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It is essential for a commander and staff to know where their assets are on the battlefield at all times. This concept of knowing the location and disposition of all assets is not a task solely for maneuver units in combat, but for all the elements, especially those conducting convoy movements. The inability to track and manage convoy operations at any level may lead to unnecessary confusion, disrupted time tables, traffic snarls, and possibly disaster. This article highlights some convoy tracking techniques and procedures used by a battalion during a Combat Training Center (CTC) rotation. The techniques and procedures discussed in this article are not the only ones available, but this example should provide a baseline for developing a convoy tracking process.

In this example battalion, the S-3 section tracked and managed convoys operations within the battalion. The S-3 section is not responsible for assigning vehicles and drivers, but it is responsible for knowing the who, what, when, where and how of each convoy within its area of operations on the battlefield. The S-3 developed a plan and procedures for tracking convoys. He developed a flowchart outlining each step necessary in implementing and managing a convoy. The flow chart highlighted the steps from the receipt of mission through mission complete (see Figure 1). The S-3 disseminated the procedures to everyone in his section, so everyone knew how he wanted the operation to work. Additionally, the S-3 ensured the procedure was in the battalion's tactical standing operating procedure so every soldier in the battalion knew what was expected in implementing and conducting a convoy. By using a simple flow chart, the S-3 was able to convey his concept to the battalion in an easy understandable method.

CONVOY PROCEDURES

Figure 1

The procedure for implementing a convoy is simple. The unit or units receives a mission from battalion or requests a convoy based on their mission. Ideally, 24 hours before crossing the start point (SP), the convoy commander receives his/her mission from battalion or their company commander. The convoy commander reports to the S-3 section of the battalion. The section issues the convoy commander a packet consisting of the following (see Figures 2-8):

Upon reporting to the S-3 section, the convoy commander receives a briefing from the battle captain or battle NCO from S-3 section on the current intelligence, weather, and status of routes. Additionally, the convoy command receives the frequencies for all the base camps or units in the area. The next step is for the convoy commander to organize his/her convoy based on the mission. The convoy commander fills out a manifest sheet and risk management worksheet (see Figures 2 and 3). The convoy commander should return these sheets to the S-3 section no later then two hours before crossing the start point.

CONVOY MANIFEST

Figure 2

RISK MANAGEMENT WORK SHEET

Figure 3

The S-3 section briefs the convoy commander off a standard 1:50,000 map on the area of operation. On the map is an overlay of the routes, checkpoints, base camps or units and brigade boundaries. If the S-3 section is able to determine the locations on the map where radio contact is not good, due to anomalies, or when road conditions would potentially slow movement or create a break in contact, the section should highlight these areas on the overlay and in the brief. The convoy commander then uses this map and associated overlay to produce his strip map for their convoy.

Each convoy receives a tracking number. This number is the basis for tracking the convoys. The S-3 section in this example had three methods to track convoys: a map, a large status board next to the map and a tracking sheet covered with acetate on a clipboard. The battle captain or battle NCO places a standard Post-it tape flag with the convoy number on it to represent the location of the convoy. Every time the convoy commander reports crossing a checkpoint, the tape flag moves. This method provides the staff with an immediate visual recognition of the convoy's positions in relation to possible events on the battlefield. The large status board provides detailed information on the convoy composition. The staff updates this board based on the convoy's movement from the start point (SP) to the release point (RP) noting any changes to the composition during the mission. Using this board in addition to the map gives the staff a clear picture of the situation. The staff can see the convoy's last position and check its composition. Finally, the radio/telephone operator (RTO) and/or battle NCO uses a tracking sheet cover with acetate to track the time a convoy crosses the SP, arrives at various checkpoint and hits the RP. When the convoy commander radios into the tactical operations center (TOC), the RTO annotates on his tracking sheet with the time and location or checkpoint of that convoy. Simultaneously, the battle captain or NCO updates the map based on the report by repositioning of the Post-it tape flag. The tracking sheet provides a redundant system for the map. More importantly, it provides a method to track the last time the convoy made contact with the S-3 section. Additionally, this tracking sheet provides the user with immediate information on the convoy. This is a faster method of keeping up with this information than with the otherwise required use of a DA Form 1594, Duty Staff Journal or Duty Officer's Log. The log must be maintained as a historical record to annotate this information but it is cumbersome when used as a tracking method. Reading the log forces the reader to scan all entries looking for that one piece of essential information.

Before departing on the convoy, the operators conduct preventive maintenance checks and services, to include radio checks, on their vehicle. After this is completed, the convoy commander conducts his convoy briefing using a guide provided by the battalion to ensure standardization for each convoy. The commander uses the convoy commander's pre-combat checklist (see Figure 4), also provided by the battalion, to inspect vehicles and personnel. Once all this is completed and the vehicles are staged, the convoy commander provides the S-3 section with the convoy's manifest and their risk assessment on the mission. The battle captain/NCO updates any changes to the status of the routes, intelligence and weather. The S-3 section establishes a convoy folder for each convoy and annotates the convoy number on the folder. A NCO from the S-3 section conducts a "spot check" of personnel and vehicles in the convoy using a quality control checklist (see Figure 8). Once this is completed, the NCO places this checklist within that convoy folder.

Figure 4

Figure 5

At the time of departure, the S-3 section issues a "convoy pass" to the convoy commander and informs the base defense operation center (BDOC) of the base camp that a convoy is about to depart. The BDOC then passes this information to the guards at the main gate. Depending on the mission, the S-3 section may also be responsible for the base defense, so they would call the gate guard direct. The convoy then radios in a departure report (see Figure 6) to the S-3 section once the convoy has passed through the gates. Throughout the convoy, the convoy commander contacts the S-3 section when they pass the gate or SP, a checkpoint, or the RP on their route.

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

CONVOY TRACKING CHART

Once the convoy arrives at their destination, the convoy commander contacts the S-3 section which then takes the appropriate "tracking" procedures. When the convoy leaves this destination, the convoy commander resubmits a convoy departure report. This is important because of the possibility that the composition of the convoy unexpectedly changing during the mission. The S3 section must annotate any changes to the composition of the convoy on the status board.

Upon completion of the convoy, the convoy commander reports to the S-3 section for a debriefing with the battalion's S-2. The S-2 passes on any information to the brigade S-2 for analysis. The fact that a convoy was uneventful is just as important a piece of information as the sighting of an enemy BMP on the road. The S-3 section then conducts the following post-convoy procedures:

• Removes that convoy's "Post-it" tape from the map board.
• Writes "complete" in the "remarks" column for that convoy status board.
• Files the convoy folder.
• Annotates the completion of the convoy in the duty log.
• Erases all information on the tracking sheet.

This article outlines a successful technique used by a battalion to track its convoys during a CTC rotation. Other units and staffs may have different techniques, procedures and requirements for tracking convoys based on their mission and size. The methods used in this article may seem time consuming, too detailed, or redundant for some or even too general for others, but this technique can be refined to fit most company, battalion or brigade convoy-tracking requirements. The S-3 section should annotate their method for tracking convoys in the battle book for the section or the unit's TSOP. Staffs and leaders must track their assets. Hopefully these techniques will assist in the process during convoy operations.

CLIPBOARD

Figure 10

OPFOR Reconnaissance, Command and Control

CASEVAC at the Task Force Level