The offense is the decisive
form of combat. To win battles, friendly forces must move fret,
strike hard, and finish rapidly. Under NBC conditions, attacking
forces must use NBC defensive principles--avoidance, protection,
and decontamination--to preserve combat power; and use smoke to
enhance combat power. The offensive framework consists of--
- A main attack with supporting
attacks as required.
- Reserve operations in support
of the attack.
- A reconnaissance and security
operation forward and to the flanks and rear of main and supporting
attacks.
- A continuous deep operation
in vital parts of the zone of attack.
- Rear area operations necessary
to maintain offensive momentum.
Chemical units are integrated
throughout the battlefield. NBC reconnaissance elements detect
contamination along routes of advance and monitor lines of communications.
Smoke units provide large area screens to conceal the breaching
of obstacles and the disposition and intentions of friendly forces.
Decontamination units assist in the regeneration of combat power
when contamination avoidance was not possible.
Movement to contact is an
operation to gain or reestablish enemy contact. Neither side may
clearly have the initiative. Versatility is key when planning
and executing a movement to contact. By maintaining versatility,
the commander's freedom of action is retained once enemy contact
is made. During a movement to contact, protection of the force
has first priority. This is achieved by applying the principles
of NBC defense and using obscurants for concealment and deception.
Corps and divisions normally
organize into a covering force, advance guard, and a main body.
The covering force operates at extended distances from the main
body and must be self contained. The advanced guard is the security
force provided by the main body. It operates forward of the main
body to protect it from surprise attack and protects the main
body when committed. The main body is the force task-organized
and prepared for immediate action upon enemy contact.
CHEMICAL BRIGADE
The chemical brigade provides
NBC reconnaissance and smoke assets to the covering force. Since
the covering force will be operating well forward of the corps'
main body, these assets should be attached to the unit operating
as the covering force. The remainder of the brigade should be
task-organized based upon METT-T. The command and support relationships
of these task-organized chemical units are determined on the ability
of the brigade headquarters to provide command and control and
to coordinate CSS support. The brigade headquarters should move
with the main body and when stationary, sets up near the corps
main CP.
CHEMICAL BATTALION
The organization and positioning
of the chemical battalions is based upon METT-T and the ability
of the chemical brigade to provide C2. If a division is the covering
force, a chemical battalion that is NBC reconnaissance and smoke
heavy should be attached. The battalion should have CSS support
from the COSCOM and provide chemical unit support to the covering
force based on METT-T. The chemical battalion CP should be positioned
near the division main CP with liaison provided to the division
TAC.
Chemical battalions not supporting
the covering force are task-organized based on METT-T and are
positioned in the main body. Since there is a need for continuous
and rapid movement, these battalions should move behind their
supported elements. A DS role may be the best to provide the supported
unit with rapid and flexible support. A minimal amount of resupply
from the COSCOM will be available except for refueling.
CHEMICAL COMPANIES
The priority of support will
be to the lead maneuver units with NBC recon and smoke support.
Task organization of the chemical companies will be based upon
METT-T with consideration given to the ability of the higher headquarters
to provide C2and
CSS. Decon units should be prepared to conduct operational decon
to maintain momentum.
Consider forming chemical
company teams to provide more flexible and responsive support.
Chemical companies should not be given area support missions,
but tasked to support specific units.
CHEMICAL STAFF CONSIDERATIONS
- Focus NBC defense operations
to provide the commander flexibility.
- Conduct operational decon
as necessary.
- Plan thorough decon after
the mission.
- Select decon sites along the
axis of advance.
- Identify known or suspected
areas of contamination.
- Provide smoke assets to maneuver
forces to best support the mission for deliberate smoke.
- Priority of NBC recon and
smoke support to lead maneuver forces based on mission and NBC
threat.
- Balance vulnerability of the
force against the need for mass and agility.
Attacks may be launched from
a movement to contact, from a defensive posture, from behind a
friendly defending force or during exploitation or pursuit. There
are two basic types: deliberate and hasty. The two are distinguished
by the extent of preparation. In either case, chemical units will
be employed to enhance maneuver and firepower of the attacking
force. Additionally protection of the force remains a high priority.
NBC reconnaissance units should be employed to avoid contaminated
areas. Obscurants are used to degrade enemy target acquisition
and conceal movement of friendly forces. Decon is conducted as
necessary to generate combat power.
Hasty attacks are not planned
in detail. This type of attack is usually initiated by a fragmentary
order. Forces will deploy, rapidly maneuver, and attack quickly
and violently to gain the initiative. Chemical unit support must
be responsive and flexible.
CHEMICAL BRIGADE
The chemical brigade provides
NBC reconnaissance and smoke assets to support the corps' scheme
of maneuver. Priority of support is given to the corps main effort.
The command and support relationships of these task-organized
chemical units are determined by the ability of the brigade headquarters
to provide command and control and to coordinate CSS support.
The brigade headquarters establishes its CP near the corps main
TOC.
CHEMICAL BATTALION
The composition of the chemical
battalion is based on METT-T. A battalion headquarters will command
and control three to seven chemical companies. Normally, a chemical
battalion will be allocated to support the division designated
as the corps main effort. The command and support relationship
between the battalion and the division is based on the chemical
brigade's ability to provide command and control and the logistic
support available from the corps and division. Other chemical
battalions will provide support with priority to the supporting
attack and the rear area.
CHEMICAL COMPANIES
The division chemical company
should be task-organized based upon METT-T. If there is a high
threat of chemical attacks, it is likely that each maneuver brigade
would be supported by a decon platoon. The smoke platoon would
support the brigade conducting the main effort and the NBC recon
platoon could operate in three squads of two vehicles, each supporting
a maneuver brigade. The remaining decon platoon would operate
in a GS role supporting the units in the division rear. Additionally,
this GS decon platoon could reinforce another decon platoon if
a significant portion of the force was contaminated.
In the division being supported
by a chemical battalion, it is possible to form chemical company
teams organized to support specific areas or subordinate commands.
CHEMICAL STAFF CONSIDERATIONS
- Focus NBC defense operations
to provide the commander flexibility and facilitate synchronization.
- Conduct operational decon
as necessary.
- Plan thorough decon after
the mission is completed.
- Select decon sites throughout
the zone.
- Operate in the lowest possible
MOPP level.
- Identify known or suspected
areas of contamination.
- Focus NBC reconnaissance assets
to retain freedom of maneuver.
- Use smoke to conceal movement
of forces in zone and obstacle breaching.
- Prioritize of NBC recon and
smoke support to lead maneuver forces.
- Balance vulnerability of the
force against the need for mass and speed.
- Identify possible contaminated
areas and possible by-pass routes (for example, by-pass to the
north).
- The possibility of enemy NBC
attacks increases as the attack progresses.
- Consider the impact of enemy
flame weapons.
Exploitation and pursuit operations
begin immediately from the attack. Exploitation is the bold continuation
of an attack following initial success. Pursuit is the relentless
destruction of fleeing enemy forces who no longer have the capability
to resist.
Fleeing enemy forces may use
chemical weapons more freely than an enemy executing a well- prepared
defense. This will necessitate the employment of NBC reconnaissance
units. Obscurants are used to increase survivability.
Decon operations are conducted as necessary to regenerate combat
power.
CHEMICAL BRIGADE
The brigade will provide chemical
units, especially smoke and NBC reconnaissance, to the units conducting
the exploitation. These supporting chemical units need to be as
mobile and self-sustaining as possible. Since the exploitation
force will move continually over long distances, the command and
support relationship of this chemical force should be attached
or OPCON. The brigade CP should be established where it can best
provide command and control of its subordinate elements and coordinate
future operations with the corps.
CHEMICAL BATTALION
A chemical battalion that
is smoke and NBC recon heavy should be allocated to the division
conducting the exploitation. The command and support relationship
between this battalion and the division is based on the ability
of the brigade to provide C2 and coordinate CSS. The
other battalions can operate in support of the other division
or have area responsibilities. These battalions
should have a mix of smoke, decon, and NBC recon units. Battalions
having area responsibilities in the corps rear should be decon
heavy.
CHEMICAL COMPANIES
The division chemical company
will be task-organized based upon METT-T. If there is a high threat
of chemical attacks, it is likely that each maneuver brigade would
be supported by a decon platoon. The smoke platoon would support
the brigade conducting the main effort and the NBC recon platoon
could operate in three sections of two vehicles, each supporting
a maneuver brigade. The remaining decon platoon would operate
in a GS role supporting the units in the division rear. Additionally,
this GS decon platoon could be pushed forward to reinforce another
decon platoon if a significant portion of the force was contaminated.
In the division being supported
by a chemical battalion, it is possible to form chemical company
teams. These company teams are organized to support specific areas
or subordinate commands.
CHEMICAL STAFF CONSIDERATIONS
- Focus NBC defense operations
to provide the commander flexibility and speed.
- Ensure NBC support is agile
and flexible.
- Conduct operational decon
only as necessary.
- Plan thorough decon after
the mission.
- Select decon sites along routes
of friendly maneuver to increase the survivability of the decon
operations.
- Operate in the lowest possible
MOPP level.
- Mark and report all identified
areas of contamination and control access into those areas.
- Be prepared to encounter enemy
stockpiles of NBC weapons.
- Be prepared to encounter the
effects of destroying enemy NBC weapons stockpiles, facilities,
and commercial chemical/nuclear facilities.
- Consider the increased probability
of enemy NBC attacks as he attempts to break contact and regain
the initiative.
- Focus NBC recon assets to
retain freedom of maneuver.
- Provide smoke assets to lead
maneuver forces.
- Priority of NBC recon and
smoke support to lead maneuver forces.
- Balance vulnerability of the
force against the need for mass and speed.
- Ensure chemical units are
able to maintain pace with the supported forces.
- Plan decon sites in coordination
with the unit conducting the mission.
RIVER CROSSING OPERATIONS
River crossings are conducted
as part of a division or corps scheme of maneuver. There are two
types of river crossings: deliberate and hasty. The size of the
river, as well as the enemy and friendly situation, will dictate
the crossing technique. Deliberate river crossings require detailed
planning and coordination, a buildup of firepower, and centralized
command and control. Hasty river crossings use expedient means
and are conducted with minimal planning.
River crossing operations
present lucrative targets for enemy NBC weapons. Large-area smoke
support is necessary to conceal the actual and deception crossing
sites. Decon units are prepared to conduct operational decon operations
to ensure the momentum of the crossing is not lost. NBC recon
units are employed in a contamination avoidance role on the far
side to allow the momentum of the operation to continue. Additionally,
NBC recon units are prepared to respond to NBC attacks in the
crossing areas.
Chemical Brigade
The brigade will provide chemical
units to support the crossing operations. These units will be
under the control of the crossing force commander. The crossing
force may require a mixture of smoke, NBC recon, and decon elements.
If this is a corps level operation, the brigade establishes a
liaison element at the crossing force headquarters. If this is
a division level operation, the brigade allocates a command and
control element to assist the division crossing force commander
in controlling the supporting chemical units. The brigade CP should
be established where it can best provide command and control of
its subordinate elements and coordinate future operations with
the corps.
Chemical Battalion
The chemical battalions are
task-organized to support the crossing area and are prepared to
support units on the far side. The battalions can support a specific
units or given area support missions. The battalion supporting
combat units should be smoke heavy. The battalions given area
support missions should have a balanced mix of chemical companies
(decon, mech smoke, motor smoke, and recon).
Chemical Companies
Use smoke or smoke heavy teams
to support the crossing area. These companies position their headquarters
so they can best control operations and communicate with the crossing
site headquarters or supporting chemical battalion headquarters.
Decon sites are established
near the crossing sites, but not to interfere with crossing operations.
The decon sites should be located out of enemy artillery range.
Position NBC recon elements
to support the crossing sites and the routes to them. NBC recon
elements cross with the lead maneuver force find clear routes
around contaminated areas on the far side.
Position smoke elements to
support the crossing sites and start smoke prior to any engineer
work. Use a haze so as not to interfere with the engineer effort.
Smoke units should ensure they are positioned to be resupplied
as well as to support the mission. Smoke units will consume large
quantities of fog oil and POL. Consider propositioning fog oil
near the crossing sites.
Chemical Staff Considerations
- Focus NBC defense operations
to provide the commander flexibility and speed.
- Reduce vulnerability by dispersing
forces and using multiple crossing sites.
- Conduct operational decon
as necessary.
- Select decon sites to support
the crossing sites.
- Operate in the lowest possible
MOPP level.
- Consider the high probability
of enemy NBC attacks.
- Focus NBC recon assets to
retain freedom of maneuver in the crossing area.
- Prepare to shift NBC recon
assets to the far side with the initial assault force.
- Plan for the use and distribution
of smoke pots.
- Use a smoke haze on the crossing
sites.
- Plan smoke in support of deception
operations.
- Balance vulnerability of the
force against the need for mass and speed.
RECONNAISSANCE IN FORCE
A reconnaissance in force
is a limited objective operation designed to--
- Obtain information.
- Test enemy dispositions, strengths,
and reactions.
This operation is usually
executed prior to and as part of an attack or during a movement
to contact. The objective is to acquire information regarding
the enemy's situation and identify or confirm weaknesses in his
defense. Corps or smaller units can conduct this operation. The
headquarters controlling the operation must have sufficient forces
to exploit success or extricate the committed force. The force
must be capable of causing the enemy to react strongly and definitely
to the attack, thus disclosing his locations, dispositions, strength,
planned fires, and planned use of his reserves.
Since this is a limited objective
operation, units contaminated will most likely continue to operate
contaminated until after the mission. Smoke is employed to obscure
friendly maneuver, degrade enemy target acquisition, and support
deception operations. NBC recon elements move with the lead maneuver
force to assist in finding clear routes if contamination is encountered.
Chemical Brigade
The brigade may provide chemical
units to support recon in force operations, dependent on METT-T.
The size of the force and the scope of the operation will dictate
the level of support that the brigade will provide. The command
and support relationship is also dependent on METT-T. The force
conducting the operation may require a mixture of smoke, NBC recon,
and decon elements. If this is a corps level operation, the brigade
establishes a liaison with the force conducting the operation.
If this is a division-level operation, the brigade should allocate
a command and control element to assist in controlling the supporting
chemical units. The brigade CP should be established where it
can best provide command and control of its subordinate elements
and coordinate future operations with the corps.
Chemical Battalion
The chemical battalion is
task-organized to support the operation with a mix of chemical
units, but heavy on smoke and NBC recon. The battalion headquarters
should collocate near the force headquarters conducting the operation.
Maximum flexibility should be given to the force commander in
task-organizing supporting assets.
Chemical Companies
If this operation is being
conducted by a brigade-size force, the supporting chemical units
should be controlled by a chemical company headquarters. It maybe
necessary to forma chemical company team or reinforce an existing
chemical company (in the case of an ACR performing this mission
with its organic chemical company). The supporting chemical company(s)
position their headquarters so they can best control their operation(s)
and communicate with their higher and supporting unit headquarters.
Chemical Staff Considerations
- Focus NBC defense operations
to provide the commander flexibility and speed.
- Ensure NBC support is agile
and flexible.
- Conduct operational decon
only as necessary.
- Plan thorough decon after
the mission.
- Operate in the lowest possible
MOPP level.
- Mark and report contamination.
- Focus NBC recon assets to
retain freedom of maneuver.
- Provide smoke assets to lead
maneuver forces.
- Consider the relative mobility
of chemical units and the supported forces.
PASSAGE OF LINES
A passage of lines is an operation
in which one force moves through another force either to come
into (forward) or to move out of (rearward) contact with the enemy.
A forward passage of lines
a unit passes through another that is in contact with the enemy
to continue the attack. On receipt of the warning order directing
the passage of lines, the incoming unit establishes liaison withthe unit in
contact to begin detailed planning. The incoming unit
normally collocates its TAC or main CP with the TAC or main CP
of the unit in contact. The vulnerability to enemy NBC attacks
increases because of the concentration of forces in the passage
area. NBC recon elements are positioned at the passage points
to assist if the passage lanes become contaminated. The unit in
contact is responsible for providing decon support to the incoming
unit. Large area smoke support is coordinated between the unit
in contact and the incoming unit. After responsibility for the
zone of action or sector of defense is transferred, so is the
responsibility for all smoke operations.
In a rearward passage of lines
a unit affecting a retrograde movement (withdrawal) passes through
the sector of a unit occupying a defensive position. The planning
and coordination is identical with that of the forward passage.
The withdrawing unit must have priority on an adequate number
of roads and facilities to allow its rapid movement through the
defended area. The vulnerability to enemy NBC attacks increases
during the passage operation because of the concentration of forces.
NBC recon elements are positioned by the defending unit at the
passage points to assist if the passage lanes become contaminated.
The defending unit is responsible for providing decon support.
Passage of lines during a withdrawal requires decon points identified
so as to minimize traffic congestion. Contaminated units may have
to decon in assembly areas in the rear if sufficient vehicles
are contaminated. Large-area smoke support is coordinated between
the defending unit and the rearward moving unit. The defending
unit would position and control all smoke units in their defensive
sector.
Chemical Brigade
The brigade will provide chemical
units to support operations subsequent to the passage (that is,
the defense and offensive or retrograde operations). Additional
chemical resources could be allocated to support the passage operation
based on METT-T (significant NBC threat at the passage area or
the need for smoke because of limited cover and concealment in
the passage area). These additional chemical elements will be
under the control of the unit responsible for the passage. If
this is a corps level operation, the brigade establishes a liaison
element at the headquarters controlling the passage. If this is
a division level operation, the brigade allocates a command and
control element to assist. The brigade CP should be established
to best provide command and control of its subordinate elements
and coordinate future operations with the corps.
Chemical Battalion
The chemical battalions are
task-organized to support the divisions subsequent to the passage
and are prepared to provide support during the passage of lines.
The battalions can be designated to support a specific unit or
given area support missions.
Chemical Companies
Organize chemical companies
supporting a passage of lines as smoke and NBC recon heavy. Prepare
for sustained smoke operations. Position their headquarters to
best control operations and communicate with the headquarters
controlling the passage and the supporting chemical battalion.
Chemical Staff Considerations
- Focus NBC defense operations
to provide the commander flexibility and synchronization.
- The stationary unit plans
decon support for the moving force.
- Designate passage points and
passage lanes for the contaminated elements.
- Exchange NBC information between
the moving and stationary forces.
- Operate in the lowest possible
MOPP level.
- Position NBC recon assets
to support the passage operation.
- Conceal movement of forces
during the passage.
- Use smoke to break contact
with the enemy.
- Balance vulnerability against
the need for mass and synchronization.
- Determine alternate routes
in case the primary passage lanes become contaminated.
- Concentration of forces increase
the possibility of enemy NBC attacks.
This section provides an example
of how chemical units could be synchronized to support an attack.
The XX Corps' mission is to defeat a defending enemy combined
arms army (CAA) weakened through previous engagements and occupying
a hasty defense. The example will use the offensive framework
and is only one example of a concept and should be treated as
such. The corps portrayed consists of two armored divisions, two
mechanized divisions, a separate armored brigade, an armored cavalry
regiment, an aviation brigade, and the associated combat support
and combat service support units. A chemical brigade with all
the subordinate chemical units for this size force is present and available for
employment (Figure 7-l). The Corps. defending enemy CAA has three
motorized rifle divisions in the main defensive belt, one motorized
rifle division in the second defensive belt, and a tank division
in reserve behind the second defensive belt. The enemy has an
extensive capability to use chemical weapons and a limited nuclear
capability. He has used chemical weapons extensively during both
defensive and offensive operations. No nuclear weapons have been
used.
THE MISSION
The mission of the corps is
to penetrate the defensive belts and allow a follow-on corps to
pass through and defeat the CAA by exploitation. The commander's
intent is initially to effect a penetration of both defensive
belts, contain the defending CAA's forces, then pass the follow-on
corps through. This will be followed by continued offensive operations
to defeat the entire CAA defense.
THE GENERAL SCHEME OF MANEUVER
The corps will conduct this
operation in five phases (Figure 7-2).
Phase 1. Penetrate the first
echelon moorized rifle division (MRD) on the left with the 52d
Infantry Division (ID) (Mech). Once the first echelon MRD or the
left is penetrated, penetrate the center MRD with the 54th ID.
The 52d ID is the corps main effort.
Phase 2. Pass the 23d Armored
Division through the penetration created by the 52d ID and conduct
a feint with the 313th Armored Brigade (Sep) against the MRD on
the right. The 23d AD attack is designed to cause the commitment
of the enemy's reserve--the tank division. If the enemy does not
react with its reserve, the 23d AD will continue to penetrate
the second defensive belt and envelop the second echelon MRD.
The feint is designed to fix the MRD on the right and prevent
it from reacting to the attack on the center MRD.
Phase 3. This phase has two
possible branches. The remaining armored division--25th Armored
Division (AD) will pass through the 54d ID in the center. If the
enemy reserve tank division has counterattacked against the 23d
AD, the 25th AD will attack to destroy it and the 23d AD will
continue its envelopment of the second echelon MRD.
-
Branch 1. If the tank division
does not commit, the 25th AD will attack to cover the flank of
the 23d AD from a possible counterattack by the tank division.
Both armored divisions will then penetrate the left side of the
second echelon MRD. The 23d AD will attack to envelop the tank
division, while the 25th AD attacks to envelop the second echelon
MRD.
Branch 2. If the tank division
only moves to a defensive position on the left side of the second
defensive belt to block the penetration of the 23th AD, the 25th
AD will attack to penetrate, then envelop the right side of the
second defensive belt. The 23th AD will attack to fix the tank
division.
Phase 4. The 201st Armored
Cavalry Regiment will pass through either penetration depending
on the outcome of phase 3. The 201st ACR will attack to sever
the combined arms army's (CAA) lines of communication (LOC) and
destroy combat support and combat service support units in the
CAA's rear area.
Phase 5. Pass the follow-on
corps and continue combat operations to destroy the second echelon
MRD and defeat the first echelon MRDs.
THE SCHEME OF CHEMICAL
SUPPORT
The corps commander's guidance
on chemical support is--
- Provide the forces making
the penetration with smoke support to ensure their success.
- Allocate and position NBC
recon systems to facilitate freedom of maneuver.
- Accept risk in the forward
area against chemical strikes. Ensure decon support is available
to CSS supporting the attacking divisions. I cannot have and interruption
of support to the forward combat units.
- Because of the flexibility
in the plan, we can shift forces from the divisions initial attack
to the divisions passing through them.
- Ensure the follow-on divisions
are not delayed by deep chemical attacks and chemical assets to
carry out their missions.
Table 7-1 shows the available
and committed chemical units supporting the corps for this making
the have sufficient operation. The committed chemical units are
those already performing support missions or those assigned to
the corps subordinate units. The available forces are those that
have not been assigned missions for the upcoming operation.
The chemical brigade assisted
by the corps chemical staff develop a scheme of support which
is approved by the corps commander and executed by the chemical
brigade. The approved concept is--
- Support the corps main effort
(52d ID) with a chemical battalion (OPCON) consisting of two mech
smoke company, and a motorized smoke company.
- Support the 54th ID with a
mech smoke company and a motorized smoke company (OPCON). Support
the 23d AD with a mech smoke company (DS).
- Support the 25th AD with a
motorized smoke company (DS).
- Support the 313th separate
armored brigade (SAB) with a motorized smoke company (DS).
- The remaining chemical assets
will support the corps rear area.
- The two chemical battalions
will have area support missions (Figure 7-3).
THE CORPS MAIN EFFORT
The 52d ID is the corps main
effort with the mission to penetrate the first defensive belt
and pass the 23rd AD forward to penetrate the second defensive
belt. The division has been reinforced with an OPCON chemical
battalion consisting of two mech smoke companies, a motorized
smoke company, and a smoke/decon company. The division's scheme
of maneuver is to attack with the 1st Brigade as the main effort
to penetrate the first echelon positions and pass the 3d Brigade
through to penetrate the second echelon positions. The 2d Brigade
will conduct a supporting attack in the west. A battalion task
force will conduct a feint in the east.
The division commander provides
the following guidance on the employment of chemical assets--
- Support the main effort with
smoke and NBC recon. I want to minimize the enemy's long-range
fires as we breach.
- I want some smoke support
with the task force conducting the feint to deceive the enemy
as to the true size of that force. I want them to think that it's
a brigade attacking them.
- My priority of decon is to
the FA. I want them to keep up sustained fires throughout this
operation.
- I will accept risk with the
supporting attack.
The division chemical officer
and supporting chemical battalion commander developed the scheme
of support which is approved by the division commander (see
Figure 7-5). The division chemical company will be OPCON to the chemical
battalion. The chemical support plan for the division is--
- Support 1st Brigade (main
effort) with a reinforced mech smoke company divisional smoke
platoon attached, two NBC recon squads, and a decon platoon in
DS.
- Support 2d Brigade (the supporting
attack) with a mechanized smoke company, a decon platoon, and
one NBC recon squad in DS.
- Support the 3d Brigade (the
reserve) with a motorized smoke company (-) and a decon platoon
in DS.
- Support the task force conducting
the feint with a motorized smoke platoon in DS. The division chemical
company (-) is in GS with the mission of providing decon support
to the division rear.
- The chemical battalion TOC
will position itself near the division main CP.
THE DIVISION MAIN EFFORT
The 1st Brigade is the 52d
Mech's main effort with the mission of penetrating the first echelon
defensive positions in the first defensive belt. The brigade is
task-organized with two tank battalions, mechanized infantry battalion,
a combat engineer battalion in DS, a field artillery battalion
in DS, along with the typical slice of division troops. The division
has given the brigade a chemical company team comprised of four
mech smoke platoons, a decon platoon, and two NBC recon squads
in DS.
The brigade commander's scheme
of maneuver is to use a balanced TF as the support force, an armor-heavy
TF as the breaching force, and an armor-heavy TF as the assault
force (see Figure 7-6). The brigade commander provides the following
guidance on the employment of the chemical company team--
- I want to protect the breaching
force with smoke, but the engineers have to be able to see what
they're doing.
- If the breach gets hit with
gas, I want to be able to conduct operational decon fast.
- The support force needs NBC
recon support to quickly find by-passes if they hit contamination
as they move forward.
- I want the enemy in the west
to think we're going to breach there, so I want a little smoke
over there.
- I also want smoke support
for the assault force.
The brigade chemical officer
and the chemical team commander working closely with the brigade
S3 develops a chemical support plan (see Figure 7-7). The brigade
commander approves the chemical support plan. The chemical support
plan for the brigade is to--
- Designate one smoke platoon
to support the support force. After the breach is made, this platoon's
priority of support will shift to the assault force
- Designate two smoke platoons
to support the breach force.
- Position the decon platoon
at the chemical company team's CP with a support priority to units
in the breach, fire support, support force, and CSS.
- Both NBC recon squads will
provide support initially to the support force. Once the breach
is made, one squad will provide support to the assault force,
while the other squad will provide support to the breach site.
- The platoons and squads will
receive class I and III support form the task forces they are
supporting. The smoke platoons and NBC recon sections will monitor
the task force's command net, while the chemical company team
will monitor the brigade operations and intelligence (O&I)
net. The chemical company team commander will provide situation
reports to the chemical battalion commander via MSE or other available
communications means every four hours. The decon platoon will
monitor the chemical company team's net. The chemical company
team commander will drop to the platoon internal nets to monitor,
request information, or pass instructions.
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