish the mission.

them to operate on extended frontages at con-

Tactical maneuver aims to gain an

advantage in combat. Operational

siderable distances from the main force and

maneuver, on the other hand, impacts

to strike sudden blows at enemy weak points.

beyond the realm of combat. In fact, it aims

LAR’s firepower, combined with mobility,

to reduce the amount of fighting necessary

make it an effective means of conducting

to accomplish the mission.”

delay actions over considerable fronts and depths. Figure IV-4 portrays the LAR

FMFM 1-1, Campaigning

battalion.

The following view of maneuver de-

scribes the Marine style of command and d. AAV Company (AAV). AAVs transport control in that every effort is made to speed the surface assault elements of the landing the tempo of planning and execution: force from amphibious shipping to inland objectives in a single lift during the FMFM 1, War-fighting, states�" �ŚThe tradi-amphibious assault, provide support to tional understanding of maneuver is a spatial one; mechanized operations ashore, and provide that is, we maneuver in space to gain a positional combat support for other operations advantage. However, in order to maximize the usefulness of maneuver, we must consider requirements. During operations ashore, maneuver in time as well; that is, we generate a AAV units are used principally to improve faster operational tempo than the enemy to gain a the tactical mobility of infantry and engineer temporal advantage. it is through maneuver in both units. Additionally, AAVs provide the dimensions that an inferior force can achieve supported unit with limited firepower and decisive superiority in the necessary time and armor protection.

place.”

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a. Tactical Maneuver. The AAVs, com-GCE commander will seldom mechanize the bined with other assets available within MEF

entire force. As a result, a mechanized force (FWD), enable the commander to configure requires a major portion of the MEF (FWD)’s tailored mechanized forces as discussed mobility assets. Marine infantry mobility is below:

limited during dismounted operations.

Infantry unit mobility is enhanced during (1) Organization. A mechanized force mechanized or helicopterborne operations is organized around a nucleus unit. The force with the use of AAVs or MEF (FWD) aviation is constructed as tank heavy, infantry heavy, assets. Organic to the GCE for support of or balanced. A tank heavy unit is employed movement and maneuver are artillery and when the shock action of armor is called for combat engineer units that also possess by the enemy situation and facilitated by surface mobility assets. Mobility assets are more open terrain. An infantry heavy unit is not specifically dedicated to any one element employed when the shock action of armor is of the MAGTF; rather assets are allocated less important or when the operation is by the MAGTF/GCE commander based on conducted in more restricted terrain such as operational requirements. Table IV-7

mountainous or built-up areas. When the illustrates MEF (FWD) mobility assets and enemy situation is unclear and maximum capabilities.

flexibility is desired, a balanced force of generally equal proportions is employed.

c. Helicopterborne Operations. Heli-

(2) Elements of a Mechanized Force.

copterborne operations are an integral part A mechanized infantry force in the Marine of MEF (FWD) operations and provide the Corps consists of infantry units mounted in joint force with significant capabilities AAVs. AAVs are the Marine Corps’ armored regarding both tactical movement and personnel carriers; therefore, infantry will maneuver. Assault helicopters provide the normally not fight mounted. Tanks are MEF (FWD) commander the mobility to normally attached or placed OPCON of the achieve tactical surprise and to move forces mechanized unit, or the mechanized unit is regardless of terrain, obstacles, or barriers.

attached or placed OPCON of the tank unit.

This mobility allows the commander to This allows the commander to task-organize rapidly maneuver forces to achieve positional forces per METT-T. The mechanized or tank advantage over the enemy and quickly apply force is supported by artillery and air and combat power where and when needed, The reinforced with LAV, engineer, and air inherent speed, maneuverability, and defense units as appropriate, per METT-T.

firepower of attack helicopters further enhance the commander’s ability to quickly b. Tactical Mobility. Mechanized assets mass combat power to destroy enemy forces.

in the Marine Corps are limited in number

Chapter VII discusses helicopterborne

and transportation capability; therefore, the operations in further detail.

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6. Integrated Maneuver and

operational capabilities of the MEF (FWD) Complementary Capabilities

and Army DRB across a range of combat operations. In addition to providing plans

Chapter I detailed the capabilities and

officers a menu of employment options, the limitations of the Army DRB and MEF

tables further underscore the recurring (FWD) at the macro level. Tables IV-8A theme that the capabilities of one force through IV-8F reflect the complementary counterbalance the limitations of the other.

IV-9





IV-10





IV-11





a. Planning Considerations. Com-

for sustained periods) than the GCE can.

manders and their staffs must recognize This differential stems from cross-country the differences inherent in the ground capabilities/speed of DRB’s organic maneuver elements of the joint force. These vehicles. The GCE, in mounted operations, differences fall in primarily three arenas, uses AAVs and trucks to carry infantry; subsequently referred to as the-mobility artillery units use trucks to tow organic differential, survivability differential, and howitzers, Rapid movement is achieved firepower differential. Operations planning should accommodate these differences during helicopterborne operations. AAVs accordingly.

are not designed for sustained rapid overland movement. Figure IV-5 shows (1) Mobility Differential. The DRB

planning movement rates for various type can move much faster (in short bursts and units.

IV-12

(2) Survivability Differential. Because (2) MEF (FWD) and the Corps. The MEF

of its vast number of armored assets, the (FWD) presents the Army Corps with a wide DRB has greater overall armored protection array of employment options and provides than the GCE. Except for the M1A1s (and the commander with significant capabilities LAVs to some extent), Marine vehicles not available within the corps. When (including the lightly armored AAVs) are employed as a MAGTF, the MEF (FWD)

methods of transportation and normally not gives the commander the flexibility of an used for mounted combat. Towed artillery is

�śenabling force” to create opportunities for also more vulnerable to counterfire than SP

corps mechanized assets to exploit. The MEF

artillery.

(FWD) is highly effective when conducting amphibious operations in littoral contingency areas. The MEF (FWD) is also capable of (3) Firepower Differential. Marines conducting sustained operations ashore by rely upon organic air assets much more than attacking enemy light forces in all types of the Army does. The DRB relies primarily terrain, seizing key terrain, and defending upon direct fire weapons; mortars; attached against mechanized enemy forces in close artillery; and, when attached, attack terrain. The MEF (FWD) provides the Army helicopters.

commander a formidable force during periods of darkness or limited visibility and in restrictive terrain. It is also well suited for b. Maneuver Employment Options. The conducting special purpose operations to following employment options maximize the include reconnaissance, ambushes, raids, complementary capabilities the MEF (FWD) feints, demonstrations, and counter-and DRB provide the joint force through the reconnaissance.

execution of integrated operations.

c. Weapons Systems. Table IV-9 reflects

(1) DRB and the MEF. The DRB is

the types and quantities of weapons systems effective either as the main or supporting typically found in the MEF (FWD) and Army effort in both offensive or defensive DRB. The table does not include secondary situations. It is particularly well suited to weapon systems (i. e., machine guns on tanks, perform reserve roles because its mobility etc.). The exact number and type of systems and firepower allow it to strike the enemy at depend on the actual force package provided the critical time and place to seize or regain for a particular contingency. The table the initiative through the destruction of the further underscores the complementary enemy force. Also, the DRB can stop nature of Army and Marine Corps forces and penetrations or incursions into the MEF rear concomitant benefits derived from integrated area.

operations.

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IV-14