DEFENSE

SGT ALAMEEN
ADP 3-90
 PURPOSES OF THE DEFENSE
• Create conditions for a counteroffensive
• Retain decisive terrain
• Deny a vital area to the enemy
• To attrit or fix the enemy as a prelude to an
offense
• Force the enemy to concentrate his forces
 TYPES OF DEFENSIVE
• Area defense: The area defense is a type of defensive
operation that concentrates on denying enemy forces access
to designated terrain for a specific time rather than destroying
the enemy outright.
• Mobile defense: Repelling an attack by the use of
counter-attacks / strike force, fixing force
• Retrograde: Defensive operation that involves organized
movement away from the enemy / delay, withdrawal, and
retirement
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DEFENSE
• Disruption: Disrupt the enemies tempo and synchronization
• Flexibility: Helps facilitate future operations
• Mass and concentration: Mass the effects of combat power
throughout the AO
• Operations in depth: Simultaneous action throughout the
depth of the defenders AO
• Preparation: Arrive early to make use of time until attacked
• Maneuver: Movement with fire
• Security: Includes providing early warning, concealment of
friendly forces, deception of enemy forces
 FIVE KINDS OF BATTLE POSITIONS
• The primary position: the position that covers the enemy’s most likely avenue
of approach into the area of operations.
• An alternate position: A defensive position that the commander assigns to a
unit or weapon system for occupation when the primary position becomes
untenable or unsuitable for carrying out the assigned task.
• Supplementary position: A defensive position located within a unit’s assigned
area of operations that provides the best sectors of fire and defensive terrain
along an avenue of approach that is not the primary avenue where the
enemy is expected to attack.
• Subsequent position: A position that a unit expects to move to during the
course of battle.
• Strong point: A heavily fortified battle position tied to a natural or reinforcing
obstacle to create an anchor for the defense or to deny the enemy decisive or
key terrain.
ENGAGEMENT AREA DEVELOPMENT