11 - 1 Chapter 11 CONVOY OPERATIONS This chapter outlines a technique for conducting vehicle convoy operations. Convoy operations present a challenge to the Ranger leader. Trucks and other combat vehicles produce a large signature on the battlefield and increase your unit’s value as a target. Vehicle movement is restricted to roads and terrain that they can traverse; therefore, a sound plan must be implemented to minimize the possibility of compromise (FM 3-21.8 and FM 55-30). 11-1. PLANNING. When conducting a vehicle convoy as part of your operation, it is important to incorporate the convoy as a leader uses the eight steps of the troop leading procedures. The following information should be included when conducting a mission analysis using METT-TC: a. Mission. The PL will extract the following information from the Company OPORD. • Vehicle support (number and type of vehicles, ACL) • Weather: road conditions • Vehicle pickup and drop off location/ marking • Vehicle movement timeline (pick up time, movement time and so on.) • Vehicle routes (primary and alternate, checkpoints) b. Enemy. • Known or suspected enemy locations in the AO or along planned routes. • Potential locations for enemy ambush or IED emplacement. • Recent enemy activities or reactions to convoy operations. c. Terrain. • Identify potential pick up and drop off locations. • Evaluate routes, pick up and drop off locations using OAKOC. • Consider weather/ road conditions. d. Troops. • Number of PAX per vehicle • Chalks and Chalk Leaders identified • Tactical cross load • Linkup and marking teams identified • Pick up and drop off security plan. e. Time. Backwards planning sequence: • Ground tactical plan • Unload plan • Ground movement plan • Loading plan • Staging plan NOTE: Allocate time for movement/ recon/ establishment of security. f. Civilians. • Known civilian locations along route • ROE/ Actions with civilians and civilian vehicles during movement 11-2. FIVE PHASES OF TRUCK MOVEMENT. Each phase must support the ground tactical plan, which specifies actions in the objective area to accomplish the commander’s intent for the assigned mission, be it a raid, ambush, recon or other follow on missions. a. Staging Plan. (1) Establish security of entrucking/ pickup point.