b. Find areas where the convoy will have to slow down or bunch up (steep hill).
c. Areas where vehicles will lose sight of each other (sharp curve).
d. Areas where barricades can be easily set up and will be difficult to bypass.
e. Areas of reported enemy activity.
f. Areas where it is difficult to maintain radio contact.
g. Note all friendly units through whose tactical area the convoy must pass. This will be important
in the event you need to call for aid.
h. Note possible checkpoint sites. Confirm established checkpoints. These may be good enough.
If not, set up as many as needed.
i. Note roadways and bridges. Will the bridges stand the traffic of the convoy? Can your convoy
travel this route?
j. Note areas where traffic control posts (TCPs) will be needed (towns or other traffic heavy
areas).
4. Coordinate with Convoy Commander.
a. How the convoy is organized:
(1) Critical cargo - Vehicles carrying this cargo should be spread throughout the convoy to
attract the least notice. Convoys carrying very sensitive items will have a reaction force. The reaction
force goes before and after these cargo vehicles. They are prime targets for ambushing forces,
regardless of their cargo. Place them in the middle of the convoy.
(2) Control vehicles - The position of the convoy commander and his assistant should vary.
Convoy leaders are prime targets for the ambushing force. If they are knocked out at the onset of an
ambush, this may cause confusion within the convoy. This gives the advantage to the ambushing
force. For this lesson, position the convoy commander vehicle in front of the trail vehicle. It will be
easier for him to pull out of the convoy and go forward for a problem. If he was in the front, he would
have to turn around and come back to the problem.
(3) Maintenance and recovery vehicles - These are usually armor plated 2 1/2-ton or larger.
Their number is determined by the number of vehicles in the convoy. They are usually at the rear of
the convoy. It is easier for them to go forward than backward.
(4) Armor vehicles - Usually hardened 2 1/2-ton trucks supplied by the transportation company
that is moving the convoy. They could be anything up to a tank. These should be throughout the
convoy.
5-3
MP1007
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