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Military

TA.5 INTELLIGENCE BOS


(Trends are numbered sequentially for cross-reference and are not in any priority order.)

Positive Performance

TREND 1
SUBJECT: Ground lines of communication

OBSERVATION (BDE C2 ENG): Brigades have recognized that establishing and controlling ground lines of communication (GLOC's) is critical during low and mid-intensity operations.

DISCUSSION: Brigades understand the importance of conducting a thorough Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB).

SUSTAINMENT TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: Units are establishing a combined arms route clearance package to facilitate clear and secure routes within their area of operation (AO).

(TA.5.2 Collect Information)


TREND 2
SUBJECT: Crater analysis procedures

OBSERVATION (FS DIV): Units routinely conduct crater analysis in an effort to augment other means of locating enemy indirect fire systems.

DISCUSSION: None.

SUSTAINMENT TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: None.

(TA.5.2.1 Collect Information on Situation)


TREND 3
SUBJECT: Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB), Evaluate the threat

OBSERVATION (INTEL DIV): Brigade and battalion S2s and intelligence analysts in the military intelligence (MI) company analysis and control teams (ACT) come to rotations thoroughly prepared with adequate knowledge of the threat they will face.

DISCUSSION: This knowledge was effectively converted into doctrinal templates, databases on threat tactics, options, and high-value target lists.

SUSTAINMENT TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: Home Station training, the JRTC Leader's Training Program, and Mobile Training Teams appear to be working and must be continued.

(TA.5.3.1 Evaluate Threat Information)


Needs Emphasis

TREND 1
SUBJECT: Collection planning and reconnaissance and security operations and planning

OBSERVATION (INTEL DIV): Brigade and battalion S2s consistently fail to plan effective operations to collect the information needed to win.

DISCUSSION: A majority of units used well-developed matrices as planning tools, which indicated they knew what needed to be done. However, not one unit was able to plan and execute a successful reconnaissance plan in any phase of the rotations. Three common areas characterized intelligence collection failures: lack of focus, timeliness, and supervision. First, reconnaissance missions were unfocused and not linked to the commander's Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR) or Decision Points (DP). Second, missions were initiated late, often uncoordinated, and usually not tracked by higher headquarters. Third, units did not have a system to double-check when a named area of interest (NAI) was or was not covered or could not identify gaps in the coverage.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: Collection/reconnaissance and security planning must begin with receipt of the warning order so that intelligence or reconnaissance teams can initiate collection operations while the staff is conducting the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP). Although this is not possible during initial entry missions, early reconnaissance would allow the staff and commander to make a plan based on current intelligence, not just templated enemy situations. Commanders must strive to ensure they have a well-focused collection effort. This includes limiting the number of tasks given to collection assets, ensuring tasks are tied to PIR or DPs, and ensuring the plan uses all assets available.

EXAMPLE: A scout platoon can only pinpoint an objective and then observe it. Reconnaissance operations should pull maneuver units toward enemy weaknesses or vulnerabilities. Too often units force reconnaissance down one axis to support an inflexible friendly course of action.

1. Small maneuver elements can conduct aggressive patrolling operations to help the reconnaissance plan. For example, the JRTC OPFOR often probes defenses; likewise, infantry platoons can probe the OPFOR's defense. They need to be trained to do so prior to deployment.

2. There is no hard and fast rule on the number of NAIs that a unit can handle. However, the brigade staff must recognize that each NAI tasked to a subordinate unit becomes a specified task to them during the mission analysis.

3. S2s and S3s must have a combined method of tracking the collection/reconnaissance and security operation. Although planned by the S2, the S3 must maintain visibility over this set of combat assets maneuvering on the battlefield. One technique is to post an NAI chart next to the map that shows when an NAI is active, what is being reported, and when it should go inactive. This must be a staff battle drill practiced by all members of the S2 and S3 sections.

4. When combining assets from different units for reconnaissance missions (such as Marine FCTs, LLVI teams, and scouts), sufficient command, control and communications must be built in. These missions must be well coordinated and rehearsed routinely at Home Station prior to deployment. A rule of thumb is that when two like-sized units join to form a reconnaissance team, a headquarters from the next higher unit is probably needed.

5. Collection plans must be tied to the commander's key decision points. If a valuable asset is placed at risk to support a tactical operation, then that asset is potentially wasted.

6. Reconnaissance is everyone's business. Every combat leader must conduct a reconnaissance as part of routine troop-leading procedures and must be involved with running the entire TOC.

(TA.5.1 Develop Tactical Intelligence Requirements)


TREND 2
SUBJECT: Intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB)

OBSERVATION (INTEL DIV): IBP is a weak point for most aviation units.

DISCUSSION: The modified combined obstacle overlay (MCOO), normally developed at Home Station, is usually not updated and used during a unit's rotation. Additionally, units habitually do not refine the doctrinal and situational templates provided by brigade, nor do they develop event templates other than for the defense phase.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:

1. Units must develop a decision support template.

2. Review FM 34-130, Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield.

(TA.5.2 Collect Information)


TREND 3
SUBJECT: Early reconnaissance

OBSERVATION (AV DIV): Aviation cavalry and attack assets are not being used for early reconnaissance of objectives.

DISCUSSION: Many times the reason given is that the player unit does not want to "tip their hands." This lack of reconnaissance leads directly to poor planning and sometimes to direct mission failure.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: Allowing the aircraft to conduct an aggressive counter reconnaissance fight early and getting eyes on critical LZs will lead to greater chances of mission success and survivability.

(TA.5.2 Collect Information)


TREND 4
SUBJECT: Seeing the enemy

OBSERVATION (INTEL DIV): S2s are unable to provide detailed predictive analysis to drive operations. S2 sections are unable to develop event templates with sufficient detail to drive and shape friendly operations in a low-intensity environment.

DISCUSSION: It is not enough to tell the commander "where" the enemy is. What the commander really needs to know is where is the enemy going, when he will arrive, what he will look like when he arrives, and what he will do when he arrives.

Additionally, S2s must portray an integrated combined arms threat. S2s must recognize that the enemy's battlefield operating systems (BOS) are integrated into an enemy scheme of maneuver. This level of resolution in predictive analysis will assist the brigade staff in developing and synchronizing a friendly course of action that synchronizes combat power at the decisive point in space and time to defeat the enemy. S2s should provide the same level of detail on the enemy that is briefed by the S3 on friendly operations. The lack of a common vision of the enemy across the brigade task force leads to the development and execution of friendly schemes of maneuver that do not incorporate defeat mechanisms to exploit enemy vulnerabilities. Ultimately the brigade staff ends up fighting the plan vice fighting the enemy.

Another contributing factor to the brigade's inability to see the enemy is the lack of ACT integration into the brigade S2 section. In this regard, ACTs do not provide fused intelligence products to the brigade S2 to assist in developing a threat picture nor do they provide periodic intelligence reports and updates in order to provide the commander with a clearer picture of the battlefield.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:

1. The event template should include one or more detailed enemy COAs. Each enemy COA should include a detailed enemy scheme of maneuver, which includes the following:

a. Enemy task and purpose templated down to at least platoon level and major weapon system (i.e. which mortar tube is tied to which obstacle and supports which specific platoon).

b. Main and supporting effort (resources committed to each), key and decisive terrain.

c. Enemy commander decision points.

d. Enemy control measures.

e. Friendly high-payoff targets (HPTs) that the enemy will target.

f. Integrated enemy BOS.

g. Integrated LUG and COB.

h. Time phaselines to track enemy movement.

i. NAIs to confirm or deny the enemy COA.

2. The ACT should be physically integrated into the brigade S2 section. This integration can best be accomplished through field or garrison training exercises comprising the brigade S2 and the MICO ACT. Within this forum (utilizing FM 34-80, Brigade and Battalion Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Operations, to assist in identifying the mission and function of the ACT), roles and responsibilities could be identified and SOPs established.

(TA.5.3 Process Information)


TREND 5
SUBJECT: Event templating and collection management

OBSERVATION (INTEL DIV): After identifying the set of potential threat course of action (COA), the initial challenge is to determine which COA the enemy will actually adopt.

DISCUSSION: The art of identifying initial collection requirements revolves around predicting specific areas and activities which, when observed, will reveal which courses of action (COAs) the threat has chosen. The difference between the named area of interests (NAIs), time phase lines, and indicators associated with each COA form the basis of the event template. The event template is a guide for collection management and R&S planning.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:

1. The S2 must make an effort to consistently update the event template. It is the tool that allows the battalion to keep its collective focus on the enemy and how he will fight.

2. The S2 must be relentless in his pursuit of updating the event template, whether it is for a targeting meeting or if the threat is seen as fighting differently than was anticipated. An inability to develop a timely, visible product leads to a less than synchronized collection plan and focus for the commanders. In order to determine the ECOA, the S2 must also consistently update the collection plan.

3. References are Chapter 2, FM 34-130, Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB), and Chapters 2 and 3, FM 34-2, Collection Management and Synchronization Planning.

4. These references will allow the S2 to achieve a better understanding of the processes associated with event templating and collection management, as well as give him essential insight into the benefits of knowing his higher headquarter's collection focus.

(TA.5.2.1.1 Collect Threat Information)


TREND 6
SUBJECT: Situational awareness

OBSERVATION (BDE C2 MP): Many platoons continue to experience difficulty with situational awareness because they do not have a system in place to properly battle track and manage information.

DISCUSSION: Battle tracking in platoon command posts was not to the resolution necessary to provide squad leaders with visibility of enemy locations, friendly unit dispositions, and the current status of combat operations throughout the battlefield. Inversely, squad leaders rarely provided route or area reconnaissance overlays and did not report information in a manner that "painted a picture" for the platoon leaders. During operations, platoons did not always use control measures (e.g., phase lines, checkpoints, or rally points) to internally track progress or to report locations to their higher command and control element.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:

1. The platoons must provide brigade combat teams (BCTs) with the information necessary to have resolution of location, current status and missions of the MP units.

2. MP platoons should be considered during the BCT's clearance of fires drills. The platoon command post must track the current brigade operation to the resolution necessary to provide squad leaders with information to plan and conduct operations.

3. Prevent fratricide. The platoon command post must also disseminate and provide feedback on the PIR and CCIR. Platoon leaders must require squad leaders to submit timely situation reports and route reconnaissance reports.

(TA.5.2.1.3 Collect information on Social/Political/Economic Environment)


TREND 7
SUBJECT: Five requirements for accurate predicted fire

OBSERVATION (FS DIV): Units are not routinely placing proper emphasis on the five requirements for accurate predicted fire during normal operations.

DISCUSSION: Units do not achieve effects on target.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:

1. Assign the battalion fire direction officer (FDO) to track how the individual firing units are managing the five requirements for accurate predicted fire (FM 6-40, Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for Field Artillery Manual Cannon Gunnery, pp. 1-3 to 1-4). The Battalion FDO must ask the hard questions of the battery FDOs and ensure the firing accuracy of the battalion. Battery FDOs must understand their requirement to report to the battalion FDO on a regular basis. Problem areas include:

a. Firing Unit Locations: Inaccurate individual data within the database of the BCS or on the chart. Incorrect or inaccurate lay data or ORSTA locations.

b. Weapon and Ammunition Information: Units have no routine method for tracking their muzzle velocities. Unit MVV logs are incomplete and not updated routinely. Unit leaders do not regularly use the chronograph to update MVVs when the mission allows.

c. Meteorological Data: Units are not actively seeking current MET data and are not using the messages they receive from higher headquarters.

d. Computational Procedures: Some unit leaders do not check their databases regularly, and have poor second independent verification on fire mission data. Special munitions knowledge for fire mission processing is lacking.

2. Leaders at all levels must create checklists to ensure their units are meeting the five requirements for accurate predicated fires.

(TA.5.2.2 Collect Target Information)


TREND 8
SUBJECT: Sustained battalion operations

OBSERVATION (TF 3): During sustained operations battalions have difficulty developing a synchronized plan which integrates all of the battlefield operating system (BOS) and maneuver elements into a coordinated fight.

DISCUSSION: The battalion's plan for finding, fixing, and finishing the enemy is often relegated to individual company fights where platoons are not in mutual support of each other. Furthermore, courses of action do not have sufficient detail to provide flexibility and command and control to the fight. The lack of graphic control measures and planning priorities for the reserve produced a rigid plan with little flexibility from the original order.

When the formal staff wargaming is conducted, there is only a cursory view of enemy reaction because the unit does not allow the S2 to fight the enemy's COA. Repeatedly, the S2's enemy action was to allow the battalion to destroy his forces instead of moving, reacting, and developing the situation. When it came back to the friendly counter-action, there was a similar lack of detail, and few of the details were ever recorded in the execution matrix.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:

1. Conduct offensive operations IAW Chapter 3, FM 7-20, The Infantry Battalion.

2. While battalions do conduct daily targeting meetings, a more rigorous application of the Decide, Detect, Deliver and Assess methodology outlined in Chapter 5, FM 6-20-10, Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for the Targeting Process, will aid in developing a more focused target plan. It is critical to focus the efforts for detection and assessment of this effort and prioritize these efforts through the HPTL. Accurately templating the systems will allow the battalions to attack HPTs with multiple assets throughout the entire operation. For example, a template of an enemy mortar should include alternate locations, cache points, resupply routes and techniques, forward observers, communications assets, and how they are tied into the obstacle plan for the defense.

3. During sustained operations a daily meeting would allow the unit to resynchronize its efforts as the event template is updated from the latest enemy actions or is confirmed or denied by contact and observation reports. This will also ensure that battalions will develop battlefield visualization: the process whereby the unit develops a clear understanding of the current state and envisions a desired end state, then visualizes the sequence of activities that will move the force from its current state to the end state. The CSS concept of support needs to be integrated into the wargaming process.

4. Downed aircraft, CASEVAC, and resupply operations need to be synchronized with the maneuver plan. Contingency plans should be followed through until the unit achieves the desired outcome. Recommend that battalions conduct wargaming by battlefield operating system IAW Chapter 5, FM 101-5, Staff Organization and Operations.

(TA.5.2.2 Collect Target Information)


TREND 9
SUBJECT: Direction-finding (DF) operations

OBSERVATION (INTEL DIV): The company leadership usually places little emphasis on direction-finding operations.

DISCUSSION: This is due primarily to a lack of confidence in the direction-finding equipment. As a result, many times there is no DF flash net and no tenable baseline. Ultimately, communications and jamming (C&J) platoons are unable to answer the brigade commander's priority intelligence requirements (PIR) and often hinder the brigade S2's ability to "see the enemy."

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: When conducting electronic warfare operations on a non-linear battlefield, it is not only imperative to intercept enemy communications, but to also locate the enemy. Ultimately, this will assist maneuver commanders in economizing those forces in order to neutralize targets located. Review Chapter 4 of FM 34-80, Brigade and Battalion Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Operations, and FM 34-40-9, Direction Finding Operations.

(TA.5.2.2.1 Search for Targets)


TREND 10
SUBJECT: Duties and responsibilities of the S2 section

OBSERVATION (INTEL DIV): The S2 section is operating without a clear understanding of duties and responsibilities of each staff member.

DISCUSSION: S2 section standing operating procedures (SOP) must address the procedures and personnel responsible for logging, plotting, analyzing, and disseminating combat information and intelligence. Clearly articulating these duties and responsibilities will greatly assist the sections' ability to conduct battle tracking and facilitate establishing a section battle rhythm. S2 sections must be proactive and continue to pull information from both subordinate and higher echelon units when initial reports are vague.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: Tactical command post (TAC) operations must be addressed in the S2 section SOP. The SOP should include a checklist of battle-tracking tools that must deploy with the TAC. This includes, but is not limited to, a situation template, collection overlay/matrix, current priority intelligence requirements (PIR), intelligence journal, and a functional radio. IBOS radios must be pre-combat checked (PCI) and, if possible, participate in a communications exercise (commex) prior to TAC operations.

(TA.5.3 Process Information)


TREND 11
SUBJECT: Seeing the enemy through planning

OBSERVATION (INTEL DIV): Air defense officers (ADO) have difficulty in contributing to the brigade and battalion S2's intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) products (R&S collection plan, situation and event templates).

DISCUSSION: Without contributing to these products ("seeing the enemy"), the ADO will struggle in planning, coordinating, and integrating the Air Defense Operating System (OS) into the brigade and battalion concept of operation.

ADOs must put more effort into mission analysis and their particular staff estimate. Clear and concise aerial IPB is better received if it includes analysis of enemy air capabilities, limitations, and, most importantly, their vulnerabilities. When this analysis is integrated with the S2s IPB products, it significantly contributes to linked analysis and truly articulates an integrated threat product.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: When seeing the enemy air, the ADO must think in regard to the operating systems. How will air contribute to the enemy's intel OS? The common sense answer is reconnaissance (recon), intelligence, surveillance, and target acquisition (RISTA). Every enemy aerial platform will be focused on RISTA despite their task and purpose. How will enemy air contribute to the fires and maneuver OS? Lastly, how will enemy air contribute to the logistical OS? The challenge is to articulate the "So What Analysis:" Who (type of unit and aerial platform), What (clear task, recon, resupply deliver minefields/chem/bio or attack), When (predictive based upon pattern and linked analysis with the S2), Where (location or type of target [HVT/HPT]), and Why (purpose for the aerial platform).

(TA.5.3.1 Process Information)


TREND 12
SUBJECT: Processing captured enemy documents (CEDs)

OBSERVATION (INTEL DIV): At present there is a failure to timely evacuate CEDs to the analysis and control team (ACT)/tactical analysis (TA) cell for exploitation.

DISCUSSION: When CEDs are properly exploited, they can provide information on enemy capabilities, limitations, and vulnerabilities. Once this information is processed into intelligence, it is used to direct the collection effort or target the threat.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: Establish a tracking system for CEDs to accurately track their recovery from the enemy prisoner of war (EPW) to the human intelligence (HUMINT) teams (or another element if HUMINT teams were not involved) to the ACT/TA cell, and then on to higher.

(TA.5.3.1 Process Information)


TREND 13
SUBJECT: Integrating and synchronizing the management information control officer (MICO)

OBSERVATION (INTEL DIV): Analysis and control team (ACT) personnel do not fully understand how to integrate and synchronize the MICO assets into the S2's collection plan.

DISCUSSION: Often the ACT is manned by junior soldiers who do not have the experience level to integrate and synchronize various MICO assets. Responsibility must be established for the MICO commander to integrate and synchronize MICO assets. He must ensure that the ACT serves as the fusion cell for all of the MICO, signal intelligence (SIGINT), human intelligence (HUMINT), ground surveillance systems (GSS), and other military intelligence (MI) collection reports that come into the ACT.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: MI company commanders must be aggressively participating in the brigade's Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP) to ensure MICO assets are fully integrated into the fight. The MICO commander should brief immediately following the brigade S2 during all briefings, updates, and planning sessions. He must clearly identify the capabilities and limitations of each intelligence asset, and provide recommendations on how best to utilize the system based on the overall scheme of maneuver.

(TA.5.3.4 Integrate Intelligence Information)


TREND 14
SUBJECT: Reverse battlefield operating system (BOS) integration

OBSERVATION (TF 3): The S2's responsibility to provide an integrated threat picture hinges upon presenting how the enemy plans to bring all of his assets to bear upon the battlefield.

DISCUSSION: Presenting this picture requires the S2 to make evaluations on some enemy capabilities that lie outside his area of expertise. In order to portray how the enemy commander will integrate his BOS, the S2 must rely upon and utilize the expertise of the battle staff. The S2 habitually develops courses of action consisting of a simple sketch that only portrays maneuver, fire support, and air defense for the close fight. His task and purpose statement for the enemy only presented a vague, broad overview. The results are an unfocused battle staff and unfocused commanders.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: The battalion staff should review the importance of reverse BOS integration in the planning process as presented in Chapter 2, FM 34-130, Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield. Additionally, Chapter 4, FM 34-130, illustrates IPB requirements for the special staff and support units. The guidelines presented there delineate the required information that staff sections should contribute to reverse BOS integration. Using that information, the battle staff can develop a systematic method to present feedback to the S2 and allow him to develop an enemy course of action (ECOA) that integrates the enemy's entire BOS into a cohesive plan. Developing a detailed narrative on the method the enemy commander plans to employ concerning each BOS in support of his maneuver plan further enhances the focus of the commanders.

(TA.5.3.4 Integrate Intelligence Information)


TREND 15
SUBJECT: Training the analysis control teams (ACT)

OBSERVATION (INTEL DIV): There is a failure of the ACT to assist the S2 in developing a threat picture.

DISCUSSION: The primary reasons for the failure of the ACT to assist the S2 in developing a threat picture is that the All-Source Analysis System (ASAS) operators are not fully able to exploit all the capabilities of the system. ASAS operators are not fully trained prior to a JRTC rotation.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:

1. Home Station training should emphasize radar warning system (RWS) training and exploitation of the capabilities of the system

2. The following should be done in a field environment and not in the comforts of garrison:

a. The ACT should be physically integrated into the brigade S2 section. This integration can best be accomplished through field or garrison training exercises involving the brigade S2 and the MICO ACT.

b. Within this forum (utilizing FM 34-80-1/ST, Brigade and Battalion Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Operations, to assist in identifying the mission and function of the ACT) roles and responsibilities could be identified and standing operating procedures (SOP) established.

(TA.5.3.4 Integrate Intelligence Information)


TREND 16
SUBJECT: Information flow

OBSERVATION (BDE C2 NBC): Information flow from brigade to subordinate units: while integration with the S2 is improving, there is still a need for improvement.

DISCUSSION: Brigade and battalion chemical sections do not see all of the intelligence that is received by the brigade S2 from the division. In every rotation some critical pieces of intelligence were missed. This resulted in unknown capabilities being developed or moved within range of friendly forces by the enemy, and chemical events happening out of sector that chemical staffs were unaware of. The development of the S2's situational or event template did not include a complete picture of the enemy's most likely or most dangerous NBC courses of action. Additionally, there has been no mention of the NBC reconnaissance plan in any of the S2's reconnaissance and surveillance (R&S) plans. With these pieces missing, the chemical sections at battalion have been working without the same picture of possible chemical events as the brigade. This results in a chemical plan that is not nested from brigade to battalion and in battalions wasting time producing products with their S2s that they should have received from brigade.

TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: The brigade should conduct training with the chemical and intelligence sections to allow more complete distribution of information within the battle staff and to facilitate information flow to subordinate units. When the chemical threat increases, there should be some type of communication, at least daily, between the brigade and the battalion's chemical sections to ensure they have the same relative common picture of the enemy and friendly situation.

(TA.5.4 Prepare and Disseminate Intelligence Reports)


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