text: Offensive Considerations in Counterinsurgency
  limited opportunity for a friendly force to hastily occupy a position from which to ambush the
  guerrilla.
  • A deliberate ambush is a planned operation against a specific insurgent force. Sufficient
  detailed information of the enemy force, such as the size, nature, organization, armament,
  equipment, route, direction or movement timeline is available to permit the detailed planning
  of an ambush.
  CHARACTERIZATIONS
  5-147. An ambush is characterized as either near or far. These are based upon the proximity of the
  insurgent to friendly forces.
  • A near ambush is an ambush with the assault element within hand grenade distance of the kill
  zone (less than 50 meters). Close terrain such as urban, jungle, and heavy woodlands may
  require this positioning. It may also be appropriate in open or mountainous terrain in a “rise
  from the ground” ambush.
  • A far ambush is an ambush with the assault element beyond reasonable assaulting distance
  of the kill zone (beyond 50 meters).This location may be appropriate in open terrain offering
  good fields of fire.
  CONTROL MEASURES
  5-148. The ambush commander’s control of all elements at the ambush site is critical. This includes the
  initial occupation, time in position, execution, and withdrawal. Commanders should develop control
  measures for the—
  • Occupation.
  • Execution.
  • Fire control measures.
  • Fratricide and collateral damage prevention, especially if assault element or a nonlinear
  ambush.
  • Initiation of assault and actions on the objective.
  • Tactical site exploitation.
  CONSIDERATIONS
  5-149. Well-planned and well-executed ambushes are a useful offensive technique to employ against
  insurgents. It is an effective technique to interdict and disrupt movement of insurgent forces within an area.
  Specific considerations using elements of the mission variables are—
  Mission
  5-150. Tactical units should attempt to ambush insurgents in manners they least expect and in ways that
  minimize compromise by and risk to the HN populace. It is difficult for US forces to emplace an ambush
  in populated areas due to size of units, appearance, and insurgent presence amongst the population.
  Enemy
  5-151. Commanders ensure ambush plans are flexible as to allow adjustment and initiative at the
  ambush site.
  Troops and Support Available
  5-152. A small ambush party is generally more practical but likely less secure. The size of the party
  depends on the size of the unit targeted, the estimated insurgent strength in the area and an analysis
  of operational risk. In COIN, some popular units used to execute ambushes are small capture teams
  (SCTs), small observation teams (SOTs) and small kill teams (SKTs). Most SCTs, SOTs, and SKTs in an
  urban AO conduct area ambushes.