Arma 3 – Actions On the Objective (AOO)

Intro

AOO describes what actions a unit/patrol performs on the OBJ immediately following an offensive mission. These actions are typically part of a unit’s SOP and are rehearsed before a mission. Important activities are delegated to sub-unit/patrol members.

AOO are commonly used on:

• raids

• ambushes

Parts of a raid/ambush:

• Assault (ASSLT)

• Support By Fire (SBF)

• Headquarters (HQ)

Typically AOO start after the ASSLT force has reached its LOA and the SBF has also re-positioned itself onto the OBJ. They last until the unit/patrol EXFIL from the OBJ.

Typical AOO duties include:

• clearing the OBJ of ENY forces

• detaining ENY EPWs

• performing Buddy Aid

• collecting ENY intel

• destroying ENY equipment

• preparing to EXFIL

Planning

Units must have existing SOPs regarding AOO

Mission time in not the time to start learning who-does-what-when

Specific AOO are prepared while the unit is in the planning phase of the OPORD

A unit must decide what actions must be taken on the OBJ for mission success

Some OBJ tasks include:

• the ASSLT & SBF force advances onto the OBJ and to their LOA

• clear the OBJ of ENY forces

• detain and search ENY EPW

• render ‘buddy aid’ to fellow Soldiers

• collect ENY intel (maps/plans etc.)

• consolidate ENY equipment that will not be taken off the OBJ

• rig ENY equipment for demolition

• start to EXFIL the unit/patrol

• reach the ORP and consolidate & reorganize

Once the OBJ tasks are picked, then the unit LDR decides which individuals will perform which tasks and if any additional attachments will be required (ENG/SF/MPs etc.)

Additionally, the LDR ensures that the unit/patrol has all the necessary equipment needed to perform the tasks (ex: EPW bindings/demolitions etc.)

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PLT Leadership:
– PL is overall responsible and calling in supporting fires
– PSG is tasking MEDEVAC and/or emergency resupply
– WPN SQD LDR is responsible for security
– 1st/2nd/3rd SQD LDRs supervise their Soldiers
– 3rd SQD remains on ‘reserve’ status and may or may not have replaced casualties

*** Time on the OBJ must be limited tohalfof the ENY response time (artillery/QRF etc.) ***

Example: if the ENY posses no artillery but their QRF is heliborne and on-scene in 20 mikes, then you should plan to stay on the OBJ NLT 10 mikes

Mission Preparations

Once the AOO tasks have been identified during the planning phase, the preparations must begin

The section LDRs decide which Soldiers perform which actions and what equipment they will need. The reached out to the PSG (and S4) for supplies needed.

C4 block(s) with ‘Det’ cord along with primers and delays

Typical equipment needed:

• EPW bindings (restraints/blindfolds/ear plugs)

• EPW card

• Casualty Feeder Card

• Demolitions (C4 blocks/detonators/Claymores/Incendiary grenades etc.)

• Medical litters to transport WIA

• Empty duffle bags to transport ENY intel/equipment off of the OBJ

Rehearsals of AOO
If the ASSLT forces sustains casualties before/during AOO, the reserve section will supplement them when the ASSLT forces reaches its LOA and the reserve/SBF does the same.
Mission preparations can be performed at the unit/patrol:

• Main Base (FOB/COP)

• Patrol Base (PB)

• ORP

Special Teams

For AOO, Special TMs are a minimum of:

• EPW

• Buddy Aid

• Demo

Additional STMs can be (among other):

• Sensitive Site Exploitation TM (SSE)

• HUMIT (Human Intelligence)

SQD Example

Typical breakdown of a SQD are:

• Alpha TM on ASSLT

• Bravo TM with an attached MG TM (gunner and assistant gunner) on SBF

• SQD LDR positioned to direct both ASSLT and SBF (if possible, if not will stay with the SBF)

Once on the OBJ a SQD breaks down its AOO:

• Alpha TM reaches its LOA

• Local security – Alpha/Bravo TM AR

• EPW – A/B TM rifleman

• Buddy Aid – A/B TM grenadiers

• ENY intel – A TM LDR and A rifleman

• ENY equipment consolidation – B TM LDR and B rifleman

• Demo charge set – SQD LDR

• Events recorder and time keeper – RTO

PLT Example

Typical breakdown of a PLT is:

• 1st SQD on ASSLT

• 2nd SQD is on SBF/reserve force to relieve the ASSLT force

• 3rd SQD is on SBF with WPN SQD (MG TM)

• The PLT OIC is usually paired with any attached artillery observer

• The PSG is usually paired with the medic and RTO (to call out time and in case of MEDEVAC)

*** Sometimes, the ARs on the ASSLT forces will be ‘lent’ to the 3rd SQD to augment the SBF. In return, 3rd SQD send 2 rifleman to 2nd SQD. ***

Once on the OBJ a PLT breaks down its AOO:

• ASSLT and then SBF reach their LOA

• WPN SQD/MG TM(s) provide local security

• EPW – Alpha TM riflemen of 1st/2nd/3rd SQDs

• Buddy Aid – Alpha TM grenadiers of 1st/2nd/3rd SQDs under MEDIC supervision

• ENY intel – Bravo TM rifleman from 1st/2nd/3rd SQDs

• ENY equipment consolidation – B TM grenadiers from 1st/2nd/3rd SQDs

• Demo charge set – Alpha/Bravo TLs

• Events recorder and time keeper – RTO

‘FIRE IN THE HOLE !’

EXFIL begins when:

• EPWs are secure

• Friendly WIA/KIA are secured for transport

• ENY intel has been collected

• ENY equipment not taken is rigged with demo and ready to be destroyed

• Accountability has been reached via a headcount

• All sensitive-items have been accounted for

The PL must be assured that all objectives have been met. Once the PL has decided that the PLT is ready to leave the OBJ area the EXFIL procedures are initiated. The PL receives 100% accountability and informs the PLT of imminent EXFIL (via radio/hand & arm/verbal/pyro etc.).

The PLT moves off the OBJ in the following manner:

• a code word/signal is used to initiate EXFIL procedures

• AOO TMs return to their SQD/section (EPW/Buddy Aid/demo etc.)

• ‘FIRE IN THE HOLE !’ (1st) is verbally yelled and transmitted via radio or other means
  • the ASSLT force moves to the ‘chokepoint’ for accountability and EXFILS off

• ‘FIRE IN THE HOLE !’ (2nd)
  • the SBF force moves to the ‘chokepoint’ for accountability and EXFILS off

• ‘FIRE IN THE HOLE !’ (3rd)
  • the Security TMs return to the RP for accountability and move to the ORP
  • demolitions are initiated

• The SQDs link up at the RP and/or the ORP and await further orders

Always use and alternate method of EXFIL initiation such as:

• Time – have the SQDs start to leave the area NLT 10 mikes once on the OBJ

• EXFIL procedures start when Friendly artillery begins to fire

Time on the OBJ

Tracking time on the battlefield is very important

General rule-of-thumb:
stay on the OBJ area for HALF the estimated time needed for an ENY QRF to respond

ENY reaction times depend on:

• distance of ENY forces

• weather/time of day

• travel mode (mounted vs. dismounted vs. air/heli/waterborne etc.)

RTO – keeps track of time and records important events and usually sounds-off every 1 mike. RTO keeps write-in-the-rain notepad and a pencil (lead or wax) to write.

*** REAL WORLD TIP ***
Use a double sided pencil and a double sided red & blue pencil for marking BLUFOR/OPFOR

“To & Fro’ “

An important consideration to AOOs are how to get to the OBJ and how to leave

The ASSLT force:

• usually in file formation to last cover & concealment (C&C) position

• from C&C to first contact in a wedge formation

• usually on-line formation once on the OBJ

If under effective contact, the TL can decide to bound (Alternate or Successive) by buddy/TM

If under heavy contact, the TL can decide to have individual fire-&-maneuver movement

Your ORP needs to be placed in the direction of predicted travel

When planning to leave the OBJ to reach your ORP:

• plan to leave in a direction other than the direct route to your ORP

• conduct a ‘box’ movement to deceive following ENY forces

Conclusion

AOO are those actions that a unit/patrol takes on the OBJ

AOO are typically performed on:

• ambushes

• raids

Each section of the ambush/raid has specific roles to take:

• ASSLT

• SBF

• Headquarters

Usually, AOO start after the ASSLT force has reached its LOA and the SBF has also re-positioned itself onto the OBJ. They last until the unit/patrol EXFIL from the OBJ.

Typical AOO duties include:

• clearing the OBJ of ENY forces

• detaining ENY EPWs

• performing Buddy Aid

• collecting ENY intel

• destroying ENY equipment

• preparing to EXFIL

Hope you enjoy the Guide about Arma 3 – Actions On the Objective (AOO), if you think we should add extra information or forget something, please let us know via comment below, and we will do our best to fix or update as soon as possible!