• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

BUILDING AN ENGAGEMENT AREA:
A BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS (cont)

• Do this step in the battle position.
• Commanders may have to make minor adjustments to platoon battle positions, or vehicles to allow better use of the terrain, or to enable a platoon to better see a certain TRP.
• DO NOT MOVE TRPs AFTER THE LEADERS' RECONNAISSANCE; move the battle position, or vehicles so everyone can see the TRP.
• Allow platoon leaders to select their individual fighting positions.
• Mark positions during daylight (should be listed that way in TACSOP)
• Fighting position selection guidelines:
  • select based on task and purpose for that weapon system in the overall scheme to destroy the enemy in the EA
  • should provide mutual support to other battle positions or adjacent unit positions
  • use binoculars at ground level to verify that ISUs or GPSs will be able to see TRPs and obstacles once vehicles are dug in

Procedure No. 9. OCCUPY THE CO/TM BATTLE POSITION.

• Platoons link up with their platoon leader who briefs the basic scheme of maneuver.
• Platoons execute the security plan from the co/tm warning order.
• Individual vehicles move to their designated positions to verify they can fire into their assigned sector or their assigned TRP.
• Designate a vehicle to drive through the EA; gunners and BCS can complete range cards and sector sketches, i.e., dead space, etc.
• Conduct adjacent element coordination to ensure overlapping fires.
• Obstacles should be being built or completed.
• Conduct weapon boresighting from each fighting position.

Procedure No. 10. ATTEND THE TF OPORD.
(Remember, this could happen any time during the EA building process.)

Procedure No. 11. COMPLETE THE PLAN.

• Complete the co/tm OPORD, based on the TF OPORD.
• Issue the co/tm OPORD overlooking the EA.

Procedure No. 12. REHEARSE THE CO/TM FIRE PLAN.

The purpose of the rehearsal is to ensure LDRs and soldiers understand the CO/TM's direct and indirect fire plan. To portray the enemy, a technique is to have the CO/TM train under the XO's control maneuver in the EA.

The rehearsal is controlled by the CDR over the radio from his position and every soldier is in the position from where he intends to fight.

Rehearse all possible fire commands starting at the CO/TM level and working down to the individual crews. An example of a CO/TM fire command: RED-WHITE BLACK 6,1 MRC A1, RED FAR WHITE NEAR SIMULTANEOUS AT MY CMD, BLUE, BLACK 6, 1 MRC A2, FIRE.

If time permits, rehearse the casualty evacuation plan, transferring of ammunition, or reloading from a prestock.

The CO/TM FIST should verify and identify all trigger lines and decision points when fires will be called and when fires will impact. Alternate lookers and shooters should be rehearsed.

Finally, if the CO/TM has a displacement plan, it should be rehearsed.

Procedure No. 13. FINALIZE THE CO/TM FIRE PLAN.

• Make any changes resulting from the rehearsal.
• EXAMPLE: minor adjustments based on line of sight and/or time-distance factors within the EA, i.e., increase the rate or volume of fire based on the enemy rate of movement; supplement an obstacle to further slow the rate of advance if the rate or volume of fire cannot be increased.

Procedure No. 14. PREPARE POSITIONS.

• Co/tms should always be prepared to accept digging assets.
• Prioritize positions and blade assets to minimize downtime.
• Appoint a CINC DIGGER to control digging assets and to ensure adherence to the co/tm plan and priority of work.
• Properly mark all fighting positions prior to digging, i.e., have the appropriate amount of pickets and engineer tape, etc.
• REMINDER: digging assets require Class III and spare parts; anticipate potential resupply requirements and how to get needed parts.

Procedure No. 15. RECONNOITER ALTERNATE AND SUPPLEMENTAL POSITIONS.

• IF time permits, go through the same EA building process.
• Most likely, at a minimum:
  • reconnoiter the position
  • do your IPB
  • develop a displacement plan, with decision points
  • develop a direct fire plan based on at least a map reconnaissance

Procedure No. 16. UPDATE CHANGES AND INFORMATION WITH FRAGOs.
(Self-explanatory)

Procedure No. 17. CONTINUE TO PREPARE THE EA AND BATTLE POSITIONS.

When your EA is complete and rehearsed, everyone should be able to answer the following questions:

• Who is on your left and right and what weapon system?
• Where is my leader's position, CP, medic location, and hide position?
• Where do I get Class V resupply?
• Where are the OPs and any friendly elements to my front, flank, and rear?
• What is the challenge and password?
• What is the company and TF frequency and authentication code word?
• What is my task and purpose, success criteria, engagement criteria?
• What is the commander's intent (task force and company)?
• Where is the enemy, and where is he coming from?
• Where are three positions which support my position?
• What is the security plan for day and night?
• Will someone be coming around at night to check on me?
• Where are the obstacles and minefields?
• What is the succession of command?
• What is my sector of fire, right and left limit?
  • What am I to fire at?
  • When am I to fire?
  • Where am I to fire?
  • Who am I to fire at?
  • Why am I to fire?
  • I have to wait for authorization to fire?
  • What is my weapon status?
• What are/is my displacement criteria/method?
• What are my actions to the enemy's combat multipliers: direct, indirect, air, chemical, FASCAM/obstacles, jamming, and visual contact?

To assist a commander, the following is an outline of a few responsibilities for the CDR, XO, 1SG, PLT LDR, PLT SGT, and FSO. The order of responsibilities is not listed in priority order.

COMMANDER'S RESPONSIBILITY

• Understand the TF CDR's intent and scheme of maneuver
• Plan and develop the EA blueprint/concept and then supervise the building of the EA
• Conduct a CDR's estimate and IPB
• Visualize the attack to subordinates
• Decide where and how to kill the enemy
• Position forces
• Develop a company fire plan to mass, focus, shift, and distribute fires that will kill the enemy or accomplish my task and purpose
• Issue a WARNO and OPORD and brief all changes
• Enforce the timeline
• Conduct backbriefs
• Run the CO/TM rehearsal
• Enforce the security plan
• Plan for contingency
• Coordinate between units
• Site obstacles
• Perform indirect fire planning
• Every 3-5 hours, have PLs meet on different PLT BPs for
  • Maintenance status
  • Personnel status
  • Progress of fighting positions and obstacles
  • Any problems or required support

XO'S RESPONSIBILITIES

• 2IC, assists in supervising the building of the EA
• CSS planner
• Coordinates with the CTCP for CSS requirements: LOGPAC, barrier material, prestock, and needed additional support
• Ensures CO/TM CP is functional and tracks the progress of building the EA
• Tracks/monitors the following:
  • Marking of obstacles and TRPs
  • Dozier employment
  • Boresight and zero
  • Supervise PCC/PCIs
  • Security status
  • All on-hand quantities of supplies
• Plays the enemy during the CO rehearsal
• Keeps TF informed of the CO/TM progress and status
• Directs the medical and maintenance TM rehearsals

1SG'S RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises movement if necessary
• Assists in the planning and execution of the CSS plan to include
  • LOGPAC
  • CL III, IV and V
  • Prestock
• Runs evacuation rehearsal
• Monitors equipment personnel replacements
• Inspects range cards
• Maintains a current co-status for all classes of supply
• Collects PLT LOG reports
• Submits necessary TF reports

PLT LDR'S RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reconnoiters EA and BP with CDR
• Assists CDR with his estimate and OPORD
• Issues a PLT WARNO and OPORD
• Enforces the timeline
• Emplaces and marks TRPs/Triggers
• Conducts flank coordination
• Establishes the PLT BP
• Selects fighting positions
• Verifies range cards and sector sketch
• Establishes a PLT CP
• Develops a PLT fire plan
• Establishes security
• Ensures positions are marked IAW the CO/TM SOP and ROE
• Supervises the execution of obstacles and protective obstacles
• Prioritizes ENG effort
• Inspects positions
• Runs PLT rehearsals
• Ensures a rest plan is implemented
• Maintains an accurate PLT status
• Maintains communication with the CDR or CO/TM CP
• Ensures boresighting is conducted IAW the CDR's guidance

PLT SGT'S RESPONSIBILITIES

• Receives a WARNO and updates the PLT WARNO as needed
• Supervises preparation and movement if necessary
• Supervises PCC and conducts PCIs
• Supervises the occupation of the PLT BP
• Enforces the timeline
• Reviews position selection and makes adjustments as necessary
• Supervises range card preparation
• Supervises position preparation
• Supervises boresighting
• Assists the PLT LDR with his OPORD preparation and OPORD
• Ensures maintenance is conducted and 2404s are turned in
• Submits LOG reports
• Tracks all classes of supply: CL I, III, IV, and V, LOGPAC, prestocks
• Establishes PLT CAS collection points and participates in casualty evacuation rehearsal
• Establishes security
• Ensures the following:
  • Trigger lines and method of fire control are known by all
  • Obstacles are covered by fire
  • Aiming stakes and TRPs are emplaced
  • Night-vision devices are operational
  • Overhead cover is adequate for dismount positions
• Ensures rest plan is implemented
• Employs engineer assets

CO/TM FSO'S RESPONSIBILITIES

• Understands the following:
  • How enemy fire support assets could influence the CO/TM
  • FS assets available (FA, MTRs, CAS, location, WPN status, ammunition, RG capability)
  • Bde and TF scheme of fires
  • Priority of fires and how it will be executed/triggered
  • Triggers and marking standards
  • Fire Support Coordination Measures (FSCMs)
  • FS plan to support security operations
  • Allocation of TGTs, FPFs, COPPERHEAD
  • TGT responsibility and observation plan (to include directed)
  • Time of FS rehearsal (bde and TF)
• Coordinates the following:
  • Walks the terrain with the CDR
  • CDR's guidance (backbriefs him and issues FS plan)
  • Primary and alternate observer plan
  • Ensures TGTs support the maneuver plan and refine as necessary
  • Ensures OPs can see TGTs and triggers (EA, obstacles, routes, key terrain)
  • Engineer support for survivability positions
  • Emplaces triggers (reverse polarity panel, ammunition cans with sand/diesel mix marker panels)
  • Clearance of fire procedures
  • Engagement criteria by phase/event
  • Develops sector sketches and observed fire diagrams for primary and alternate OPs (rehearse routes day and night)
  • Mortar plan rehearsed with mortar PLT LDR
  • Conducts a company FS rehearsal
  • Supervises the completion of PCC/PCIs

CO/TM CDRs must be able to execute the 17 tasks and events outlined as if they are a drill or play. When time and resources are scarce, CDRs must know how to develop a lethal EA from inside out. Success or failure in a hasty defense operation can almost always be traced back on how well the CDR developed his EA or executed the CO/TM's direct fire plan. By understanding how to apply the 17 steps in developing a CO/TM EA, CDRs should be able to accomplish their task and purpose in any defensive operation.

To assist individuals who might have to conduct an AAR on EA development, a list of questions has been compiled that could be asked during an AAR or could be used to assist someone in developing an EA.

EA:

• What were the avenues of approach into our sector - mounted, dismounted, air?
• Where did we plan to kill the enemy?
• Did we have a CO/TM EA?
• Where were our TRPs (how were they marked, day/night)?
• How did we distribute and control fires within the CO/TM?
• Who verified the positions?
• Did we have a CO fire plan?
  • PLT fire plans/range cards/sector sketches
  • Who checked them?
• Where was our trigger line (how was it marked)?
• What were our engagement criteria?
• What were the disengagement criteria (were they event-driven)?
• When did we coordinate with the ENGs for obstacle emplacement?
• What were the obstacles supposed to do for us?
  • Were they covered by fire?
  • Who was responsible for them?
  • Were they covered by indirect fire?
  • Who would execute fires on them?
  • Did we have any lanes we were responsible to close?
• When did we drive the EA?
  • What type of vehicle did we use?
  • Where was the dead space?
  • What did we discover during the drive?
• When did we do our direct fire rehearsal?
  • Who conducted it; was fire support integrated into it?
  • What did we learn from it?

BATTLE POSITION:

• Were we tied in on our flanks; who did the coordination?
• How did we plan to manage the blades?
  • How many hours did we have?
  • What problems did we have?
• How many positions did we have (what type, were they to standard, why not)?
• How did we position the vehicles?
  • Could we cover all of our TRPs?
  • Did we have alternate and supplementary positions?
  • Did we rehearse our movement?
• Where was the CO FIST?
• Who had POF within the CO?
• Where was the FPF?
• Did we have a CATK plan (who was involved, what was the signal, was it rehearsed?)

CSS:

• What was our plan to evacuate soldiers/vehicles?
• Did the medics/maintenance TM know locations of each PLT?
  • What routes did they use to get to each PLT?
  • Did we rehearse it day/night?
• How many pre-stocks did we have?
  • How many RDS in each; how many should we have had?
  • Were the prestocks built to standard?
• What was our plan to identify vehicles needing CSS help?
• How many personnel did we evacuate during the battle?
• Did CO CSS personnel have the TF CSS graphics?

Table of Contents

Building an Engagement Area: A Blueprint for Success, Part 1

Sand Grid: A Multipurpose Construction System