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Breaching obstacles is a significant combat operation. Failure to breach successfully at the JRTC has resulted in mission failures with heavy casualties, or loss of command and control. Conduct breach operations with a combined arms team using careful staff coordination, rehearsals, and firm leadership techniques.

Recent Example

The task force headquarters received an order to continue operations east to destroy a fortified position. Scouts, augmented with engineers, began their reconnaissance of the objective. Even with engineer support, however, they were unable to identify an adequate breach point.

The rifle companies crossed the LD. The company conducting the main attack became mis-oriented and attempted a breach from the east rather than the north as planned. The OPFOR discovered this breach and inflicted numerous casualties on the breach force.

Later, the supporting company attempted a breach from the north and converged on the initial assault company on the objective. The unit ultimately secured the objective after much confusion, fratricide, and difficulty with consolidation and reorganization.

Lessons Learned

• Upon receipt of the mission, the commander must focus on critical areas of the commander's estimate:

  • organization of forces; assault, breach and support

  • number of lanes required to breach

  • breaching technique and equipment required

• Plan and execute careful reconnaissance of the objective.

  • The scout platoon, augmented with engineers, recon the obstacle to determine the most advantageous locations for the breach. Use other assets as necessary to obtain required intelligence.

• Upon completion of a thorough reconnaissance, followed by an approved breaching plan, and a rehearsal:

  • Position the assault, breach and support forces in the vicinity of the obstacle.

  • Guide the breach force forward to the breach location and conduct the breach.

  • Mark the breach point. Guide the assault company to the exact breach location. Guide the assault force through the breach and direct them to the objective.

• Prepare a detailed plan for actions on the objective. Brief the plan to subordinate commanders and soldiers in detail and REHEARSE.

• Mass engineer assets under their own chain of command. Piecemealing separates men and equipment and breaks command relationships at a critical time.

COUNTER MOBILITY OPERATIONS

The ability of the non-mechanized force to deal a decisive blow against a mechanized force will depend upon its ability to control the mobility of the threat mechanized force. The ability to control the enemy's mobility requires careful planning and synchronization of the assets available to the task force.

A Recent Example

At the JRTC, a battalion was given an order at 0630 to conduct a defense in sector. The unit had 48 hours to complete reconnaissance, select and prepare positions. The operations order was not given until 1630. Initial Class IV supplies were not brought forward until 2030 hours. The engineers did not complete the first obstacle until 0940 the next day. Significantly, the engineers quit work on the obstacles 6 hours prior to the expected enemy attack. This was due to a lack of training in night operations. As a result, the engineer unit completed only 15 of 31 planned obstacles.

Many of the obstacles emplaced were not located to support the scheme of maneuver. These delays in both operational instructions and obstacle emplacement were to have a significant impact on mission accomplishment.

The MRB main attack came at 0630. By 0705 the MRB were through the obstacles, seized their intermediate objective, and were on their way deep into the friendly rear area.

Lessons Learned

• Upon receipt of the mission, develop a tentative obstacle plan to initiate movement of Class IV and construction of anti-tank obstacles.

• During the wargaming process consider:

  • the amount of time each company has to install the barrier material before the expected attack

  • the amount of barrier material to deliver to the engineer supply point for the tactical obstacle plan

  • the amount of barrier material to deliver to each company position with the limited transportation assets and the training level of the soldiers installing the material.

• A technique to manage and distribute barrier material is to develop a "pallet" of barrier material. The pallet contains enough material to build a type obstacle of a particular size. Companies must be familiar with the type material on a pallet and trained how to place the material efficiently.

• Deliver the pallet to the companies by helicopter. Deliver the sling load exactly where the material is needed. Failure to deliver to the exact spot equals wasted Class IV as non-mechanized units do not have transportation assets or material handling equipment to move the Class IV to a new location.

• The battalion commander and the task force engineer must:

  • coordinate the location of engagement areas and obstacles by conducting a joint reconnaissance.

  • prioritize and control the use of heavy equipment in the construction of the obstacle plan

    • do not overlook PMCS procedures to keep engineer equipment operational during this critical time

  • intensively manage resources between survivability and counter mobility targets.

ARTILLERY DELIVERED FASCAM SAFETY

FASCAM is an effective munition. The safety area around the FASCAM minefield, however, is extensive (worse case--up to a 1500 x 1500 meter box around a 400 x 400 meter minefield). This safety area is a major combat safety consideration for commanders, FSOs, and engineers.

The safety area significantly affects troop and weapon positioning, maneuver routes, and coverage of the obstacle by direct and indirect fires.

Lessons Learned

• The range of most direct fire weapons possessed by the non-mechanized battalion may preclude the complete coverage of the obstacle by direct fire. Indirect fires systems are, therefore, best suited to provide fires to FASCAM minefields.

• Due to safety considerations, do not place troops inside the safety area with the intent to cover the minefield with direct fires.

• Position forward observers to watch obstacles. Provide observers with communications to indirect fire systems.

• Do not forget that the minefield is effective for a specified period of time. Do not emplace the minefield too early or it will self destruct prior to the enemy's arrival. If the battalion commander has a counterattack plan, insure the placement of the scatterable minefield is appropriately placed in the time and space for the maneuver scheme.

• Consider the time, tubes and amount of ammunition to deliver an artillery-delivered FASCAM minefield.

  • High-density minefields will require a large number of rounds to be fired. During periods of extended firing, the firing battery is vulnerable to counter-battery detection.

  • Consider augmenting transportation assets to move FASCAM rounds to the firing element.

Table of Contents

Chapter 3: Fire Support

Chapter 5: Combat Service Support