Competición

5-17. This technique is used for conducting a movement to contact that shares many of the characteristics of an area security mission (FM 3-90). A search and attack is a specialized technique of conducting a movement to contact in an environment of noncontiguous AOs. In COIN, a search and attack uses multiple coordinated small-units (team, squad, or platoon) that conduct decentralized movement to find and attack the enemy. A commander normally employs this form of a movement to contact when the enemy is operating in small, dispersed elements. Often searches and attacks are used to support the establish civil security subtask of enforce cessation of hostilities, peace agreement, and other arrangements.

5-18. Search and attack operations are used in both urban and rural terrain. They are followed by operations supporting the other LOE such as restoring damaged infrastructure or conducting information engagements in a neighborhood. This tactic disrupts insurgent activities, while trying to solve some of the root causes of the insurgency. The search and attack is typically used during the clear phase of a clear-hold-build operation. It may also be used in a strike operation.

5-19. To develop a specific search and attack concept, the commander must understand the OE by using the operational variables, the mission variables, and mission analysis. The troop-leading procedures (TLP) and military decision-making process (MDMP) applied to the COIN OE serve as the planning foundation for commanders and leaders.

C

D

C

5-20. Specific considerations using elements of the mission variables to a search and attack in COIN are—

Mission

5-21. Leaders determine whether the search and attack is enemy or terrain-oriented. If enemy-oriented, the search and attack should attack the enemy while inflicting minimal damage to the population, infrastructure, and local economy. If terrain-oriented, the search and attack must be prepared to locate base camps, caches, safe houses, or subterranean structures.

Time Available

5-22. The size of the area, especially the interior layout of urban buildings, impacts force size and search time.

P

5-23. A search and attack has three basic phases: organize, plan, and execute. Organize

5-24. The commander task-organizes his unit into reconnaissance, fixing, and finishing forces, each with a specific purpose and task. The size of the reconnaissance force is based on the available intelligence about the size of insurgent forces in the AO. The less known about the situation, the larger the reconnaissance force. The reconnaissance force typically consists of scout, infantry, aviation, and electronic warfare assets. The fixing force must have enough combat power to isolate insurgents once the reconnaissance force finds them. The finishing force must have enough combat power to defeat insurgents. The commander can direct each subordinate unit to retain a finishing force, or he can retain the finishing force at his echelon. The commander may rotate his subordinate elements through the reconnaissance, fixing, and finishing roles. However, rotating roles may require a change in task organization and additional time for training and rehearsal.

Reconnaissance Force

5-25. The reconnaissance force finds the enemy force using all means available. It can serve as an element of the fixing force or follow and assume the role of the attack force if sufficiently resourced. If the reconnaissance element makes contact without being detected by the insurgent, the commander has the initiative. In COIN, HN security forces are often the best suited to conduct the reconnaissance, if they have the training, equipment, and capability.

Fixing Force

5-26. Although sometimes included in the reconnaissance force in COIN, the fixing force develops the situation, and then executes one of two options based on the commander's guidance and the mission variables. The first option is to block identified routes that the insurgent can use to escape or use for reinforcements. The second option is to conduct an attack to fix the insurgent in his current positions until the finishing force arrives. The fixing force attacks if that action meets the commander's intent and it can generate sufficient combat power against the insurgents. Depending on the insurgent's mobility and the likelihood of the reconnaissance force being compromised, the commander may need to position his fixing force before his reconnaissance force enters the AO.

Finishing Force

5-27. The finishing force must possess and maintain sufficient combat power to defeat the insurgent templated. The finishing force may move behind the reconnaissance and fixing force or it may locate where it is best prepared to rapidly maneuver on the insurgent’s location, by foot, vehicle, or air. The finishing force must be responsive enough to engage the insurgent before he can break contact with the reconnaissance force. The finishing force destroys or captures the insurgent by conducting hasty or deliberate attacks, or employing indirect fire, attack reconnaissance aviation, or close air support to destroy the insurgent. The commander may direct the finishing force to establish an area ambush and use his reconnaissance and fixing forces to drive the insurgent into the ambushes.

Plan

5-28. The commander establishes control measures that allow for maximum decentralized actions and small-unit initiative. Control measures facilitate the rapid consolidation and concentration of combat power before an attack. The minimum control measures for a search and attack are an AO, objectives, checkpoints, phase lines, limits of advance, and contact points. The use of target reference points (TRPs) facilitates responsive fire support once a reconnaissance force makes contact with the enemy. The commander uses objectives and checkpoints to guide the movement of subordinate elements. The commander uses other control measures as needed such as phase lines, restrictive fire lines, and marking systems.

Zones

5-29. The commander next determines how the area of operations will be broken down. Two options are—

Multiple

5-30. Assigning multiple small zones that keep subordinate elements concentrated and allow controlled, phased movement throughout the overall area. This facilitates overall control and allows subordinates to rapidly mass their combat power.

Single

5-31. Concentrate the main effort in one zone and use fire teams or squad patrols to reconnoiter the next zone. Once the main effort has completed a thorough reconnaissance of the initial zone, it then moves into the zone that the small units have reconnoitered, as they then move to their next zone. Small patrols provide the initial reconnaissance information, which commanders evaluate and then focus additional reconnaissance efforts.

Orientation

5-32. The commander determines how the search and attack will be conducted within the designated zones. The zones may be searched selectively or systematically. The commander must visualize, describe, and direct how subordinates will conduct the reconnaissance and how the attacking force will maneuver against the enemy. Two methods include—

Decentralized Attack

5-33. Each subordinate element is tasked to find, fix, finish, and exploit all enemy forces in their area within their capabilities. If more combat power is required, then the BCT will employ additional assets, the reserve, or adjacent units.

Centralized Attack

5-34. The commander retains control of the attack force while each subordinate element is tasked to find and fix the enemy in their AO. This method works well when insurgents use base camps.

Execute

5-35. The four typical steps in search and attack operations are enter the AO, search the AO, locate the enemy, and conduct the attack.

Enter the AO

5-36. Commanders determine how combined forces enter, conduct movement, and establish objective rally points (ORPs) and bases (patrol bases, combat outposts), or (joint security stations) within the AO by considering the eight forms of contact possible with the insurgent or the population. This technique allows commanders and subordinate leaders to identify their units’ potential contact with the enemy and population throughout all phases of the search and attack. Leaders synchronize the actions of adjacent units and provide specific tasks to ensure subordinates understand actions on contact with both enemy

and civilians within the ROE. Units may enter the area or zone by infiltrating as an entire unit and splitting or by infiltrating as smaller subordinate units via ground, air, or water (Figures 5-1 and 5-2).

Figure 5-1. Infiltration by company. Figure 5-2. Infiltration by squad/platoon.

Search the AO

5-37. Reconnaissance elements search areas to locate the enemy without detection. This allows more time for leaders to plan and coordinate an attack. Generally, small units are used, since they move quickly and with more stealth among the population regardless of the AO. Once an element of the insurgency is discovered, the commander’s concept, intent, and the situation on the ground dictates whether the reconnaissance element follows the insurgent or fixes the insurgent until the attack force is in position. Specific tasks may include route, area, and zone reconnaissance or other surveillance tasks.

Locate Enemy

5-38. Reconnaissance units must locate insurgent forces, tracks, or other indicators of direction or location. In rural and some border operations, well-trained trackers can identify and follow insurgent tracks that are hours or even days old. Units tracking the insurgent must be prepared to react to insurgent contact and avoid likely ambush situations. Leaders must ensure support for the reconnaissance force if it is compromised. In urban areas, tracking the insurgent is more difficult due to the nature of the terrain and the insurgent’s use of the population. Leaders rely on HUMINT, a thorough knowledge of their AO, UAS, attack reconnaissance aviation, and sound communication and coordination with adjacent units to find the elusive insurgent.

Conduct the Attack

5-39. The attack in a search and attack has four elements:

Concentrate Combat Power

5-40. Once the insurgent is discovered, the plan must support the rapid concentration of combat power to fix and destroy the insurgent. Leaders at each echelon must plan to destroy the insurgent within their capabilities, or at least fix the insurgent.

Fix the Enemy

5-41. If the insurgent cannot be destroyed by the forces on hand, then the forces must fix the insurgent until finishing forces arrive. Fixing forces block egress routes with indirect fires, maneuver forces, obstacles or all three. They also suppress the insurgent’s weapons systems, obscure his vision, and disrupt his command and control. Specific tasks may include establishing a blocking position, an ambush, or a support by fire position.

React to Contact

5-42. If a unit makes contact, it takes immediate action to fix or destroy the insurgent. The speed and violence of a hasty attack may compensate for the lack of a reconnaissance or combat power. However, this is rarely true against a prepared insurgent defense or during periods of limited visibility. Leaders should not assume the discovered insurgent force is alone; there may be mutually supporting positions or units.

Finish the Enemy

5-43. An initial attempt to finish the insurgent by a squad or platoon in contact may become a fixing effort for a platoon or company attack.