Defense Operations PDF

A defensive operation is an operation to defeat an enemy attack, gain some time, or economize your forces and then develop the conditions to transition to offensive operations or stability operations. FM 3-90, Offense and Defense, obviously goes further into this, but just like in a previous doctrin...

A defensive operation is an operation to defeat an enemy attack, gain some time, or economize your forces and then develop the conditions to transition to offensive operations or stability operations. FM 3-90, Offense and Defense, obviously goes further into this, but just like in a previous doctrine digest where we discussed the types of offensive operations, today we\'ll talk about the types of defensive operations. First I\'m going to leave you with something, do you know what these acronyms mean? The MBA or the FLOT? And what do they mean and can you explain or tie them to defensive operations? I\'ll leave you to it. So back to the types of defensive operations, first we have the area defense. This concentrates on denying enemy forces access to designated terrain for a specific time rather than destroying the enemy outright. Those are the key points. Deny the enemy from designated terrain for a specific time. So if you get a task to conduct an area defense it should specify that in the order, designated terrain or specific time. Now there are variations of the area defense that I\'ll let you go to FM 3-90 to find. So company commanders for training purposes, you\'re probably going to want to hit topics like engagement area development or how to conduct a counter attack. Second we have the mobile defense. This defensive operation is one that concentrates on destroying or defeating the enemy through a decisive attack by a striking force. This is usually executed by a division or higher, but there are several elements and concepts to a mobile defense. First you have a striking force, which is obviously what it sounds like. Bulk of combat power, your knockout punch. And then you have your fixing force. Remember in area defense you are defending designated terrain for a specific time, but in a mobile defense the fixing force is preventing the enemy from moving from a specific place for a specific time. Third you have retrograde. A retrograde is a defensive operation involving organized movement away from the enemy. The three variations of a retrograde are a delay, a withdrawal, and retirement. Enemy force can create the conditions to retrograde or a unit can do this voluntarily. In either case the higher echelon headquarters executing the retrograde must approve the operation before its initiation. And remember, the decision point matrix will probably have something about the conditions for a retrograde, so keep your eye on that. Maybe you can anticipate that it\'s coming. It\'s part of a larger maneuver scheme designed to preserve combat power in order to regain the initiative in future operations. **Defensive operation** Questions: 1\. What is the purpose of a defense operation? A. To defeat an enemy attack B. To gain intelligence on enemy movements C. To establish diplomatic relations with the enemy D. To conduct offensive operations 2\. What is the key focus of an area defense operation? A. Destroying the enemy outright B. Denying enemy forces access to designated terrain for a specific time C. Engaging in guerrilla warfare tactics D. Conducting a preemptive strike 3\. Which type of defense operation concentrates on destroying or defeating the enemy through a decisive attack by a striking force? A. Area defense B. Mobile defense C. Retrograde D. Counter-attack 4\. What is the role of the fixing force in a mobile defense operation? A. Defending designated terrain for a specific time B. Preventing the enemy from moving from a specific place for a specific time C. Executing a delay, withdrawal, or retirement D. Providing support to the striking force 5\. What are the three variations of a retrograde operation? A. Delay, withdrawal, and retirement B. Counter-attack, ambush, and flanking C. Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition D. Offensive, defensive, and stability Correct answers: 1\. A 2\. B 3\. B 4\. B 5\. A Statements: 1\. A defense operation is only focused on defeating an enemy attack. 2\. Area defense aims to completely destroy the enemy forces. 3\. Mobile defense involves preventing the enemy from moving from a specific place for a specific time. 4\. Retrograde involves organized movement towards the enemy. 5\. The fixing force in a mobile defense operation is responsible for delivering the knockout punch. 6\. A retrograde can be executed voluntarily by a unit without approval from higher headquarters. 7\. Defensive operations are not designed to preserve combat power for future offensive operations. Correct answers: 1\. False - A defense operation can also aim to gain time or economize forces. 2\. False - Area defense concentrates on denying enemy forces access to designated terrain for a specific time, not destroying them outright. 3\. True 4\. False - Retrograde involves organized movement away from the enemy. 5\. False - The striking force delivers the knockout punch in a mobile defense operation. 6\. False - A retrograde must be approved by higher echelon headquarters before initiation. 7\. False - Defensive operations are indeed designed to preserve combat power for future operations.