Have you ever been subject to enemy suppressive fire during combat? What is the defense against it?

Question

What do you say whilst this is occurring?

Answer 1

Keep your head down

Answer 2

with the fighting going on now the enemy usually isn't trying suppressive fire.Suppressive fire is mainly used when trying to change locations, or hold somebody off untill you and your squad can make an escape.But if you are being held by suppressing fire and you know the general location of the enemy then you have options, but they are limited to what resources have been attached to your company.The most common would be arty or mortars.Each line company has a weapons platoon with a mortar section that travels with the company they are a quick answer to this situation.In a extreme condition or just to save mortar rounds you can call for fire from arty or if available tanks.An airstrike is a little bit harder to actually have acsess to,and there's to many people that you have to go through to get clearance for a fixed wing strike.

Answer 3

I have been underfire, but not suppresive fire. While I'm not an infantryman, I still no some basics. First find cover. Your not going to be much use to anyone if your wounded or dead. Second, Request additional assets to the fight such as AH-64's, A-10s, or Artillery if the situation permits and is available. Third return fire from a covered position.

A squad, platoon, and even a company is going to be made up of various people all with a specific role in the fire fight. Your infantrymen will primarly be returning fire, your medic could be patching people up and calling MEDEVACs, your forward observer could be requesting and controling AH-64's to fire onto enemy positions and your joint terminal attack controller could be calling in A-10s or F-16s to attack enemy positions as well. Though, the basic rules above apply.

Answer 4

I have been subjected to attempts at suppressive fire.

For offense.....

"Suppressive fire" is fire intended to stop you from shooting if it is being directed at you. Sometimes suppressive fire is used to distract the enemy so that other forces can maneuver.

You must gain fire superiority in a fire fight. Fire superiority means that the enemy cannot maneuver, or place well directed fires on you. This means that your laying down more rounds than the enemy. Machine guns (M-2, M-240's, Mk-19's) and light machine guns (M-249) can accomplish this. Gun teams can lay down lead while riflemen assault.

When you have fire superiority then you can maneuver, and assault the enemy position.

If you cannot gain fire superiority then you will have to call in supporting arms (more gun teams, SMAW's, AT-4's can work, mortars, artillery, air cover, tanks, light armor ect.).

If you have no supporting arms available, and you cannot gain fire superiority with what you have available then you will more than likely have to withdraw.

If you do not have fire superiority and you cannot assault, or maneuver on the enemy then you are simply being pinned down and shot at and it is just a matter of time before your forces are killed.

Answer 5

Yes, best defense is to return fire as quickly as possible. Training teaches that and reinforces the quick action that must be done. Therefore most of the time you react without thinking. If you had time to talk or think then it would not be enemy suppressive fire, but sniper fire.

Answer 6

Yes. First thing is to get rounds going back their way.

Next, if possible, call for air assets (over here, we get Mi-24 for helo, SU-25...or perhaps an Su-27 for fast mover) or request artillery. If these assets are not avil/denied. then keep one element of the unit to keep returning fire, while a maneuver element attempts to close with and destroy the hostile contact. (usually by attacking to the right or left) if it a situation such as an urban or valley, where there is no way to get left or right. Then you must advance while returning fire, tunil the target is destroyed.

Answer 7

Yes, Best defense is to cover and return fire as well. But aim carefully and dont just pull the trigger, u may shooting at civillians which is the worse thing you can do, if you're alone, just cover and run away.

Answer 8

Sniper fire...wouldn't call it suppressive. It's a three step process to defend.
1. Get behind cover
2. Locate enemy
3. Shoot enemy (or report position if you don't have a shot)

Answer 9

Return Fire and call in an airstrike

Answer 10

yes, supressive artilery.