SECTION III
FRATRICIDE RISK ASSESSMENT EXAMPLES
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A light infantry platoon prepares to be the company main effort during a night attack in a built- up area 36 hours from now. The platoon leader and platoon sergeant are experienced in this environment, but have several new personnel, to include one squad leader and two team leaders. The town has narrow streets and mostly two-or three-story buildings with basements. Adjacent companies are attacking in zone to seize objectives separated by only slightly wider streets from this platoon's company objective. Priority of artillery fires is retained at battalion level.
Risk
Level
RISK
ASSESSMENT:
Density of Forces Confined & Concentrated by Streets & Bldgs 9
Clarity of Situation Platoons Will Intermingle in Bldgs
Preparation Time Full-Forced & Lmtd RehearsalVisibity 2
Collective Proficiency Moderately Trained
Extent of Recon & IPB Negligible, None of Bldg Interiors 3
Visibility & Navigation Simple Structures, High Confidence
Clearance of Fires No positive Control of Adj Units 23
Commo & Crosstalk Good Commo, but Erratic in MOUT
Hazard-Producing Munitions Minor Use of DPICM; No Use of FASCAM 2
Knowledge of Hazards Partial Knowledge of Hazards
Engagement Ranges ID Unlikely due to Cover & Obscuration 6
Recognition & Marking Sys Expedient Day & Night Bldg Markings
C2 or Supervision Organic, but New Leaders 4
Rules of Engagement Only Somewhat Effective for MOUT
Mission-Related Experience Mixed Experience 5
Soldier & Leader Fatigue High Exertion, but Rested
OVERALL RISK: High Fratricide Risk 54
RISK REDUCTION MEASURES:
- Coordinate Use of Bldgs & Numbering System to Keep Forces Separate
- Precede Arty Missions with Marking Round, Codeword or Signal
- Rehearse Room & Building Clearing & Marking SOPs
- Report Progress by Building & Floor
- Carefully Coordinate Use of Smoke
- Drill Soldiers & Leaders on ROE & Contingencies
A divisional engineer platoon in a Heavy Division is supporting a balanced mech task force conducting a defense in sector in less than 24 hours. A light infantry battalion is preparing a deliberate defense in the restricted terrain on one flank. Platoon priority of work is a survivability positions for tanks and Bradleys, but the task force has one major countermobility priority which is a turning obstacle on the light infantry flank. When enemy lead elements enter brigade sector, the platoon will occupy a battle position to the rear where it has control of fires in a flank engagement area. This platoon is a cohesive team that has worked with this task organization often.
Risk Level
RISK ASSESSMENT:
Density of Forces Normal Defensive Frontages 7
Clarity of Situation Eng Tms May Mix With FT & Flank Units
Preparation Time Brief Back Rehearsals Only in Defense 3
Collective Proficiency Very Confident of Platoon Proficiency
Extent of Recon & IPB Extensive Operation in this Sector 2
Visibility & Navigation Only Moderate Challenge at Night
Clearance of Fires Eng Plt has no Positive Clearance of Fires 23
Commo & Crosstalk Commo with all Elements Only Adequate
Hazard-Producing Munitions Major Additional Minefield Installed 2
Knowledge of Hazards Engineers Know Existing Hazards
Engagement Ranges ID Marginal due to Eng Specific Equip 5
Recognition System Marginal due to Light Bn on Flank
C2 or Supervision Organic Chain of Command 1
Rules of Engagement Rules of Engagement are Well-Enforced
Mission-Related Experience Highly Trained 3
Soldier & Leader Fatigue Lmtd Rest, High Exertion in the Defense
OVERALL RISK: High Fratricide Risk During Defensive Prep 48
(Reduces
to 28--Caution
after
platoon occupies BP and gains positive control of fires)
RISK REDUCTION MEASURES:
- Detailed Link-Up Plan for Blade Teams & TF Elements
- Flank Coordination for Turning Obstacle Emplacement Team
- Enhance, Inspect & Enforce Vehicle Markings
- Conduct Commo Checks, Updates to TOC Every Hour
- Engineer Element to TOC Eavesdrops on Fire Support Element Calls for Fire
- Monitor and Manage Soldier and Leader Fatigue
A relative new leader of 4.2"mortar platoon has 24 hours to prepare his soldiers for a deliberate attack in his mech-heavy task force. His initial priority of fire is to a dismounted supporting attach during the night from a LD firing position. He then shifts to support the main effort for a dawn assault of mounted and dismounted mech elements Terrain is the typical rolling hills of central Germany, with large forest of tall trees on the high ground separated by meadows and farm fields. The mortarmen are veterans of many live-fire exercises, but have not previously engaged the enemy in this mid-intensity scenario.
Risk Level
RISK ASSESSMENT:
Density of Forces Multiple Routes & Psns, Normal Dispersion 5
Clarity of Situation Platoon Will Converge TF Reserve in Mvt
Preparation Time Full Force Rehearsals 2
Collective Proficiency Moderately Trained
Extent of Recon & IPB Several TF Units Will Confirm Route 2
Visibility & Navigation Moderately Difficult, No GPS
Clearance of Fires Positive Clearance of Fires 3
Commo & Crosstalk Adequate Commo for this Terrain
Hazard-Producing Munitions Minor Use Planned for Zone 2
Knowledge of Hazards Expect Partial or Better Knowledge
Engagement Ranges ID Marginal due to Cover, Concealment 5
Recognition System TF SOP Not Working Well with Vegetation
C2 or Supervision Organic Chain of Command, Trained 2
Rules of Engagement ROE Weak or Danger Close Engagements
Mission-Related Experience Leaders Unseasoned, Soldiers Anxious 5
Soldier & Leader Fatigue Rested, Low Exertion
OVERALL RISK: Fratricide Risk in Caution Area 26
RISK REDUCTION MEASURES:
- Enhance & Inspect Vehicle Markings
- Coordinate Psn Occupations with Security Element on LD & TF Reserve
- Conduct Fire Support Rehearsal of Entire Mission with priority to Objective
- Conduct Detailed Troop Leading & Walk-thrus to Assure Soldier Confidence
- Confirm and Troubleshoot Navigation Plan
A Scout platoon leaders prepares to screen forward of his balanced Armor Task Force on a night movement to contact. The mission involves desert terrain with intermittent obscuration due to fog and dust. The Scouts have priority of artillery fires until the Task Force reaction to contact is initiated. He has 18 hours to prepare, but his soldiers have just completed a difficult reconnaissance mission. That mission was very successful, and platoon reacted well to several enemy contacts. However, deasert maneuver with only one Global Positioning device proved very challeging. The platoon leader and platoon sergeant feel that leaders and soldiers validated their readiness, competence and the unit ROE.
Risk Level
RISK ASSESSMENT:
Density of Forces Sparse 5
Clarity of Situation Contact Likely, Forces May Mix
Preparation Time No Full Rehearsals, Limited Coordination 3
Collective Proficiency Strong SOPs, Cohesive Team
Extent of Recon & IPB No Advance Recon 4
Visibility & Navigation Only 1 GPS for 3 Sections, Visibility Poor
Clearance of Fires Commo & Line-of-Sight 3
Commo & Crosstalk TF Uses Both Pros & Passive Clearance
Hazard-Producing Munitions Major Preplanned DPICM & MLRS 4
Knowledge of Hazards Extremely Limited Info on Existing Hazards
Engagement Ranges ID Unlikely on Acquision 6
Recognition System Expedient, But Well Understood
C2 or Supervision Organic Chain of Command 1
Rules of Engagement Confident in Complete ROE
Mission-Related Experience Highly Trained, Combat Toughened 5
Soldier & Leader Fatigue Limited Rest Opportunity
OVERALL RISK: High Fratricide Risk 31
(Upon contact Fratricide Risk Goes to 51--Extremely High when Scouts lose positive control of fires)
RISK REDUCTION MEASURES:
- Place GPs in Center, Flank Sections Keep in Sight
- Inspect Vehicle Markings, Ensure Thermal Component
- Thorough Brief Back With Cdr, S3 & Lead Teams; discuss GSR Vectoring w/S2
- Maintain Visual Contact & Commo with Lead Element
- Scouts Clear all Arty Fires within 4000 meters
- Rehearse React to Contact and Reaction to Mines
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