PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF DEFENSIVE
TACTICS
forward defense area, and the reserve area. Each
Seabee battalions are primarily a defensive
of these areas is allocated forces and fires as a part
unit during combat and must consider the
of the complete defense plan (fig. 4-1).
planning of defensive tactics as top priority. Poor
planning of defensive tactics will not only
Security Area
endanger the battalion but will also endanger all
other units involved with the operation. Other
The battalion security area begins at the FEBA
units assigned to the theater of operation depend
or the defensive perimeter and normally extends
on Seabee units to defend their area of
500 meters to the front and to the flanks of the
responsibility. Defensive operations for Seabee
battalion. Depending on where battalion security
battalions include those actions taken for
elements are used, this area can be increased.
destroying or trapping a hostile force, denying an
Seabee forces in the security area include the
enemy access to an area and reducing the
listening post, the observation post, and the
capabilities of the enemy. The goal is to
patrols that furnish information about the enemy;
accomplish these actions with minimum or no
delay, deceive, and disrupt the enemy as much as
losses to the battalion. This chapter covers in
possible. Division forces, operating deep in the
depth the concept of defense, the fundamentals of
security area (beyond 500 meters), will consist of
defense, the types of defense, and the platoon,
general outposts (GOPs), combat outposts, flank
squad, and fire team defensive positions. Also
security forces, division aerial surveillance
covered are the crew-served weapons employment,
elements, and patrols. As a platoon commander or
the platoon fire plan, and the company fire plan.
patrol leader, you must be aware of all forces
Although this chapter speaks mainly of defensive
operating in the security area.
tactics for a Seabee battalion, Seabee units can
also implement the context of this chapter.
CONCEPT OF DEFENSE
In the defense, the defender takes every
opportunity to seize the initiative and to destroy
the enemy. The defender seizes the initiative by
forcing the enemy to react in conformity with the
defensive plan of the battalion and exploiting the
enemy weaknesses. As a platoon commander or
assistant company commander, it is important for
you to know how the defensive plan relates to the
overall defensive operation. Seabees are required
to set up a defensive perimeter or, in extreme
cases, defend the Forward Edge of the Battle Area
(FEBA). The defensive tactics used in each case
are similar.
NOTE: For simplicity purposes the defensive
perimeter or the defensive lines will be referred to
as the FEBA.
DEFENSIVE AREAS
defensive areas, established at the defensive
perimeter or FEBA, include the security area, the
Figure 4-1.--Battalion defensive areas.
