Tag Archives: Defense

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NTC Update (MAR 20)

Cavalry Defensive Operations Against a Near-Peer Threat

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Cavalry troops frequently fail to provide early warning to the protected force while performing a screen. Units are placed on disadvantageous terrain, fail to array in depth, and neglect to incorporate available aerial reconnaissance to extend observation and maximize reaction time and maneuver space.

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st ABCT, 3rd ID., scans for simulated enemy forces during Decisive Action Rotation 20-04 at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., Feb. 11, 2020. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brooke Davis, Operations Group, National Training Center.)
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NTC Update (MAR 20)

Armor and Infantry in the Defense Against a Near-Peer Threat

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The main reason we conduct a defense is to set the conditions to transition to the offense. At the company level and below we must recognize the significance of properly preparing for defensive operations.  Units planning against a near peer threat at the National Training Center (NTC) will focus on preparing for an attack or conducting the seven steps of EADEV in preparation for a defense, but rarely do units prepare simultaneously for both.  Commanders must think through transitioning into defensive operations prior executing offensive operations.

Soldiers position vehicles to simulate taking over an enemy town during an exercise at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., June 7, 2019. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Mason Cutrer).
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NTC Update (MAR 20)

Defensive Operations for the Field Artillery Battalion

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The purpose of this paper is to provide a context for Field Artillery (FA) units executing defensive operations in a Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE). The specific unit of focus for this paper is the Brigade Combat Team’s (BCT), Direct Support (DS) Field Artillery (FA) Battalion. The primary audiences for this paper are Fires Battalion Staff Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers, Battery and Forward Support Company Commanders, and First Sergeants. This paper is a collaboration of Key Developmental billet complete Observer Coach Trainers (OC/Ts) with an aggregate of ~100 rotations of experience at the National Training Center (NTC) Fort Irwin, CA.

Troopers from the Field Artillery Support Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, support Iraqi army operations with artillery fires from their M777A2 Howitzers. (2nd Lt. Jamie Douglas/Army)
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NTC Update (MAR 20)

Lift Aviation Assets in the Defense and Counterattack

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Defensive operations for a Brigade Combat Team (BCT) are complex operations requiring the synchronization of numerous units across multiple lines of effort. Critical to the success of any defensive operation and to subsequent counterattacks is the BCT’s ability to rapidly move personnel and equipment across the battlefield to support sustainment as well as movement and maneuver operations. Aviation assets are particularly valuable in the defense because of their speed, mobility, and versatility.[1] Directly or indirectly, lift aviation is able to support each of the fundamentals of the defense (disruption, flexibility, maneuver, massing effects, operations in depth, preparation, and security).[2] These valuable assets, require in depth planning and analysis prior to executing the defense to ensure efficient execution.

Army AH-64 Apache aircrews conduct formation practice at Camp Williams, Utah, June 5, 2019, before the funeral flyover for Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Lynn W. Hadfield, whose remains were recovered after being listed as missing in action for 74 years. (U.S. Army photo).
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NTC Update (MAR 20)

Engineer Success in the Defense Rapid Preparation, Execution, and Transition

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Although the defense is an opportunity to inflict tremendous casualties and damage to enemy forces, many Army units and leaders view the defense with suspicion. Leaders often choose to spend the vast majority of training time on offensive tasks rather than defensive fundamentals. With appropriate planning and preparation for defensive operations, units can halt the enemy’s momentum, regenerate their own combat power, and then regain the initiative for offensive operations. According to ADP 3-90, this is the primary purpose of the defense[1]. When properly utilized, Engineers shape the battlefield, enhancing maneuver units ability to stop the enemy’s advance and destroy them in an engagement area (EA). If units overcome the following common friction points observed during National Training Center (NTC) rotations they can aggressively train and prepare to repel a fierce enemy attack – at NTC or wherever America needs them.

Soldiers from A Co, 116 Brigade Engineer Battalion, position their M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle during a live-fire training exercise at the National Training Center (NTC) in Fort Irwin, Calif., June 12, 2019. (Photo by: Cpl. Alisha Grezlik, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
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Defending the Air Base

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In the middle of the night, on September 14th, 2012, a team of Taliban fighters broke through the perimeter of Camp Bastion and began attacking the base. Bastion, later called Camp Shorabak, was located northwest of Lashkar Gah in Helmand Province, Afghanistan and housed Marine Corps Harrier Jump Jets. Marines and Royal Air Force personnel bravely defended their base and killed the Taliban intruders after a six-hour firefight. Over a dozen friendly personnel died or sustained wounds, and the enemy destroyed or damaged eight aircraft. The attack severely degraded Bastion’s ability to project combat power and support friendly ground forces. The Taliban gambled, correctly, that the best way to strike back against coalition airpower advantage was to attack the aircrafts in their most vulnerable state; on the ground.

An airman maintains watch with his weapon as he wears his Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) suit on Jan. 16, 2013, during the Beverly Midnight exercise at Osan Air Base, South Korea.
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The Combined Arms Battalion TDE – Defense

Guest Tactical Decision Game

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One aspect of the National Training Center’s (NTC) mission is to identify training deficiencies for Rotational Training Units (RTU). Simply identifying re-occurring or one-off training shortfalls is not enough to improve the readiness and proficiency of leaders, units, and the Army. To provide feedback on home station training, Operations Group and the National Training Center routinely conducts Outreach to the Force. This set of Tactical Decision Exercises (TDE) is one example of that outreach.