SECTION
XIV
PREPARATION LESSON LEARNED: THE FSO AND FORWARD OBSERVERS MUST VERIFY THE LOCATIONS OF OBSTACLES AND PLAN FIRES ON OR AROUND THEM
FOs and FSOs must verify obstacle locations and plan fires on or around them. The countermobility effort is an integrated task in which the FSO supports the engineer. Neither planning or execution of fires or obstacles can be done in a vacuum. Battlefield synchronization mandates both the Engineer and the FSO work together and advise each other on their respective capabilities and limitations. The FSO and engineer must integrate obstacles with the fire plan so the unit can attack enemy forces breaching or attempting to bypass friendly obstacles.
The FSO assigns targets planned on and around obstacles to an observer who can call for fire when the enemy reaches the obstacle. FSOs often plan targets around obstacles but fires are often ineffective due to observers not being able to see the obstacle, or the obstacle location was not verified after it was emplaced.
The TF FSOs should ensure subordinate FSOs establish redundant means to engage targets. This does not mean artillery battalions should make obstacle survey the first priority for their PADS. An effective technique for verifying obstacle locations is with a surveyed G/VLLD. Another technique is for the FSO to use FA Hasty Survey techniques to verify the position of an obstacle.
Table
of Contents
Section
XIII: Survey Must be Planned and Closely Supervised if the FA is to Establish
Control on a Common Grid
Section
XV: Position FOs Where They Can See that Portion of the Battlefield for Which
They are Responsible
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