INTELLIGENCE
PREPARATION
OF
THE BATTLEFIELD (IPB)
The common sense IPB process is the biggest doctrinal improvement in my 24 years of service. While basically the same concepts have been prescribed for many years, they are now far better organized and more logically presented. When properly done, IPB drives tactical planning.
The S-2 is a key player, but it is a mistake to think of IPB as strictly an S-2 function. Decision making and IPB are part of the same whole. IPB must be done by the commander and his entire staff. As an example, the ADA Officer, Air Battle Captain, and ALO should help determine enemy air attack alternatives.
IPB drives reconnaissance and surveillance planning and execution. Templates must be confirmed by physical reconnaissance. Key named and targeted areas of interest must be monitored by dedicated and, if possible, redundant assets.
In the OPORD, priority intelligence requirements and the decision support template need to be explained in detail so that reporting requirements are understood by all leaders and staff. Communicating IPB during the orders process helps focus task force leaders on the commander's intent. Use of large scale sketches to show expected enemy dispositions and actions is an effective technique.
IPB never stops. Templates must be updated throughout operational planning and execution with significant changes rapidly passed to the commander. All possible sources should be exploited. Besides organic assets and requests to brigade, direct queries to adjacent and forward elements, ground and airborne FACs, and Army aviation assets in the area can produce useful and timely information.
IPB is equally important in both offensive and defensive operations. More school-developed offensive IPB models are needed in doctrinal publications.
Table
of Contents
Individual
and Small Unit Execution
Reconnaissance
and Counterreconnaissance
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