CHAPTER
6
MOBILITY/SURVIVABILITY
(TA.6)
- Brigade
and task force engineers must have an engineer smart book. The smart book must
have the capabilities of the light and heavy engineer units working in their
area of operation and must include equipment work rates. It must also include
identical information on enemy engineer capabilities. The smart book should
be constantly updated and be able to fit in the cargo pocket of BDU pants.
- Battle
captains must be prepared to track the entire engineer effort because at times
the brigade engineer, and more likely the task force engineer, will be with
his platoon in the battle area, not at the TOC. When the staff engineer leaves
the TOC area, he must ensure that the battle captain has the obstacle overlay
and matrix and survivability matrix so that the TOC can track the engineer
defensive preparation.
- Task
force engineers are often too optimistic and overestimate their capabilities.
The brigade engineer, engineer company commander, TF commander, XO, and S3
need to provide quality control in this area.
- Ensure
all additional units added to the task organization during the operation have
a copy of the TACSOP, especially the section on how the unit marks their obstacles
(minefields) and the minefield lanes and bypasses.
- Use
Warning Orders (WARNOs) to get engineer assets out working early. The brigade
can issue WOs to the task forces and engineer units specifying engineer tasks
which can be started early, such as survivability preparation of the BSA, command
and control elements, and artillery units.
- Warning
Order No. 2 can be used by the brigade engineer to distribute the initial survivability
work matrix to units and to get engineer equipment working sooner on defensive
preparations.
- Warning
Order No. 3 can be used by the brigade engineer to distribute the initial obstacle
matrix which contains division- and brigade-directed obstacles. Engineers would
then begin countermobility defensive preparation while the task forces plan
their defenses.
- During
wargaming, the brigade engineer and task force engineer should place scaled
symbols of the obstacles on the wargaming map, preferably in a distinctive
and recognizable color. You do not want one 1000-meter minefield to turn into
numerous minefields all over the defensive sector.
- If
a unit is assigned a reserve demolition mission from higher headquarters, the
unit must always maintain communication with assigned obstacle guards and higher
headquarters.
- Establish
engineer priorities of work and be prepared for engineer and transportation
equipment breakdowns. Never presume 12 hours of blade time equals 12 hours
of blade digging time. Equipment travel time on the battlefield, coordination
with the supported unit, crew rest, and equipment maintenance must be factored
in.
- When
possible, consolidate engineer digging equipment under the control of an engineer
leader. Task forces should consider appointing a "CINC dozer" to control assets
within their area. Consider assigning two operators per dozer, and always have
a maintenance contact team with a fuel truck with the engineer equipment.
- The
brigade engineer must battle-track engineer assets and hold units to their
allocated engineer tasks, missions, and usage times. Engineer equipment, like
dozers and SEEs, belong to the brigade commander, not the last user. Possession
does not equal ownership. Brigade and task force engineers need to develop
an engineer execution matrix for obstacle placement and survivability preparation
to ensure that critical engineer assets are used as effectively and proficiently
as possible in support of maneuver units.
- Minefield
marking and breaching must be done per the TACSOP. Units developing "free form
marking" is foolish and generally results in other friendly soldiers being
wounded or killed.
- Develop
a battle drill for dealing with mines on the MSRs and routes in sector/zone.
- All
convoys must have hasty breaching tools on vehicles; i.e., grappling hooks,
ropes, C4, blasting caps and detonation cord, smoke, and a rehearsed security
element.
- The
brigade engineer must develop a minefield marking kit, remember to keep it
simple, and include it in the TACSOP. The minefield marking kit should be carried
on as many vehicles as possible.
- Route
and MSR tracking is a command responsibility and must be coordinated between
the BSA/ALOC/FSB and the brigade engineer at the brigade TOC. The BSA and TOC
must be aware of all MSR traffic. Friendly and enemy obstacles and their status
must be constantly checked, and cross-talk must occur to ensure convoys and
LOGPACs know what to expect on each route. It would be advisable to have an
MSR status board by the exit/entrance in the BSA.
- Positive
control of known minefields is mandatory. The staff engineer must track and
know the status of all friendly and enemy minefields. The CLF will re-seed
the minefield unless a stay-behind force remains to secure the site and find
the mine cache. Never leave a breached minefield unobserved. Remember to use
the TSOP marking system and provide guides at night. Daily route clearance
is a requirement that, if ignored, will cause the loss of lives.
- In
breaching operations always remember SOSR = SUPPRESS - OBSCURE - SECURE - REDUCE,
and then mark
the
minefield and breached lanes.
- During
the conduct of a deliberate attack, always consider multiple breaches with
a direct and indirect fire plan.
- The
task force engineer should ensure that the commander understands the engineer
work schedule and priorities and approves it before the work starts. Any tasks
to subordinate units dealing with providing security to engineers or assisting
engineers in their work effort should be listed in the base order, not just
in the engineer annex.
- The
task force engineer platoon leader must take information from the engineer
annex in the brigade order and break it out into the number of minefield and
obstacle packages available. He must be able to explain to the commander the
size and type of obstacles which can be installed with and without infantry
support. Remember: Maneuver units install their protective obstacles and engineers
install the tactical obstacles.
- Engineers
cannot do it all in the defense. The infantry must know how to emplace and
arm mines. The infantry company commander must be prepared to provide a substantial
element to assist engineers in tactical obstacle placement. Based upon available
time, the company commander may mandate that individual positions be prepared
after tactical and protective obstacles have been placed.
- Most
infantry do not understand the meaning of the engineer obstacle symbols (Disrupt,
Turn, Fix and Block) and most do not incorporate these symbols into the wargame
or operations graphics. They should!
- Never
tell the infantry to wait for engineers before starting to dig in. Defensive
preparations should start as soon as the unit arrives in sector. Enemy artillery
and mortar fires may arrive before the engineers arrive.
- While
the brigade planning process is proceeding, the engineer unit can be performing
survivability tasks such as digging in the BSA, BDE TOC, artillery command
and control, and possibly reserve or counterattack forces. Engineers can also
begin countermobility tasks, such as preparing division- and brigade-directed
obstacles.
- Survivability
trenches inside the TOC wire should be dug. They will save soldiers' lives.
- Without
a liner, SICP tents glow like a bonfire through night-vision goggles (NVGs).
Headquarters commandants should check light discipline using NVGs.
- Dismount
points are generally too close to what they are protecting. Modern explosives
and chemical bombs can do as much damage by just getting close without an actual
perimeter penetration. The headquarters commandant should be looking at standoff
distances and ruthlessly controlling access.
- Aviation
assembly areas need some thought. Aircraft need greater dispersion, foot and
vehicle traffic must be controlled, and high-value aircraft (EH60, Air Volcano,
C2 and MEDEVAC) need proper placement and security.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
