entered the kill zone do not drive through it. They stop and the convoy personnel take up defensive
positions. They lay down a base of fire and suppress the enemy fires. These fires must be controlled.
Fire must not be indiscriminate. There is a danger of engaging one's own forces in what is always a
confused situation. Convoy personnel should normally fire only on order, and at designated area
targets. MP move to the flanks and attempt to disrupt the ambush by fire and maneuver. Indirect fire
and air support are requested, if the situation requires and they are available. Reaction forces are
requested if the security escort is unable to dislodge the enemy.
If the convoy is ambushed and the road is blocked, personnel from the element in the kill zone
dismount, take cover, and return a maximum volume of fire on the enemy positions. Troops that have
passed through the kill zone dismount and provide a coordinated base of fire, as do those that have not
yet entered the kill zone. The MP security element uses fire and maneuver to attack the ambush
positions. They request indirect fire, air support, and a reaction force as required.
In either case, when contact is broken, the convoy consolidates and reorganizes. The wounded are
treated and evacuated, ammunition is redistributed, as appropriate, and the convoy continues its
movements. Reports of the contact should be made as soon as feasible.
Snipers. Extreme caution must be exercised when the convoy receives sniper fire. Less experienced
troops may react to a sniper as if it were an ambush. It is important that command and control be
exercised. Indiscriminate fire must be avoided. Fire should be returned only when a specific target is
observed. A good procedure is to have only designated individuals return sniper fire. All vehicles
continue the movement. They do not stop. The security element leader and convoy commander are
notified immediately. This should be done by a prearranged signal, such as a designated color of
smoke or flare, depending on the rules of engagement and protracted engagements are avoided. The
primary mission is the escort of the convoy. Sniper fire may be used by the enemy for purposes of
harassment or to slow down the convoy prior to an ambush.
Air Attack. In areas were there is a threat of air attack, air guards should be designated in the convoy.
These individuals concentrate their attention on detecting the approach of aircraft. If the convoy should
come under air attack, each vehicle turns away from the direction of attack and seeks cover. Troops
not manning vehicle-mounted weapons dismount and fire at the attacking aircraft. Those manning
mounted weapons place the maximum fire possible on the aircraft. Even in today's age of high
performance aircraft, there are incidents of small arms fire bringing down attacking aircraft. This has
occurred in the Arab-Israeli Wars and in Afghanistan, as well as others. Even if the aircraft is not hit, a
high volume of fire distracts the plane's crew and causes their attack to be less accurate. Additionally,
there is great psychological benefit to the convoy personnel in returning fire. Troops under air attack
feel much better if they are returning fire at the attackers, rather than helplessly hiding.
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MP1031
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