CHAPTER 6: OPFOR Defensive Operations

6-11 WITHDRAWAL or disengagement actions.

    A withdrawal or disengagement by the OPFOR takes place due to unfavorable conditions following an offensive, while in a defense, or during a meeting engagement when it is determined that the BLUFOR has gained the tactical advantage.

    a. Features of a Withdrawal.

• OPFOR mechanized and armor companies will most often execute a withdrawal as a part of a battalion. The company may be the battalion rear guard or part of main body, but it can also act independently.

• The OPFOR will execute a withdrawal based on the losses sustained by the OPFOR. For example, a company will need to sustain a minimum of 20% in losses in the defense or 30% in the offense.

• Typically the withdrawal will take place at night or under obscure weather conditions to provide cover for the moving force. However, BLUFOR pressure is the critical trigger to execute a withdrawal.

    b. Types of Withdrawal.

        (1) Forced. The forced withdrawal is done under overwhelming BLUFOR pressure, or when the holding of a defensive position is no longer possible.

        (2) Deliberate. The deliberate withdrawal is conducted when the commander realizes that his forces are in an unfavorable situation. Before the BLUFOR is able to take advantage of this, he will move to a more favorable position. This type of withdrawal can also be done with the idea of reinforcing a sector that has been weakened, or to lead the BLUFOR into a fire sack.

    c. Engineer Support in the Withdrawal. Prior to a deliberate withdrawal, engineers will establish minefields in front of the new defensive positions. Engineers will mark corridors through which the withdrawing troops may move. If the OPFOR expects BLUFOR contact, the engineers may place minefields after the withdrawal is completed.

    d. Covering Force in a Withdrawal. The OPFOR will designate covering force, withdraw routes, collection points, final assembly area and time of the withdrawal. The covering force has the mission to deceive the BLUFOR and to cover the initial withdrawal of the main body. A covering force is composed of units deployed along the forward edge of the defensive area, typically reinforced platoons from each of the forward-deployed companies.

        (1) If the company is designated to be the rear security for the battalion or brigade: The company will have been a second-echelon company of the battalion or a company in the second-echelon battalion of the brigade, therefore, it will not be in direct contact with the BLUFOR at the time the withdrawal begins. Its mission is to prevent the breakthrough of the BLUFOR during the withdrawal of the main body of the battalion or brigade. The OPFOR should reinforce the company with a mechanized infantry platoon, an engineer platoon, and an artillery battery.

        (2) If the company is attacked by the BLUFOR during the execution of the withdrawal and the covering force or rear security company cannot contain them, the OPFOR will go into a temporary defensive position and begin to execute a defense. The company must be prepared to respond to BLUFOR fire.

        (3) If the company is going to withdraw as a part of the battalion the company commander designates a covering force. This force is made up of one platoon from the first echelon of the defense and one squad of mechanized infantry (if available).

    The OPFOR will designate all withdrawal routes for the remaining elements from their current positions to the platoon collection point. The platoon collection point is located to the rear of the second echelon platoon and it is an area where the company commander can place all of his subordinate elements, minus the covering force, into a company formation and move as a company to the new line of deployment or assembly area.