APPENDIX O
OPERATIONS SECURITY
Section I. COUNTERSURVEILLANCE
O-1. GENERAL
Operations security (OPSEC) includes all actions taken to deny the enemy information on planned, ongoing, or completed operations. OPSEC includes measures such as camouflage, physical security noise and light discipline, information security authentication procedures, document security sign and countersign, and terrain masking.
O-2. CAMOUFLAGE AND CONCEALMENT
Camouflage is the use of natural and manmade materials to disguise and conceal troops, vehicles, and equipment so they blend with their surroundings. Concealment is the use of available terrain features, both natural and man-made, to hide troops, vehicles, and equipment. Camouflage and concealment make it more difficult for the enemy to detect and engage platoons and squads with accurate fire.
When planning camouflage and concealment, platoons and squads must think about the things the enemy will look for or things that will attract his attention to friendly positions. These include:
MOVEMENT. Movement attracts attention, particularly vehicular movement. Even slight movements, such as arm-and-hand signals or a soldier walking, may attract the enemy's attention.
SHADOWS. Unusual shadows will attract attention. Since the APC is large and has a distinct shape, its shadow may be easily seen. Hence, every effort should be made to break up the vehicle's outline and cause its shadow to blend with shadows cast by natural terrain. Shaded areas should be used to the maximum, but shadows move as the position of the sun or moon changes and this should be taken into account. Vehicles should be repositioned accordingly.
OBVIOUS POSITIONS. Hilltops, road junctions, and lone buildings should be avoided. They may be easily seen by the enemy or serve as registration points for enemy indirect fire.
SHINY OR REFLECTED LIGHT. In daylight bright or shiny surfaces will reflect sunlight and draw the enemy's attention. At night, an exposed light, even one with a red lens, or the glow of a cigarette can be seen from far away.
SHAPE. The shape of a vehicle or even a helmet is easily identified by the enemy. Shape and outline of troops and vehicles must be broken up by camouflage materials.
COLOR. Combat uniforms and even the APC are colored to blend with wooded surroundings. Often, though, colors will not blend with the background. For example, if the ground is covered with snow, green camouflage will not blend. Camouflage should be adjusted to fit local conditions.
CONCENTRATION. Congestion of troops or vehicles will attract the enemy's attention, and probably his fire. Men and vehicles must always be dispersed.
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Camouflage can be attached to the APC by communications wire or string. It should be used to break up the vehicle outline. Camouflage must not interfere with the movement of vehicle weapons or block the gunner's view.
Natural camouflage may include branches, grass, mud, or snow. Man-made camouflage may include wire netting, carpets, boards, or poles. Both natural and man-made items may be used at the same time.
O-3. POSITIONS
Since the APC is large, cover is often more important than camouflage. There are two ways to conceal the APC: hull-down position and hide position.
HULL-DOWN POSITION.
The most common position, the hull-down position, uses the terrain to protect the hull. This type of position allows the TL/gunner to observe the battlefield and use the mounted weapons.
Hull-down positions are often found behind undulations, ridges, slopes, road and railroad embankments, and walls. The TL may choose to back into a hull-down position. This allows for more rapid movement out of the position.
HIDE POSITION.
This type of position is used when likely firing positions have little or no cover and concealment. The carriers are placed to the rear of their designated firing positions in a woodline, behind buildings, or in a depression.
When hide positions are used, the dismount teams should be forward to observe the likely engagement areas. They should have a way to signal the carrier teams to alert them to likely targets and to call the vehicles forward at the appropriate time. This can be done by arm-and-hand signals, wire, or radio.
No matter what type of firing position is used, the vehicles should have more than one position. Once the APC engages the enemy it will attract return fire. By having other firing positions, an APC can destroy a target, back down into cover, and move to another position. While this is being done, the other APCs and the dismount element can be firing to divert the enemy's attention.
O-4. NOISE AND LIGHT DISCIPLINE
If a unit does not practice noise and light discipline, especially at night, the best operational security measures can be wasted. The most difficult noises to control are those made by the vehicle. These also are the most likely noises to be detected by the enemy. Several techniques can be used to cut down vehicle noises.
When possible, keep night movement to a minimum because the carrier's engine and tracks can be heard at a considerable distance.
Avoid idling engines at high speeds or moving rapidly.
If possible, close ramps and hatches before dark. When closing them after dark, they should not be slammed.
Vehicle light discipline includes:
Using vision block covers during darkness.
Using night vision goggles.
Turning off all internal lights.
Using blue-green filters on flashlights.
When it is dark and preparations have been made, one member of each dismount team should inspect the squad's vehicle from the outside to insure that there is no visible light from the vehicle.
The dismount teams also must practice noise and light discipline. Noise discipline is simply avoiding loud noises, such as loud talking, laughing, or metal-on-metal sounds. Light discipline involves no smoking or building fires, and controlling use of flashlights.
Section II. PHYSICAL SECURITY
O-5. GENERAL
Physical security consists of actions platoons and squads take to insure that the enemy does not close on or infiltrate friendly positions without being detected. These actions include manning observation posts, conducting patrols, conducting stand-to, silent watch, and providing local security to include flank coordination.
O-6. OBSERVATION POST
Normally a platoon is given the mission to set up and man at least one two-man OP. In turn, the platoon leader will designate a squad to perform OP duties. An OP is designed in the defense to observe to the front or in the gaps between friendly positions. It provides early warning of the enemy's advance. Wire is the primary means of communication between the platoon headquarters and the OP.
A whole squad, including its carrier team, may be given an OP mission. This gives the OP more firepower, armor protection, and better mobility. When this is not feasible, the dismount team will man the OP.
When a platoon leader orders soldiers to man an OP, he must explain to them in detail what he wants them to do, what actions they will take when they detect the enemy, and when and how they are to return to the platoon's position. The platoon leader may want to have the forward observer and his radiotelephone operator go with the squad personnel to call for indirect fire on any enemy detected.
O-7. PATROLS
Normally patrols are conducted to cover unoccupied gaps between defensive positions. On occasion, patrols also may cover the terrain between OPs to the front. Squad dismount teams normally conduct patrols. (See chapter 7 for details on patrolling.)
O-8. STAND-TO
Platoons and squads will normally be required to conduct stand-to according to unit SOP. A stand-to is a period of maximum preparedness at first light in the morning and at darkness in the evening. This insures that the unit is ready for action and that every man adjusts to the changing light conditions. As a minimum, stand-to is conducted 30 minutes before beginning morning nautical twilight (BMNT) and 30 minutes after end evening nautical twilight (EENT). The SOP should specify the actions to be taken, but as a minimum they should insure that:
Troops are awake, dressed, and ready for combat.
Vehicles are topped off with fuel and stocked with a basic load of ammunition.
Weapons are cleaned, serviced, assembled, and ready for action.
Radios are turned on and tested (briefly).
All vehicles are loaded to the extent possible, less the deployed dismount teams, and are ready for short-notice moves.
O-9. SILENT WATCH
During limited visibility and lulls in the battle, it is critical to keep up observation of assigned sectors without exposing friendly positions to enemy view. While doing this, the platoon may use silent watch. Silent watch is a defensive posture that minimizes all sounds that might be detected by the enemy.
O-10. MOUNTED/DISMOUNTED SECURITY
Local security consists of mounted and dismounted security.
Mounted security
Mounted security is observing from the APC and preparing the vehicle so it does not represent a security hazard.
The platoon leader should assign each squad an area to watch over. The gunner can best do this because he is elevated and has access to the AN/TVS-5. Dragon tracker and binoculars are used.
During the evening stand-to preparations, noise and light discipline should be enforced, and the vehicle's engine should be run only enough to insure that the batteries are charged.
Dismounted Security
Dismounted local security is provided by the dismount teams. During daylight, this involves observing in assigned sectors of defensive fires. At night, positions may be moved forward or closer to the vehicle element or to tanks in a company team.
The infantrymen provide security by observing assigned sectors with the naked eye, with binoculars, and with their nightsights. They also listen for the enemy. Tank crews have difficulty listening for the enemy because of vehicle noises and the crew's confined place in the vehicles.
Section III. SIGNAL SECURITY
O-11. GENERAL
Signal security (SIGSEC) includes measures taken to deny or counter enemy exploitation of electronic emissions. It includes communications security and electronic security. Communications security measures are discussed in appendix D, paragraph D-10.
At the platoon and squad level, SIGSEC mainly concerns good communication procedures and electronic counter-countermeasures. ECCM, taken to insure friendly use of the electromagnetic spectrum against electronic warfare, includes antijamming, authentication, and radio discipline.
As far as possible, radio should be used as a communications backup for arm-and-hand signals, flag signals, whistles, telephones, flashlight signals, and messengers.
There will be times when the radio must be used. Platoons and squads should assume that the enemy is monitoring every radio transmission and using radio direction finders to locate transmitting radios. They also must assume that the enemy understands English and can quickly break unauthorized codes. No matter who is transmitting by radio, these rules should be followed:
Transmit only when necessary.
Think the message through and know exactly what needs to be said before keying the transmitter.
Keep transmissions short, and use call signs only as necessary.
Do not confuse the radio with vehicle intercom systems.
Use proper radiotelephone procedures and prowords.
Operate radios on low power as much as possible.
O-12. ENCODED INFORMATION
In transmissions to the company commander and other platoons, the platoon leader often will have information that needs to be encoded. In these situations, the platoon leader should use the CEOI for the proper encoding procedures and authentication tables.
Within the platoon, there seldom is occasion to send information that requires code; hence, transmissions are in the clear. Sensitive information should be passed orally in a face-to-face meeting of leaders or by messenger.
Section IV. INFORMATION SECURITY
O-13. GENERAL
Information security includes measures taken to prevent the enemy from gaining intelligence on friendly units, intentions, or locations. Information security can be associated with physical security in that physical security may be necessary to good information security.
O-14. SECURITY MEASURES
During combat operations, foreign nationals and observers should not be permitted into the area. Specific instructions should be given to platoon members to deny local civilians access into or around their positions. Civilians could be used by the enemy to obtain information about your unit.
Weapons, ammunition, classified documents, and sensitive items should be safeguarded at all times. When not in use, sensitive items should be stored out of sight. Careless equipment security can lead to compromise of your capabilities and limitations. If, for example, you move through a seemingly secure town, with limited visibility devices and ammunition "displayed," enemy infiltrators or sympathizers will obtain information about your capabilities.
Unit vehicle markings should be covered as should individual unit patches. These items may seem insignificant, but they may provide valuable information to the enemy. They allow the enemy to determine the size and type of unit that opposes them and the unit's capabilities.
Censorship in a war zone is inherent in information security. Soldiers should be briefed on what not to include in their mail. Should they be killed or captured and subsequently searched by the enemy, mail could be a valuable intelligence source. Items that should not be in letters include:
Unit identification, size, location, or capabilities.
Knowledge of future operations.
Specific mention of commanders' names.
Acknowledgement of heavy losses or poor morale.
Whenever a unit departs a position, a thorough police of the area should be conducted to insure that items of intelligence value are not left behind. In a laager, ammunition containers should not be left behind since they could provide information as to the types and numbers of systems that a unit has. Food containers could be a dead giveaway as to the unit's size. Discarded radio batteries can disclose communications capabilities. It is essential that unit members police as they go to avoid possible compromise.
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