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Lesson 4

Practice Exercise
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1. What is the major factor that distinguishes conventional mines from SCATMINEs?
SCATMINEs differ from conventional mines in that SCATMINEs have self-destruct times. Just because the mines are laid with an irregular pattern does not mean they are SCATMINEs.
   
2. Identify the SCATMINE delivery system pictured below in Figure PE 4-1. What are its capabilities?
Figure PE 4-1 pictures a ground Volcano system. It is the same system as the air Volcano except that it is mounted in the bed of a 5-ton truck or a M548 tracked cargo carrier. The launcher consists of four racks holding 40 mine canisters each. Two racks point to one side of the vehicle and two point to the opposite side. It dispenses the mines 25 to 60 meters from the vehicle at ground speeds of 5 to 55 mph.
   
3. After analyzing the battlefield, a commander emplaces a minefield across a likely enemy AA. Is this a situational obstacle? Why or why not?
This is not a situational obstacle. A situational obstacle is an obstacle-emplacing capability held in reserve. In this instance, the commander has already emplaced the minefield in anticipation of the enemy's actions. If the commander held a minefield-emplacing capability in reserve (for example an ADAM/RAAMS mission) to meet this contingency when it happened, it would have been a situational obstacle.
   
4. What offensive missions are situational obstacles best suited to support?
During the offense, situational obstacles are used to-

  • Protect the flanks of advancing forces.

  • Isolate the objective area or counterattack force.

  • Seal off avenues of retreat.

  • Prepare for a hasty defense.
   
5. What defensive missions are situational obstacles best suited to support?
During the defense, situational obstacles are used to-

  • Prepare deep EAs.

  • Disrupt enemy offensive operations.

  • Assist in economy-of-force efforts.

  • Shift the countermobility effort.
   
6. Why must situational obstacles be synchronized with the maneuver plan? What tools are available to aid in the synchronization of situational obstacles with the overall maneuver plan?
Situational obstacles must be synchronized with the maneuver plan to prevent them from becoming obstacles to the friendly force. The maneuver plan should integrate the situational obstacles into its scheme of maneuver to enhance combat power. Some of the tools that are available for synchronization planning are the-

  • SITEMP.

  • Execution matrix.

  • Scheme of engineer operations.

  • Scheme of indirect-fire integration.

  • Reconnaissance and surveillance plan.

  • Event template.
   
7. What factors should be considered in assessing the effect of situational obstacles on friendly maneuver?
When assessing the effect of situational obstacles on the friendly maneuver plan, the following factors should be considered:

  • Analyze the near- and far-term impact. Will the obstacle interfere with future operations?

  • Analyze the impact of the obstacle on adjacent units. Will it interfere with their operations?

  • Will the situational obstacle comply with the commander's intent? Consider the commanders intent two levels up.

  • During the defense, consider the possibility of transitioning to the offense. Will the obstacle interfere with this transition?

  • During the offense, consider plans for continuing the attack. Will the obstacle interfere with movement? Will it interfere with occupation of an objective?
   
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