Battle Drill #7a: Enter/Clear a Trench (Squad) (7-4-D111)
 

Posted Thursday, October 6, 2005

TASK. Enter/Clear a Trench (Squad) (7-4-D111).

CONDITIONS. The squad is operating as part of a larger force. The squad is moving and receives fire from the enemy.

STANDARDS.
1. The squad secures a foothold in a trench.
2. The squad kills, captures, or forces the withdrawal of the enemy in its assigned section of the trench.
3. The squad maintains a sufficient force that can defeat the enemy's counterattack and continue operations.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES.
1. The squad reacts to contact (Battle Drill No. 2).

2. The fire team in contact locates the enemy position through AN/PVS-7B and suppresses it with the help of AN/PVS-4.

3. The squad leader determines if he can maneuver by identifying the following with his hand-held laser pointer:
a. The enemy trench and any obstacles.
b. Size of enemy force engaging the squad. (The number of automatic weapons, presence of vehicles, and employment of indirect fires are indicators of enemy strength.)
c. An entry point.
d. A covered and concealed route to the entry point.

4. The fire team in contact guides on the team leader's AN/PAQ-4 laser and tracers through their AN/PVS-7B and places well-aimed fires against the enemy position using their own AN/PAQ-4 or AN/PVS-4. The fire team accomplishes the following:
a. Destroys or suppresses the enemy weapons that are effectively firing against the squad.
b. Continues suppressive fires.

5. The squad leader directs the fire team in contact to support the other team's entry into the trench. He uses his hand-held laser pointer to designate the following:
a. The left and right firing limits of the supporting team.
b. Entry point to the trench by the assault team.
c. Route of the assault team.
d. Locations of the enemy key weapons and high payoff targets.

6. The squad leader illuminates the entry point of the trench line using his hand-held laser pointer (MTETT).

7. The squad leader and the assault fire team move to the last covered and concealed position short of the entry point.
a. The squad leader signals (visual signal, or ir signaling flare) for the supporting team to shift supporting fires away from the entry point.
b. The base of fires team shifts suppressive fires away from the assaulting team and continues to suppress adjacent enemy positions to isolate the trench as required. The fire team leader signals that fires have been shifted with an ir signaling flare or visual signal. The supporting fire team leader helps the assaulting team SEE by silhouetting the enemy positions with ir flares (MTETT). If required, the squad leader requests ir 60mm illumination through the platoon leader.
c. The assault team leader and automatic rifleman remain in a position short of the trench to add well-aimed, accurate suppressive fires for the initial entry.
d. The squad leader takes the two remaining soldiers of the assault fire team and continues toward the entry point. They move by rushes or crawling.
e. The squad leader positions himself where he can best control his teams.

8. The first two soldiers of the assault team move to the edge of the trench, parallel to the trench on their backs. On the squad leader's command, they cook off grenades (two seconds maximum), then shout "Frag out," and throw the grenades into the trench. NOTE: All soldiers entering the trench must have AN/PVS-7B, AN/.PAQ-4, and ir flashlights attached to the underside of their weapons. When ir flashlights are not available, use the ir source on the NODs.
a. Upon detonation of the grenades, the soldiers roll into the trench, landing on their feet, back to back. They fire their weapons down the trench in both directions.
b. Both soldiers immediately move in opposite directions down the trench, firing three round bursts. Each soldier continues until he reaches the first corner of the intersection. Both soldiers halt and take up positions to block any movement c. At the same time, the squad leader rolls into the trench, and secures the entry point. He then marks the entry point with a Phoenix Beacon, or in accordance with OPORD.
d. Upon detonation of the grenades, the assault fire team leader and the automatic rifleman move to the entry point and enter the trench. The squad leader directs them to relieve one of the soldiers securing the trench intersection. Upon being relieved, the soldier links up with his buddy at the other end of the trench line and continues to secure that intersection.

9. The squad leader remains at the entry point. He calls forward the supporting team, once he has ensured that the remainder of the platoon continues to provide supporting fires.

10. The squad leader reports to the platoon leader that he has entered the trench and secured a foothold. The platoon follows success of the seizure of the foothold with the remainder of the platoon as part of Battle Drill No. 7, Enter and Clear a Trench (Platoon).