Tactical Convoy Operations

Tactical Convoy Operations

1. Tactical Convoy Operations
TSgt David Bernal
177
th
Explosives Ordnance
Disposal Flight

2. Learning Objectives
•Gain familiarity with the planning process
associated with convoy operations.
•Review load recommendations for convoy
operations.
•Review basic formations associated with
convoy operations.
•Review the potential hazards associated
with convoy operations in a non-
permissive environment.

3. Welcome to the war!
So you have arrived to the AOR and you are
required to either plan or participate in
convoy operations. The following slides will
address the typical process of receiving an
order to conduct a convoy and identify some
of the planning considerations associated
with convoy operations.

4. Receiving the Order
Troop Leading Procedures (TLPs):
Aprocess utilized by leaders to prepare their
unit for a mission. Many of the things that
need to be done, such as Pre-Combat
Checks (PCCs) and Pre-Combat
Inspections (PCIs) may already be in unit
SOPs as they are fairly standard from
mission to mission.

5. Receiving the Order
In situations where the missions conducted
are similar to each other, such as tactical
convoy operations on known routes, much
of the planning may also be done ahead and
merely updated for each new mission. The
use of SOPs, drills and pre-mission
preparation, will reduce the time required to
prepare for a new assignment particularly
when lead-times are often short.

6. Receiving the Order
•Receive the Mission (AOR C to Unit C)
•Issue Warning Order (Unit C to CC)
•Make the Tentative Plan (CC and TL’s)
•Initiate Movement (TL’s)
•Conduct Reconnaissance (Per AOR)
•Complete the Plan (CC and TL’s)
•Issue Operations Order (CC to Unit)
•Supervise Execution (CC and TL’s)

7. METT-TC Analysis
•Mission
•Enemy
•Terrain (route) & Weather (effects)
•Troops & Equipment (Risk Management)
•Time Available
•Civilians on the Battlefield (Rules of
Engagement)

8. METT-TC Analysis
Based on your analysis, you need to put the
initial plan together:
•Identify the support available to the
mission.
•Finalize task organization (Manifest).
•Review current SOPs and implement any
changes due to unique aspects of the
mission or modifications in enemy TTPs.

9. Backwards Planning Process
The backward planning process is used to
prepare the timeline. Begin with mission
execution time –such as SP time and work
backwards through those things that must
be accomplished. To save time, develop a
standard list of these tasks and have it on a
card enabling you to simply add-in the times
and the time-line is ready.

10. Now we will discuss vehicle placement, load
considerations, and formations associated
with convoy operations.

12. Where should we place our leadership?
Leaders must be located where they can
best command and control the convoy or
their portion of it. Generally a leader should
be centrally located within the order of
march, but may need to maneuver to get to
a vantage point that will allow him/her to get
visibility of the battlefield when required. It is
not recommended that leaders be in the
lead or trail vehicle.

13. Where should we place our medical
support?
Combat Lifesavers, Medics, and Aid and
Litter Teams should be positioned towards
the rear and front of the convoy enabling
them to easily move forward or rearward in
the event they need to render aid. The aid
and litter team should be different than the
combat life saver or medics. Ensure the
designated MEDEVAV vehicle has been
loaded in a manner as to facilitate the rapid
loading and transport of casualties.

14. What is our Signal and Communications
Plan?
Communications and Signals need to be
developed in a manner that can be seen or
heard during a tactical convoy operation.
Factors of engine noise, gunfire, distance,
dust and other things that interfere must be
considered. Always have a primary and
alternate method to communicate both
inside and outside of the convoy (ex. Smoke
or Flares).

15. Vehicle Combat Load Recommendation:
Vehicle Weapon Systems :
M2 (500 rounds -4 Ball, 1 Tracer), M240B
(1600 rounds -4 Ball, 1 Tracer), MK19 (128
rounds), AT4 Rocket Launcher
Ammunition allocation and location needs to
be standardized with both an Individual
Basic Load plus a Vehicle Combat Load.

16. Vehicle Combat Load Recommendation:
Communication/Navigation Equipment:
BFT, PRC152, Paper Map
Additional Equipment:
Electronic Countermeasures (ECM), Vehicle
Recovery Equipment, Large First Aid Kit,
Food, Water, Extra Batteries, etc.

17. Individual Combat Load Recommendation
Weapon Systems:
M16 / M4 -210 rounds (1 Tracer, 2 Ball)
M203 -40 rounds (HE –30, Smoke –10)
M249 -1000 rounds (Preferably in Drums)
Hand Grenades -4

18. What about our Recovery and Maintenance
Plan?
Recovery and Maintenance must be capable
of functioning enroute and under fire. Take a
look at your capabilities, rehearse them, and
ensure every member of the unit is trained
on them. All vehicles should carry commonly
used spare parts with the recovery and
maintenance teams having more parts and
the necessary tools and diagnostic
equipment to conduct recovery and
maintenance.

19. What about our Recovery and Maintenance
Plan?
Self-Recovery -Equipment such as chains,
cables and tow bars. Training to ensure
every individual knows how to do it safely
but quickly. Mission rehearsals must
incorporate recovery into them.

20. What do we do about obstacles?
The preferred method, if bypassing is not
possible, is to push through an obstacle with
a vehicle best capable of moving it out of the
way. Caution must be observed as the
typical reason for blocking a road is to trap
you for another type of attack. If you cannot
proceed or bypass then you need to go to a
rear rally point. Should this be impossible go
into the box formation and prepare to defend
yourself until help can arrive.

21. Formations
Determined by the number of vehicles in
your convoy, the terrain you are traveling in,
and your likelihood of contact. The most
common formation for convoy travel is the
column. The most common formations when
stationary are the column, herringbone, and
box. The most common attack formation in
open terrain is the line.

22. Column

23. Herringbone

24. Box

25. Line

26. Convoys in Civilian Vehicles
(Permissive –Non Combat)
•The planning considerations associated
with military convoys can still apply to
transportation in civilian vehicles. These
considerations will change depending on
your location (OCONUS -Permissive or
Non-Permissive), SOFA Agreement
(Armed/Unarmed), and identified threats.

27. Civilian Vehicle Considerations
•Do you have a first aid kit?
•Do you have vehicle recovery equipment?
•Do you have food or water?
•Do you have a means of communication?
•Do you have a local map?
•Do you know areas where military
personnel are not welcome?
•Do you know the quickest routes to
Hospitals? Police Stations? US Embassy?
If you cant answer these questions, don’t go!

28. Hazards and What If’s
We will now discuss potential hazards that
you may encounter in military or civilian
vehicle convoys. These incidents are based
on actual events that have occurred in
multiple AOR’s.

29. Key
T
T
Neutral Vehicle
Neutral Person
Terrorist Vehicle
Terrorist –
Observer/Controller
Terrorist -Gunman
Hostile Gunfire
Terrorist -Explosion
Friendly Vehicle
B Bandit
Victim Vehicle
(Crime)
Victim (Crime)

30. T
1. Gun teams
initiate ambush
bringing front vehicle
to a halt
T
2. Rear of convoy
attacked by RPG, from
opposite side of road
Convoy Ambush –Gun Fire Initiation
The ambush is initiated by a gunfire, bringing the
convoy to a halt. The terrorists draw the fire to their
side of the road, then a second team attacks by
RPG.

31. Convoy Ambush –Gun Fire Initiation

32. T
2. Gun team engage convoy, drawing
attention to ‘their’ side of the road.
1. IED initiates ambush
halting convoy
T
3. Rear of convoy
attacked by RPG, from
opposite side of road
Convoy Ambush –IED Initiation
This type of ambush has exploited the convoy security details tendency to fix their attention on
the direction of the shooting. On the opposite side of the road, an RPG team waits under cover
before firing a rocket-grenade at the rear vehicle and then escaping.

34. 2. Gunman fires at passing
vehicle before escaping to
waiting car
1. Observer/Controller
gives warning of
approaching vehicles to
gunman
Alley Way Ambush
‘Shoot and Scoot’ style ambush. Observer/Controller warns gun team
of approaching target. The gun team fire a burst at the target before
escaping to waiting get-away vehicle parked nearby. This tactic has
been used in both rural and urban areas.
T
T

35. T
3. When ordered by the controller,
the crowd parts, allowing gunman to
fire, before escaping to waiting car..
Staged Accident Ambush
2. Crowd controlled by activist
1. Car accident is staged
and a crowd gathers.
The target vehicle is forced to stop by a
staged accident. A crowd gathers, hemming
in the target vehicle -the crowd controlled
by an activist. On command, the crowd
parts, allowing a gunman to fire, before
escaping to a waiting vehicle. This tactic has
also been used against security forces
vehicles/ personnel responding to the
accident.
T
T

36. IED
Roadside IED
Roadside IED is hidden at a choke point where target
vehicle is likely to be forced to stop. Observer/Controller,
or terrorist who is to initiate the device is placed in line of
site of ambush site. Initiation may be by command wire
(more suited to rural areas), or by remote.
T
IED’s may be hidden by a variety of methods. Recent
examples have included boxes, bags, drink cans, dead
animals, MRE packs, hollowed out breeze blocks, and
broken down vehicles.

37. Drive-by Shooting

38. Drive-by Shooting
The terrorists follow the target vehicle, overtake, and fire at the target vehicle
as they pass. Another variation allows the terrorists to approach on the front
passenger side, timing the ambush to coincide with their (terrorist) entry onto
the exit lane.

39. T
As target vehicle enters underpass, terrorist waiting on the
overhead parapet drops an IED/Grenade onto roof of vehicle.
Overhead IED
This tactic may also utilize an observer/controller who indicates when the
vehicle is in position and when to drop the device.

40. Rolling Ambush (Choke Point) -Assassination

41. Rolling Ambush (Choke Point)
TT
T
T
T
1
2
3
4
1.Gunmen on an overlooking
vantage point initiate ambush.
2.Blocking vehicle moves behind
convoy as it breaks contact.
3.Roadside gunmen rake vehicles
as they pass.
4.Blocking vehicle moves in front
of convoy to prevent escape
from killing area.

42. Linear Ambush
TTTT 1
2
3
5
4
1.Observer/Controller vehicle follows convoy in order to identify it and call forward to
rest of assassination team.
2.Blocking vehicle moves into inside lane and brakes –slowing down traffic, allowing
convoy to overtake (3) move into clear space (4).
3.Convoy moves into clear space.
4.Convoy moves into killing area, gunmen on side of road rake convoy.
5.Blocking vehicle moves into middle lane preventing escape.

43. Robbery or Kidnapping –Single Vehicle Victim

44. Robbery or Kidnapping –Single Vehicle Victim

45. Robbery or Kidnapping –Single Vehicle Victim
1a 2a
1a
2a
The target vehicle is forced to slow down by the vehicle in front (1a), usually a heavy
vehicle. This allows the bandits in the vehicle behind (2a) to overtake, shooting out the
target vehicle’s tyres to force it to stop. The occupants of the target vehicle are then robbed
at gunpoint and abandoned, or abducted.
The target vehicle is forced to stop by a large vehicle blocking the road (1b). The
bandits in the vehicle behind (2b) then block any escape, and then the occupants of the
target vehicle are robbed at gunpoint and abandoned, or abducted.
B
B B

46. Robbery or Kidnapping –Multi Vehicle
1a 1b
1c
2b
Three or more bandit vehicles select convoy for attack. Lead vehicle (1a) overtakes convoy,
whilst second (1b) comes alongside signalling convoy to stop by brandishing weapons (firing at
wheels of any vehicle that fails to pull over, sometimes into cab). Third bandit vehicle (1c)
provides back-stop.
With convoy halted, the bandits from the middle vehicle (2b) conduct robbery, forcing
occupants to leave their vehicles at gunpoint. Valuables will be taken from victims. Bandits from
the second vehicle may also drive off with selected vehicles. The lead (2a) and rear (2c) bandit
vehicles provide stop-groups. Kidnap scenario as well.
B
B
B
B
BB
BB

47. Takeaways
•It is recommended that leaders implement
and enforce Pre-Combat Checks and Pre-
Combat Inspections to ensure that they
are properly equipped to conduct a convoy
(Military or Civilian)
•Leaders need to utilize METT-TC Analysis
during the mission planning process.
•Leaders should utilize the Backwards
Planning Process.

48. Lessons Learned

49. Questions???