Safety Level
Extremely High
Conditions
The platoon is conducting operations in a live training environment and is moving as part of a larger force conducting a movement to contact or an attack.
Following direct fire contact with the enemy, the platoon leader decides to conduct a hasty attack.
Some iterations of this task should be performed in MOPP 4 and at night.
Standards
The platoon conducts a hasty attack according to ATP 3-21.8.
The platoon employs the maximum possible combat power to gain and maintain contact, disrupt, fix, assault the objective, seize and secure terrain, and defeat or destroy enemy forces.
Cue
This drill begins when the platoon leader gives the order to conduct a hasty attack.
Coaching Point
During the assault, handover of responsibility for direct fires from support element to the assault element is critical to prevent fratricide.
TASK STEPS
* 1. The platoon leader assesses the situation:
a. Determines if the elements not in contact can maneuver.
b. Determines location of enemy positions and obstacles.
c. Determines size of enemy force engaging the element in contact to include:
(1) The number of enemy automatic weapons.
(2) The presence of any vehicles.
(3) The employment of indirect fires.
d. Identifies vulnerable flanks.
e. Identifies covered and concealed flanking route to the enemy position.
* 2. The platoon leader identifies the support element and positions to provide suppressive fire.
- The support element suppresses the enemy position (See figure 1) and—
Figure 1. Platoon establishes support by fire position
a. Destroys or suppresses the enemy using individual and crew-served weapons (machine gun, grenade launcher, antiarmor weapons).
b. Employs smoke to screen the movement of the assault element.
c. If available, the platoon leader directs the employment of indirect fire to destroy and suppress enemy position.
* 4. The platoon leader identifies the assault element and prepares to move to assault position.
* 5. The platoon leader maneuvers the assault element into the assault position (See figure 2) and—
Figure 2. The assault element maneuvers to the assault position
a. Adjusts fires, both direct and indirect, based on the rate of the assault element movement and the minimum safe distances of weapons systems.
b. Once in position, signals for the support element to shift direct fires to the opposite flank of the enemy position.
c. The assault element assumes and maintains effective fires throughout the assault.
Note: Handover of responsibility for direct fires from support element to the assault element is critical to prevent fratricide.
d. If applicable, platoon leader directs the forward observer to shift indirect fire, including smoke, to isolate the enemy position.
- The assaulting element fights through enemy position using fire and maneuver (See figure 3) and the following actions take place:
Figure 3. The assault element assaults through the enemy
a. The platoon leader controls the movement of his elements.
b. The platoon leader assigns specific objectives for each element and designates a base maneuver element.
c. The assault element conducts fire and maneuver based on volume and accuracy of enemy fires against his element and the amount of cover afforded by the terrain by—
(1) Assault element leader designates a distance and direction for the assault element and moves with that element.
(2) Assault element leaders direct Soldiers to move as individuals or teams.
(3) Soldiers maintain contact with element members and leaders.
(4) Soldiers fire from covered positions and move using 3 to 5 second rushes or the low or high crawl technique taking advantage of available cover and concealment.
(5) Soldiers time their firing and reloading in order to sustain their rate of fire.
(6) If the assault element cannot continue to move, the platoon leader positions the platoon to suppress the enemy and reports to higher headquarters.
d. The support by fire element maintains visual contact of the near flank of the assaulting element.
e. All element leaders maintain contact with the platoon leader and pass signals to element members.
- The platoon consolidates and reorganizes to include the following actions:
a. Establishes local security.
b. The platoon leader signals for the support by fire element to move up into designated positions.
c. The platoon leader consolidates ammo, casualties’ and equipment (ACE) reports.
d. Reestablishes the chain of command.
e. Redistributes and resupplys ammunition and equipment.
f. Treat and evaluate wounded.
* 8. The platoon leader reports situation.
(Asterisks indicates a leader performance step.)
TASK MEASURES
- The platoon leader assessed the situation.
- The platoon leader identified the support element and positioned them to provide suppressive fire.
- The support element suppresses the enemy position.
- The platoon leader identified the assault element and prepared them to move to the assault position.
- The platoon leader maneuvered the assault element into the assault position.
- The assaulting element fought through enemy position using fire and maneuver.
- The platoon consolidated and reorganized.
- The platoon leader reported the situation.
Talk:
a. Orientation: The objective of this battle drill is to conduct a hasty attack.
b. Safety: The chance of fratricide increases as the assaulting Soldiers fight through and destroy the enemy.
The support element must place well-aimed suppressive fire on the enemy’s position and shift fire as Soldiers assault the objective.
c. Demonstration: If another platoon has successfully performed this drill, have that platoon demonstrate.
During the demonstration, explain what is being done and why, using the performance measures as a guide.
After the demonstration, summarize the actions performed by the demonstrating platoon.
d. Explanation:
(1) Refer to the performance measures and explain what each element leader is required to do on contact, during the assault, and when and how to employ smoke.
(2) Ensure that key leaders and special teams know their duties and responsibilities pertaining to each portion of the drill.
(3) Ask if there are any questions pertaining to the drill.
If so, ensure that all questions are correctly answered before beginning to train the drill.
e. Unit Instructions: The platoon is moving and the enemy initiates contact with direct fire.
Walk:
- Refer to the performance measures.
- Have each squad and squad member perform their part slowly at first as the leader talks them through.
Run:
a. Run-Through Instructions: The platoon should practice this drill until they can perform it according to standard without using notes.
Soldiers should conduct the initial run-through exercise slowly.
The Soldiers should change positions to learn all steps and standards.
b. Coaching Point: During the assault, handover of responsibility for direct fires from support element to the assault element is critical to prevent fratricide.
c. Performance Instructions: When the platoon can perform this drill according to the standard, the platoon leader or platoon sergeant should evaluate them.