Tactical Briefing 04: Movement to Contact Page 2

Mutual

Let’s discuss mutual contact. Say for example you have a squad out on patrol, you’re looking for the enemy; the enemy is looking for you. You have your squad broken down into two fire teams, Alpha and Bravo. You’re moving either in an overwatch or bounding overwatch.

As the lead fire team turns a bend or crests a hill, and there in front of you at 50, 100, or 200 meters is an enemy patrol. That patrol sees you and they begin to maneuver for engagement.

The first thing the lead fire team does is go prone. If cover is nearby, and I’m talking within 10 to 15 meters, then feel free to dive for cover. But no matter what — get down. Make yourself harder to hit because bullets will be flying within seconds from this point, if they aren’t already.

The lead fire team then begins to immediately engage the enemy. The fire team leader reports the contact to the squad leader, who should be between the two fire teams. The squad leader then makes an immediate decision on where to send the second fire team for support. If you can’t see, feel free to take a quick peek at your map. Locate where the woods and terrain features are, but don’t waste much time. You have no more than 10 seconds. 5 would be better to order your second fire team to flank left or right. You, as the squad leader can then either move up to support the first fire team, or go with the second fire team on the flank.

You would order the fire team to flank from the best position of cover, or at least concealment. If there is a small decline in the terrain to the left along with some woodland, and on the right side is an open area, then the left side would be best.

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Related posts:

Tactical Briefing 01: Meet the Squad Page 2 Tactical Briefing 02: Formations Page 2 Tactical Briefing 03: Squad and Fire Team Movements Page 2 Tactical Briefing 04: Movement to Contact Tactical Briefing 04: Movement to Contact Page 3 Tactical Briefing 04: Movement to Contact Page 4 Tactical Briefing 04: Movement to Contact Page 5 Tactical Briefing 05: How to Plan and Execute a Squad Sized Assault Page 4