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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMLEOEND:an area small enough for it to operateentirely from one combat base. It ismore normal for the battalion ort1 oX \ 1 m - . ( .squadron to assign specific areas ofresponsibility to subordinate companiesor troops and require that theyestablish combat bases in their respectiveareas. Depending on the size\ - X A~of the unit's subsector, one or morecombat bases may be established.Whenever possible, the entire companyor troop operates from one baseto facilitate security and control.(2) A combat base is the contact point forall tactical operations against insur-I,'X II~ wgent forces in the area of the unitconcerned. It will include the essential/~ | ' Mu command, control, and administrative{. X \ I elements of the unit. It may also indudel certain support elements fromCOMBAT B X higher units.(3) The combat base is located to facilitatefuture tactical operations in theFigure 35. Schematic armor brigade area and for security. Whenever posareaof operations.sible, combat bases are established onwithout large groups of the enemyhighly defensible terrain. The majorcircumventingits forces and regroup-ity of the unit will conduct operationsing elsewhere in the subsector. Con-away from the combat base, leavingstant movement of forces will usuallyonly the local force or the reactionpermit the enlargement of the areaforce to secure the base depending ondue to the "spoiling" effect movementplans for employing the reactionhas on insurgent activities.force.(8) A company or troop normally retains (4) The size of the base will vary witha platoon (±) as a local reaction the size of the friendly units occupyforce.Likewise, a battalion or squad-ing it, the defensibility of the terrain,ron normally retains a reaction forceand the probability of insurgent atofat least one company or troop. Thetack. In any case, the combat base isbrigade normally retains a very as small as practicable to facilitate itsstrong reaction force of battalionsecurity.(±) size to counter and destroy large (5) A combat base is organized with enconsolidationsof insurgent forces in circling positions prepared fromthe area. In difficult terrain, the reac-which it can be defended against intionforces should have the capabilitywhich it can be defended against inofoperating as an airmobile force.surgent attack. Protective obstaclesare prepared to support the defensivec. Mobile Combat Bases. positions. Outposts and listening posts(1) Units conducting tactical operations are established well forward of theagainst insurgent forces establish defensive positions and occupied at allcombat bases from which to operate.times. All possible avenues of ap-However, it is not normal for a bat-proach leading into the area aretalion or a higher unit to be assignedmined.227