CHAPTER
7 Manning
the Bradley Engineer Platoon
Manning the Bradley Engineer Platoon
Although heavy combat engineers will transition to an armored force under Division XXI, the engineer mission will remain unchanged - they will continue to provide mobility, counter-mobility, and survivability support to the maneuver force. As heavy division engineers field the Engineer-Bradley Fighting Vehicle (E-BFV) to replace the M113, the engineers will need to revise tactical procedures and engineer-specific battle drills to compensate for the new fighting platform and the restructured TOE.
Unlike the M113, the E-BFV requires a dedicated, three-soldier crew to drive the vehicle and operate the weapon systems. The draft TOE for an E-BFV engineer platoon allows for one officer and 19 enlisted soldiers (see figure below). In an engineer platoon equipped with four E-BFVs, 12 of the authorized 20 soldiers remain with the vehicles, leaving eight soldiers to execute dismounted missions. The engineer challenge is to man the Bradleys while simultaneously maintaining the ability to execute engineer missions. This chapter addresses the limitations of the E-BFV engineer platoon organization and offers techniques for the platoon's tactical employment.
OBSERVATION No. 1: The E-BFV engineer platoon organization is barely adequate for the construction of conventional obstacles. The engineer squad is too small to execute this mission.
DISCUSSION: A fully-manned E-BFV engineer platoon with two Sapper squads is able to dismount eight soldiers to construct conventional obstacles, such as hand-emplaced minefields, triple-standard concertina fence, and 11-row wire road block. This is based on the assumption that each of the four E-BFVs is manned with a driver, gunner and vehicle commander. Comparatively, a fully-manned M113-equipped engineer platoon with three Sapper squads is able to dismount 18 soldiers.
LESSONS:
1. In general, counter-mobility missions previously executed by squads will require an E-BFV platoon, and previous platoon missions will require an E-BFV company with additional augmentation.
2. The E-BFV engineer platoon is the smallest engineer organization capable of effective conventional obstacle emplacement. The E-BFV engineer squad is too small.
3. Given the engineer manpower limitation, supported maneuver battalions must augment soldiers to the E-BFV engineer company for conventional obstacle emplacement. Additionally, maneuver battalions must expect fewer conventional obstacles over a given time period.
4. Assign the E-BFV engineer company the most specialized tasks and the critical obstacle groups. The maneuver companies assume responsibility for protective obstacle emplacement (within 500 meters of the unit battle position) and directed, tactical obstacle emplacement.
5. Maneuver units must effectively plan for and execute scatterable mine emplacement (MOPMS, Volcano, RAAMS/ADAM) to compensate for the loss of conventional obstacle capability.
OBSERVATION 2: The squad leader in an E-BFV engineer squad is more effective when he is able to dismount the E-BFV.
DISCUSSION: The E-BFV requires a dedicated, three-soldier crew to operate the vehicle and its weapon systems. If the engineer squad leader is a Bradley commander (BC), his ability to dismount the vehicle to lead soldiers in combat is limited.
LESSONS:
1. Assign the team leader or other 12B20 within the squad as the BC. Absent an NCO, assign a senior enlisted soldier as the BC.
2. The "crew concept" is critical. Maintain crew continuity and ensure that the crew is qualified on all E-BFV crew tasks.
OBSERVATION No. 3: The E-BFV engineer platoon is not able to conduct all the row-mining functions simultaneously.
DISCUSSION:
1. Row minefield emplacement consists of four primary functions:
- Siting and Recording
- Marking
- Mine Dump Operations
- Mine Laying
2. A dedicated party executes each mine-laying function. In the old three-squad combat engineer platoon, the dedicated parties are able to execute these functions simultaneously. For example, the marking party installs the perimeter fence while the mine dump party uncrates and prepares mines for emplacement. The only constraint is mine emplacement - mines cannot go on the ground until the minefield is marked.
3. The E-BFV engineer platoon, however, is unable to conduct simultaneous, row-mining functions. Each function must be executed sequentially by the entire platoon.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. When the E-BFV engineer platoon is not augmented with additional troops, they can use the following suggested row minefield battle drill. The procedures and unit organization follow the guidelines and standards established in FM 20-32, Mine/Countermine Operations.
2. The E-BFV engineer platoon organizes into four parties:
- Siting and Recording
- Marking
- Mine Dump Operations
- Mine Laying
3. The execution of the row-mining operation can be divided into two phases:
Phase 1- Preparation - Siting, Marking, and Mine Dump operations. During the preparation phase, the E-BFV platoon organizes into two distinct working parties that execute the functions listed below:
The platoon leader designates a recorder to complete a DA Form 1355 for each minefield. During the mine emplacement phase, the recorder receives information from the mine-laying party NCOIC and completes the forms for submission.
Phase II - Mine Emplacement and Recording. Upon completion of mine preparation at the mine dump, the mine dump party, under the platoon sergeant's supervision, moves to the sited obstacle group and transitions to mine laying. During the execution of row-mining, the E-BFV squad organizes the mine-laying party as shown below:
After the marking party (E-BFV squad) completes all obstacle group and individual minefield marking requirements, the squad is available to execute row-mining. The platoon sergeant supervises the row-mining process. If a row of mines is to be buried, the mine-laying party makes a second pass to dig in and bury the mines.
OBSERVATION No. 4: A single E-BFV is able to transport the following loads:
1. One row of M21 mines for a turn/block minefield (84 mines). Mines must be unfused and placed on their side for transport.
2. Mines for one disrupt minefield (42 M21; 84 M15). Mines must be placed on their side for transport.
3. Fifteen rolls concertina wire carried on the trim vane.
4. Thirty medium/long pickets with side-handle modification (See picture below).
Chapter
6: Combat Engineer Equipment
Chapter
8: Unit Trainup
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