Vehicle Operations Playbook

1) Purpose

The convoy is a combat formation whose primary objective is to deliver personnel and materiel while maintaining freedom of movement, force protection, and mission tempo. Every movement is planned and executed to minimize exposure, deny the enemy opportunities to disrupt our lines, and retain the initiative; this requires disciplined spacing, layered security, and redundant communications. Success depends on proactive leadership, practiced immediate-action drills, and the assumption that any stop or breakdown may become a fight — therefore recovery, CASEVAC, and link-up procedures are preplanned and rehearsed. Every operator is expected to perform a specific, essential function: observe, report, and act without delay. In short, the convoy must move deliberately, defend aggressively, and recover quickly — because momentum and mutual support are the convoy’s force multipliers.

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2) Roles at a Glance

• Convoy Commander (CC): Outward focus. Route, risk, fires/air, adjacent unit coordination, decisions. Usually front of Main Body.
• Assistant Convoy Commander (ACC): Inward focus. Staging, load plans, vehicle status, spacing/pace, recovery lead. Usually rear.
• Vehicle Commander (VC): Route knowledge, accountability, reports to CC/ACC, runs the vic.
• Lead Security Unit (SE1): Screens front/flanks of the forward half; fights for self-protection.
• Rear Security Unit (SE2): Screens rear/flanks of the back half; assists on halts/LZs/recovery.
• Driver: Drive. Maintain interval/visibility, vehicle care, obey VC.
• Navigator (Nav): In lead vic. Calls CPs/turns/DAs, sets pace.
• Gunner: 360° security, sector discipline, EOF/ROE, weapon up at all times.

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3) Plan and Brief

METT-TC (Route-first):

1. Troops/Fire Support → know your vehicles, CSWs, JTAC/EOD/QRF/CASEVAC/recovery options.
   Terrain/Weather → which routes are physically possible? Pick Primary & Alternate (and return).
2. Enemy → most likely/most dangerous per route segment (use CPs).
3. Time/Space/Log → fuel, crew rest, load/offload method.
   EMLCOA (per route segment): One-liner intent + what/where/how they’ll attack (e.g., IED+SAF at CPs).

Commander’s Intent (Friendly-oriented):

• KS (enemy key strength): e.g., IEDs + complex ambush to stop us.
• KW (their weakness): Predictable trigger points, exposure to CSW/air when we disperse and push.
• EXP (how we exploit): Aggressive 360, dispersion, rapid IA drills, fires/air on call, recovery without stalling.
  

Scheme of Maneuver (Convoy SOM):

• Task Org: SE1 / Main Body (ME) / SE2 (buddy pairs where possible).
  Distribution: SE1 = forward half security; ME protects cargo; SE2 = rear security.
• Route(s): Name/CPs; brief both primary & alternate (out and back).
• Formations:
  • Open Column (100–200m): Open terrain/high speed/IED threat.
  • Closed Column (<100m): Night/urban/traffic/high C2 need.
    
• TCMs: CPs (reporting), Rally Points (fixed at CPs; floating = 1 km or 1 terrain feature past contact), Unit boundaries (check in/out).
• Actions on Objective: Who secures? Who links up? Offload plan, time on obj, rest & security.
  

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4) Coordinating Instructions

• Timeline: 1/3–2/3 rule; rehearsals prioritized by risk.
• Order of March: ACC reviews front-to-rear lineup. Lead Vic (pacesetter) identified.
• Speeds: Set Rate of March + “Slow Down” speed (lead) + “Catch Up” speed (trail).
  Dispersion: When/where to open/close column (by CPs/terrain).
• ROE/EOF: Read verbatim; publish target precedence per weapon (e.g., driver→engine→gunners→triggerman).
• Signals/Comms: Primary/Alt/Tertiary nets; brevity; lost-comms signals (e.g., hazards = comms down).
• Lost Operator / Lost Vehicle Plans: Where to rally, who calls what, strip-map use.
• Bump Plan: For every vic, where Operator/cargo transfer if disabled.
• Fuel/Refuel: Minimum start fuel, top-off requirements, en route plan.
  

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5) Immediate Action Drills (IA)

Principle order: Enemy → Casualties → Equipment.

• Short Halt (≤10 min): Rolling stop, keep dispersion, 360°, visual 5/25s, minimal dismounts, ACC checks accountability.
• Long Halt (>10 min): Rolling stop, dispersion, 360°; dismounts conduct 0/5/25s; gunners overwatch; emplace EOF cones at 300/200/100 m front/rear; mount and roll when ready.
• Danger Area (DA) Crossing: Rear sec posts security → SE1 & Main Body cross → SE2 collapses and resumes.
• EOF (vehicle):
  • >300 m: horns/lights/flags.
  • 300–200 m: pyrotechnic warning.
  • 200–100 m: tires → engine.
  • <100 m: driver (per ROE). Moving convoys scale steps as time permits.
    
• Unblocked Ambush: Gain PID, mass CSW, smoke forward, do not stall; scan for IED distraction; hasty recovery if a vic goes down; roll to rally.
• Blocked Ambush: Nav finds bypass/back-out; guns gain fire superiority; nearby gun trucks to SBF; hasty recovery if needed; depart via bypass or alternate route.
• IED Spotted (not detonated) — 5x C’s:
  • Confirm → Clear (300 m) → Check (secondaries/triggerman) → Cordon (360 & avenues) → Control (no one in/out). Call 9-line; link with EOD.
• IED Detonates — REACTER:
  •  Report → Establish Security (≈300 m) → Assault triggerman (PID/ROE) → Clear to/through casualties (0/5/25s) → Treat (CCP) → Evacuate (ground/air) → Recover vic (push/tow or call).
    
• Deliberate Recovery (no contact): ACC leads assess/repair/tow; execute bump plan; accountability; roll.
• Hasty Recovery (in KZ): After fire superiority: nearest good vic pushes/tows; ride personnel out in disabled vic if required; finish bump outside KZ.
  

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6) Communications

• External: CC with Higher/adjacent/EOD/QRF/CASEVAC; report CPs/boundaries.
• Vehicle-to-Vehicle: Essential traffic only, brevity. Use relays for long columns.
• Internal (in-vic): VC relays, gunner/driver report.
• Lost-Comms SOP: Light signals, hand/arm from turrets, hazard lights = troubleshooting, pre-briefed actions continue.
  

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References / Definitions

Command and Leadership Roles

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