Battle Drill 5: Knock Out a Bunker – Squad (07-SQD-D9406).

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CONDITIONS (CUE)
STANDARDS
TASK STEPS AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Individual Tasks
Supporting Products
Related Pages

CONDITIONS (CUE)

The unit is moving tactically, conducting operations.

The enemy initiates contact from concealed bunker network.

All or part of the unit is receiving accurate enemy direct fire.

Some iterations of this task should be performed in MOPP4.

The unit receives an order to knock out an enemy bunker from which it is receiving fire.

STANDARDS

The unit destroys the designated bunker(s) by killing, capturing, or forcing the withdrawal of enemy personnel in the bunker(s).

The unit maintains a sufficient fighting force to repel an enemy counterattack and continue operations.

TASK STEPS AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES

  1. Deploy:

a. The squad/team in contact establishes a base of fire.

b. Weapons squad leader positions machine gun(s) to reinforce rifle squad in contact.

c. Platoon sergeant moves to support-by-fire position and assumes control of the position’s fires.

(The weapon squad leader repositions another machine gun, as needed, based on METT-TC).

d. The squad in contact gains and maintains fire superiority by–

(1) Destroys or suppresses enemy crew-served weapons.

(2) Continues suppressive fires at the lowest possible level.

(3) The platoon forward observer calls for and adjusts indirect fires as directed by the platoon leader.

(4) Suppresses the bunker and any supporting positions.

(5) The squad employs shoulder launched munitions as required.

e. Obscures the enemy position with smoke.

f. Establishes security to rear and flanks of support by fire position.

  1. Report:

a. Submits contact reports.

b. Submits SALUTE report to commander.

c. Submits situation reports (SITREPs) as needed.

  1. Evaluate and develop the situation:

a. The platoon leader, his radio telephone operator, and platoon forward observer move forward to link up with the squad leader of the squad in contact.

b. The platoon leader evaluates the situation by identifying enemy’s composition, disposition and capabilities–

(1) Identifies enemy disposition: number and location of enemy bunkers, level of mutual support and overlapping fires between positions, and connecting trenches and protective obstacles.

(2) Identifies enemy composition and strength: the number of enemy automatic weapons, the presence of any vehicles, and the employment of indirect fires are indicators of enemy strength.

(3) Identifies enemy capability to: defend, reinforce, attack, and withdraw.

c. Platoon leader develops the situation by determining where he can move to a position of advantage.

These include–

(1) A vulnerable flank or blind spot to at least one bunker.

(2) A covered and concealed flanking route to the flank of the bunker.

  1. Develop a COA:

a. The platoon leader determines–

(1) Which bunker poses the greatest threat.

(2) Where the adjoining bunkers are located.

(3) Requirement to breach protective obstacles.

b. Platoon leader determines where support positions will be placed.

c. Platoon leader determines size and make up of assault squad.

  1. Execute COA:

a. Platoon leader directs the supporting element to suppress bunker–

(1) Platoon sergeant repositions a squad, a fire team, or a machine gun team to isolate the bunker as well as to continue suppressive fires, as necessary.

(2) Forward observer shifts fires, as necessary.

b. Assault squad leader executes knock out bunker drill–

(1) The assaulting squad, platoon leader, and radio telephone operator moves along the covered and concealed route to an assault position and does not mask the fires of the fire element.

(2) Soldiers constantly watch for other bunkers or enemy positions in support of bunkers.

(3) The supporting element shifts or ceases fire (direct fire and indirect fire).

(4) Assault squad executes knock out bunker drill.

Upon reaching the last covered and concealed position,–

( a) Buddy team #1 (team leader and the automatic rifleman) remains where they can cover buddy team #2 (grenadier and rifleman).

( b) Platoon leader/squad leader shifts supporting fires as required.

(5) Buddy team #2 moves to a blind spot near the bunker.

( a) One Soldier takes up a covered position near the exit.

( b) Other Soldier cooks off a grenade, announces, “FRAG OUT,” and throws it through an aperture.

( c) After the grenade detonates, the Soldier covering the exit enters first and the team clears the bunker.

(6) Buddy team #1 moves to join buddy team #2.

(7) The team leader:

( a) Inspects the bunker.

( b) Marks the bunker IAW unit SOP.

( c) Signals squad leader that bunker is clear.

c. The platoon leader–

(1) Directs the supporting squad to move up and knock out the next bunker.

OR

(2) Directs the assaulting squad to continue and knock out the next bunker.

(3) Rotates squads as necessary.

d. The platoon/squad leader accounts for Soldiers, provides a situation report (SITREP) to higher headquarters, reorganizes as necessary, and continues the mission.

Individual Tasks

Task IdTask Title
071-010-0006Engage Targets with an M249 Machine Gun
071-025-0007Engage Targets with an M240B Machine Gun
071-054-0004Engage Targets with an M136 Launcher
071-311-2130Engage Targets with an M203 Grenade Launcher
071-315-2308Engage Targets with an M16-Series Rifle Using a Night Vision Sight AN/PVS-4
071-325-4407Employ Hand Grenades
071-326-0501Move as a Member of a Fire Team
071-326-0502Move Under Direct Fire
071-326-0503Move Over, Through, or Around Obstacles (Except Minefields)
071-326-0510React to Indirect Fire While Dismounted
071-326-0513Select Temporary Fighting Positions
071-326-0515Select a Movement Route Using a Map
071-326-5605Control Movement of a Fire Team
071-326-5606Select an Overwatch Position
071-326-5611Conduct the Maneuver of a Squad

Supporting Products

  • The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad (FM 3-21.8)

Related Pages