Commanding a convoy - UNITAF Force Manual (FM)

FM/G301 - Commanding a convoy

Guide

FM/BG-1352 - Convoy structure

Guide

A convoy maintains cohesion of multiple vehicles during long-distance movement outside of combat.
Armed vehicles are positioned at key points to provide protection for unarmed or lightly armed vehicles.
Convoys operate on a dedicated Convoy Net and are directed by a Convoy Commander.
To maintain effective control, a convoy should include no more than 8 vehicles.
Larger movements must be split into two separate convoys, each with its own net and commander.

Guide

FM/BG-1357 - Convoy commander

Guide

Each convoy has a designated Convoy Commander responsible for coordinating movement, planning routes, and adjusting them as needed. Prior to formation, the Convoy Commander ensures all drivers know the convoy net frequency.

When the planned route changes, the Convoy Commander must notify all drivers. If map markers are synchronized, updating the markers is sufficient. If markers are not synchronized, small deviations may be communicated with turn-by-turn instructions. For significant deviations, the convoy may be stopped to provide a full briefing on the updated route.

Guide

FM/BG-926 - Route selection considerations

Guide

Avoid urban routes when possible due to high ambush risk. Forested or rocky terrain may also be dangerous but is sometimes unavoidable—move with heightened caution. Commanders should always plan primary and alternate routes.

Guide

FM/BG-928 - Route planning

Guide

Convoy routes must be planned in advance, with known objectives and alternate routes.

Guide

FM/BG-920 - Balancing speed and security

Guide

Speed increases convoy survivability by reducing enemy engagement windows (e.g., RPGs, IEDs). However, overextending the convoy can lead to loss of support and leave vehicles vulnerable to concentrated enemy fire. The Convoy Commander is responsible for balancing this risk.

Guide

FM/BG-918 - Convoy speed

Guide

Convoy speed must balance security and cohesion. Excessive spacing weakens mutual support and increases vulnerability. The lead vehicle must monitor spacing and adjust speed as needed. Drivers and the convoy commander must stay in communication to report speed, spacing, and observation sectors.

Skill

FM/BS-1358 - Select Convoy parameters

Skill

Convoy speed: Target speed for the convoy in kilometres per hour taking into account vehicle capability.
Convoy spacing: Target distance between vehicles in meters balancing mutual support and risk of incident propagation.
Convoy route: The route to be taken from start to finish and how it will be communicated.

Skill

FM/BS-1359 - Communicate convoy calls

Skill

When establishing or changing convoy parameters, transmit on the convoy net using the format:
- “ALL VEHICLES, CONVOY PARAMETERS [selected speed], [selected spacing].”
When updating the planned route, transmit on the convoy net how it has changed in the format:
- “ALL VEHICLES, ROUTE CHANGED:” “ROUTE UPDATED ON MAP” or
- “LEAD VEHICLE, PREPARE FOR TURN CALLS.”

Guide

FM/BG-935 - Briefing actions on

Guide

All drivers must understand the actions on for situations that the convoy is likely to encounter. The convoy commander must brief these procedures clearly before departure.