THE VOLCANO EMPLACEMENT TEAM (VET): Combat Training Center (CTC) Quarterly Bulletin 3QTR

THE VOLCANO EMPLACEMENT TEAM (VET)

by Captain Scott C. Johnson, CMTC

The days of the task force engineer company being held solely responsible for the execution and emplacement of VOLCANO minefields are numbered. Task-organized VOLCANO Emplacement Teams (VETs) using various combined arms configurations and emplacement techniques have been increasingly successful. The degree of success relies on the planning, preparation and emphasis placed on the mission by the unit. Using the template for the task organization and employment techniques described below provides another set of keys for success.

BACKGROUND

The VOLCANO mine-dispensing system is an extremely effective countermobility asset. The location of VOLCANO systems is always a main intelligence interest for the Soviet-based OPFOR. The OPFOR will sacrifice soldiers and vehicles to destroy VOLCANO systems. Properly executed VOLCANO effects, combined with indirect and direct fires, are devastating in constricted terrain: the enemy either avoids the minefields or becomes trapped at the obstacle location. Because the VOLCANO is so effective, the life expectancy of the system and its crew is very short.

The success of virtually every defensive mission can be measured by how well the unit uses VOLCANO minefields. AARs of unsuccessful VOLCANO employments invariably include the same laundry list: No security, inadequate hide positions (or hide position too far from the emplacement location), no obscuration at the emplacement site, no pre-marking of center line, reload sites not secure (or not located to support consecutive employment), egress routes not planned nor secure; and rehearsals not conducted. Continued recurrence of these oversights confirms the need for standardized VET task organization and employment techniques.

TASK ORGANIZATION

Task-organize the VET based on projected emplacement techniques and the threat assessment:

The VET should possess sufficient combat power to decisively engage both mounted and dismounted enemy elements without creating unit imbalance.
The supported task force must assess how much combat power the successfully executed VOLCANO minefield yields in return for the investment of fire power. EXAMPLE: If successful VOLCANO employment is central to the success of the task force defensive plan, then the assets task-organized to support the VOLCANO's employment should reflect that mission priority.
After the VET mission is complete, the task force can redeploy the VET combat power:
- at subsequent battle positions
- as a reserve force
- as additional fire power at the engineer company battle position
- to cover narrow avenues of approach along the flanks of the task force sector

Mission analysis prescribes the assets needed to successfully conduct VET operations. Theoretically, the basic VET should consist of a platoon of armor and/or mechanized forces (Figure 1). Factors, such as the threat, employment techniques, and emplacement plan (Figure 2), determine the need for additional combat and combat support units.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Techniques:

1. The engineer company assault and obstacle (A& platoon leader can provide engineer technical expertise and coordinate the reload and marking requirements for the VET leader.

2. The addition of a chemical smoke track(s), stinger team(s), or a mortar section will reduce the outside coordination requirements, and simplify command and control.

EMPLACEMENT PRINCIPLES

The basic principles of emplacement for conventional obstacles are:

sighting of the obstacle location with the overwatching unit
targeting and marking the location
securing the job site.

They apply equally to successful VOLCANO minefield employment. In addition, the VET leader must consider:

hide positions
routes to and from the sites
reload locations
obscuration requirements
suppressive fire missions
a deception plan

EMPLOYMENT FUNDAMENTALS

The doctrinal fundamentals of employment are: secure, obscure, suppress, emplace.

SECURE. VET security requirements begin as soon as the task force receives the warning order. The VOLCANO systems (normally two systems per divisional combat engineer company) must be secured and hidden from enemy reconnaissance (RECON) elements. Although the system is most vulnerable after firing its first 160 canisters and is moving to a subsequent location, the VET must maintain security until the last obstacle is in place. The security force must be sufficient to decisively engage enemy RECON elements and protect the VOLCANO system during movement from the hide position to the emplacement site, to the reload and subsequent emplacement sites.

Technique. Hide the system in the task force rear by itself or with minimum protection.

Advantage. Placing the systems in the Combat Engineer Vehicle (CEV), if available, makes the hide location easier to conceal.

Drawback. Distance to the emplacement site is usually longer, resulting in more exposure. Coordinating with the VET leader is more difficult.

Technique. Use a combined arms force that includes both armor and infantry units.

Advantage. This technique places the VOLCANO system forward in sector and closer to its intended emplacement location. The company team tasked to overwatch the VOLCANO minefield assumes control of the system until time for emplacement. It also provides the base maneuver platoon that is responsible for planning, coordinating, and conducting the VET mission.

Drawback. Increased chance of discovery prior to obstacle emplacement.

Technique. Use infantry to conduct dismounted patrols of possible enemy observation points near the hide location and in the areas surrounding the main engagement area.

Advantage: The task force can establish multiple small unit ambushes at possible observation locations to deter the enemy.

Caution: Coordinating the security element's location on the ground is often overlooked. The VOLCANO minefield arms itself within 2.5 minutes of being fired. Overwatching units and security elements of the VET must recognize the danger, and select positions to the rear or sides of the emplacement site that do not require movement through the site after the VOLCANO is emplaced (Figure 3).

Figure 3

OBSCURE. Obscuration of the emplacement site and the movement from the hide position to the emplacement site increases the probability of emplacing the mine field. A successful obscuration plan can take a number of forms.

Techniques:

Multiple smoke missions at likely VOLCANO locations to confuse the enemy
Blanket smoke missions that cover an entire valley floor
Timing is critical. Wait until the smoke has produced the desired effect before moving the system out of the hide location.
Obscure the egress route to the reload location.

SUPPRESS. Activating a VET suppressive fire plan depends on the success of the counter-reconnaissance battle forward in sector. The decision to execute the suppression plan depends on the number of enemy eyes observing the task force preparation of the battlefield.

Techniques:

1. As an additional precaution, target suspected or known enemy observation points for suppression as the smoke mission begins.

2. Make sure no friendly units are in the impact area.

3. During movement, the maneuver units in the VET can also provide suppression if taken under fire by enemy RECON elements.

4. Design the VET's movement technique and the VOLCANO system positioning within the team to ensure:

mutual support

360-degree security

interlocking fires.

Figure 4 and Figure 5 show several possible formations.

Figure 4

Figure 5

EMPLACEMENT. A VOLCANO minefield can be installed very quickly. The system itself operates at speeds from 5 to 55 miles per hour. Several factors can affect the speed and accuracy of the system. Failure to pre-mark the minefield center lines slows down emplacement. The type of vehicle transporting the system can impact on the emplacement rate. The M548 can travel cross-country quicker than a HEMMET cargo or 5-ton truck.

PLANNING

Upon receipt of the warning order:

establish the VET task organization
initiate the security plan
move the VOLCANO system to a hide location

VOLCANO employment will require a decision point:

time-driven, i.e., Defend NLT
event-driven, i.e., Based on enemy activity

PROBLEM: keeping the VOLCANO system alive and in a position to emplace where needed. Security requirements and difficulties increase as a battle progresses; the situation becomes more unclear, and combat power is lost.

Technique: to increase the chances for successful VOLCANO employment, develop a deception plan specific to VOLCANO. The intent of the deception is to confuse the enemy about intended minefield locations.

EXAMPLES:

1. Drive covered M548s (with no VOLCANO system on board), or other vehicles capable of carrying the VOLCANO system, to a variety of battlefield locations where personnel mark false center lines.

2. Initiate numerous smoke missions at emplacement time, since using smoke to cover emplacement is a desired technique to cover emplacement and withdrawal.

Techniques: to enhance VOLCANO security during mission execution

1. Plan suppressive fire mission on obvious enemy observation points which can observe prospective VET routes and emplacement locations.

2. Plan direct fire suppression, to be VET-executed, for any point during movement.

3. The fire support officer must target each VOLCANO emplacement with indirect fire that supports the obstacle location and enhances the obstacle intent.

Techniques: to increase the likelihood of VOLCANO mission success

1. Build redundancy into VET operations planning and execution. If one VOLCANO system is destroyed, already know what/where to shift the other system to support priority obstacles:

use one team as primary emplacer

other team serves as a backup

Both teams are rehearsed; the back-up team has a be-prepared mission to execute if the primary emplacer is successful.

2. Use time-phased emplacement:

a second team is staged to emplace minefields at subsequent engagement areas or locations

this team executes the subsequent engagement areas if the primary emplacement team is successful with their first mission

Techniques: for fratricide prevention and force protection

1. TF must disseminate to subordinate elements the timing and execution of the VOLCANO system.

2. All brigade combat team elements must know the locations and times to minimize fratricide. EXAMPLE: Too often brigade slice elements and CSS elements do not get the word about VOLCANO employment; these elements typically account for the majority of VOLCANO-related fratricides.

3. For time-driven emplacement:

write the emplacement time on the obstacle overlay next to the proposed location

broadcast warnings on TF and company/team command nets every 10 minutes starting 30 minutes prior to emplacement.

4. Use Military Police elements as traffic control teams near emplacement sites.

5. Consider task-organizing MPs into VETs; this should prevent tipping off the enemy about emplacement sites early.

PREPARATION

Detailed full rehearsals are essential to a successful VET operation. Each member of the team must know and understand the mission and possible contingencies.

Techniques: for VET rehearsal and pre-execution preparation

1. Have system operators and security elements actually drive the routes from the hide position, through the marked center lines, and then the egress routes to the subsequent locations (whether reload or emplacement sites). Use a vehicle similar to the one carrying the VOLCANO system.

2. Incorporate VET into a full-scale task force rehearsal. This enables the entire task force to see the timing, and movement of the VET.

3. Pre-mark center lines prior to emplacement to cut down exposure time. Do premarking in conjunction with obstacle sighting by the overwatching element.

4. Have the VET drive false center lines during rehearsal to confuse the enemy.

5. Plan for the cross-country limitations of the actual emplacing vehicle when marking the ground truth emplacement lane.

6. Rehearse obstacle turnover; execution support requirements; indirect fires.

7. Rehearse the reloading and repositioning of the VET for consecutive missions:

are there conventional obstacles without lanes blocking the egress route?

if there are lanes, who is responsible for closing them?

the reload location must be secure.

travel time and reload time must be considered in planning.

EXECUTION

There are four steps to successful emplacement of a VOLCANO minefield:

1. Obtain permission to emplace a FASCAM (Family of Scatterable Mines) minefield. The approval authority for short duration VOLCANO can be delegated to the task force commander. Approval triggers the obscuration and security.

2. Movement to emplacement site. Timing should allow for sufficient obscuration of the routes and emplacement sites during VET movement and execution of the minefield. Movement should be continuous and terminate at the reload site. (See Figure 6.)

Figure 6

3. Report VOLCANO minefields to brigade as they are emplaced. This facilitates plan follow-on operations which may be affected by the VOLCANO minefield location.

4. Reload. After reloading, start the sequence again. Second load minefields are more difficult to execute because assets may be committed to supporting other aspects of the engagement.

CONCLUSION

Combined arms VOLCANO Emplacement Teams (VETs) are the key to the successful execution of VOLCANO minefields. Successful VETs are incorporated into the task force plan, rehearsed, and drilled. Synchronization of secure, obscure, suppress and emplace is critical. Deception and reload plans must be coordinated to ensure success. The result is a highly effective obstacle to support the maneuver plan.

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