Squad Sector Sketch. Each squad leader prepares a sector sketch to help him plan his defense and control fire. The squad leader prepares two copies of the sector sketch. He gives one to the platoon leader and keeps the second at his position. The SOP should state how soon after occupying the position the leader must forward the sketch. The sketch shows the following:
•Squad and platoon identification.
•Date/time group.
•Magnetic north.
•The main terrain features in his sector of fire and the ranges to them.
•Each primary fighting position.
•Alternate and supplementary positions.
•The primary and secondary sectors of fire of each position.
•Maximum engagement line.
•Machine-gun FPLs or PDF.
•Dragon positions with sectors of fire.
•The type of weapon in each position.
•Observation posts and the squad leader’s position.
•Dead space to include coverage by grenade launchers.
•Location of night vision devices (NVGs).
•Obstacles, mines, and booby traps.
Platoon Sector Sketch. The platoon leader checks range cards and squad sector sketches. If he finds gaps or other flaws in his fire plan, he adjusts the weapons or sectors as needed. If he finds any dead space, he takes steps to cover it with mines, grenade-launcher fire, or indirect fire. He then makes two copies of his platoon sector sketch—one for his use and the other for the company commander. His sketch shows the following:
•Squad sectors of fire.
•Machine-gun and antiarmor weapon positions and their sectors of fires, including FPLs and PDFs of the automatic rifles and machine guns and TRPs for the antiarmor weapons.
•MELs for antiarmor weapons.
•Mines (Claymores) and obstacles.
•Indirect fire planned in the platoon’s sector of fire (targets and FPF).
•OPs and patrol routes, if any.
•Platoon CP.
•Platoon/company identification.
•Date/time group.
•Magnetic north.
•Location of CCP.
•Location of NVDs/thermal sights that are part of the limited-visibility security plan.
•Adjustments during limited visibility to maintain coverage of assigned TRPs.
Establishment of Command Post and Wire Communications
The platoon CP is set up where the platoon leader can best see and control his platoon. If he cannot see the entire platoon sector from one place, he sets up where he can see and control the main effort. He then sets up an alternate CP where the platoon sergeant can see and control the rest of the platoon.
In the defense, the platoon CP ties in to the company wire net with a field telephone. Wire is the primary means of communications between the platoon leader and squad leaders. The platoon has its own radio net, and the platoon leader also uses messengers, visual signals, personal contact, or whistles to communicate.
Weapons and Soldier Placement
To position weapons effectively, leaders must know the characteristics, capabilities, and limitations of the weapons; the effects of terrain; and the tactics used by the enemy. Additionally, the platoon leader must consider whether his primary threat will be vehicles or infantry. His plan should address both mounted and dismounted threats.
Javelin (Antiarmor) Employment. The Javelin’s (or antiarmor weapon such as the older M-47 Dragon) primary role is to destroy enemy armored vehicles. When there is no such enemy, the Javelin can be employed in a secondary role of providing fire support against point targets such as crew-served weapons positions. In addition, the Javelin’s command launch unit (CLU) can be used alone as an aided vision device for reconnaissance, security operations, and surveillance. Reduced or limited visibility will not degrade the effectiveness of the Javelin. This fact allows the antiarmor specialist to continue to cover his sector without having to reposition closer to the avenue of approach.
M240B and M249 Machine-Gun Employment. The M240B and M249 machine guns are the platoon’s primary crew-served weapons and are positioned first if the enemy is a dismounted force. Once these guns are sited, the leader positions riflemen to protect them. The guns are positioned to place direct fire on locations where the platoon leader wants to concentrate combat power to destroy the enemy. Each gun is usually given a primary and secondary sector of fire. These sectors should overlap each other and those of adjacent platoons (if possible). Additionally, the platoon leader will designate FPLs and/or FPF. Each machine gun’s primary sector includes an FPL (if terrain allows) or a principal direction of fire (PDF).
The FPL is a line along which grazing fire—no more than 1 meter above the ground—is placed to stop an assault. The FPL is fixed in elevation and direction. A soldier walks the FPL to find dead space. The gunner watches the soldier walking the line and marks spaces that cannot be grazed; this dead space is then covered with obstacles, grenade-launcher fire, or mines.
When the terrain does not lend itself to an FPL, the platoon leader assigns the machine gun a PDF to cover an area that provides good fields of fire or has a likely avenue of approach. The gun is laid on the FPL or the PDF unless engaging other targets. When FPFs are called for, the gunner shifts to and engages on the FPL or PDF.
FPFs are prearranged barriers of indirect fires used to defeat the assaulting enemy unit as soon as possible after it moves into its assault formation. The FPF can be anywhere between the forward position of the friendly unit and the enemy’s assault position, which is normally just out of range of the platoon’s organic weapons. The FPF should be used only to stop an enemy assault. On signal, the FPF is fired continuously until the order is given to stop or the mortar or artillery unit runs out of ammunition. All other platoon weapons fire while the FPF is being fired.
M203 Grenade Launcher Employment. The M203 grenade launcher is the squad leader’s indirect-fire weapon. He positions it to cover dead space in the squad’s sector, especially the dead space for the M240Bs and M249s. The grenadier is also assigned a sector of fire overlapping the riflemen’s sectors of fire. The high-explosive, dual-purpose (HEDP) round is effective against lightly armored enemy vehicles.
Employment of Riflemen
The platoon and squad leaders assign positions and sectors of fire to each rifleman in the platoon. Normally, they position the riflemen to support and protect the machine guns, SAWs, and antiarmor weapons. Riflemen also are positioned to cover obstacles, provide security, cover gaps between platoons and companies, or provide observation.
Coordination
Coordination is important in every operation. In the defense, coordination ensures that units provide mutual support and interlocking fires. In most circumstances, the platoon leader conducts face-to-face coordination to facilitate understanding and to resolve issues. The platoon leader should send and receive the following information prior to conducting face-to-face coordination:
•Location of leaders.
•Location of primary, alternate, and supplementary positions and sectors of fire of machine guns, antiarmor weapons, and sub-units.
•Route to alternate and supplementary positions.
•Location of dead space between platoons and squads and how to cover it.
•Location of OPs and withdrawal routes back to the platoon’s or squad’s position.
•Location and types of obstacles and how to cover them.
•Patrols to be conducted, including their size, type, times of departure and return, and routes.
•Location, activities, and passage plans for scouts and other units forward of the platoon’s position.