Conditions
The squad is conducting operations in a live training environment independently or as part of a platoon or larger force.
The squad is part of a movement to contact or an attack.
The enemy initiates direct fire contact.
Some iterations of this task should be performed in MOPP 4 and at night.
Standards
The squad conducts an assault according to ATP 3-21.8.
The squad locates and suppresses the enemy, establishes supporting fire, and assaults the enemy positions using fire and maneuver.
The squad destroys [the enemy] or causes the enemy to withdraw and conducts consolidation and reorganization.
Cue
The drill begins when the enemy initiates direct fire contact.
TASK STEPS
(Asterisks indicate a leader performance step.)
- The fire team in contact immediately returns well-aimed fire on the known enemy position and calls out the direction and distance of the enemy.
Note. Soldiers receiving fire take up the nearest positions that afford cover and concealment.
* 2. The squad leader reports contact to the platoon leader.
- The fire team in contact takes the following actions:
a. The team leader directs fires using tracers or standard fire commands.
b. Fire team Soldiers in contact move to positions (bound or crawl) where they can fire their weapons, position themselves to ensure that they have observation, field of fire, cover, and concealment.
c. Fire team Soldiers continue to fire and report known or suspected enemy positions to the fire team leader.
- The fire team not in contact takes covered and concealed positions in place and observes the flanks and rear of the squad.
* 5. The squad leader moves to a position to observe the enemy and assess the situation and then [takes] the following actions:
a. Reports the enemy size and location, and any other information to the platoon leader.
b. Requests through higher, immediate indirect fire support.
c. Determines if the fire team in contact can gain suppressive fire based on the volume and accuracy of the enemy fire.
- The fire team in contact suppresses the enemy and the following actions take place:
a. The team leader identifies target reference points with the squad leader for shifting fires.
b. The fire team becomes the support by fire team.
c. The fire team continues suppression of the enemy as follows:
(1) The fire team leader continues to control fires using tracers or standard fire commands.
Fires must be well-aimed and continue at a sustained rate with no lulls.
(2) The fire team destroys or suppresses enemy crew-served weapons first.
(3) The fire team places smoke (M203/320) on the enemy position to obscure it.
(4) Buddy teams alternate their fire so that both are not reloading their weapons at the same time.
* 7. The squad leader moves to the fire team not in contact[.]
Note. The fire team not in contact becomes the assault team.
a. [The squad leader links] up with the fire team leader not in contact.
b. [The squad leader identifies] the fire team not in contact as the assault team.
* 8. The squad leader maneuvers the assault fire team into the assault position and the following actions take place:
a. The squad leader adjusts fires (both direct and indirect) based on the rate of the assault element movement and the minimum safe distances of weapon systems.
b. The squad leader directs the forward observer, if available, to shift indirect fire, including smoke, to isolate the enemy position.
c. The squad leader gives the prearranged signal for the support by fire team to shift direct fire to the opposite flank of the enemy position.
d. The assault fire team assumes and maintains effective fire throughout the assault.
e. The support by fire team confirms the shift of direct fires with the prearranged signal.
- The assault team fights through the enemy position using fire and maneuver and takes the following actions:
a. The assault team leader controls the movement of the team.
b. The assault team conducts fire and maneuver based on [the] volume and accuracy of enemy fires and the amount of cover afforded by the terrain as follows:
(1) Assault team leader designates a distance and direction for the assault team and moves with that element.
(2) Assault team leader directs Soldiers to move as individuals or teams.
(3) Soldiers maintain contact with team members and leaders.
(4) Soldiers move using 3- to 5-second rushes or the low or high crawl techniques, taking advantage of available cover and concealment.
(5) Soldiers time their firing and reloading to sustain their rate of fire.
- The support by fire team maintains visual contact of the near flank of the assaulting team as the assaulting team conducts the assault.
- If the assault element cannot continue to move, the squad leader positions the squad to suppress the enemy and reports to higher headquarters.
- The squad consolidates and reorganizes as follows:
a. The squad establishes local security.
b. The squad leader signals for the support by fire team to move into designated positions.
c. The squad places out observation posts to warn of enemy counterattacks.
d. The squad leader assigns sectors of fire for each element.
e. The Soldiers establish hasty fighting positions.
f. The squad leader positions key weapons to cover the most dangerous avenue of approach.
g. The squad leader develops a quick fire plan.
h. The squad reestablishes the chain of command.
i. The squad [staffs] crew-served weapons and then individual weapons.
j. The squad leader begins coordination of ammunition resupply.
k. The squad leader consolidates ammunition, casualties and equipment reports.
l. The squad redistributes and resupplies ammunition.
m. The squad redistributes critical equipment such as radios, [night-vision devices, and protection from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear exposure].
n. The squad treats and [evacuates] wounded.
o. The squad searches, silences, segregates, safeguards, speeds, and tags detainees.
* 13. The squad leader reports situation to the platoon leader.