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Use of battlefield deception can enhance a division's ability to fight according to AirLand Battle tenets. For example, battlefield deception operations may allow the commander to mass forces without being noticed by the enemy. This may permit the commander to take the initiative by acting in a manner unexpected by the enemy. The key is to synchronize operations with the overall combat mission.

Battlefield deception operations are conducted by commanders to mislead or confuse enemy decision makers. They seek to distort, conceal, or falsify indicators of friendly intentions or capabilities. Successful deception operations cause the enemy to take operational actions favorable to friendly plans.

Successful deception operations depend on denying true dispositions and intentions to the enemy and having thorough knowledge of the enemy. The first depends on effective OPSEC. In the planning stage, friendly profiles must be identified and used to advantage. OPSEC is also essential during the execution and evaluation phases. In addition, intelligence is required on enemy collection capabilities, decision making, and deception doctrine.

CSS elements must be integrated into all battlefield deception plans. Planners must consider whether the deception-specific and other resources required to execute a deception story are available. They must also be aware of the risks involved in committing limited resources to the deception story. This is especially true in the brigade area. Commanders must determine whether the potential gain of a deception is worth the resources required.

A division Battlefield Deception Cell under the staff supervision of the G3 plans the division's role in a corps deception, or may plan independent division-level deception operations. The G4 prepares logistics estimates by analyzing logistics factors affecting deception operations. He advises the deception cell on logistics feasibilities of various courses of action. The G1 advises the cell on the availability of personnel to support deception operations. The G4 coordinates with the G3 and his deception element to ensure deception tasks are integrated into the logistics annex to the OPLAN.

Once the deception plan is formulated, FSB elements may be required to employ deception means. Deception means are methods, resources, and techniques used to convey or deny information to the enemy. There are four categories of deception means-visual, olfactory, sonic, and electronic. FSB units may use any combination of the four types to accomplish the two deception objectives-to hide the real and display the false.

Concealing logistics activities ties in with overall OPSEC measures. In addition to these other OPSEC measures, the following specific deception means may be used:

• Use civilian cars and trucks or converted buses for logistics operations.
  

• Store supplies and perform maintenance and medical operations in train cars, houses, factories, subway tunnels, caves, or bunkers.
  

• Setup activities in partially destroyed installations.
  

• Disguise packages and containers to look like ones used by local civilians.
  

• Send FSB personnel forward with deploying forces to find and camouflage suitable locations before supplies are sent forward.
  

• Set up in unusual or unorthodox positions and use secondary supply routes.

• Require vehicles to move randomly, rather than in convoys, and during periods of reduced visibility.
  

• Screen activity with smoke.
  

• Change movement patterns and relocate activities at irregular intervals.
  

FSB units may use deception means to lead the enemy to believe activities are located where none exist. These activities may include logistics installations; supply points, including ammunition and fuel storage areas; motor pools; and airfields. Though such activities are normally performed by elements at echelons above the brigade, FSB units may be required to play a role in such specific deception means as --

• Spraying surplus oil or tar on the ground to create false runways.
  

• Arranging empty ammunition containers and fuel drums to portray logistics bases.
  

• Using smoke to simulate activity or obscure a dummy base.
  

• Setting up fake supply routes to a dummy base.
  

• Portraying all indicators normally associated with base activity. These include latrines, trash, concertina wire, buried cable, and foot and vehicle tracks.
  

• Using any available logistics base decoy packages. Several devices to portray logistics bases are under development.

The following are examples of how deception measures may be used by FSB elements to support various tactical situations. These are only examples; there are numerous others. The best deception means to use depends on METT-T. The main point is that synchronization of effort depends on the FSB techniques being integrated into the overall deception and operations plans.

If the deception story is that 1st Brigade will conduct the main attack, when in reality 2d Brigade will, FSB units help simulate noise and light patterns in 1st Brigade's notional assembly area. They also appear to close logistics activities in the old area. At the same time, FSB units in support of 2d Brigade postpone the forward movement of vehicles until the last possible moment. Even at that point, the movement is restricted to that which appears normal for a defensive or supporting attack.

In the defense, deception may be used to lead the enemy to believe the division is withdrawing. FSB elements conduct rearward movement of convoys with dummy loads. Units also simulate evacuation, abandonment, or destruction of supplies and equipment.

The FSB may use several techniques to have the enemy believe the brigade is defending in its present position when a withdrawal will be conducted. Stockpiles of supplies- ammunition, fuel, and barrier materiel-are portrayed in the present position. Normal patterns of activity are continued in the current location. Movement of FSB elements to the rear are concealed through infiltration and night movement.