SECURITY TASKS IN SUPPORT OF STABILITY

5-80. Area, local, and route security tasks occur within stability environments. Units conducting security in stability settings use the same fundamentals of security as in other situations. (Refer to FM 3-98 for more information.)

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5-81. Cavalry squadron’s screen during stability operations is a task that provides early warning to the main body for follow on operations. The squadron can conduct a screen during stability operations by establishing multiple observation points mounted and dismounted, and or patrols and if augmented, with aerial reconnaissance throughout the BCTs area of operation to monitor activities of interest. (See figure 5-8.) Screening during stability operations is unique because of the nonlinear nature of the stability environment, difficulty identifying adversaries, and clearly identified transitions.

Figure 5-8. Stryker brigade combat team screen, stability

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5-82. Situation: Intelligence reports enemy forces are taking advantage of a porous province security. They are smuggling components in blue bongo trucks to the town of AQQAR. The BCT and division is attempting to develop the situation and uncover the network responsible for producing explosively formed projectile.

Mission: SBCT squadron screens along PL Browns and provincial border from 030400DEC20XX to 060400DEC20XX in order to identify and conduct reconnaissance handover of blue bongo trucks transporting weapons across the provincial border. Execution: Troops will occupy observation posts overwatching prospective NAIs NLT 030400DEC20XX. Order of march from the COP will be A, B and C.

Troops screen along PL Brown and will observe all possible avenues of approach for smuggling routes.

Troops will screen in-depth throughout their zones and be prepared to perform a reconnaissance handover with either UAS or follow on forces. The squadron commander’s security guidance includes the following:

z Focus. The squadron focus for this operation is smuggling networks operating in our sector.

Identifying and reporting blue bongo trucks are necessary in order to maintain a common operational picture.

z Tempo of security. The duration of this operation will be long. Troops maintain the screen line for 72 hours without resupply.

z Engagement/disengagement criteria. Report all suspicious activities and do not detain personnel without authorization. Conduct reconnaissance handover with UAS or adjacent units to determine final destination of target vehicle. No enemy truck will pass through this screen undetected or unreported.

z Displacement criteria. On order, no earlier than72 hours. If required, troops may move to alternate OPs to maintain visual contact.

5-83. Below is another example of squadron planning. The graphic below represents the correlation between BCT commander’s critical information requirement through squadron PIR and troop indictors down to SIRs for platoons. (See figure 5-9.)

Figure 5-9. Information requirements

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5-84. Cavalry squadrons typically conduct a relief in place with either maneuver battalions from the BCT or internally based on duration by troops. (Refer to FM 3-90-2 for more information.)

5-85. A relief in place is an operation in which, by direction of higher authority, all or part of a unit replace in an area by the incoming unit and the responsibilities of the replaced elements for the mission and the assigned zone of operations are transferred to the incoming unit (JP 3-07.3). There are three techniques for conducting a relief: sequentially, simultaneously, or staggered.

5-86. A relief can be either deliberate or hasty. Squadrons conduct both types based on the planning and preparation. Squadron staffs must be agile and adept at planning both hasty and deliberate relief. As squadrons rapidly transition from reconnaissance to security for the BCT, they frequently conduct relief in place with maneuver battalions of the BCT. The squadron must have be able to operate with partial information through platoon level with rapid and parallel planning at all echelons. Troops should be proficient executing with standard operating procedures and minimal information such as mission statement commanders intent, timeline, graphics, and relief unit information. (See figure 5-10.)

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5-87. The squadron secures the area by establishing a presence and conducting reconnaissance tasks throughout the area. Subordinate units establish perimeters around base camps, critical infrastructure, and high-value assets, while other units conduct operations to establish presence, provide security, and assist stability or relief tasks. (Refer to FM 3-98 for more information.)

Figure 5-10. Stryker brigade combat team area security, stability

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5-88. Situation: The local religious minority is marching to their main shrine in the city to celebrate Emilito Rey, their spiritual holiday. Intel reports potential breakdowns in sectarian relations between this group and the majority ethnic group within BRUDU. Suicide bombers are a tactic employed in the past as well as flash mob violence. Social media activity has spiked with this event. Mission: The SBCT squadron conducts area security NLT 051000DEC20XX to protect the religious group from enemy attacks throughout their planned march route. Execution: Troops establish mounted and dismounted checkpoints at key intersections. Other dismounted patrols observe conditions amongst the population and respond to any aggression. Coordination between elements is critical to conduct reconnaissance handover. A Troop is responsible for checkpoints 1 to 4, B Troop is responsible for checkpoints 5 to 7, and C Troop is responsible for checkpoints 8 to 10. The squadron has a Stryker Infantry company under operational control as a quick reaction force. Squadron commander’s security guidance includes the following:

z Focus. Focus your security on crowds along the march route. Orient defensive positions on the group as it moves along the march route.

z Tempo of security. The tempo for this operation is short duration. Plan this operation for six hours.

Establish checkpoints at key intersections and areas that have good observation. Conduct roving patrols to cover dead space between checkpoints.

z Engagement/disengagement criteria. The operation is discrete. Positively identify any enemy elements that attempt to disrupt or attack the crowd and engage according to rules of engagement.

No warning shots authorized.

z Displacement criteria. Displace once the group reaches their shrine and the crowds disperse.

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5-89. Linkup operations, which join two or more friendly forces, complete the encirclement of enemy forces or assist breakouts of an encircled friendly force. Additionally forces linkup to—

z Join an attacking force with a force operating in the enemy’s rear area.

z Make contact with other forces on a noncontiguous battlefield.

z Join reconnaissance elements with the main body.

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5-90. Before commencing a linkup operation, the headquarters elements of the stationary force and linkup force must share information including communications security procedures and graphic overlays consisting of—

z Primary and alternate linkup points.

z Checkpoint and waypoint information.

z Unit disposition and activity (friendly and enemy).

z Locations and types of obstacles.

z Fire control measures including restrictive fire lines and no-fire areas.

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5-91. The stationary and linkup force must maintain positive control during linkup operations to prevent inadvertent fratricidal engagements. They use frequency modulation voice systems as required to share combat information and to identify friend from foe positively. It is imperative that both the linkup and stationary units conduct precombat communications checks before the operation begins.