SQUAD AMBUSH
• A surprise attack from a concealed position on a moving or temporarily halted target
Categories Of Ambushes
• Hasty - seize the opportunity
• Deliberate - preplanned, methodical
Types Of Ambushes
• Point – single kill zone
• Area – two or more related point ambushes
Ambush Formations
• Linear – parallel to enemy’s route (flanking fire)
• L-shaped – parallel and perpendicular to enemy’s route (flanking and enfilade fire)
Deliberate Ambush
• Conducted against a specific target at a predetermined location
Point Ambush
• Soldiers deploy to attack an enemy in a single kill zone
Linear Ambush
TL SL TL
Leader Requires Detailed Information
• Size and composition of targeted enemy unit
• Weapons and equipment available to enemy
• Enemy’s route and direction of movement
• Times that the targeted unit will pass specified points along the route
Elements of an Ambush
• Assault – fights across objective, searches enemy dead and wounded, usually main effort
• Support – overwatch assault, heavy fires into kill zone
• Security – early warning, fight counter-attacks, and/or kill or delay enemy reinforcements
Sequence Of Actions
• Security and/or surveillance element positioned first – during leader’s reconnaissance
• If using a support element, put it into position before assault element
• Identify fire team sectors of fire - SL• Identify individual sectors of fire – TL• Emplace Claymores
Sequence Of Actions
• Camouflage positions
• If using a support element in an L-shaped ambush, emplace limiting stakes
SL
TL
KILL ZONE
Leader’s recon goes forward
SL
TL
KILL ZONE
Surveillance element is emplaced and left with a…
…5 POINT CONTINGENCY PLAN
TL SL TL
KILL ZONE
Patrol is brought forward and ambush line is occupied
TL SL TL
KILL ZONE
Normally 50 – 100 meters
If early warning is desired, security element is placed far enough away to provide it
Based on terrain and visibility
Initiation
• Enemy is identified by side security element– SL is signaled (by hand signal, wire, etc)
• SL initiates the ambush
• Most casualty producing weapon
• Command detonated Claymore
• Must plan for backup method of initiation- 2nd most casualty producing weapon
TL SL TL
KILL ZONE
TL SL TL
KILL ZONE
Claymore mines are emplaced and camouflaged
TL SL TL
KILL ZONE
Firing wire is fed back to position
TL SL TL
KILL ZONE
Firing devices are attached and given to Patrol Leader
TL SL TL
Unsuspecting enemy element is approaching…
TL SL TL
Unsuspecting enemy element is approaching…
TL SL TL
Unsuspecting enemy element is approaching…
TL SL TL
BLAMMO!!!!
TL SL TL
TL SL TL
“CEASE FIRE!”
TL SL TL
“CEASE FIRE!”“CEASE FIRE!”
“CEASE FIRE!”
“CEASE FIRE!”
“CEASE FIRE!”
“CEASE FIRE!”
Assault
• Entire ambush must cease fire prior to assault
• SL signals to assault across kill zone
• Bound by teams
• IMT if enemy returns fire during assault
TL SL TL
“ALPHA TEAM ASSAULT!”
TL SL TL
“ALPHA TEAM ASSAULT!”
TL SL
TL
“BRAVO TEAM ASSAULT!”
TL SL
TL
“BRAVO TEAM ASSAULT!”
TL
SL
TL
“ON LINE!”
TL
SL
TL
“LOA!”
TL
SLTL
“LOA!”
Limit Of Advance
• Establish security on far side
• Search teams signaled to begin searching
• Collect and secure EPWs prior to searching bodies
• Search from one side to the other and mark bodies that have been searched
• Use buddy team search technique
Limit Of Advance
• Identify equipment to be carried back
• Collect remaining equipment for destruction
• Demolition teams prepare dual-primed explosives and await the signal to initiate
TL
SLTL
“EPW TEAM!”
The Aid & Litter team is called out if necessary.Utilize two EPW teams if necessary.
TL
SLTL
TL
SLTL
TL
SLTL
TL
SLTL
TL
SLTL
TL
SLTL
ENEMY EQUIPMENT TO BEDESTROYED IS CONSOLIDATED
TL
SLTL
“DEMO TEAM!”
TL
SL
TL
DUAL PRIMED EXPLOSIVECHARGE IS PLACED ON EQUIPMENT
TL
SL
TL
“CHARGE IS READY!”
TL
SL
TL
“BRAVO TEAM BOUND BACK!”
TL
SL
TL
TL
SL
TL
“ALPHA TEAM BOUND BACK!”
SL
TL
TL
SL
TL
SL
TL
SL
TL
“FIRE IN THE HOLE 1!FIRE IN THE HOLE 2!FIRE IN THE HOLE 3!”
SL
TL
Both M-60 fuse igniters are initiated
SL
TL
“BURNING!”“BURNING!”
SL
TL
KA-BOOM!
Withdrawal From Ambush Site
• Elements move to release point then to ORP
• ORP security must be alert and assist patrol in returning
• At ORP- accountability of personnel and equipment prior to move out
DUAL PRIMED EXPLOSIVE CHARGE
C-4
DUAL PRIMED FIRING SYSTEM
BLASTING CAPS
TIME FUSE
M 60 FUSE IGNITERS
DETONATION CORD
DETONATION CORD
DUAL PRIMED FIRING SYSTEM
DETONATION CORD
DUAL PRIMED FIRING SYSTEM
DUAL PRIMED FIRING SYSTEM
DUAL PRIMED CHARGE
C-4