1966 US Army Vietnam War ARMOR ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COM226unity of command of areas. Rarelywill clear, hold, and consolidationoperational boundaries not conformto political boundaries.(3) The brigade is normally assigned aspecific area of responsibility. The Xbrigade commander assigns specificareas of responsibility (sectors) to l _\subordinate battalions, and thesecommanders normally do the same(subsectors)panies. The companyto subordinatecommandercom-doesnot normally assign specific areas to X ihis platoons, but rather assigns tasksor missions to accomplish the companymissions. Within the assignedsector or subsectors, commanders atall echelons down to and includingXcompany level will normally establishone or more combat bases from whichto conduct offensive operations, andXstatic security posts as needed to se-LEOEND:cure troops, installations, and lines ofcommunication. However, this doesnot imply that these combat bases are C5 COMBAT BASEfixed installations since they should bemoved frequently to minimize insur- Figure 34. Schematic armored cavalrygent planning time for attacks and toregimental area of operations.keep insurgent forces off balance.Each armor unit assigned an area ofits subordinate units. Consequently,responsibility will normally maintainone subsector in its area is not occuareaction force (reserve) of appro-pied initially. This subsector will bepriate strength at its base to be usedplaced under surveillance and painlocal reaction to any contact madetrolled under squadron control until itwith insurgent forces.can be assigned to a subordinate unit(4) The size of the area assigned to a unit for clearance.depends on the mission, the terrain, (6) To indicate the flexibility possible inthe nature of the insurgent force, andthe organization of an area of opera-,the troops available. The size of thetions, figure 35 shows a schematic arareaassigned to a unit may be toomor brigade area of operations. Belargeto be cleared concurrently bycause of the existing terrain andthe subordinate units. In this case,enemy situation, the company teamsthe commander must establish a have been assigned areas which arepriority for the clearance of the sec-not contiguous in all cases. The gapstors or subsectors, and assign areasbetween the companies are kept underof responsibility to the subordinatesurveillance utilizing Army aircraftunits accordingly.and forces such as the scout platoon(5) Figure 34 shows a schematic armored or civilian paramilitary patrol units.cavalry regimental area of operations. (7) In any case, the subsector assigned aNote that one squadron has more areacompany or troop should be no largerthan can be cleared concurrently bythan the unit can clear or control