6-53. Surprise, a principle of war, is a combat multiplier that amplifies the effects of the other principles of war (see FM 3-0). Its effective use allows friendly units to strike at a time and place or in a manner that the enemy is unprepared for, which induces shock and causes hesitation. Every echelon works to achieve surprise in an operation and only by multiple echelons working together is achieved by surprise. The easiest way to achieve surprise is to use deception. This section provides a brief overview of the considerations unique to tactical deception operations. (See ATP 3-21.10 and FM 3-90for additional information.)
6-54. Tactical deception is a friendly activity that causes enemy commanders to take action or cause inaction detrimental to their objectives (FM 3-90). Tactical deception operations are designed to support the commander’s plan by enhancing the probability of mission success. It allows units to create windows of opportunity by doing the unexpected and causing the target to react to the unit’s operation. Vital to the unit’s ability to execute tactical deception is through maintaining operational security and ensuring the realism. The purpose of tactical deception is to—
- Gain the initiative.
- Reduce the overall operational risk
- Preserve combat power.
6-55. Leaders conduct tactical deception at every echelon with either the means they have or with assistance from their higher echelon. Deception means—methods, resources, and techniques that can be used to convey information to the deception target (JP 3-13.4)—are the tools that friendly commanders use to accomplish tactical deception. Leaders normally employ deception plans to supplement several means that aim to mislead multiple types of enemy sensors. This increases credibility and the likelihood of deceiving the deception target. Tactical deception means provide the signatures, associations, and profiles of friendly alleged activities to the enemy. Typically, the means are found in either the coordinating instructions of an order or through commander’s guidance. There are two tactical deception means categories are physical and technical:
6-56. Physical means are resources, methods, and techniques used to convey information normally derived from direct observation or active sensors by the deception target. (Most physical means also have technical signatures visible to sensors that collect scientifically or electronically.) Examples might include—
- Movement of the platoon.
- Decoy equipment and devices.
- Security measures.
- Tactical actions.
- Reconnaissance, surveillance, and security activities.
6-57. Technical means are resources, methods, and techniques used to convey or deny selected information or signatures. Technical means may be applied with corresponding physical means or alone to replicate something physical that is absent from visual contact. Examples of technical means might include—
- The establishment of communications networks and interactive transmissions that replicate a specific unit type, size, or activity.
- Emission or suppression of chemical or biological odors associated with a specific capability or activity.
- Organic capabilities that disrupt an enemy sensor or affect data transmission.
6-58. Variations of tactical deception are missions that a higher headquarters can assign to a subordinate unit. A unit may be told to conduct one of the two variations of tactical deception: feints and demonstrations. The selected variation and its use depend on the unit’s understanding of the current situation as well as the commander’s desired end state. All other deception guidance should be issued in the coordinating instructions or done to accomplish the commander’s intent.
6-59. Units should consider cost of tactical deception in terms of resource expenditure. For tactical deception to appear real, units must dedicate adequate resources. The cost depends on the variation of tactical deception (demonstration or feint) and its objective. The units should also measure costs in risk and flexibility. For example, it may be very risky for the success of a unit’s main effort to rely solely on the success of a planned demonstration. Should the demonstration not produce the expected enemy reaction, it could cause the main effort to fail. Flexibility is built into the plan by using branches, sequels, or executable deceptions.
6-60. Units have two options to disseminate the tactical deception plan to their subordinates. It is imperative that the unit maintains operational security for the success of the operation. The first option is for the unit’s leadership to know the true task and purpose of the organization, subordinates may receive a different task and purpose in order to maintain operational security. The second option is for the unit to provide complete briefings to their subordinates. In both options, caution must be exercised to ensure that deception details are not mentioned in their operation orders (OPORDs). Operations security must be recognized as a vital element of the variation of the tactical deception.
6-61. A demonstration is a variation of tactical deception used as a show of force in an area where a unit does not seek a decision and attempts to mislead an adversary (FM 3-90). The commander uses demonstrations and feints in conjunction with other military deception activities. The commander generally attempts to deceive the enemy and induce the enemy commander to move reserves and shift fire support assets to locations where they cannot immediately affect the friendly main effort or take other actions not conducive to the enemy’s best interests during the defense. The commander must synchronize the conduct of these variations of an attack with higher and lower echelon plans and operations to prevent inadvertently placing another unit at risk. Both variations are always shaping efforts, but a feint will require more combat power and usually requires ground combat units for execution.
6-62. A feint is a variation of tactical deception that makes contact solely to deceive the adversary as to the location, time of attack or both (FM 3-90). The principal difference between a feint and a demonstration is that in a feint the commander assigns the force an objective limited in size, scope, or some other measure. The force conducting the feint makes direct fire contact with the enemy but avoids decisive engagement. The planning, preparing, and executing considerations for demonstrations and feints are the same as for the other attack. The commander assigns the operation to a subordinate unit and approves plans to assess the effects generated by the feint, to support the operation.
Next Page : Section 6 – Security