Read the file CC6740HW, below. This is a defensive company operation order. You will reference this order to write your platoon operation order. You may also refer to the OSMEAC Guide as well as CC6740REQA, Platoon in the Defense, found below in your Supplemental Readings, to help with some of the finer details of your order. The map is 1:25,000 digital map of the AOR. You may use the map or some other media to show your work, but you must show your work using the correct operational terms and graphics.
Annex A: Platoon Defensive OpOrd example Mission Statement: 1st Platoon, you are the company ME. NLT 28AUG1200R2009, block the enemy platoon south, in the vicinity of the Rawah Bridge, in order to prevent the enemy from interfering with the Bn ME attack to the north. Example Defensive Scheme of Maneuver: On order, we will conduct a platoon battle position in the vicinity of Hill 265 with one main effort and four supporting efforts. The defense will be oriented to the northeast. The ME will occupy the center of the battle position, SE 1 will occupy to the left of the main effort, while SE 2 occupies to the right of the main effort. SE 3 and SE 4 will provide direct fire and obstacle support for the platoon battle position. The platoon will cross the Line of Departure in a platoon column. Order of movement will be the Main Effort followed by SE 1, SE 3, SE 4, then SE 2. The platoon will pass through Checkpoint 27 before consolidating in a 360 at the ORP. In the ORP, the ME will orient from 10-2, SE 1 from 6-10, and SE 2 from 2-6, with 12 o’clock being our direction of movement. In the platoon ORP, SE 3 and SE 4 will remain in the center position of the 360. Departing from the ORP, the leader’s reconnaissance patrol will conduct the reconnaissance in accordance with the priorities stated in coordinating instructions. Upon the return of the leader’s recon, I will pass any refinements in the scheme of maneuver to the squad leaders. O/O the platoon will proceed to the SRP in a platoon column, with the ME followed by SE 3, SE4, SE 1, then SE 2. At the squad release point, the platoon will execute a combination of the Crow’s Foot and the Bent “L” to occupy the BP. Once beyond the SRP, the squads will execute individual Bent “L”s from left to right into their positions. The ME will occupy the primary positions first. Once the main effort is in position, SE 1, SE 2, and SE 3 will depart the SRP and will occupy. SE 4 will occupy last behind the ME. Upon occupation, all elements will stand- to. O/O squads will go to 25% security and begin to execute priorities of work. O/O, SE 1 will provide the first patrol and SE 2 will provide the first LP/OP. Once priorities of work begin, the ME’s first priority is construction of their primary positions. O/O, SE 4 will also commence the implementation of the obstacle plan. O/O, the platoon will execute stand-to within the BP. O/S, the platoon will fire its FPF. O/S, the least engaged unit will occupy supplementary positions. The platoon will be prepared to occupy alternate positions. Example Fire Support Plan: The purpose of my fire support plan is to neutralize the enemy in Engagement Area Reaper in order to prevent the enemy from interfering with Bn ME attack to the north. (In this example, 1st Platoon has priority of fire from the company 60mm mortar section) I have four pre-planned targets: AE 5202 (UT 1234 5678). Suspected enemy avenue of approach. Suppress the enemy IOT turn the enemy platoon towards Engagement Area Reaper. The LP/OP will be the observer and will contact L 3/11 over the artillery conduct of fire net when the enemy’s lead elements cross trigger line red. L battery will fire HE/PD. AE 5203 (UT 1242 5657). Likely enemy overwatch position. Suppress the enemy IOT prevent the enemy from observing their approach into Engagement Area Reaper. The LP/OP will be the observer and will contact the 81mm mortar section over the battalion mortar net when the enemy is spotted IVO of TRP 2. 81mm mortars will fire HE/PD. AE5204 (UT 1258 5795). Enemy avenue of approach into Engagement Area Reaper. Suppress the enemy as they enter the engagement area IOT prevent the enemy’s effective command and control during the engagement. I will be the primary observer and will contact the 81mm mortar Page 29 of 34 section over the battalion mortar net when the enemy’s lead squad crosses trigger line white. 81mm mortars will fire HE/VT. AE5205 (UT 1210 5605). Final Protective Fire. Neutralize enemy assault elements IOT prevent the enemy from assaulting through Engagement Area Reaper. I will be the primary observer and will contact the company 60mm mortar section over the company tac net when the enemy crosses trigger line blue. Company 60mm mortars will fire HE/VT. Patrol leaders will submit a list of targets ISO their patrol routes to me during forward unit coordination for approval prior to departure. Example Tasking Statements: 1st Squad: You are the ME. NLT 1200, block the enemy south in the vicinity of the Rawah Bridge in order to prevent the enemy from interfering with the Bn ME attack to the north. You have one assault squad attached effective immediately. 2d Squad: You are SE 1. NLT 1200 block the enemy south IVO of Rawah Bridge from the east of 1st Squad IOT prevent the enemy from exploiting the eastern flank of the platoon’s main effort. You will provide Marines for the first patrol to depart friendly line approximately 30 minutes after occupation. BPT assume the mission of the main effort. BPT assume the role of least engaged unit. 3d Squad: You are SE 2. NLT 1200 block the enemy south IVO Rawah Bridge from the west of the 1st Squad IOT allow the main effort to fix the enemy in Engagement Area Reaper. You will provide Marines for the first LP/OP, which will be inserted during the leader’s recon. BPT assume the mission of the main effort. BPT assume the role of least engaged unit. MG Squad: You are SE 3 and in general support of the platoon. Refer to B3N4478 Machine Gun Employment Engineer Team: You are SE 4. Utilizing wire and existing obstacles, turn the enemy into Engagement Area Reaper IOT deny the enemy freedom of movement. Also, fix the enemy in Engagement Area Reaper IOT prevent them from closing with the platoon’s primary positions. Priority of obstacle construction goes to obstacles in the engagement area, obstacles forward of the engagement area, and then to supplementary wire and other dummy obstacles. Actively seek opportunities to employ existing obstacles into the plan to maximize our resources. Coordinate with me throughout the course of the operation for security support during obstacle construction. Coordinating Instructions (Not an all-inclusive list): Timeline Leader’s Recon Patrol task organization Priorities of Reconnaissance for Leader’s Recon Method for Marking Squad Release Point Squad BPs Command Post Casualty Collection Point Enemy Prisoner of War Collection Point Latrine Priorities of Work Security Plan Patrol Plan Obstacle Plan Target Precedence Engagement Criteria Immediate Action Drills – Actions on enemy contact during occupation – Actions on enemy contact during departure / re-entry of friendly lines by a patrol. Plan for employment of least engaged unit MOPP Level ROE Platoon Insertion Plan (Air, trucks, AAVs, etc…) Platoon Extraction Plan (Air, trucks, AAVs, etc…) Lost Marine Plan Missing Marine Plan Tactical Control Measures – Assembly Area – Tentative ORP – SRP – Tentative primary defensive position – TRPs (tentative) – Trigger Lines (tentative) – Etc…
Annex B: Step-by-step how to create a fire plan sketch Step Action 1 Determine appropriate scale required for creation of your platoon fire plan sketch. This means determining the dimensions, in meters, of each box on your graph paper. (remember that the ratio of your scale should grow as the FPS progress from FT to Sqd to Plt). 2 Ensure that you know the length of each squad battle position (pace it off to be exact) as well as the attitude of the position. This will allow you to be precise when you place it on the grid lines. (You can also use a GPS to get the 8-10-digit grid for each position, or the left and right most holes for the fire teams/squads sectors. This info can also be used to place the positions on the grid lines.) 3 Use the grid lines available to orient the grids north. Reference the squad fire plan sketches and, based on the attitude and size (measure both with a protractor), draw your ME and both SE squads’ primary positions. Repeat for alternate and supplementary positions as necessary. 4 Draw and label the platoon CP. Your company commander may need this information later on. 5 Use the protractor to measure and draw each squad’s left and right limits (Magnetic Azimuths) using a dotted line Primary Positions Alternate Positions Supplementary Positions Write the azimuth for each sector along its associated line 6 Use the protractor to draw: For Plt – MG PDFs and FPLs; do not include SAW PDFs (You may choose to include some SAW PDFs based on the SAWs’ location in the defense and importance in the overall fire plan.) FPLs are depicted with a bold line for grazing fire; where grazing fire cannot be achieved, the dead space is shown by a thin line. FPLs have a magnetic azimuth For Sqd – SAW and M203 PDFs for each fire team; SAW PDF has magnetic azimuths M203 has magnetic azimuth and range to target/dead-space in meters Write the azimuth for each PDF/FPL along its associated line 7 Annotate key terrain on the sketch (large fingers or draws, roads, steams and large amounts of dead space. Try not to clutter the sketch. Ensure the terrain matches what you see in front of you. (This portion falls under the art of developing the sketch. Try to balance the need for detail with avoiding clutter/confusion on the sketch). Page 32 of 34 8 Draw and number Target Reference Points (TRPs) and trigger lines Are TRPs recognizable? Do they make sense? Do all the Marines know their respective TRPs/trigger lines? 9 Annotate targets (maintain grids to targets on another piece of paper) ensure FPF target is drawn with boxes. Each box is labeled with a number that corresponds to a gun on the gun-line. Annotate whether or not the FPF has been registered. 10 Annotate obstacles. This includes both existing and reinforcing obstacles. (Maintain grids to obstacles on another sheet of paper; this includes early warning devices). 11 Draw Passage Points for patrols. Draw Check Points for patrols if applicable. Draw LP/OPs 12 Complete the marginal information 13 Create a copy of the fire plan sketch. You will keep one and turn the other one over to your company commander. Ensure to update as required.
PLATOON FIRE PLAN SKETCH CHECKLIST 1. Significant terrain annotated on the sketch? a. Streams? b. High Ground? c. Trails? 2. Left and Right Grids and Sector Limits for Squads (Magnetic Azimuths) a. Primary Positions? b. Alternate Positions? c. Supplementary Positions? 3. Center Grid for the Squad position? 4. Left and Right Grids and Sector Limits for the Platoon (Magnetic Azimuths) a. Primary Positions? b. Alternate Positions? c. Supplementary Positions? 5. Center Grid for the Platoon positions? 6. Final Protective Fires for MGs (Principle Direction of Fire – PDF, or Final Protective Line – FPL) and Rockets/ Missiles (Hot/ Cold Positions) a. SAW has magnetic azimuths? b. M240G has magnetic azimuths for PDF/FPL? i. Length of Dead Space annotated? ii. Have you attached copies of the Range Cards to the Sketch? iii. Do you have a copy of the Range Card at the CP? c. Mk153 hot/cold positions marked? i. Have you attached Range Cards to the sketch? ii. Do you have a copy of the Range Card at the CP? d. Vehicles/other attachments marked? i. Grids to positions? ii. Sectors of Fire/PDFs/FPLs marked? iii. Have you attached Range Cards to the sketch? iv. Do you have copies of the Range Cards at the CP? 7. Target Reference Point (TRP) Grids and Descriptions? a. Are TRPs recognizable? b. Do they make sense? c. Marked in Additional Information? 8. OP/LP positions marked? a. Grids? i. Primary? ii. Alt? 9. Targets annotated on sketch? Grids to targets? FPLs noted for all fire support agencies (60mm, 81mm, Arty, NGF) 10. Wire, Natural Obstacles, Claymores, Booby Traps, Trip Flares, etc.? a. Annotated on map in relation to terrain? b. Grid marked in marginal info? 11. IS IT CURRENT? Is it updated for new additions to the defense? Have you changed the date/time group (DTG) to reflect the new changes? Name, Rank, Unit, and DTG on Margin?
