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Part L
OBSERVATION POSTS
1. General. Observation posts are positions where soldiers watch and listen for enemy activity in an assigned area. OPs provide security and information requirements intelligence for the platoon. Platoons establish and maintain OPs as the company commander directs.
2. Considerations. When planning an OP, normally one per platoon, the platoon leader must consider the following-
a. Siting. Normally, the platoon leader identifies the general location and the squad leader selects the actual site for the OP.
(1) OPs must be sited to allow observation of the designated area.
(2) OPs should also be sited to take advantage of natural cover and concealment to provide protection for the soldiers manning it.
(3) OPs should be located within small-arms range of the platoon positions.
b. Observation. When he identifies the general location for the OP, the platoon leader must also indicate the area to be observed and any specific instructions covering what soldiers are to look for or be especially alert to. The area observed may be a sector, one or more avenues of approach (normally one per OP), a named area of interest (NAI), or a target reference point (TRP). OPs should also require minimal repositioning for limited visibility.
c. Cover and Concealment. Sometimes, the requirement for fields of observation may make it difficult to achieve cover and concealment. Some techniques include-
(1) Avoid obvious terrain such as hilltops.
(2) Avoid easily identifiable terrain features such as water towers, church steeples, tallest buildings, lone buildings or trees, or isolated groves.
(3) Avoid routes or positions that skyline soldiers.
(4) Select a covered and concealed route to and from the OP.
d. Communications. Soldiers must be able to report what they see and hear. Wire is the primary means of communications between the OP and the platoon. If possible, the OP should have radio communications as a backup. An additional soldier may be added as a messenger if no other means of communication is available. The SOP should specify how often OPs make routine communications checks. When the platoon loses wire communications with the OP, the leader always details at least two soldiers to check and repair the line--one for security, one for repair. Soldiers checking for breaks in wire should always approach the OP with caution in case the enemy has captured and occupied it.
e. Manning. At least two soldiers must man each OP. A fire team may man the OP if it will remain in place or not be relieved for long periods. All soldiers prepare fighting positions at the OP for protection and concealment. Additionally, each soldier must have a prepared position to return to in the platoon position.
f. Additional Instructions. In addition to the intelligence and security reporting requirements, the squad leader also briefs the soldiers manning the OP on the challenge and password, the running password, when to engage and when not to engage the enemy, conditions when the OP can withdraw, when to expect relief, and contingency plans for loss of communications.
g. Equipment. Special equipment for the OP includes binoculars, maps, a compass, night vision devices (goggles or an antiarmor thermal sight), trip flares and other alert devices, a field phone, paper and pencil, and a watch.
3. Actions at the Observation Post. Once the squad leader has positioned and briefed the soldiers at the OP site, one soldier always observes and records while the remainder perform(s) the actions listed below-
a. Establish security. Install trip flares and noise-making devices.
b. Prepare positions to include range cards. Record data for use in requesting and adjusting fire; for example, azimuths and ranges to TRPs.
c. Make communications checks or report as required.
d. Rotate duty as the observer every 20 to 30 minutes. An observer's efficiency quickly decreases after that time.
e. Brief relieving soldiers on any information or special instructions before departing the OP. The frequency of reliefs for OPs depends on the physical condition of the soldiers, weather conditions, morale, the number of soldiers available for relief, and the requirements of the next operation. As a guide, OPs should be relieved every two to four hours.
f. Withdraw as directed or to avoid capture. Soldiers manning the OP advise the platoon leader that they are returning and request support (direct or indirect) if needed. Leaders must alert all soldiers in the platoon when reliefs move to or from the OP and when it withdraws.
4. Squad-Sized Observation Post. A squad may occupy one OP to add security and combat power when the platoon has a mission to screen the flank of a larger force or to secure a large area. The squad-sized OP allows the platoon to observe from OPs and to conduct patrols between them. Leaders use the same considerations listed above in planning and siting squad-sized OPs. The squad leader spreads his soldiers out in two-, or three-soldier positions. Each position acts as an OP to observe an assigned sector.
5. Visual Terrain Search. A visual terrain search involves the two steps discussed below. (See Part N for a detailed discussion of night vision.) Observation posts report all information quickly, accurately, and completely. They make sure that the report answers the questions WHO, WHAT, WHERE, and WHEN. It is best to use the SALUTE format when reporting information.
a. Step 1. The observer makes an overall search of the entire area for obvious targets, unnatural colors, outlines, or movement. To do this quickly, he raises his eyes from just in front of his position to the greatest range he wants to observe. If the sector is wide, he observes it in sections. (Figure 2-92.)
Figure 2-92. Overall Search.
b. Step 2. He observes overlapping 50-meter wide strips, alternating from left to right and right to left until he has observed the entire area. (Figure 2-93.) When he sees a suspicious spot, he searches it well. Leaders must know fire distribution, fire control, and methods of engaging targets with antiarmor weapons.
Figure 2-93. Overlapping 50-Meter Search.
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