TBS PHASE 3 EXAMS TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS SET A+
✔✔Consideration for SBF Pos - ✔✔- Located on the enemy frontage. This allows the
SBF elements to effectively fix and suppress the entire enemy defense as maneuver
element attacks the enemy flank.
- Direction of fire is ideally located 60-90 degrees offset from the maneuver element's
direction of attack. This allows the maneuver element to advance as close to the enemy
as possible under friendly suppression.
- Provides cover and concealment to the SBF. This protects the support by fire element
from detection by the enemy.
✔✔Types of TCMs - ✔✔- Positional - En Pos, Asslt Pos, SBF
- Navigational - SRP, Phase Line, CP's
- Fire Control - TRP's, MSL's, Targets
- Consolidation - Limit of Advance
✔✔TCM's used in Platoon Attack - ✔✔AA, Attk Pos, LD, Checkpoint, Phase Line,
Release Point, TRP, Asslt Pos, Obj, LoA, Linkup Point
Linkup Point - an easily identifiable point on the ground where moving force is to cross
the boundaries of force in security.
✔✔Two Methods of Occupying the SBF - ✔✔Stealth - SBF initiates fire.
Force - Cleared by IDF or other means for the SBF to take the posistion.
✔✔Sequence of Events - ✔✔Leaders Recon -> Asslt Pos -> IDF -> SBF -> Move to
OBjective -> Asslt -> Consolidate -> Reorg
Each event has a condition that allows it to come to fruition (i.e. IDF -> SBF -- Final
minute of IDF, SBF -> Asslt -- MSL2 tripped, SBF ceased)
,✔✔Preparatory Fires - ✔✔Conducted before the platoon steps into the attack, usually at
the battalion level or higher. These fires isolate the objective by targeting enemy
command and control, logistics, fire support, reinforcements, etc.
✔✔Fires in Support of Conduct - ✔✔These fires are used by the platoon commander to
support the platoon's movement to and actions on the objective. The platoon
commander should target the enemy security plan (LP/OPs, patrol routes), the enemy
main defense (objective), and likely reinforcement routes.
✔✔Actions on the Objective - ✔✔Terrain no longer covers friendly movement from the
enemy main body fires. Fires become the primary cover. All maneuver must be covered
by terrain or fires if not it will result in heavy casualties. Only EFFECTIVE fires allow
maneuver. Achieved by: ensuring that rounds are on target, suppression is adequate,
proper distribution of fires (TRP's, ADDRACS), and targets are prioritized (what is facing
the maneuver element)
✔✔Sustained ROF - ✔✔provides average suppression and conserves ammunition.
Does not overheat weapons and should be the default.
✔✔Rapid ROF - ✔✔Provides more suppression but uses double the ammo. Maneuver
element has been slowed down or about to reach the objective.
✔✔A >= S x M - ✔✔S (suppression) - rounds per minute
M (maneuver) - distance/rate of movement
5 rnds/min x 500m/5m/min = 500rnds
✔✔FSP Themes - ✔✔- Must support the SOM
- Maneuver commander must provide bottom up refinement
- The plan must be executable
✔✔Fire Support Coordination Measures - ✔✔Facilitate rapid engagement of targets,
provide safeguards, and tied to terrain features
- Permissive - rapid engagement
- Restrictive - safeguards to friendly troops
✔✔Permissive FSCM - ✔✔Primary purpose is to facilitate the attack of targets
✔✔Free Fire Area - ✔✔Any weapon system may fire
✔✔Fire Support Coordination Line (FSCL) - ✔✔Expedite surface-to-surface AND air-to-
surface attack beyond FSCL without coordination with the ground commander in whose
area the targets are located.
, ✔✔Battlefield Coordination Line (BCL) - ✔✔Expedite surface-to-surface AND air-to-
surface attack beyond FSCL without coordination with the ground commander in whose
area the targets are located EXCLUSIVELY BY MAGTF FIRE SUPPORT ASSETS.
✔✔Coordinated Fire Line (CFL) - ✔✔Conventional indirect surface joint fire support
means may fire at any time within the boundaries of the establishing HQ without
additional coordination. Includes naval gun fire.
✔✔Restrictive Fire Line (RFL) - ✔✔Established between converging friendly forces (one
or both may be moving) that prohibits joint fires or the effects of joint fires across the line
without coordination with the affected force
✔✔Restrictive Fire Area (RFA) - ✔✔Specific restrictions are imposed and in which joint
fires, or the effects of joint fires, that exceed those restrictions will not be delivered
without coordination with the establishing HQ
✔✔No Fire Area (NFA) - ✔✔Prohibits joint fires or their effects into an area
✔✔SBF Command Relationships - General, Direct, & Attached - ✔✔General Support -
most flexible, may result in less responsive fire, IDF supports units as whole
Direct Support - priority weighted, highly responsive to supported unit, positioned on
direct supported unit.
Attached Support - most responsive, least flexible, supported unit responsible for all
admin / logistics.
✔✔Preparation Phase - ✔✔Shape the battlefield before you arrive. Conducted prior to
crossing the LD.
- Softens enemy defenses
- Screening friendly movement from AA
- Cut off MSL's
✔✔Conduct Phase - ✔✔Crossing the LD through the attack. Provide responsive fires in
support of maneuver. Preplanned targets, targets of opportunity, counter fire on enemy
IDF weapons systems.
✔✔Consolidation / Exploitation Phase - ✔✔Attack has culminated and maneuver
elements begin consolidation.
- Ends with full transition to defense
- Protect friendly unit transitions, destroy enemy will.
✔✔Defensive SBF Long Range Fires - ✔✔Outside the engagement area. Use of deep
fires to affect the enemy early, shaping, disrupt enemy formations.
ANSWERS SET A+
✔✔Consideration for SBF Pos - ✔✔- Located on the enemy frontage. This allows the
SBF elements to effectively fix and suppress the entire enemy defense as maneuver
element attacks the enemy flank.
- Direction of fire is ideally located 60-90 degrees offset from the maneuver element's
direction of attack. This allows the maneuver element to advance as close to the enemy
as possible under friendly suppression.
- Provides cover and concealment to the SBF. This protects the support by fire element
from detection by the enemy.
✔✔Types of TCMs - ✔✔- Positional - En Pos, Asslt Pos, SBF
- Navigational - SRP, Phase Line, CP's
- Fire Control - TRP's, MSL's, Targets
- Consolidation - Limit of Advance
✔✔TCM's used in Platoon Attack - ✔✔AA, Attk Pos, LD, Checkpoint, Phase Line,
Release Point, TRP, Asslt Pos, Obj, LoA, Linkup Point
Linkup Point - an easily identifiable point on the ground where moving force is to cross
the boundaries of force in security.
✔✔Two Methods of Occupying the SBF - ✔✔Stealth - SBF initiates fire.
Force - Cleared by IDF or other means for the SBF to take the posistion.
✔✔Sequence of Events - ✔✔Leaders Recon -> Asslt Pos -> IDF -> SBF -> Move to
OBjective -> Asslt -> Consolidate -> Reorg
Each event has a condition that allows it to come to fruition (i.e. IDF -> SBF -- Final
minute of IDF, SBF -> Asslt -- MSL2 tripped, SBF ceased)
,✔✔Preparatory Fires - ✔✔Conducted before the platoon steps into the attack, usually at
the battalion level or higher. These fires isolate the objective by targeting enemy
command and control, logistics, fire support, reinforcements, etc.
✔✔Fires in Support of Conduct - ✔✔These fires are used by the platoon commander to
support the platoon's movement to and actions on the objective. The platoon
commander should target the enemy security plan (LP/OPs, patrol routes), the enemy
main defense (objective), and likely reinforcement routes.
✔✔Actions on the Objective - ✔✔Terrain no longer covers friendly movement from the
enemy main body fires. Fires become the primary cover. All maneuver must be covered
by terrain or fires if not it will result in heavy casualties. Only EFFECTIVE fires allow
maneuver. Achieved by: ensuring that rounds are on target, suppression is adequate,
proper distribution of fires (TRP's, ADDRACS), and targets are prioritized (what is facing
the maneuver element)
✔✔Sustained ROF - ✔✔provides average suppression and conserves ammunition.
Does not overheat weapons and should be the default.
✔✔Rapid ROF - ✔✔Provides more suppression but uses double the ammo. Maneuver
element has been slowed down or about to reach the objective.
✔✔A >= S x M - ✔✔S (suppression) - rounds per minute
M (maneuver) - distance/rate of movement
5 rnds/min x 500m/5m/min = 500rnds
✔✔FSP Themes - ✔✔- Must support the SOM
- Maneuver commander must provide bottom up refinement
- The plan must be executable
✔✔Fire Support Coordination Measures - ✔✔Facilitate rapid engagement of targets,
provide safeguards, and tied to terrain features
- Permissive - rapid engagement
- Restrictive - safeguards to friendly troops
✔✔Permissive FSCM - ✔✔Primary purpose is to facilitate the attack of targets
✔✔Free Fire Area - ✔✔Any weapon system may fire
✔✔Fire Support Coordination Line (FSCL) - ✔✔Expedite surface-to-surface AND air-to-
surface attack beyond FSCL without coordination with the ground commander in whose
area the targets are located.
, ✔✔Battlefield Coordination Line (BCL) - ✔✔Expedite surface-to-surface AND air-to-
surface attack beyond FSCL without coordination with the ground commander in whose
area the targets are located EXCLUSIVELY BY MAGTF FIRE SUPPORT ASSETS.
✔✔Coordinated Fire Line (CFL) - ✔✔Conventional indirect surface joint fire support
means may fire at any time within the boundaries of the establishing HQ without
additional coordination. Includes naval gun fire.
✔✔Restrictive Fire Line (RFL) - ✔✔Established between converging friendly forces (one
or both may be moving) that prohibits joint fires or the effects of joint fires across the line
without coordination with the affected force
✔✔Restrictive Fire Area (RFA) - ✔✔Specific restrictions are imposed and in which joint
fires, or the effects of joint fires, that exceed those restrictions will not be delivered
without coordination with the establishing HQ
✔✔No Fire Area (NFA) - ✔✔Prohibits joint fires or their effects into an area
✔✔SBF Command Relationships - General, Direct, & Attached - ✔✔General Support -
most flexible, may result in less responsive fire, IDF supports units as whole
Direct Support - priority weighted, highly responsive to supported unit, positioned on
direct supported unit.
Attached Support - most responsive, least flexible, supported unit responsible for all
admin / logistics.
✔✔Preparation Phase - ✔✔Shape the battlefield before you arrive. Conducted prior to
crossing the LD.
- Softens enemy defenses
- Screening friendly movement from AA
- Cut off MSL's
✔✔Conduct Phase - ✔✔Crossing the LD through the attack. Provide responsive fires in
support of maneuver. Preplanned targets, targets of opportunity, counter fire on enemy
IDF weapons systems.
✔✔Consolidation / Exploitation Phase - ✔✔Attack has culminated and maneuver
elements begin consolidation.
- Ends with full transition to defense
- Protect friendly unit transitions, destroy enemy will.
✔✔Defensive SBF Long Range Fires - ✔✔Outside the engagement area. Use of deep
fires to affect the enemy early, shaping, disrupt enemy formations.
