CHAPTER 6: OPFOR Defensive Operations

6-5 FORWARD DETACHMENTS.

    When assuming the defense out of contact with the BLUFOR, an OPFOR division fights its assigned portion of the security zone. This zone may extend 15 to 50 km forward of the main defensive belt. Forward detachments can be employed in the security zone, along with reconnaissance patrols from the divisional reconnaissance and EC battalion. In the defense, the forward detachment has the mission of delaying, disrupting, or destroying the advancing BLUFOR. A division may employ one or two forward detachments, up to reinforced battalions in size. Forces for the forward detachment come from the division's second echelon.

    A forward detachment in the division's portion of the security zone establishes a series of defensive positions sited on BLUFOR main avenues of approach. If the terrain permits, the forward detachment commander positions his companies on a major avenue to provide mutual support. Because they must cover a broad frontage, he usually deploys the battalion in a single echelon with a strong combined arms reserve of up to a company. If there are multiple avenues of approach, he may have to divide the forward detachment to cover them with individual reinforced company positions. He covers gaps or intervening terrain between the company positions with obstacles, reconnaissance patrols, and fires.

    The forward detachment prepares several successive positions, as the terrain and space allow. These positions and the avenues they control receive extensive engineer preparation, including emplacement of obstacles and minefields. Of course, the division commander has to consider the tradeoff in allocating engineer effort. If he allocates more resources to the security zone, then he delays the BLUFOR longer, and gets more time to prepare the main defensive belt. On the other hand, if the commander limits the engineer effort in the security zone, he frees assets to prepare the main defensive belt more quickly or extensively.

    A forward detachment's initial position is the one at the far edge of the security zone. If possible, it is on a favorable natural line; that is, a natural obstacle or defensible terrain. Subsequent positions to the rear are far enough apart to preclude the BLUFOR from engaging one and then another without displacing his indirect fire weapons. They are close enough to allow the forward detachment to maintain coordinated, continuous fires on the BLUFOR while moving from one to another.

    The final position the forward detachment may occupy in the security zone is the forward position, about 4 to 6-km forward of the main defensive belt. Depending on the pressure the forward detachment is receiving from the attacking BLUFOR, it may occupy a prepared forward position, or it may pass through the forward position. In the latter case, companies from first-echelon brigades occupying the forward positions may cover its disengagement and rearward passage of lines. The forward position deceives the BLUFOR about the location of the forward edge of the main defensive area. It receives extensive engineer preparation to assist in this deception.

    The separation of the forward detachment's positions from the division's main defensive belt requires the division commander to place artillery and air defense units in the security zone to support the forward detachment's mission. These forces also occupy prepared and camouflaged positions.

    The forward detachment engages the advancing BLUFOR at long range, initially with the supporting indirect fire assets. It then engages him with direct fire systems as he closes. It may launch local counterattacks if the situation dictates. The object is to strip away the BLUFOR's reconnaissance and force him to deploy to attack the position and to expend indirect fires; this can slow and disorganize his advance. Normally, the forward detachment relocates to a subsequent position rather than become decisively engaged or bypassed. By repeating these actions, the detachment may be able to exhaust and disorganize the BLUFOR before he reaches the main defensive belt. This keeps the BLUFOR from penetrating the defense and makes him vulnerable to counterattacks.

    The division commander expects the forward detachment to defend aggressively. He retains control over its successive redeployment. Without his specific permission, this forward detachment cannot relocate. The commander may need to gain time to permit the establishment of the main defensive belt. If needed, he can require the forward detachment to continue defending its position, even if this means it becomes decisively engaged or encircled.

    If the battle in the security zone is not successful in destroying or halting the attacking BLUFOR, the forward detachment occupies a forward position as a last measure before returning to its parent second-echelon brigade. The OPFOR expects that, even if all goes well, the forward detachment would take losses and would not be at full capability. The forward detachment moves off the BLUFOR main avenue of approach and occupies a forward position in a less-threatened, secondary sector. The BLUFOR, advancing along his main avenue, can still encounter forward positions. These positions are occupied by companies or battalions from the second-echelon brigades and/or combat security outposts of the first-echelon brigades instead of the forward detachment.