Convoys
 Introduction
 Convoy Organization and
Planning
 Non Tactical convoys must
adhere to all state and consider
federal regulations:
 Weights
 Ammunition / Weapons
Security.
 Hazardous Materials POL’s
Convoys
 Overweight / Wide Loads.
 Begin Planning - Use the
acronym METT / TSL.
 Mission - gives the desired
convoy objectives or results.
 Enemy:
- Enemy poses no threat Security takes a low priority.
- Enemy poses a threatAvailable security forces and
Fire support take high priority.
Convoys
 Terrain - must be considered
when choosing the route.
 Troops / Fire support security forces availability.
 Time - make use of all time
available.
 Space - relates to the
distance the convoy will cover.
Convoys
 Logistics - two basic types
used for convoys:
- Tactical Convoy Assumes that enemy contact is
possible.
- Administrative Convoy Enemy contact is unlikely.
Convoys
 Orient all subordinate leaders
using the five paragraph order.
 Situation:
- Friendly Forces.
- Support Units.
- Enemy Situations.
 Mission:
- Type of Cargo.
- Origin.
- Destination.
Convoys
 Execution:
- General organization of
convoy.
- Time schedule.
- Routes.
- Convoy speed.
- Vehicle distance / Speed.
- Checkpoints.
- Accidents / breakdown.
- Separation from convoy.
Convoys
- Action of the convoy /
security forces in the event of
attack.
 Admin and Logistics.
- Cargo loading and
unloading.
- Control of personnel.
NOTE: PROCEDURES AND
PRIORITIES OF HANDLING
DETAINEES, WOUNDED
AND A PLAN FOR MEDIVAC.
Convoys
- Cargo security.
- Uniform and Equipment.
- Billeting Arrangements.
- Refueling and servicing
vehicles.
- Vehicle recovery.
- Off load instructions.
 Command and Signal.
- Location or position of
leaders and key personnel.
Convoys
- Succession of command.
- Action of security forces
commander.
- Arm and hand signals.
- Radio frequencies and call
signs for all key personnel.
 Safety:
- Hazards of route.
- Defensive driving
- Weapons safety / security.
Convoys
 Convoy Commanders
Primary responsibilities.
 Issues Orders.
- Creates convoy and
operations orders.
- Assigns appropriate
subordinate leaders.
 Tactical Vehicle Loading.
- Must provide space for
security forces and vehicle
reinforcements.
Convoys
- Provision will sacrifice
cargo space and affect load
calculations.
- Requires spread loading of
critical cargo.
- Request escort vehicles if
available.
Convoys
 Administrative vehicle
Loading.
- Requires Convoy
Commander to use logistical
skills.
- Utilize all cargo capacity.
 Convoy staging.
- Top off fuel.
- Pre stage vehicles in a
guarded area prior to departure
Convoys
- Place in desired order of
march (dispersed accordingly).
- Camouflaged while in
assembly area.
NOTE: IF A SECURITY FORCE
COMMANDER HAS BEEN
ASSIGNED, THEY SHOULD BE
DEVELOPING PLANS
ACCORDINGLY. CONVOY
COMMANDER CAN ASK
RECOMMENDATIONS ON
PLACEMENT OF SECURITY
AND ESCORT VEHICLES PRIOR
TO VEHICLE STAGING.
Convoys
 Conduct briefing.
- Convoy commander must
continuously brief
subordinates.
- Keep subordinates
updated on the enemy and
immediate logistical situations
NOTE: THIS INCLUDES
BRIEFING THE DRIVERS ON
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS IN
RESPONSE TO ENEMY
ACTIONS
Convoys
 Route Reconnaissance.
 If possible - Convoy
commander should conduct a
physical reconnaissance of the
route(s) prior to departure.
- Best method - Fly the
route.
- Next Best - Drive the
route.
- At a minimum a thorough
map recon should be done.
Convoys
 Check S-2 for updates on
recent enemy sightings.
 If a physical reconnaissance
can be done:
- Convoy Commanders
primary personnel will
accompany.
- Ensures a good decision
on timing, speed, and order of
march.
Convoys
- Alternate routes must be
identified.
- Danger areas and
roadblocks should be recorded
as well.
 Tactical Vehicle Preparation.
 Vehicles are designed and
configured around logistical
considerations.
Convoys
 Vehicles must be modified
and or reinforced to weather
enemy action.
 Alter existing equipment;
remove or secure the
following:
- Canvas and bows.
- Straps across the rear.
- Lower or remove
windshield.
Convoys
- All reflecting surfaces
should be taped or removed.
- Tape over headlights.
 Harden vehicles against the
effects of the enemy using
sandbags.
NOTE: SANDBAGS
PROVIDE PERSONNEL
PROTECTION ONLY.
Convoys
- Driver compartment:
Floor and seat with double
interlocked layers.
NOTE: DRIVERS
COMFORT AND ABILITY
TO CONTROL VEHICLE
MUST BE CONSIDERED.
- Hood, and fender wells to
protect personnel from the
effects of mines.
Convoys
NOTE: BLAST AND
FRAGMENTATION
VECTORED UPWARDS
CAN EASILY PENETRATE
THIN METAL AT THOSE
POINTS.
- External fuel tanks and
batteries: Cover to contain
flames and spraying acid.
- Truck bed; Double
interlocking layers.
Convoys
NOTE: SANDBAGS CAN
CAUSE FRAGMENTATION
THROUGH SANDBLAST.
THIS CAN BE PREVENTED
BY COVERING BAGS WITH
RUBBER MATTING OR ANY
OTHER STURDY
EQUIVALENT.
- Sides of truck bed; Stack
to provide lateral protection.
Convoys
 Mounted Security Force.
 Squad Leader / Vehicle
Commander.
- Position where best
control of the vehicle / troops
can be obtained.
- Preferred location;
Immediately to rear of cab in
truck bed.
Convoys
 Assistant Driver, in ambush
or other enemy action.
- Will remain in vehicles
vicinity.
- Assists the driver in
providing vehicle security.
 Sentries
- Armed with M203 or
Service rifle on automatic.
- Stationed at each corner of
vehicle.
Convoys
- Collective role; Provide a
360 degree arc of observation.
- Return suppression fire
immediately, in case of enemy
contact.
 Air / Sniper Sentinel.
- Close to vehicle
commander.
- Scans sky and high ground
- Provides warning of
sniper or air attack.
Convoys
 Attached machine gunner.
- Augment to security force.
- On board vehicle; gunner
positioned in the center of bed,
facing the rear.
- Position allows gunner to
fire to the rear.
- Provides good lateral
protection and quick exit.
Convoys
 Remaining Squad Members
- Face outboard.
- Split between port and
starboard sides of vehicle.
- Assist in observation.
- Return fire when directed.
 Additional areas Convoy and
Security Commanders must
consider.
 Communications
Convoys
- Rarely will every vehicle
have a radio.
- If a security force is
designated, a radio goes with
the force.
- Various type nets should
be requested for fire support
assets available.
- Obtain information that
will cover all units whose
zones the convoy will move
through.
Convoys
 Fire support.
- Rear area will be covered
by a target list.
- If not; Submit a list to
FSC of targets that address
enemy locations or possible
ambush sites.
- Contact FSC if moving
out of unit’s area, to process
and coordinate fire support
request.
Convoys
 Ambush Instructions:
 Before ambush.
- Be alert for changes in
familiar scenes along route.
- Expect ambush upon
demolition of mines,
automatic weapons fire, and
heavy sniper fire.
Convoys
 During ambush.
- Notify security force by
radio call using pre-arranged
signals.
- Continue moving,
maintain vehicle distance if
possible.
- If disabled steer off the
road to allow passage of other
vehicles.
Convoys
- If disabled while moving
through kill zone, mount a
passing vehicle.
- Don’t enter a kill zone if it
can be avoided.
- Provide flanking support
fire into kill zone.
- Security vehicles; Apply
maximum base of fire, FIGHT
AS A TEAM, and deploy upon
command.
Convoys
- Prime targets: Enemy
automatic weapons, mortars,
rocket positions and assaulting
ground forces.
 After ambush.
- Protect and care for
wounded, MEDEVAC, ASAP.
- After contact has been
broken, reopen roadway
insuring it is free of mines.
Convoys
- Do not attempt to remove
mines, mark mines and contact
EOD.
- Provide flank security
while convoy passes through
area.
- When contact is broken,
do not give chase.
- Stay alert for counter
attack.
- Remember details.
Convoys
 Convoy Defense Techniques.
 Snipers.
- Do not stop, if anything
speed up.
- If wind conditions allow,
throw smoke to screen enemy
observation.
- Sentries can return fire in
general direction to suppress
sniper.
Convoys
- Escort vehicle or FO’s can
bring suppressive fires.
- Convoy Commander
should immediately inform
higher headquarters.
 Air attack:
- Shoot at attacking aircraft
using all available weapons.
- Put up large volumes of
fire, accuracy is not important,
volume!
Convoys
- Fire at nose of aircraft.
- Take cover if you have
time.
- Lie on your back if caught
in the open.
- Mounted crew serve
weapons should aim slightly
above the aircraft’s nose for
head on targets.
Convoys
 Ambush (Road not blocked,
Hasty Ambush)
- Vehicle caught in the kill
zone, continue to move until
clear, find cover and
concealment, stop and
dismount.
- Vehicle which has not
entered the kill zone, find
cover and concealment, stop
short and dismount.
Convoys
- Vehicles caught in kill
zone that become disabled,
conduct a vehicle unloading
drill.
NOTE: DEPENDING ON
SITUATION DISMOUNTED
TROOP PROVIDE
SUPPRESSIVE FIRE ON
ENEMY OR ASSAULT
THROUGH ENEMY
POSITIONS.
Convoys
- Escort vehicles, find
positions to return suppressive
fire, this will support
maneuver of security forces.
- Security forces maneuver
and assault based on rehearsals
or frag orders.
- Indirect fire and / or air
strikes are called in on fleeing
or fighting enemy.
Convoys
 Ambush (Road blocked,
deliberate ambush)
- Vehicle which has not
entered kill zone, find cover
and concealment, stop short
and dismount.
- Vehicle trapped or blocked
in kill zone, after conducting
vehicle unloading drill, assault
or return fire as a base of fire.
Convoys
- Escort vehicles find
positions to return suppressive
fire, this will support
maneuver of Security forces.
- Security forces maneuver
and assault from outside kill
zone based on rehearsals or
frag order.
- Indirect fire and / or air
strikes are called in on fleeing
or fighting enemy.
Convoys
 Rehearse Actions at Danger
Areas.
- Stress simplicity,
aggressiveness, and rapid
execution.
- Use small unit tactics,
battle drills, and patrolling
techniques.
- Counter ambush
techniques when needed.
Convoys
 Direct Combat Loading of
Equipment and Personnel.
- Objective Area:
Equipment needed to
accomplish mission.
- En route: Equipment
which enables or assists in
reaching its objective.
- Routine: Equipment
carried by all members.
Convoys
- Control: Equipment used
in assisting the Convoy or
Security Commander
controlling the convoy while
moving and during actions at
objective areas.
- Water and food specified
by Convoy or Security
Commander.
Vehicle Hardening
Vehicle Hardening
Vehicle Hardening
Security Vehicle
R-1
40
SL
R-2
C
R-1
R-1
R-2
Security Vehicle
Convoys