text: Chapter 5
  Figure 5-8. Area ambush
  5-114. Leaders of forces performing an ambush specify the signals required to control the ambush. They
  make frequent changes to the meaning of audible and visual signals to avoid setting patterns that enemy
  forces can recognize. Otherwise, enemy forces might recognize a signal and react in time to avoid the
  ambush’s full effects. For example, if ambushing forces always employ a white star cluster to signal
  withdrawal in a night ambush, an alert enemy force might fire one and cause a friendly ambushing force to
  withdraw prematurely. The subordinate elements of the ambush unit must receive communications—in the
  form of signals—that relay this information:
  * Target approaching, normally given by a member of the security team to warn the ambush
  commander and the ambush elements of the target’s progress.
  * Initiate the ambush, given by the ambushing element’s commander. (This signal should be the use
  of the most casualty-producing and reliable weapon or explosive, such as a main gun round from
  a tank or infantry carrier, the detonation of mines or explosives, or other direct fire crew-served
  weapons.)
  * Lift or shift fire, given when initiating the assault on the target; all fires must stop or shift at once
  so that the assault element can attack before the target can react.
  * Assault, given when the assault force is to move into the kill zone and complete its activities.
  * Cease fire, given to cease all fires.
  * Withdraw from the kill zone or ambush site, given when the ambush is completed or an enemy
  relief force is approaching.
  5-115. Leaders use various signals to communicate this information, such as radio transmissions, voice
  commands, vehicle horns, whistles, or pyrotechnics. All signals must have at least one backup. For example,
  if the signal to shift fire fails, the assault element should not attack the target unless it receives the backup
  signal. Signals sent out before initiation of the ambush should not expose the ambush to enemy detection.
  Units review SOP signals to see if they need to be revised or augmented to meet specific situational
  requirements.