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Lesson 1

Practice Exercise
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1. Which type of threat engineer units perform obstacle construction, minefield breaching, and assault river crossings?
Both general-purpose and special/technical engineer units perform these missions. The general-purpose engineers will not perform these missions to the level of detail that characterizes the special/technical units' operations.
   
2. During offensive operations, threat engineer forces are guided by eight principles. Which of these is the most important from the threat's viewpoint? Why?
Threat doctrine places primary emphasis on using engineer forces to achieve mobility and high rates of combat operations. This emphasis is based on the threat's need for high speed during offensive operations.
   
3. When defending against threat forces, what engineer reconnaissance forces would you expect to see, when would you expect to see them, and how would they be equipped?
Threat engineer reconnaissance forces are organized into engineer reconnaissance patrols, or IRDs. The IRDs are squad- or platoon-sized elements using BRDMs or BTR-60s. They will usually conduct their reconnaissance one or two days in advance of the main force.
   
4. During the assault certain threat engineer units will support the movement of the main force. Name these units and describe how they are organized.
Movement support elements (OODs) support route preparation for the main force. OODs are formed from the engineer battalions of threat tank and motorized rifle divisions. Each OOD is comprised of a reconnaissance and barricade-destruction group, a road and bridge group, and a route-marking group.
   
5. Which threat engineer forces are organized for mine and countermine warfare and at what level are they assigned?
Mobile obstacle detachments (POZs) are formed from the engineer elements of regiments and divisions.
   
6. US forces use obstacles and mines for three purposes during offensive operations. Describe each of these purposes.
US forces use obstacles and mines to prevent enemy reinforcement, enhance economy-of-force operations, and provide security. Enemy forces are prevented from reinforcing weak areas by using mines and obstacles to interdict critical routes in the enemy's MBA and rear area. The friendly forces use mines and obstacles to enhance combat power in economy-of-force operational areas. Mines and obstacles are used to provide security during offensive operations by emplacing them along flanks of advancing forces.
   
7. How do US forces use mines and obstacles during the defense in the CFA?
US forces use mines and obstacles in the CFA to enable the covering force to fight without becoming decisively engaged, to force the enemy into deploying their breaching and bridging assets prematurely, and to deceive the enemy as to the location of the MBA.
   
8.

How do US forces site mines and obstacles during the defense in the MBA?

The use of obstacles in the MBA gains time for the commander by slowing the enemy rate of advance. Existing obstacles place certain restrictions on enemy maneuver and speed. To complement this effort, site reinforcing obstacles to disrupt, turn, fix, or block enemy movement:

  • Disrupting obstacles break up operational timing, exhaust breaching assets, and separate forces from their assets.

  • Turning obstacles move and manipulate the enemy in a desired direction by splitting his forces, canalizing him, or exposing his flanks.

  • Fixing obstacles slow and hold the enemy in a specific area so that he can be killed with fires, or to generate enough time for the force to break contact.

  • Blocking obstacles are complex, employed in depth, and integrated with fires to prevent the enemy from proceeding along a certain AA.
   
9. Compare and contrast the use of mines and obstacles during retrograde operations versus defensive operations?
During retrograde operations, there will usually be fewer obstacles due to the reduced number of personnel and systems available to emplace them, and there will seldom be extensive obstacle systems. Instead, there will be small groups of mutually supporting obstacles that enhance AT weapons effects. Retrograde operations call for a more thorough knowledge of the terrain to identify the most suitable locations for these obstacles.
   

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Lesson 2
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