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

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

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

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

5. Define the Platoon AO
BP2
BP1
EA COBRA

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

7. Military Aspects of the Terrain
OCOKA
Observation and Fields of Fire
Cover and Concealment
Obstacles
Key Terrain
Avenues of Approach FM 15

8. Observation and Fields of Fire

9. Potential Fighting Positions That Offer Cover and Concealment

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

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

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

18. Platoon Mobility Corridor Company Mobility Corridor
Evaluate AAs
Platoon Mobility Corridor
Company Mobility Corridor

19. 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

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

21. Evaluate the Threat

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. “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

26. Determine Enemy COA

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

28. 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!!!

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

30. 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)

31. Obstacle Plan
Obstacle on Reverse
Slope of IV Line
TRP 2

32. 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)

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

34. 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

35. Develop Platoon Fire Plan
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

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

37. Platoon Defense of Battle Position
AE2001
BP1
EA COBRA
AE2002

38. Platoon Defense of Battle Position
AE2001

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