Overwatch (military tactic)

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v t e

Overwatch is a

military unit, vehicle, or aircraft supports another friendly unit while the latter executes fire and movement tactics. The term was coined in U.S. military doctrine in the 1950s.^[1]

An overwatching unit typically takes a vantage position (usually a

covering fire

for advancing friendly units.

M1A1 Abrams tank assigned to Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, provides overwatch security in support of Operation Dynamic Partnership in Shurakay, Helmand province, Afghanistan

, Feb. 12, 2013.

References

^ William Safire (14 October 2007). "On Language - Overwatch". New York Times. Retrieved 21 November 2015.

See also

References