National Training Center Information Briefing Platoon Operations National Training Center Fort Irwin, CA Unclassified

Purpose To Discuss the Planning, Preparation, and Execution Necessary to Successfully Defend a Platoon Battle Position At the National Training Center

Agenda Introduction Terrain and Weather Analysis Evaluate the Threat Engagement Area Development Direct Fire Planning Battle Position Development Conclusion

Platoon Mission 1st Platoon Defends From Battle Position 1 (Vicinity Hidden Valley) NLT 07 0600 JAN 00 to Destroy an Enemy MRC in EA COBRA to Prevent the Envelopment of 2d Platoon (Company Main Effort) From the South

Define the Platoon AO BP2 BP1 EA COBRA

Describe Battlefield Effects Terrain Analysis - OCOKA Weather Analysis Time Analysis BP1 EA COBRA

Military Aspects of the Terrain OCOKA Observation and Fields of Fire Cover and Concealment Obstacles Key Terrain Avenues of Approach FM 34-130 15

Observation and Fields of Fire

Potential Fighting Positions That Offer Cover and Concealment

Thoughts on Obstacles Look at Obstacles As a Whole - Natural, Man- Made, And Cumulative Weather Effects Restrictive Terrain to One Unit May Be Unrestricted to Another Canalizing Terrain 18

Concepts of Key Terrain Key Terrain = Marked Tactical Advantage To Either Combatant That Owns Decisive Terrain = Success of Mission Depends on Retaining this Piece of Terrain 16

Thoughts on Key Terrain Key Terrain Varies With Echelon (Eg. Platoon, Company, Battalion) Major Obstacles Are Rarely Key, Rather the Ground That Dominates Them Intervisibility (IV) Lines Potential Section Fighting Positions 17

Avenues of Approach Enemy Air or Ground Avenues of Approach Generally Lead to the Enemy’s Objective or Key Terrain 25

Steps to Developing Avenues of Approach ID Mobility Corridors Categorize Mobility Corridors by Size and Type Group Mobility Corridors Into Avenues of Approach Evaluate Avenues of Approach Prioritize Avenues of Approach 26

Mobility Corridors Mobility Corridors Are Areas Where a Force Will Be Canalized Due to Terrain Constrictions Mobility Corridors Are Relatively Free of Obstacles Best Mobility Corridors Are Unrestricted Mobility Corridors Are Identified Based on Type of Unit 27

Mobility Corridors Battalion 1.5 Km Company 0.5 Km Platoon < 0.5 Km Minimum Widths (Friendly & Threat) Size of Force FM 34-130 29

Evaluate AAs OBJ - Access to Key Terrain - Ease of Movement - Directness - Observation & Fields of Fire - Sustainability 30

Platoon Mobility Corridor Company Mobility Corridor Evaluate AAs Platoon Mobility Corridor Company Mobility Corridor

Thoughts on AAs Do Not Confuse Avenues of Approach With Direction of Attack or Axis of Advance Include Air Avenues of Approach: Fixed-Wing and Rotary-Wing Determine Infiltration Routes / Lanes for Enemy Reconnaissance Main Body and Reconnaissance Avenues of Approach Differ 32

Weather The Military Aspects of Weather Are: Visibility Wind Precipitation Cloud Cover Temperature & Humidity 36

Evaluate the Threat

ID Threat Capabilities Weapon Systems Available (Include Special Munitions) Understand Tactical Options Available to the Enemy: Attack, Defend, Reinforce, Retrograde Consider Doctrinal Missions by Echelon Analyze Historical Precedence 48

Understand Enemy Task and Purpose T: Reconnoiter Routes and Confirm Enemy Positions Combat Recon Patrol P: Determine Enemy Strengths and Weaknesses T: Fix and Suppress Enemy Vicinity Point Of Penetration Forward Security Element P: Facilitate Breach By Main Body of the Advanced Guard T: Breach Enemy Obstacle P: Facilitate Envelopment By Regimental Main Body Advance Guard Main Body T: Destroy Enemy Main Battle Area Forces P: Facilitate Deep Penetration of 2nd Echelon Battalion Regimental Main Body - 1st Echelon T: Penetrate To BDE Rear And Complete Destruction P: Facilitate Passage Of Follow-on Forces Regimental Main Body - 2nd Echelon T: Protect Flank Of Regiment P: Prevent Loss Of Reaction Time And Maneuver Space Anti-Tank Company 26

Determine Threat COA “What Will He Do?” Identify Threat Objectives and Desired End State (Enemy Commander’s Mission and Intent) Look at Enemy Task and Purpose ID Multiple ECOAs - Consider Contingencies Evaluate and Prioritize ECOAs Determine Enemy Scheme of Maneuver - Formation - Movement Techniques - Use of Supporting Elements / Attachments 50

“Play the Enemy” Reverse IPB Rehearse EA… Drive Into Your EA Like the Enemy Will Where Is Enemy Commander Templating Our SBF / ABF Positions, BPs and Air Avenues of Approach? Template Enemy Positions Based on His COA and Establish Possible Targets Use FIST, ADA, ENG Experience That May Be Attached To / Supporting Your Company / Team 66

Determine Enemy COA

Visualize the Battlefield “Seeing the Terrain and the Enemy” Reconnaissance Avenue of Approach AT-5 Firing Lines Main Body Avenue of Approach

Develop the Engagement Area / Battle Position Visualize How The Enemy Will Attack Select Where And Determine How To Kill Him - Normally More Than One Place Position Obstacles To Support Direct Fires Plan Indirect Fires To Support Direct Fires And Obstacles Position Forces To Kill With Direct Fires - Perform Battlefield Calculus Complete The Plan, Drive EAs, Prep Final Positions Rehearse!!!

Thoughts on Battle Positions Potential Platoon Battle Position Is this where we want to kill the enemy? TRP 2

Obstacle Plan Implement Commander’s Intent / Priorities & Start Work ASAP Site Obstacles to Deny, Force Into EA, Slow Enemy Down… Force Enemy Into Formation You Want Confirm Massed Fires on Far Side of Obstacles (Confirm Siting of Fighting Positions) Mark Lanes for Passage of Lines (Forward and Rearward)

Obstacle Plan Obstacle on Reverse Slope of IV Line TRP 2

Indirect Fire Plan Site (Using GPS) Targets & Triggers That Support Commander’s Intent for Indirect Fires Make Recommendations to Commander And FSO for Target Refinement Register Arty / Mortars (If Time Permits) Ensure Primary / Alternate Observers Can See Targets & Triggers From Turret Defilade (Day / Night Capable)

Integrate Indirect Fires Indirect Fire Plan Target Suspected AT Firing Lines Integrate Indirect Fires with Obstacles AE2002 AE2001

Direct Fire Control Measures Target Reference Point (TRP) Engagement Priority Trigger Lines Sector of Fire Engagement Area (EA) Indirect Fire Targets - Observation, Triggers Additional Instructions - Maximum Engagement Line (MEL) - Engagement Criteria - Target Criteria - Target Priority - Destruction Criteria

Develop Platoon Fire Plan 05 06 TRP3 PL KILLER (MEL For Distinguished Crews) PL RED (All Crews) PL FIFTY PL COAX AE2002 A1 A2 37 2500m 2000m 1200m 800m TRP1 AE2001 TRP2 36 B1 B2 35

Subdivision of EA by Quadrants Advantages * Cdr Can Direct Fires By Weapon System Into An EA Or Onto The Enemy 10 I II A1 A2 Disadvantages * Each Platoon Sees The Quadrant From A Different Angle / Perpective * Equal Division Of Quadrants Is Difficult III IV 20 B1 B2

Platoon Defense of Battle Position AE2001 BP1 EA COBRA AE2002

Platoon Defense of Battle Position AE2001

Conclusion Terrain and Weather Analysis Evaluate the Threat Engagement Area Development Direct Fire Planning Battle Position Development