ShackTac ArmA2 TTP2 Guide/Tactics/Anatomy of a Firefight

What A Firefight Is

A firefight is simply a combat engagement between two opposing forces where fire is exchanged - often between infantry, though vehicles can become involved. Firefights are the building blocks that make up large-scale battles.

The point of our platoon is to seek out and destroy the enemy. To do this, we must engage in combat with them, resulting in a firefight or series of firefights that determines the success or failure of our mission. Having a good understanding of the dynamics of such a fight is important for all players to have, as it allows for the entire platoon to intuitively understand the battlefield situation and adopt to it as necessary to win the fight.

Goals in a Firefight

The US Army used a mnemonic called "The Four F's" to describe the goals that are worked towards in a firefight during and after World War II. In more recent years it has evolved into a slightly different meaning, but I'm of the mind that the WWII-era definition is the most appropriate to the situations we commonly find ourselves involved in during our ArmA2 missions. I'm a fan of the simplicity of it: Find, Fix, Flank, Finish. Simple to remember, easy to understand, succinct, and right to the point. (For those curious, the modern version is Find, Fix, Finish, Follow-Through.)

These "Four F's" are the foundation of a successful firefight in ArmA2. Let's discuss what each of them means so that we can establish the basic principles that will guide a team towards success in combat.

Find

The most sure-fire way to increase your chances of victory in a firefight is to ensure that your forces locate the enemy before they locate you. Finding the enemy without them knowing about you gives you initiative, and initiative will allow you to fight the enemy on the most favorable of terms, maximizing the shock of your attack, maximizing their casualties and confusion, and minimizing their ability to retaliate effectively.

Finding the enemy can be facilitated through application and understanding of the following techniques. The following aspects are relevant before fighting has started - once the shooting starts, the "React to Contact" battle drill begins, and the final three "F's" start happening.

From an individual standpoint, everyone should heed the "Situational Awareness" section of the Basic Rifleman page to ensure that they're doing their part to find the enemy.

The Point Man

Contrary to popular belief, the point man of any formation should not be a completely expendable and inexperienced 'newbie' player. Rather, the point man should be someone who is proficient, alert, and will have a good chance of spotting the enemy (or a potential ambush) before it is too late. A good point man can be the difference between life or death for the parent element.

A point man should try to position himself fifty or more meters ahead of the formation. This buffer allows for the rest of the element to have freedom to maneuver if the point is engaged.

The point man must bear in mind that smart enemies will oftentimes allow him to walk well into an ambush area before they engage the unit following him. It is of critical importance that the point man is ever vigilant and continually scans the area around him. His situational awareness and sharp eye can turn the tide of a fight and even turn the tables on the enemy entirely.

Bear in mind that a point element can be more than just one man. For instance, a platoon moving as an organized body may have an entire fireteam acting as point, with another fireteam on each flank, and the two other squads in the center of the formation.

Recon

The goal of recon is to gather information about the enemy through the proper and skilled application of stealth and observation. Recon assets attempt to find out things like:

Where the enemy is, along with what weapons they have, vehicle assets, their state of awareness, if they have patrols in the area, etc.
Where the enemy's defenses are, what they consist of, where the weakest points are.
What the terrain is like around the enemy location, with regards to the friendly mission. If the intent is to attack the enemy, this means locating good support-by-fire (SBF) positions, assault lanes, et cetera.

Recon elements can come in a variety of forms. The most common recon assets are as follows:

Fireteam or two tasked with recon duties. This is by far the most common method to recon, as it is organic to the platoon and thus always available. Any fireteam can be tasked out for this, though it is recommended to use more experienced players, as they tend to pick out things that 'greener' players may not.
Dedicated recon element (MARSOC, SF, or scout/sniper element). When available, an independent recon element like a scout/sniper team can do a tremendously effective job of providing recon and intel on enemy positions. They often will be detached from the main body of the platoon, working their way independently into positions from which they can best support friendly forces.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Recon aircraft (ie, helicopters with observation pods)

Good reconnaissance is the most reliable and effective way of finding the enemy. It is critical not only when in the attack, but also while in the defense and in general "movement to contact" situations. The more you know about the enemy before the firefight starts, the more likely you will be able to maneuver and plan to fight in a way that will maximize your strengths and minimize their ability to resist.

Stealth & Rules of Engagement

Stealth is an important part of finding the enemy before they find you. At the higher level, this means that movement plans should be made that do not put friendly forces in exposed and obvious areas or avenues of approach.

At the individual level, stealth is accomplished by using good tactical movement techniques. Moving from cover to cover or concealment is one aspect of that. Being able to read the terrain and pick covered approaches to the enemy, or their flanks, is another aspect.

The key for stealth to be successful is for every member of the platoon to be deliberate and intelligent in how they move, always bearing in mind that the enemy could be over the next rise, or even in the same woods that are currently being traversed by friendlies. The Platoon Commander and Squad Leaders can only do so much themselves - at the end of the day, every individual rifleman in the platoon has to do their part to maintain overall stealth.

The platoon's ROE, or Rules of Engagement, go hand-in-hand with stealth. There will be times when the enemy is spotted by friendlies without the enemy ever knowing it. If the first person to see the enemy starts blasting away with their rifle, the net effect will be far less than what could happen if the contact was instead communicated up the chain of command and the platoon could be shifted to conduct a hasty ambush or otherwise react in a deliberate and calculated fashion that would stack the odds in friendly favor as much as possible before the first shots are ever fired.

Situational Awareness & Security

Finally, the last major points of finding the enemy involve situational awareness and security. The enemy will not always be where they're thought to be, and even if the bulk of them are, there's always the chance that enemy recon elements or ambush elements will be roaming away from the enemy's known position(s). There's also the possibility that friendly forces and enemy forces will pass each other or come into close proximity of each other unknowingly, in which case proper situational awareness and security may be the only thing to prevent a bloody and unexpected exchange of fire.

Due to all of this, every member of the platoon must maintain a high degree of situational awareness at all times. Complacency kills - never let your guard down; never assume that an area is "clear" or "safe".

As was said in the "Basic Rifleman" section, security and situational awareness are critical to maintain at all times. Everyone must be scanning their sectors diligently. When halted, units must maintain flank and rear security, regardless of whether anyone has explicitly told them to.

When movement is being conducted, a deliberate effort must always be made to maintain rear security. It is far too easy to get lulled into complacency regarding rear security - too often one will think that just because they moved through an area, that they own it. This is never true - the only ground that is ever 'owned' by an infantry unit is the ground they are currently on, and even that can be contested. Dropping security at the wrong time can result in entire teams being wiped out by skilled and cunning enemy scouts, ambush parties, or vehicle crews.

The One Method To Avoid

The above methods are all proactive ways to find the enemy before they've found you. However, there is one other way that the enemy can be located, though it is not desirable and should be avoided.

This method occurs when the enemy spots you first, and is indicated by hostile fire being directed at friendly forces. If this occurs, finding the enemy simply involves figuring out where they're shooting from, in accordance with the "React to Contact" battle drill. Obviously you will want to avoid this as best as possible, as it tends to force friendlies to react versus force the enemy to react. However, if it does happen, quickly locating and identifying the enemy positions is critical to being able to move to the next "F", Fix, which follows below.

Fix

After the enemy has been found, and leaders have maneuvered friendly forces to the most advantageous positions possible in the time available, the act of fixing the enemy begins.

Fixing can be achieved through a variety of measures, as described below.

Methods for Fixing the Enemy

Fire superiority. If the enemy cannot effectively shoot back or maneuver due to the amount of fire your forces are putting on them, they become fixed. Support-by-fire and base-of-fire positions are superb for achieving the kind of fire superiority that is necessary to truly fix an enemy force. Artillery and mortar fire can achieve fire superiority quite decisively as well, though they can also completely route an enemy and cause an immediate skip to the final F - finishing them.
Dominating positions. Finding positions which give your forces good views of the enemy allows them to engage the enemy, inflict casualties and confusion, and prevent the enemy from relocating while at the same time lessening their ability to return fire. This all contributes towards fixing them in place. Being able to fix an enemy from a higher position and cut off any ability for them to withdraw from their positions is particularly effective.
Pressure. Fire superiority and a dominating position, applied effectively and sustained over time, establish pressure on the enemy's leaders. Maintaining pressure keeps the enemy on the defensive, reducing their ability to achieve their own goals in the firefight. Pressure applied to the enemy forces their leadership into a stressful situation in which their ability to make decisions is made increasingly difficult due to the actions of the fixing forces.
Inflicting casualties. As enemy casualties mount, their ability to coherently fight and be effective diminishes accordingly. While leadership targets are the best to take out, it is often difficult to pick them out in the midst of a firefight. Shooting any hostiles serves as a fine substitute - while you may not take down leaders, the fewer troops available to the enemy to fight, the more likely the next "F" will help to lead to a successful conclusion of the fight. Inflicting casualties and forcing the enemy to tend to their wounded is a definite way to fix an enemy, though it is best done as a result of the above-listed methods, and not as a means to an end all by itself.

As with suppressive fire in general, the volume has significance, but the more important aspect is in making the enemy think that movement, popping up to shoot, or relocating will result in them being shot. If you cannot make the enemy think this, you haven't truly suppressed them. While they may be "fixed" in to the extent that they can't leave their position, they may be ready to fight any flanking forces regardless. Suppression is a key element of fully fixing the enemy and must be achieved. for the next "F" to have the most chances for success.

Flank

The next part of a firefight occurs when the enemy has been fixed enough that a flanking maneuver can be carried out.

Flanking is a means by which friendly forces maneuver to a known or suspected point of weakness in the enemy position and exploits it via an assault. It is done when the tactical situation - terrain, enemy disposition, friendly manpower, et cetera - favor it. Flanking typically is less costly than outright frontally assaulting the enemy, and forces the enemy to split their fires between a maneuver element and a base-of-fire element, diluting their effectiveness.

Before making the decision to flank, a few things must be checked to ensure the tactical suitability of a flanking maneuver, as described below.

What is required to flank the enemy?

Combat effective teams. Flanking cannot be achieved if heavy casualties have been taken. At minimum one healthy base-of-fire and one healthy assault element must be present for a flank to have a chance for success.
Cannot be fixed or suppressed. If the enemy has fixed or suppressed your elements, flanking will only get your people killed. Moving from a position that is under concentrated and accurate enemy fire is best avoided unless in the most grave of circumstances.
Suitable terrain or adequate cover & concealment. If the terrain does not facilitate a flanking maneuver in some capacity, it makes no sense to conduct one. Trying to flank the enemy over billiard-table flat and open terrain is a surefire way to get friendlies killed. Suitable terrain can take many forms - via vegetation concealment, cover, structures, microterrain, and all manner of terrain features that can provide concealed routes to the enemy.
Have determined the enemy's position with enough certainty to reasonably judge where their flanks are located. You can't move onto a flank that you don't know the limits/position of. You can certainly try, of course, but it may end up with the flanking team putting themselves in a tough situation due to not realizing the disposition of the enemy force and becoming caught between different elements' fires.

Carrying out the Flank

Once the decision has been made, a portion of friendly forces are split off to conduct the flank attack. The route used is conveyed to the elements staying behind to provide suppression - known as the base-of-fire element - so that they know to expect friendlies in that area and place any fire there with great caution.

Flanking teams can be as small as a fireteam. If the enemy is properly fixed by the base-of-fire element, it may not take many flank members to roll up on the enemy's flank and chew them apart from an unexpected angle.

Ultimately, the decision for how many people are needed in the flank/assault team is up to the on-scene leaders. It is a balancing act between maintaining proper fixing fires, and having enough people in the assault force to ensure success.

While conducting a flank, the flanking team attempts to do everything in their power to remain undetected by the enemy. They move quickly, with the maximum stealth, and attack with speed, intensity, and violence of action upon working onto the enemy's flank. The shock of their attack, combined with the demoralizing effects of the base-of-fire's suppression, is a killer combination.

Alternate - Flanking to a Better Position Before Assaulting

Note that flanking does not have to result in an immediate close assault on the enemy positions. When the terrain suits it, flanking can simply involve the flank element moving onto favorable (preferably elevated) ground that complements the base-of-fire position. This can in turn make it possible to attrit the enemy significantly before any friendlies ever have to physically assault the enemy position. Inevitably, though, the only way to take ground is to put boots on the ground at it... which is where the final "F" comes into play.

What if a flank is not desired?

In the event that a flank is not the course of action desired, check out the "Assaulting" section, below, in the "Transitioning out of the 'standard' firefight" section.

Finish

Finishing the enemy is the responsibility of the flank team primarily. Once they have closed on the enemy flank and have begun to assault enemy positions, the base-of-fire element is forced to shift fires away from the main objective to prevent hitting their own people. Note that with good coordination, a base-of-fire team can shift fires along an objective to coincide with the advances of the assault team, putting fire onto each position before the assault team gets to it, and then shifting deeper into the enemy positions as the assault teams continue to advance. This is best done when the flanking team is coming in perpendicular to the enemy position, as seen from the base-of-fire position, and when good comms are maintained between both elements.

Finishing the ultimately requires ensuring that absolutely every last enemy combatant in the area is rendered harmless, and that all possible hiding places have been searched and secured.

Finally, the firefight is finished when the enemy has been defeated and friendly forces have regrouped, established security, tended to any casualties received, redistributed special gear, dealt with any prisoners or enemy wounded, and are ready to continue on with their mission.

Transitioning out of the 'standard' firefight

While the "Four F's" describe the typical evolution of a firefight, there are times when a firefight can change into an all-out assault, defense, or withdrawal and break out of the "Four F's" structure. Knowing how, when, and why these transitions can be or should be made, as well as their weaknesses and keys to success, is important to being able to make the tactical decisions required to set them in action.

Assaulting

Assaulting occurs as a result of several events that can happen in a firefight. Some examples follow.

Why a Firefight Can Transition Into an Assault

Friendly forces cannot flank, but they can assault directly with a good chance of success. There are several reasons for why a flank may not be viable - time is one of them, terrain another, cover/concealment availability a third. Whatever the case, sometimes you just have to slam your way straight at the enemy via fire & maneuver tactics.
The enemy is completely suppressed and fixed, and vulnerable to an attack from the base-of-fire position. When this happens, the typical flanking maneuver instead becomes part of a pincer maneuver in which both the base of fire and flanking teams attack simultaneously from different directions. This can be particularly difficult for the enemy to deal with, as they're getting fire AND maneuver from two directions at the same time.
Enemy defenses have crumbled. If the enemy's defensive abilities have been reduced by fire, having the base-of-fire team assault the enemy can force the remainder of said enemy to split fires between two fronts, which dilutes their ability to defend, further hastening their destruction.
The friendly flanking team has stalled and needs pressure relieved from them. If the flank team cannot progress any further on their own, the base-of-fire team may have to begin their own fire & maneuver tactics to close with the enemy from another direction, which in turn helps to relieve pressure on the flanking team and allow them to continue their own attack.
The enemy has called in supporting air or artillery assets. Sometimes the best defense against enemy air or artillery is to assault into the enemy positions so that their arty or air is rendered ineffective. If they can't drop bombs or shells for fear of hitting their own people, you will have temporarily removed their threat from the battle.

Methods to Conduct an Assault

Assaults are carried out via fire and maneuver or fire and movement, as the tactical situation dictates. Both are described earlier on this page, in the "Tactical Definitions" section.

Weaknesses in Transitioning to an Assault

The primary weakness when transitioning into an all-out assault lies in underestimating the enemy, miscalculating their strength, or otherwise being unaware of some facet of them that can put the assault in jeopardy. This can take multiple forms, such as:

Enemy reserve. If the enemy has kept a force or troops in reserve, they may show up at a critical moment and spoil the assault. For instance, if the base-of-fire team begins to assault, and after committing to the assault an enemy reserve force moves into position and begins engaging the base-of-fire-turned-assault-team, things might turn rather nasty.
Enemy reinforcements. If the enemy has managed to call for reinforcements during the firefight, they may show up unexpectedly from an unexpected direction. This can go wrong in all manner of fashions - use your imagination.
Multiple supporting positions. It is always a possibility that the enemy has several positions from which they can mutually support each other. Just because one has fallen does not mean that there aren't others ready to pour fire onto any attackers. If the flank team is approaching from one direction, they may be masked from the fires of a supporting position covering a different approach. If the base-of-fire team then assaults from a different direction, they may find themselves attacking into an unexpectedly hot area when the supporting positions open fire on them.

Good recon, good security, and sound tactical judgment are the best methods by which to prevent any of these eventualities from impacting an assault.

Defending

Transitioning into a defensive posture can occur as a result of several events in a firefight. Some of the reasons are as follows.

Why a Firefight Can Transition Into a Defensive Action

Friendlies are in a superior position (cover, concealment, buildings, height advantage) and can potentially fare better by fighting from it, versus moving out to conduct a flank or assault. If you have a great defensive position and the enemy does not, and your mission gives you the time to do so, you can take advantage of the position and force the enemy to come to you. Careful consideration must be given towards whether the enemy can call in supporting assets (air, armor, artillery) in reaction to friendly units going into a defensive posture.
Friendlies have been fixed and cannot conduct a flank attack. In the event that the enemy has decisively fixed friendly forces during the firefight, the only viable tactic may be to go defensive and try to fight them off that way.
Friendlies have taken too many casualties and cannot maneuver in force. If too many friendlies have become casualties (wounded, primarily), the maneuverability of said friendlies will become compromised. In this case, it may be necessary to assume a defensive posture for as long as it takes to tend to the casualties.

Once the decision has made to go defensive, leaders must communicate the extents of the defensive position, sectors of observation and fire for each element, and ensure that security is established and maintained. All friendly forces assume the best covered and concealed positions they can, orienting towards known enemy positions, likely enemy avenues of approach, and staying very alert for enemy flanking maneuvers.

Note of course that going defensive is not in and of itself a permanent thing. If desired and feasible, a defense can shift back into a normal firefight, an assault, or even a disengagement.

Disengaging

Disengagement is the art of breaking contact from the enemy in a deliberate, organized fashion. Disengagement can occur in reverse - known generally as a 'fighting withdrawal' - or in any other direction, based on the situation at hand. Disengaging with the enemy is ultimately intended to either further mission goals or put friendly forces into a more tactically advantageous position from which they can better deal with enemy forces.

Why a Firefight can turn into a Disengagement

Friendlies are not fixed but cannot flank the enemy and cannot finish them. If it is impossible to flank and finish the enemy, a tactical withdrawal that hopes to draw the enemy in pursuit into a position that is more favorable for friendlies is often a viable tactic. This can also be used to simply break contact with the enemy with no intention of reestablishing it and finishing them off.
Friendlies have a need to go into a defensive posture, aren't currently in a good position for it, but have a position nearby that would suit them. This sort of disengagement is intended to be used for friendly forces to fight to a better position so that a defense can be conducted from there. If the enemy pursues, the firefight transitions into a defensive action.
Even a positive outcome for friendlies is not decisive to the overall mission, and momentum must be maintained. There will be times when getting bogged down fighting one enemy group will be unacceptable and must be avoided. In those cases, disengaging with one enemy group so that the fight can press on will be necessary. In situations like this, it is very important that rear and flank security remains on high alert, as bypassed enemies will tend to attempt to come after friendlies.
Enemy forces clearly overmatch friendly forces. This can happen from overwhelming numbers of enemy troops relative to friendlies, or when the enemy has support assets (vehicles, aircraft) that friendlies cannot counter at the location in which the firefight began. The goal of disengaging from an overmatch situation is to "live to fight another day" or buy time and space to bring heavier assets (such as artillery or close air support) into the fight.

The methods for disengaging are discussed in the Battle Drills section of this guide, in the "Break Contact" drill.

The most important aspect of disengaging from the enemy is ensuring that it is done in a deliberate and organized fashion, in which fire is maintained on the enemy throughout the disengagement process, with the intent of suppressing them as well as discouraging their pursuit. Simply trying to run away is apt to end in dismal failure.