|
RDL Homepage |
Table of Contents |
Document Information |
Download Instructions |
LESSON 3
MINEFIELD RECONNAISSANCE
Critical Task: 051-192-3034
OVERVIEW
LESSON DESCRIPTION:
This lesson discusses the procedures used to conduct a minefield reconnaissance. These procedures include the planning; the gathering of technical information; the proper recording of this information on the reconnaissance form; and finally, the techniques used on a reconnaissance.
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
| ACTION: | You will learn to identify the requirements and describe the procedures used to conduct a minefield reconnaissance and to prepare the supporting report. |
| CONDITION: | You will be given the material contained in this lesson. |
| STANDARD: | You will correctly answer all practice-exercise questions at the end of this lesson. |
| REFERENCE: | The material contained in this lesson was derived from FM 20-32. |
INTRODUCTION
Successful combined arms reconnaissance requires extensive training. Engineers train alone to hone their individual and collective skills. They also train with scouts, which fosters habitual integration of engineers with maneuver forces for reconnaissance missions.
3-1. General.
b. The staff engineer integrates engineers into a maneuver reconnaissance and surveillance (R&S) plan and coordinates the plan with other R&S plans, artillery fires, infiltration lanes, and follow-on missions. Engineer company and platoon R&S plans include—
- Issuance of a warning order to subordinates that contains tentative minefield locations and specific requirements for information, equipment, and coordination.
- Early connection and coordination with scout elements.
- Maximum time for leaders to prepare for the mission.
c. Early connection of engineers, scouts, and maneuver personnel is critical for planning and preparation. Engineers participate in planning the passage of lines, routes, the R&S mission and objective, reports, consolidation, and minefield extraction. At a minimum, conduct rehearsals for actions on contact, at unexpected obstacles, and at the reconnaissance objective.
d. During movement, the R&S team avoids enemy contact by using concealed routes and limited visibility. The patrol establishes an objective rally point (ORP) short of the minefield. The R&S leader issues a contingency plan prior to R&S teams leaving the ORP.
e. Engineer R&S teams then move to the R&S locations and establish security. R&S team NCOICs ensure that patrolling activity does not compromise selected breaching locations. The amount of patrolling should be similar at all possible attack points. Do not leave behind evidence of patrolling activities.
3-2. Technical Information. R&S team NCOICs direct their teams to gather the following information from the reconnaissance:
- Minefield location. Plot the perimeter location on a large-scale map, and refer to recognizable landmarks.
- Perimeter description. Describe how the perimeter is fenced. If it is unfenced, describe how it is marked. If it is unmarked, describe how it was recognized.
- Nuisance-mines location. Indicate the location of nuisance mines. If you discover a nuisance mine forward of the minefield's outer edge, there may be others. Assembly areas might also be mined.
- Mine types. Indicate whether mines are AT, AP, or have unknown fuses (self-neutralized or SD). If possible, recover unknown or new mine specimens and note the details.
- Other devices. Describe the approximate location of booby traps, trip wires, flares, and antidisturbance devices that are observed on the reconnaissance.
- Laying method. Indicate whether mines are buried or surface-laid.
- Mine density and pattern. Indicate the mine spacing and the number of mine rows.
- Minefield depth. Provide the distance between strips or rows, and describe the markers.
- Safe lanes or gaps. Plot the location of suspected safe lanes or gaps, and describe their markings.
- Ground conditions. Include information on general soil and terrain conditions.
- Other obstacles. Plot the location and the construction of other obstacles.
- Enemy defenses. Describe the enemy's location and size. Include the location of enemy direct-fire weapons.
3-3. Reconnaissance Technique. A minefield R&S team normally consists of an NCOIC and two soldiers (a prober and a detector operator). When several collocated sites require reconnaissance, several teams might be formed into a reconnaissance group. There is no established reconnaissance drill, but the following technique is convenient and ensures that each team's results are consistent and accurate:
a. The R&S team removes all equipment except flak vests, Kevlar helmets, and weapons. The team uses stealth and available cover during movement to the reconnaissance site. The reconnaissance is normally conducted when visibility is limited. Depending on the mine types likely to be encountered, the prober or the detector operator enters the minefield first.
b. The leading soldier (Soldier 1) enters the mined area and dispenses a cord or tape. Soldier 1 feels for trip wires and feels and probes for mines or other devices in a path about 1 meter wide. Soldier 1 marks located mines and reports their location to the NCOIC. The NCOIC stays about 5 meters behind Soldier 1 and ensures that Soldier 1 stays on the correct azimuth.
d. The R&S team moves back to the ORP. The reconnaissance team conducts a debrief to eliminate redundant information. The team uses established unit procedures to report the information.
e. During extraction back to friendly lines, the team must again avoid enemy contact. The patrol communicates with the friendly passage point unit, exchanges far and near recognition signals, and conducts a passage of lines.
f. The engineer staff officer and the Intelligence Officer (United States Army)(S2) debrief the R&S units.
3-4. Reconnaissance Report. Each R&S team NCOIC will submit a detailed intelligence report to the next higher headquarters when the reconnaissance is complete. Figure 3-1 shows a sample OBSTINTEL report for a minefield.
Figure 3-1. Sample obstacle intelligence (OBSTINTEL) report
GO TO:
