ARMY MOUNTAIN WARFARE SCHOOL . The materials in this document are as follows: Unclassified This document contains information exempt from mandatory disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

ARMY MOUNTAIN WARFARE SCHOOL 8 Mountain School Road, Jericho, VT 05465 Disclaimer: Opinions and recommendations to any and all information pertaining to this class can be sent to the Army Mountain Warfare School Operations office: 802-899-7202/3/4/5 This product is based on doctrinal publications of the US Army. The intent is to share knowledge, support decisions, and impart information in an expeditious manner to Soldiers deploying and training in mountainous environments in all climactic conditions. The materials in this document are as follows: Unclassified This document contains information exempt from mandatory disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

ARMY MOUNTAIN WARFARE SCHOOL Vertical Danger Areas 071E9020

Introduction Safety Considerations Risk Assessment Environmental Considerations Evaluations

Terminal Learning Objective Action Planning considerations to properly negotiate a vertical danger area. Conditions In a classroom environment, given seasonal clothing and assigned equipment. Standards Students must receive a GO in accordance with the Student Evaluation Plan.

ELO A Action Actions at a vertical danger area. Conditions In a classroom environment, given seasonal clothing and assigned equipment. Standards Students must receive a GO in accordance with the Student Evaluation Plan.

Terrain Assessment Assessment of the terrain will determine the leaders COA at a VDA. The VDA can be pre-planned through intelligence assessment of the terrain using aerial photos and map recon. A leader must fine tune his plan with an on the ground assessment of the area and the mission. Terrain can be broken down into easy, moderate and hard.

Easy Terrain First through third class terrain. Movement generally does not require specialized gear. A simple hand line or fixed rope may aid in movement (consider night movements and inclement weather situations). Basic mountain skills may be required for follow-on troops.

Moderate Terrain Exposed third and fourth class terrain. Use of fixed ropes required due to the injury potential of a fall. Technical mountaineering skills and equipment will be required to negotiate the terrain. Assistance from assault climbers may be necessary.

Hard Terrain Exposed fourth class and fifth class terrain. Requires fixed ropes, high lines, and/or hauling systems. All members of the patrol must be proficient at moving on these systems as a fall may be catastrophic. Hard terrain can leave the element heavily exposed to enemy fire and observation.

Recon and Security Emplacement Recon/Security emplacement Recon Security emplacement -Left and Right side -Cliff Head -Covering Dead Space -Top Side or Far Side

Security Emplacement Recon/Security emplacement Leaders may choose to secure high ground or to establish an ORP prior to the VDA. Leaders must consider the ability of the element to break contact if necessary. Pre-planned TRP’s at the VDA should be considered prior to mission SP. Elevation of the VDA must be relayed to the FDC.

Recon Recon the VDA A recon of the cliff face may be conducted to gain a better perspective of security emplacement and the best area in which to move over the VDA. A leader must consider the ability of the recon to have enough stand off from the cliff to allow for observation and the ability to break contact.

Security Security Emplacement Consider moving from a traveling to bounding over-watch formation. Left/Right side security must cover dead space. Stand off is ideal to accomplish this. Cliff Head security needs to be able to observe the movement of the element and the OBJ. Far side or top side security should be emplaced to cover the top but close enough to remain in contact with the near side element and the personnel moving up the VDA. Cross-Loading Men, Weapons and Equipment and Task-Organizing personnel is critical to mission success.

Installation Team Installation team depending on mission is responsible for maintaining the system. The flow of personnel up the cliff face is important to allow for a rapid ascent for safety. Installation team may be responsible for far side security. Installation teams must choose the fastest and safest systems for movement up the cliff face. Installation teams should be prepared to break contact.

Preparation of Personnel and Equipment Preparation at the security halt will allow for a faster transition onto the system. Slinging weapons should be considered for ease of movement. Required ascension equipment must be prepared and inspected. BPT alter movement technique if installation team sees potential hazards. Follow on troops must be familiar with the movement techniques so there are no discrepancies at the loading area.

Movement of Follow on Troops Requirements to negotiate the route must be briefed. Task Organize weapon systems and leadership if contact is made. Establish a release point. Plan is in place for Loading the system (near-side) Unloading the system (far-side) Contact during movement Reconsolidate the Left/Right and Over-watch Security Break contact

Installation Recovery Ropes and equipment are accounted for and easily re-deployable. Lead Team -Recover System -Accountability Element -Aid in recovery -Stow personal equipment -Security during recovery

CONCEPTS: Linear Danger Area Considerations Near Side Security Clearing Far Side & Far Side Security Installation Team Actions (lifeguard?) Movement of Personnel (prep if necessary) Recovery of Rope System (if necessary) Recovery of Security and Continue Movement Task Organization of Weapons and leadership

Linear Danger Area Techniques Far Side Security Main Body River Rope Bridge Lifeguard Direction of Movement Near Side Security

CONCEPTS: Vertical Danger Area Considerations Near Side Security Clearing Far Side & Far Side Security Installation Team Actions Movement of Personnel (prep if necessary) Recovery of Rope System (if necessary) Recovery of Security and Continue Movement or Prep for Follow-on Personnel Task Organization of Weapon Systems and leadership Lead vs Follow-on Climbers (personnel and equipment)

Vertical Danger Area Techniques Far Side Security Main Body Fixed Rope Hauling System Direction of Movement Sniper / Optics Near Side Security

Crossing a VDA Annex page 226 1. SITUATION: A. Enemy Forces (Mountain Proficiency, Cold Weather Skills) 1. Weather 2. Terrain a. Ground Composition- (Rock, Talus, Scree, Snow-Ice) b. Terrain Assessment- (Easy, Moderate, Hard) c. Snow Depth and Avalanche Hazards- (Overlay) d. Ground Slope and Vertical Obstacles B. Friendly Forces-(Assault Climbers Technical Skills, Mountain Training, Soldier Load and Mountain Equipment) C. Attachments and Detachments-(Assault Climber Teams, Sniper Team (over- watch) 2. Mission:

Crossing a VDA Annex 3. EXECUTION: A. Concept of Operation 1. Maneuver a. Easy Terrain (Class I and II). Slow movement terrain. Consider ease of movement, night movements, weather, walking surface and soldier load. Recommended systems and movement techniques: 1. Simple Fixed Rope Installed (When needed) 2. Hand Line (knotted) for ease of movement / assistance 3. No system if terrain allows 4. Descending techniques (hasty or body rappel) 5. Harness not required

Crossing a VDA Annex b. Moderate Terrain (Class III and IV). Slow moving technical terrain. Consider soldier movement techniques and technical equipment. Recommended systems and movement techniques. 1. Simple or complex fixed ropes 2. Ascending methods: a. Double-headed safety line (safe and fast when viable) b. Mechanical ascenders (safe and fast) c. Hand over hand method (fast not safest) d. Prusik safety (simple fixed rope only) 3. Descending techniques (hasty/body rappel, belayed rappel, rappel devices: SBG, ATC, or Fig. 8) terrain dependent 4. Harness required (manufactured or field expedient)

Crossing a VDA Annex c. Hard Terrain (Cass V). Extremely slow movement. This terrain will require technically proficient installation teams and technical gear. Preparation to move over this vertical surface will take time. Recommended systems and movement techniques. 1. Complex fixed ropes 2. Installation team preparation (lead climber team) 3. Ascending techniques a. Two mechanical ascender method (safe but gear intensive) b. Prusik ascent method (slow but not gear intensive) c. Mechanical ascender with prusik back-up (safe not fast) d. Mechanical ascender with single point back-up (safe and easy) 4. Hauling system for personal equipment and team gear (high-line) 5. Descending techniques (belayed rappel, rappel device) 6. Harness required (field expedient or manufactured) 2. Fires- (FDC needs elevation of targets)

Crossing a VDA Annex 3. CASEVAC PLAN B. Tasks to Combat Units 1. Elements 2. Teams- (Installation, Recovery, Loading, Unloading) 3. Individual- (Lead Climbers, Installers, Anchoring) C. Tasks to Combat Support Units D. Coordinating Instructions a. Task Organize Installation Team b. Security Emplacement-(Left-Right, Cliff-head, Sniper Tm Over-watch) c. Type of Installation System-(Special Equipment, # of lanes) d. Method and Order of movement-(Simple/Complex Fixed Rope, Haul) e. Alternate Plan-(Fixed Rope Hazards, Alternate Movement Techniques) f. Actions on Enemy Contact- (During Movement over VDA) 1. Far Side 2. Near Side 3. Elements Moving on VDA

Crossing a VDA Annex g. Marking Release Point and Cliff-head (Top and Bottom) h. Near and Far Side Rally Points i. Link-up Plan- (Follow on Units) j. Consolidation Plan- (Near side and far side) k. Recovery Plan l. Rehearsal Plan m. Time Schedule

Crossing a VDA Annex 4. SERVICE AND SUPPORT: A. Classes of Supply B. Transportation 5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL: A. Command 1. Location of Patrol Leader- (Far Side) 2. Location of Assistant Patrol Leader (Near Side) 3. Location of CP B. Signal- (FM, Tug-Lines, Runners, Commands for moving on ropes) 6. SAFETY

Summary Assessment of the terrain Recon and security Installation team Preparation of personnel and equipment Task organization Installation recovery VDA annex for planning

Questions?

References FM 3.97.6 Mountain Operations FM 3.97.61 Military Mountaineering FM 7-8 Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad ARTEP 7-8 DRILL Battle Drills FM 5-19 Composite Risk Management TC3-34.489 The Soldier and the Environment

End Of Conference