SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
OBJECTIVE
AMBUSH – A surprise attack from a concealed position on a moving or
temporarily halted target.
Planning. The key planning considerations include—
Covering the entire kill zone by fire.
Using existing or reinforcing obstacles (Claymores
and other mines) to keep the enemy in the kill zone.
Protecting the assault and support elements with mines,
Claymores, or explosives.
Using security elements or teams to isolate the kill zone.
Assaulting into the kill zone to search dead and wounded,
assemble prisoners, and collect equipment. (The assault
element must be able to move quickly through its own
protective obstacles.)
Timing the actions of all elements of the platoon to
preclude loss of surprise.
Using only one squad to conduct the entire ambush and
rotating squads over time from the ORP. This technique
RALLY POINT
is useful when
the ambush must be manned for a long time.
TL
AR
R
NOTE: This is a technique
LD and is
LDMETT-TC
LD dependent. Guidance and
direction from higher MUST also be considered during execution.
G
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SL
TL
AR
G
R
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
OBJECTIVE
RALLY POINT
TL
AR
LD
LD
R
LD
G
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SL
TL
AR
G
R
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
OBJECTIVE
- Squad Column Formation
- Traveling Overwatch Mvt. Technique
TL
AR
R
G
SL
TL
AR
G
RALLY POINT
R
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
OBJECTIVE
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
OBJECTIVE
G
ORP
TL
R
SL
G
AR
SECURITY
R
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
GOTWA
TL
SECURITY
AR
SECURITY
SECURITY
5
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
OBJECTIVE
R
TL
SL
R
G
SECURITY
AR
TL
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
RP
Observe/Recon the area to determine
The best location for a KILL ZONE
and the desired support and assault
team locations. Also, note the
routes into and out of the area.
Tasks that may be occurring
-Security
-Prepare for mission exec.
-Line up rucks
G
AR
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
OBJECTIVE
KILL ZONE
R
TL
Observe/Recon the area to determine
The best location for a KILL ZONE
and the desired support and assault
team locations. Also, note the
routes into and out of the area.
RP
SL
G
SECURITY
AR
TL
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
R
Tasks that may be occurring
-Security
-Prepare for mission exec.
-Line up rucks
G
AR
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
OBJECTIVE
KILL ZONE
R
TL
SL
Identify:
-Right limit
-Individual fighting positions
(get in the prone position to
ensure you can see and fire
into the kill zone)
R
G
SECURITY
AR
TL
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
RP
Tasks that may be occurring
-Security
-Prepare for mission exec.
-Line up rucks
G
AR
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
OBJECTIVE
KILL ZONE
R
R
TL
SL
Identify:
-Left limit
-Individual fighting positions
(get in the prone position to
ensure you can see and fire
into the kill zone)
G
SECURITY
AR
TL
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
RP
Tasks that may be occurring
-Security
-Prepare for mission exec.
-Line up rucks
G
AR
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD ATTACK
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
OBJECTIVE
KILL ZONE
R
TL
5
RP
GOTWA
SL
R
G
SECURITY
AR
TL
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
Ensure you indicate where
you want the claymore(s)
to be set up.
Tasks that may be occurring
-Security
-Prepare for mission exec.
-Line up rucks
G
AR
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD ATTACK
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
OBJECTIVE
KILL ZONE
R
5
RP
GOTWA
R
Ensure you indicate where
you want the claymore(s)
to be set up.
SL
G
SECURITY
AR
TL
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
TL
Tasks that may be occurring
-Security
-Prepare for mission exec.
-Line up rucks
G
AR
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD ATTACK
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
OBJECTIVE
KILL ZONE
Tasks that may be occurring
-Security
-Prepare for mission exec.
-Setting up claymore(s)
R
R
RP
SL
G
SECURITY
AR
TL
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
TL
Tasks that may be occurring
-Security
-Prepare for mission exec.
-Line up rucks
G
AR
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
KILL ZONE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
OBJECTIVE
Tasks that may be occurring
-Security
-Prepare for mission exec.
-Setting up claymore(s)
R
R
RP
SL
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
Tasks that may be occurring
-Security
-SL revealing plan to support TL
and other squad members
-Prepare for mission exec.
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
KILL ZONE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
OBJECTIVE
Tasks that may be occurring
-Security
-Prepare for mission exec.
-Setting up claymore(s)
R
R
RP
TL
AR
SL
G
ORP
Support Team needs to be in
position to overwatch the aslt.
team move into position.
Therefore, they depart prior
to the aslt. team (I.e., 1 min).
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
KILL ZONE
OBJECTIVE
R
G
TL
AR
Left limit person can
lead the support team
into position. The TL has
to inspect and validate
positions.
SL
R
RP
TL
AR
G
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
KILL ZONE
OBJECTIVE
R
G
TL
AR
Left limit person can
lead the support team
into position. The TL/SL
has to inspect and validate
positions.
SL
R
RP
TL
AR
G
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
KILL ZONE
Right limit person can
lead the assault team
into position. The TL/SL
has to inspect and validate
positions.
OBJECTIVE
R
G
TL
AR
AR
TL
G
R
SL
Once the AMBUSH is set,
SL calls and reports to higher.
RP
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
KILL ZONE
R
G
TL
AR
AR
TL
G
R
SL
TIME TO PLAY THE WAITING
GAME. ENSURE YOUR
WEAPONS ARE OFF SAFE
ONCE SET. NOISE AND LIGHT
DISCIPLINE ARE KEY. LOOK
FOR AND PASS THE SIGNAL
WHEN THE ENEMY IS/ARE
DETECTED.
RP
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
KILL ZONE
R
G
TL
AR
AR
TL
G
SL
RP
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
R
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
KILL ZONE
R
G
TL
AR
AR
TL
G
SL
RP
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
R
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
KILL ZONE
R
AR
R
G
TL
SL
TL
AR
RP
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
G
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
KILL ZONE
R
AR
TL
G
SL
R
G
TL
AR
RP
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
LOA
AR
G
TL
SL
R
R
G
TL
Activities (may be occurring simultaneously
after SECURITY has been established and
EPW team has searched and secured
any present enemy.)
-ACE
-EPW
-Aid & Liter
-Demo
-Priority Information Requirements (PIR)
-SALUTE/SITREP
AR
RP
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
AR
SL
R
TL
G
R
Execute withdrawal plan
G
TL
AR
-Fire in the hole 1 (Aslt Team leaves)
-Fire in the hole 2 (Spt Team and others leave)
-Fire in the hole 3 (Demo Team leaves)
RP
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
SL
R
R
G
TL
AR
AR
TL
RP
G
Execute withdrawal plan
-Fire in the hole 1 (Aslt Team leaves)
-Fire in the hole 2 (Spt Team and others leave)
-Fire in the hole 3 (Demo Team leaves)
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
Execute withdrawal plan
-Fire in the hole 1 (Aslt Team leaves)
-Fire in the hole 2 (Spt Team and others leave)
-Fire in the hole 3 (Demo Team leaves)
RP
SL
R
AR
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
TL
SECURITY
G
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
Execute withdrawal plan
-Fire in the hole 1 (Aslt Team leaves)
-Fire in the hole 2 (Spt Team and others leave)
-Fire in the hole 3 (Demo Team leaves)
RP
SL
R
AR
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
TL
SECURITY
G
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
RP
1. Consolidate and reorganize
-ACE
-SALUTE
-SITREP
ORP
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
2. Report to higher
SECURITY
RALLY POINT
LD
LD
LD
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SQUAD AMBUSH
FM 7-8, p. 3-20
OBJECTIVE
AMBUSH – A surprise attack from a concealed position on a moving or
temporarily halted target.
Planning. The key planning considerations include—
Covering the entire kill zone by fire.
Using existing or reinforcing obstacles (Claymores
and other mines) to keep the enemy in the kill zone.
Protecting the assault and support elements with mines,
Claymores, or explosives.
Using security elements or teams to isolate the kill zone.
Assaulting into the kill zone to search dead and wounded,
assemble prisoners, and collect equipment. (The assault
element must be able to move quickly through its own
protective obstacles.)
Timing the actions of all elements of the platoon to
preclude loss of surprise.
Using only one squad to conduct the entire ambush and
rotating squads over time from the ORP. This technique
RALLY POINT
is useful when
the ambush must be manned for a long time.
TL
AR
R
NOTE: This is a technique
LD and is
LDMETT-TC
LD dependent. Guidance and
direction from higher MUST also be considered during execution.
G
AA
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
SECURITY
NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
SL
TL
AR
G
R