STAY-BEHIND OPERATIONS
Stay-behind operations can be used as part of defensive or delay missions. In the defense, once the enemy’s combat units have passed, his weakest point (CS and CSS units) can be attacked. The two types of stay-behind operations are unplanned and deliberate.
Unplanned. An unplanned stay-behind operation is one in which a unit finds itself cut off from other friendly elements for an indefinite time without specific planning or targets and must rely on its organic assets.
Deliberate. A deliberate stay-behind operation is one in which a unit plans to operate in an enemy-controlled area as a separate yet cohesive element for a certain amount of time or until a specified event occurs. A deliberate stay-behind operation requires extensive planning. Squads, sections, and platoons conduct this type of operation as part of larger units.
Planning
The most important troop-leading procedures (TLP) that apply to stay-behind operations are task organization, reconnaissance, and combat service support.
Task Organization. The stay-behind unit includes only the soldiers and equipment needed for the mission. It needs minimal logistics support and can provide its own security. It must be able to hide easily and move through restrictive terrain.
Reconnaissance. This is the most important aspect in a stay-behind operation. Reporting tasks and information requirements can include suitable sites for patrol bases, hide positions, OPs, caches, water sources, dismounted and mounted avenues of approach, kill zones, EAs, and covered and concealed approach routes.
Combat Service Support. Because the stay-behind unit will not be in physical contact with its supporting unit, supplies of rations, ammunition, radio batteries, water, and medical supplies are cached. Provisions for casualty and enemy prisoner of war (EPW) evacuation depend on the company and battalion plans.
AIR ASSAULT OPERATIONS
Infantry platoons may be required to participate in air assault operations as part of the tactical plan. The platoon has the ability to be airlifted as part of a larger operation. The battalion is the lowest level with sufficient personnel to plan, coordinate, and control an air assault. When company-size or smaller unit operations are conducted, the planning takes place at battalion or higher headquarters.
Ground Tactical Plan
The foundation of a successful air assault operation is the commander’s ground tactical plan, around which subsequent planning is based. The ground tactical plan specifies actions that must be performed in the objective area and addresses subsequent operations. The ground tactical plan contains essentially the same elements as any other infantry attack plan but capitalizes on speed and mobility to achieve surprise.
Landing Plan
The landing plan must support the ground tactical plan. This plan sequences elements into the areas of operations (AOs) to ensure that platoons arrive at designated locations and times prepared to execute the ground tactical plan. The following should be taken into account in the landing plan:
•The availability, location, and size of potential landing zones (LZs) are overriding factors.
•The company is most vulnerable during landing.
•Elements must land with tactical integrity.
•Troops are easily disoriented if the landing direction changes and they are not kept informed.
•The company must be prepared to fight in any direction after landing, since there may be no other friendly troops in the area.
•The landing plan should offer flexibility so that a variety of options is available in developing a scheme of maneuver.
•Supporting fires (artillery, attack helicopters, close air support, and naval gunfire) must be planned in and around each LZ.
•Although the objective may be beyond the range of supporting artillery fire, artillery or mortars can be brought into the LZs early to provide fire support for maneuver troops.
•Resupply and medical evacuation by air must be provided for.
Selection of Landing Zones. Each LZ is selected using the following criteria:
•Location. It can be located on, near, or away from the objective, depending on METT-TC.
•Capacity. The size determines how much combat power can be landed at one time and the need for additional LZs or separation between serials.
•Alternates. An alternate LZ should be planned for each primary LZ to ensure flexibility.
•Enemy disposition and capabilities. Consider enemy troop concentrations, air defenses, and their capability to react when selecting an LZ.
•Cover and concealment. LZs are selected that will deny enemy observation and acquisition of friendly ground and air elements while they are en route to or from (and in) the LZ. Depending on METT-TC, the LZ and approaches should be masked from the enemy by terrain features.
•Obstacles. If possible, the company should land on the enemy side of obstacles when attacking, and at other times use the obstacles to protect LZs from the enemy. LZs must be free of obstacles. Engineers must be part of the task organization for contingency breaching of obstacles.
•Identification from the air. LZs should be easily identifiable from the air. If pathfinder support or friendly reconnaissance units are present, they should mark the LZ with chemical lights, preferably of the infrared type, if the assault troops wear night vision goggles.
•Approach and departure routes. Approach and departure routes should avoid continued flank exposure of aircraft to the enemy.
•Weather. Reduced visibility or strong winds may preclude or limit the use of marginal LZs.
Single Versus Multiple Landing Zones. In addition to deciding where to land in relation to the objective, consideration is given to the use of a single LZ or multiple LZs. The following are the advantages of using a single LZ:
•Allows concentration of combat power.
•Facilitates control of the operation.
•Concentrates supporting fire.
•Provides better ground security for subsequent lifts.
•Requires fewer attack helicopters for security.
•Makes it more difficult for the enemy to detect the operation by the reduced number of flight routes in the operation area.
•Centralizes any required resupply efforts.
•Concentrates efforts of limited LZ control personnel and engineers on one LZ.
•Requires less planning and rehearsal time.
The following are the advantages of using multiple LZs:
•Avoids grouping assets in one location and creating a lucrative target for enemy fire.
•Allows for rapid dispersal of ground elements to accomplish tasks in separate areas.
•Reduces the enemy’s ability to detect and react to the initial lift.
•Forces the enemy to fight in more than one direction.
•Reduces the troop and aircraft congestion that can occur on one LZ.
•Makes it difficult for the enemy to determine the size of the air assault force and the location of supporting weapons.
Air Movement Plan
The air movement plan is based on the ground tactical and landing plans. It specifies the schedule and provides the instructions for air movement of soldiers, equipment, and supplies from LZs and pickup zones (PZs).
Loading Plan
The loading plan is based on the movement plan. It guarantees that soldiers, equipment, and supplies are loaded on the correct aircraft and that platoon integrity is maintained. Cross-loading of essential personnel and equipment is imperative to ensure survivability of C2 assets and to ensure that the mix of personnel and weapons arriving at the LZ is ready to fight. The platoon leader or squad leader should always check the aircraft is loaded so that dismounting soldiers react promptly. The platoon leader must have a bump plan, which ensures essential soldiers and equipment are loaded ahead of less critical loads in case of aircraft breakdown or other problems.