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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMcapabilities. In any case, security forces must maintained until the enemy ceases to be abe afforded the capability of effective opera- threat to the force being secured or moves outtions under the same conditions as the enemy of the assigned area of responsibility. For disforcethat poses the threat.cussion for actions on contact, see paragraph71. Contact is not voluntarily broken unless or-92. Fundamentals of Security Operations dered by higher headquarters. Enemy forcesAlthough the fundamentals of security are must not be permitted to surprise the force becloselyrelated, the provision of timely and ac- ing secured. If the enemy force moves out ofcurate warning and space for maneuver is the area of responsibility, action must be takenparamount. The actions of security forces to inform the adjacent unit and to assist in esshouldbe guided by the practical application of tablishing contact with the enemy force.these fundamentals through the effective use of 93. Frontages in Security Operationsavailable resources.a. Provide Timely and Accurate Warning. The extent of the frontage assigned in secu-The security force must provide the com- rity operations depends on several factors, inmanderof the force being secured early warningef the location and movement of enemycluding the degree of security desired, thelength of time the security is required, the enforcesthat constitute a threat to his mission. emy capabilities, the terrain (with emphasis onOnly by timely warning and accurate informa- avenues of enemy approach), and the weather.tion can the commander of the force being se-WiderWcderfrontagesfrontagesmaymaybebeassignedassignedwhenwhenair-acured choose the forces, time, and place to engagethe enemy, and maneuver his forces to 94. Degrees of Securitygain tactical surprise and advantage.a. Cover. To cover is to operate as a forceb. Provide Space for Maneuver. Security apart from the main force and oriented in theforces operate far enough from the force being direction of the enemy for the purpose of intersecuredto insure that this force has enough cepting, engaging, delaying, disorganizing, andtime and space to maneuver to meet or avoid deceiving the enemy before he can attack thethe enemy threat. The distance between a secu- force being covered.rity force and the force being secured varies b. Protect. To protect is to operate to theaccording to the factors of METT.flank, front, or rear of a larger moving or stac.Orient on the Location or Movement ofthe Force Being Secured. A security force mationaryforce in a manner that precludes en-emy ground observation, direct fire, and surneuversaccording to the location and move- prise attack. This is done by defeating,ment of the force being secured, and positionsitself between the friendly force and thedestroying, or delaying the enemy within theprotecting force's capabilities.known or suspected enemy threat.c. Screen. To screen is to maintain surveild.Perform Continuous Reconnaissance. Allsecurity forces must perform continuous andlance to the front, flank, or rear of a moving orstationary force, and to provide early warningaggressive reconnaissance. The reconnaissance to this force by observing, reporting, andprovides the security force commander with in- maintaining contact with enemy forces encounformationof enemy forces in his area of re- tered. The screening force will, within its capasponsibilityand enables him to properly posi- bility, impede and harass the enemy by organiction the security force in relation to the force and supporting fires and destroy or repel enbeingsecured and the enemy threat. Recon- emy patrols.naissance provides security from surprise bykeeping the commander of the force being se- 95. Security Forcescured informed of enemy locations and move- A security force may be a covering force,ments, and by maintaining contact with enemy guard force, screening force, or a rear area seforcesthat constitute a threat.curity force, according to the degree of securitye. Maintain Enemy Contact. Once contact required and to its location in relation to thewith the enemy has been gained, it must be force being secured (fig. 3). It may engage in50