C11-1

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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
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Agenda

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

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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
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Define the Platoon AO
BP2
BP1
EA COBRA
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Describe Battlefield Effects

• Terrain Analysis
• - OCOKA
• Weather Analysis
• Time Analysis

BP1
EA COBRA
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Military Aspects of the Terrain
OCOKA

• Observation and Fields of Fire
• Cover and Concealment
• Obstacles
• Key Terrain
• Avenues of Approach

FM 34-130
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Observation and Fieldsof Fire
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Cover and Concealment
Potential Fighting Positions That Offer Cover
and Concealment
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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
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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

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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
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Avenues of Approach
Enemy Air or Ground Avenues of Approach Generally
Lead to the Enemys Objective or Key Terrain
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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

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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

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Mobility Corridors
Minimum Widths (Friendly Threat)
Size of Force
FM 34-130
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Evaluate AAs
OBJ
- Access to Key Terrain - Ease of Movement -
Directness - Observation Fields of Fire -
Sustainability
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Evaluate AAs
Platoon Mobility Corridor
Company Mobility Corridor
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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

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Weather
The Military Aspects of Weather Are

• Visibility
• Wind
• Precipitation
• Cloud Cover
• Temperature Humidity

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Evaluate the Threat
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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

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Understand EnemyTask and Purpose
T Reconnoiter Routes and Confirm Enemy Positions
P Determine Enemy Strengths and Weaknesses
Combat Recon Patrol
T Fix and Suppress Enemy Vicinity Point Of
Penetration
P Facilitate Breach By Main Body of the
Advanced Guard
Forward Security Element
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
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Determine Threat COAWhat Will He Do?

• Identify Threat Objectives and Desired End
  State (Enemy Commanders 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

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Play the EnemyReverse 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

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Determine Enemy COA
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Visualize the Battlefield
Seeing the Terrain and the Enemy
Reconnaissance Avenue of Approach
AT-5 Firing Lines
Main Body Avenue of Approach
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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!!!

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

• Implement Commanders 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)

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Obstacle Plan
Obstacle on Reverse Slope of IV Line
TRP 2
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Indirect Fire Plan

• Site (Using GPS) Targets Triggers That
  Support Commanders 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)

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

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Develop Platoon Fire Plan
05 06


PL KILLER (MEL For Distinguished
Crews) PL RED (All Crews) PL FIFTY PL COAX
TRP3
AE2002
A1
A2
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2500m 2000m 1200m 800m
TRP1
AE2001
TRP2
36
B1
B2
35
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Subdivision of EA by Quadrants
Advantages Cdr Can Direct Fires By Weapon
System Into An EA Or Onto The Enemy
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I II
A1 A2
Disadvantages Each Platoon Sees The Quadrant
From A Different Angle / Perpective Equal
Division Of Quadrants Is Difficult
III IV
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B1 B2
37
Platoon Defense of Battle Position
AE2001
BP1
EA COBRA
AE2002
38
Platoon Defense of Battle Position
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Conclusion

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