On paper, the hammer-and-anvil attack plan was not complicated. After 3rd Brigade elements secured mountain positions west of the Bồng Sơn and set up Firebases Brass and Steel, covering the northern and southern parts of the search area, 2/7th Cavalry would push north from LZ Dog and 2/12th Cavalry, also staging from LZ Dog, would work its way south from the opposite end of the target zone.
On paper, the hammer-and-anvil assault strategy was not intricate. Following the securing of mountain positions by 3rd Brigade elements west of Bồng Sơn and the establishment of Firebases Brass and Steel, which covered the northern and southern parts of the search area, 2/7th Cavalry would advance north from LZ Dog, while 2/12th Cavalry, also staging from LZ Dog, would move south from the opposite end of the target zone.