FUNDAMENTALS

OF

OFFENSIVE
OPERATIONS

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 TERMINAL LEARNING
OBJECTIVE
• The students must acquire a
thorough knowledge on the
fundamentals of offense in
order to apply in actual
scenarios.

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 SCOPE
• INTRODUCTION
• PURPOSES OF OFFENSE
• CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFENSE
• FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE
• FORMS OF MANEUVER
• OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK
• PHASES OF OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

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 OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
• COMBAT OPERATIONS DESIGNED TO
DESTROY THE ENEMY
• DECISIVE FORM OF WAR
• THE COMMANDERS’ ULTIMATE
MEANS OF IMPOSING THEIR WILL
UPON THE ENEMY
• SEIZURE AND RETENTION OF THE INITIATIVE

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PURPOSES OF THE
OFFENSE

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 PURPOSES OF THE OFFENSE
• DEFEAT, DESTROY,
OR NEUTRALIZE THE
ENEMY FORCES
OBJ DOG
• Defeat - subdue enemy’s will
to fight
• Destroy - physically render an
enemy force to be combat
ineffective
• Neutralize - to render ineffective
or unusable

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 PURPOSES OF THE OFFENSE
• SECURE/CLEAR TE
U
DECISIVE TERRAIN L
R
O
A
• Secure - gain possession of a A
W
R
terrain feature TH
ID
W
- with or without force
- prevent its destruction
OBJ DOG
or loss to the enemy
• Clear - remove all enemy
forces
- eliminate organized
resistance in an area

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PURPOSES OF THE OFFENSE
• DEPRIVE THE S S
C
ENEMY OF EN
OBJ DOG
RESOURCES

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PURPOSES OF THE OFFENSE
• GAIN
INFORMATION

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PURPOSES OF THE OFFENSE
• DECEIVE OR DIVERT THE ENEMY

OBJ DOG

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PURPOSES OF THE OFFENSE
• TO HOLD THE ENEMY IN POSITION

OBJ DOG

OBJ CAT

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PURPOSES OF THE OFFENSE
• DISRUPT ENEMY ATTACK

A
O
D
Y
EM
EN

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PURPOSES OF THE OFFENSE

• SET-UP CONDITIONS FOR FUTURE

SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS
• Pursuit
• Exploitation

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 PURPOSES OF THE
OFFENSE
• DEFEAT, DESTROY, OR NEUTRALIZE THE EN FORCES
• SECURE/CLEAR DECISIVE TERRAIN
• DEPRIVE THE ENEMY OF RESOURCES
• GAIN INFORMATION
• DECEIVE OR DIVERT THE ENEMY
• TO HOLD THE ENEMY IN POSITION
• DISRUPT ENEMY ATTACK
• SET-UP CONDITIONS FOR FUTURE SUCCESSFUL
OPERATIONS

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 CHARACTERISTICS OF
THE OFFENSE

• C - CONCENTRATION
• A - AUDACITY
• T - TEMPO
• S - SURPRISE

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 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFENSE:

CONCENTRATION
• THE ABILITY TO MASS EFFECTS WITHOUT
MASSING LARGE FORMATION

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 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFENSE:

CONCENTRATION

FRIENDLY SE

FRIENDLY ME
ENEMY ME

ENEMY SE
FRIENDLY SE

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 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFENSE:

AUDACITY
• SIMPLE PLAN, BOLDLY EXECUTED
• WILLINGNESS TO TAKE RISK TO ACHIEVE
POSITIVE RESULTS THROUGH A
THOROUGH ESTIMATE ON ENEMY,
TERRAIN AND OWN TROOPS.

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 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFENSE:

AUDACITY
• NEGATE THE DISADVANTAGES OF
NUMERICAL INFERIORITY

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 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFENSE:

TEMPO
• RATE OF SPEED OF MILITARY ACTION
• IT IS ADJUSTED TO ENSURE
SYNCHRONIZATION

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 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFENSE:

SURPRISE
• STRIKE THE ENEMY AT THE TIME OR PLACE
OR MANNER FOR WHICH HE IS UNPREPARED

• It may be in relation to:

– TEMPO
– SIZE
– DIRECTION OF ATTACK
– TIME
– FORMS OF MANEUVER

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 OFFENSE VS DEFENSE
• CHAR OF OFFENSE • CHAR OF DEFENSE
– CONCENTRATION – SECURITY

– AUDACITY – MASS AND

CONCENTRATION
– TEMPO
– FLEXIBILITY
– SURPRISE
– DISRUPTION

– PREPARATION

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 FORMS OF
TACTICAL OFFENSE
• M - MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
• A - ATTACK
• E - EXPLOITATION
• P - PURSUIT

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 FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE: (MAEP)

MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
CONDUCTED TO GAIN
OR REESTABLISH
CONTACT WITH THE
ENEMY (FM 7-20)

PURPOSE: DEVELOP
TACTICAL SITUATION
(FM 7-20)

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 FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE: (MAEP)

MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
• IT MAY BE AN:
– APPROACH MARCH
– RECONNAISSANCE IN FORCE
– SEARCH AND ATTACK
– MEETING ENGAGEMENT

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 FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE: (MAEP)

MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
• APPROACH MARCH:
– Conducted when certain of enemy loc
– Conducted to develop situation
– To establish or regain contact

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 FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE: (MAEP)

MOVEMENT TO CONTACT

• RECON IN FORCE
– Limited-objective operation
– To obtain information
– Locate & test en disposition/strength
– Force could seize any opportunity to exploit
tactical success

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 FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE: (MAEP)

MOVEMENT TO CONTACT

• SEARCH & ATTACK:

– Conducted by smaller maneuver units
– To destroy en forces
– To protect the force
– To deny area to the enemy
– To collect information
– Conducted in areas unsuited for heavy
forces

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 FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE: (MAEP)

MOVEMENT TO CONTACT

• MEETING ENGAGEMENT:
– Force engages an enemy at an unexpected
time & place
– Lead by a force that locates & fixes the
enemy
– Majority of the force has the flexibility to
maneuver

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 FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE: (MAEP)

ATTACK
• HASTY - MINIMUM PREPARATION
• DELIBERATE - THOROUGH PLANNING,
COORDINATION, AND PREPARATION

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 TYPES OF ATTACKS:

HASTY ATTACK
PREPARATION TIME IS TRADED FOR
SPEED TO EXPLOIT AN OPPORTUNITY

MAY BE CONDUCTED AFTER MOVEMENT

TO CONTACT

MAINTAIN MOMENTUM AFTER SEIZURE OF

AN OBJECTIVE

MAINTAIN INITIATIVE AFTER A

SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE

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 TYPES OF ATTACKS:

HASTY ATTACK

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 TYPES OF ATTACKS:

DELIBERATE ATTACK
FULLY SYNCHRONIZED OPERATION

EMPLOY THE EFFECTS OF EVERY

AVAILABLE ASSET AGAINST ENEMY
DEFENSES

OFTEN CONDUCTED FROM A DEFENSIVE

POSTURE

REQUIRES CAREFUL PLANNING

TAKES TIME TO PREPARE

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 TYPES OF ATTACKS:

DELIBERATE ATTACK

OBJ DOG

AA

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 OTHER FORMS OF ATTACK

• SPOILING ATK -
CONDUCTED FROM
THE DEFENSIVE
POSTURE TO
DISRUPT ENEMY
ATTACK

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 OTHER FORMS OF ATTACK
• CATK - CONDUCTED AFTER EN
LAUNCHES HIS ATK , TO DESTROY
ENEMY MAIN EFFORT OR ATTACK
EN ASSAILABLE FLANK

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 OTHER FORMS OF ATTACK

• RAID – LIMITED OBJECTIVE ATTACK INTO

THE EN TERRITORY TO DESTROY EN
FORCES, FACILITIES, CAPTURE OR FREE
PRISONERS, OR DISRUPT EN C2.

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 OTHER FORMS OF ATTACK
• FEINT - DESIGNED TO DIVERT THE
EN ATTENTION FROM THE “ME”. IT
REQUIRES CONTACT.
OBJ DOG

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 OTHER FORMS OF ATTACK

• DEMONSTRATION - IS A SHOW OF
FORCE IN AN AREA WHERE
DECISION IS NOT SOUGHT.
- IT THREATENS ATTACK BUT
DOES NOT MAKE CONTACT

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 OTHER FORMS OF ATTACK
• RUSES - FORMS OF DECEPTION TO
TRICK THE ENEMY
- DELIBERATELY EXPOSING
FALSE INFO TO OBTAIN ADVANTAGE
- FALSE ELECTRONIC SIGNALS
- DUMMY FORMATIONS
- MISLEADING FORMATIONS &
MOVEMENTS

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 FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE: (MAEP)

EXPLOITATION
• ATTACKER EXTENDS THE
DESTRUCTION OF THE DEFENDING
FORCE BY MAINTAINING
OFFENSIVE PRESSURE
• PURPOSE: TO PREVENT THE
ENEMY TO REORGANIZE AND TO
CONTINUE THE FIGHT

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 FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE:

PURSUIT
• A PURSUIT IS AN OFFENSIVE OPN
AGAINST A RETREATING ENEMY
FORCE
• IT FOLLOWS A SUCCESSFUL ATK OR
EXPLOITATION AND IS ORDERED
WHEN THE ENEMY ATTEMPTS TO
DISENGAGE.
• GOAL: DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY

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 FORMS OF MANEUVER
• ENVELOPMENT
• TURNING MOVEMENT
• INFILTRATION
• PENETRATION
• FRONTAL ATTACK

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 FORMS OF MANEUVER:

ENVELOPMENT
• ATTACKER FIX THE
DEFENDER’S ATTENTION
FORWARD AND MANEUVERS
HIS “ME” TO STRIKE HIS
FLANKS OR REAR

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 FORMS OF MANEUVER:

TURNING MOVEMENT
• THE ATTACKER PASSES
AROUND THE ENEMY TO
SECURE AN OBJ DEEP IN
THE ENEMY’S REAR AREA
• IN ORDER TO:
– FORCE THE ENEMY TO
ABANDON HIS PREPARED
DEFENSES AND ATTACK
ON UNDESIRABLE
DIRECTION

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 FORMS OF MANEUVER:

INFILTRATION
• USES STEALTH/COVERT
MOVEMENT OF FORCES
THRU ENEMY LINES TO
ATTACK POSITIONS IN THE
ENEMY REAR
• ESTABLISHES
INFILTRATION
ROUTE(S)/LANE(S) (SINGLE
OR DOUBLE LANE)
THROUGH EN GAPS

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 FORMS OF MANEUVER:

PENETRATION
• IS USED WHEN THE ENEMY
FLANKS ARE NOT
ASSAILABLE
• ATTACKER MASS
SUFFICIENT COMBAT
POWER AT THE POINT OF
PENETRATION TO
OVERWHELM THE ENEMY
AND GAIN THE ADVANTAGE

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 FORMS OF MANEUVER:

FRONTAL ATTACK
• THE MOST UNLIKELY
FORM OF MANEUVER
• STRIKES THE ENEMY
ACCROSS A WIDE FRONT
AND OVER THE MOST
DIRECT APPROACHES.
• ONLY USED WHEN THE
ENEMY IS WEAK AND IS
AT CLEAR
DISADVANTAGE.

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 OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK

• DEEP OPERATIONS
• RECON AND SECURITY OPNS
• MAIN AND SUPPORTING ATKS
(CLOSE OPERATIONS)
• RESERVE OPERATIONS
• REAR OPERATIONS

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 OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK:

DEEP OPERATIONS

• Directed against enemy forces not in

contact forward of FLOT
• Employs long range fires, air &
ground maneuver, & C2 warfare

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OPNS IN DEPTH OF THE BATTLE FIELD
• DEEP OPNS – directed against enemy forces not in
contact at the Forward Line of Troops (FLOT)

T
F LO
FRIENDLY SE

ENEMY FRIENDLY ME
UNITS ENEMY
REAR
DEEP
FRIENDLY SE
T
L O CLOSE
F

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 OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK:

RECONNAISSANCE AND
SURVEILLANCE
• Planned by S3 in coordination with the S2
and Commander
• Developed from the Event Template (IPB)
• Collects info for the Commander
• Intel Requirements (IR) prioritized
• Eliminate duplication of effort
• Systematic and continuous observation
• Reporting and dissemination of the plan

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 OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK:

CLOSE OPERATIONS

- Main attack receives

the requisite combat and
combat support assets to
ensure its success.
- The main attack is
directed to secure the
objectives that contribute
most to mission
accomplishment.

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 OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK:

CLOSE OPERATIONS
SUPPORTING ATTACK
- Fixes enemy forces to facilitate main attack.
- Controls terrain to facilitate movement of
main attack.
- Destroy enemy as to the location of the main
attack.
-Prevents or delays
enemy concentration
against the main attack.

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OPNS IN DEPTH OF THE BATTLEFIELD
• CLOSE OPNS – Include close combat being
conducted by the committed forces of both
combatants

T
F LO
FRIENDLY SE

ENEMY FRIENDLY ME
UNITS ENEMY
REAR
DEEP
FRIENDLY SE
T
L O CLOSE
F

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 OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK:

RESERVE OPERATIONS
- The reserve force is
clearly designated.
- Provides commander
with the flexibility to
deal with unforeseen
contingencies.
- Used to reinforce or
maintain the
momentum of the main
attack.

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 OFFENSIVE FRAMEWORK:

REAR OPERATIONS

- Assure freedom of
actions of forces by
supporting
committed forces
- Protect the CS and
CSS elements in the
rear area

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OPNS IN DEPTH OF THE BATTLEFIELD
• REAR OPNS – Ensure freedom of action by
providing sustainment, CS, and CSS, operations to
committed forces

T
F LO
FRIENDLY SE

FRIENDLY ME
ENEMY css
UNITS ENEMY
REAR
DEEP
FRIENDLY SE
T
L O CLOSE
F

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 PHASES OF OFFENSIVE
OPERATIONS
• PREPARATION PHASE –TLP/MDMP
• ATTACK
– MOVEMENT TO THE OBJECTIVE
– ACTION ON THE OBJ
– REORGANIZATION AND
CONSOLIDATION
• EXPLOITATION
• PURSUIT

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 CONSOLIDATION
VS REORGANIZATION
• CONSOLIDATION • REORGANIZATION
– ESTABLISH – FURTHER REPLACE
SECURITY KEY PERS
– ELIMINATE EN – REPORT UNIT STATUS
RESISTANCE – EVACUATE
– HASTY DEFENSE CASUALTIES
– PLAN FIRES – REDISTRIBUTE
– CONDUCT RECON CRITICAL ITEMS
– PREPARE FOR ON- – PLAN FOR OPNS
ORDER MISSION

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 TASK ORGANIZATION
• MAIN EFFORT - ASSAULT FORCE
– DESTROY, NEUTRALIZE, CLEAR,
SECURE OR SEIZE
• SUPPORTING EFFORT - BREACH AND
SUPPORT FORCES
– FIX, SUPPRESS, BREACH, ISOLATE OR
OBSCURE
• RESERVE
– BE PREPARED TO DESTROY EN CATK
OR ASSUME THE TASK OF THE “ME”
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 ATTACKS
(TYPICAL TASKS VERBS)

Main Attack Supporting

Attack
- Seize - Isolate
- Secure - Fix
- Clear - Suppress

- Destroy
FM 101-5-1, 1985, CH 1

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 TYPICAL TASKS
• SEIZE - A tactical task to clear a
designated area and obtain control
of it.
• SECURE - A tactical task to gain
possession of a position or terrain
feature, with or without force, and to
deploy in a manner which prevents
its destruction or loss by the enemy.
The attacking force may or may not
have to physically occupy the area.
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 TYPICAL TASKS (Cont)
• CLEAR - A tactical task to remove all
enemy forces and eliminate
organized resistance in an assigned
zone, area, or location by destroying,
capturing, or forcing the withdrawal
of enemy forces such that they
cannot interfere with the friendly
unit’s ability to accomplish its
mission.
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 TYPICAL TASKS (Cont)
• DESTROY - A tactical task to physically
render an enemy force combat-ineffective
unless it is reconstituted.
• ISOLATE - A tactical task given to a unit to
seal off an enemy from his source of
support, to deny an enemy freedom of
movement, and prevent an enemy unit
from having contact with other enemy
forces.

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 TYPICAL TASKS (Cont)

• FIX - A tactical task in which actions

are taken to prevent the enemy from
moving any part of his forces either
from a specific location or for a
specific period of time by holding or
surrounding them to prevent their
withdrawal for use elsewhere.

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 TYPICAL TASKS (Cont)

• SUPPRESS - A tactical task to

employ direct or indirect fires,
electronic attack, or smoke on enemy
personnel, weapons, or equipment to
prevent or degrade enemy fires and
observation of the friendly forces.

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OFFENSIVE
OPERATIONS

?
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GOOD DAY

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