How to Deal With Direct Fire While Mounted

Getting shot at while riding in a vehicle can be a stressful situation. It is imperative in reaction to a contact situation such as this that you keep your head by reacting calmly and efficiently. Following the proper procedures can turn a bad day into a day to brag to your buddies about later.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Return fire while getting out of the line of enemy fire. Returning fire and finding cover are usually taught as two separate tasks. In reality they should happen at the same time. Dismounted, finding cover may mean stepping behind a tree. Mounted operations call for the driver to maneuver the vehicle to a location where enemy fire cannot reach while allowing the turret gunner to fire upon the enemy position. Instinctive fire is very important. If, as a gunner, you feel your vehicle is being fired upon then pull the trigger on your weapon. Worry about exactly where the fire is coming from later.
2. Communicate the threat to other vehicles or supporting elements. Use a radio whenever possible to communicate to anyone who could be affected by, or can help you deal with the direct fire threat. Things they will need to know are the location the fire is coming from, the type of fire you are receiving. Also estimate the size of the threat, or the number of personnel firing at you.
3. Overwhelm the enemy position with superior fire power. Nothing will get a hostile situation under control like scaring the enemy. Task at least one machine gun or automatic grenade launcher to lay down a wall of lead to discourage the enemies from firing on you.
4. Decide whether you have enough elements available to overpower the enemy position. Remember you can't take away your suppression elements. A good rule of thumb for offensive maneuvers is three to one. If you have enough men not engaged in the suppression task to outnumber the enemy position, then send them around to side of the enemy to flank the position. If not, continue the suppression.
5. Lift your suppressive fire when the enemy is being overrun. Communication is critical for this phase. It is important that the bad guys keep their heads down long enough so the assault team can maneuver on them safely. The suppression fire needs to stop when the assault begins so you don't shoot up your own team.
6. Gather all of the useful intelligence you can from the cleared position. Maps, codebooks, cellular phones and radios are useful things to take from an enemy ambush area. After searching the area for intelligence, collect all of the now-deceased enemies' weapons and destroy them.
7. Continue your mission after clearing the area. Assume the main enemy force knows precisely where the ambush position is. The bad guys can perform an artillery strike or counter-attack if they think their buddies' position is overrun. It is best to move out as quickly as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice reflexive fire while you are moving. Doing this will help to better prepare you for that first critical instant of an ambush, when moving and firing simultaneously is so important.
• Different types of weapons might require different tactics to control them.
• Try not to shoot innocents.