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Combined Arms
Obstacle Integration
Change 1 Headquarters
Department of the Army
Washington, DC, 10 April 2003
ERIC K. SHINSEKI
General, United States Army
Chief of Staff
Official:
JOEL B. HUDSON
Administrative Assistant to the
Secretary of the Army
0307104
DISTRIBUTION:
Active Army, Army National Guard, and US Army Reserve: To be distributed in accordance with the
initial distribution number 115197, requirements for FM 90-7.
FM 90-7
FM 90-7
Combined Arms
Obstacle Integration
Contents
i
FM 90-7
ii
FM 90-7
iii
FM 90-7
iv
FM 90-7
v
FM 90-7
vi
FM 90-7
vii
FM 90-7
viii
FM 90-7
Preface
Field Manual (FM) 90-7 is intended for the combined arms commander and staff. It encom-
passes doctrine established in FMs 5-100, 6-20 series, 71-100, 100-5, and 100-7. The doctrine
presented in the following chapters seeks to develop the full potential of obstacles as a compo-
nent of combat power. Each chapter contains tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) that
take the doctrinal foundation and provide the “How To” connection.
This manual initially defines and establishes the principles for obstacle operations then
applies them at echelons from corps to company team, concentrating on essential TTPs.
Chapter 2 provides the key obstacle terms that will be used throughout the manual. Chapter 3
covers obstacle integration theory. Chapter 4 covers obstacle planning from corps through
brigade level. Chapter 5 covers obstacle planning from task force (TF) through company team
level. Chapters 4 and 5 build on the foundations in Chapters 1 through 3 and establish eche-
lon-specific TTPs. Chapters 6 through 8 provide considerations for specific types of obstacles.
Three appendixes provide the additional tools that facilitate successful planning and execu-
tion. Appendix A provides information on individual obstacles. Appendix B addresses the crit-
ical activities in reporting, recording, and tracking. Finally, Appendix C describes obstacle
resourcing and supply.
Throughout this manual, the terms brigade, TF, and company team are used to refer to all
friendly brigade-, battalion-, and company-size units (to include cavalry units) unless other-
wise noted. The terms regiment, battalion, and company are used only when referring to
enemy units unless otherwise noted.
This publication implements international Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 2017.
The proponent for this publication is Headquarters (HQ), United States (US) Army Training
and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). Submit comments and recommendations on Department
of the Army (DA) Form 2028 and forward it to: Commandant, US Army Engineer School,
ATTN: ATSE-T-PD-P, Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473-6500.
Unless otherwise stated, masculine nouns and pronouns do not refer exclusively to men.
ix
FM 90-7
Chapter 1
Obstacles are any characteristics of the ter- companies. The company was to provide him
rain that impede the mobility of a force. with a work detail to install the mines and,
Some obstacles, such as mountains, rivers, more importantly, provide the location of the
railway embankments, and urban areas, minefield.
exist before the onset of military operations. At 2330 hours, he arrived at the infantry com-
Military forces create other obstacles to sup- pany command post (CP), but no one at the
port their operations. Commanders use CP could tell him the whereabouts of the work
these obstacles to support their scheme of detail. Nor could anyone tell him where the
maneuver. When integrated with maneuver minefield should go or what role the mine-
and fires, obstacles can create a decisive bat- field was to play in the defense. The company
tlefield effect. Obstacle plans must mature executive officer (XO) told the engineer to go
as the commanders’ plans mature. down the road in the direction of the enemy.
He assured the lieutenant that somewhere
HISTORICAL USE OF OBSTACLES along the road he would meet someone who
undoubtedly was waiting for him.
History shows that obstacles rarely have a
significant effect on the enemy if units do At 0130 hours, the lieutenant returned to the
not integrate them with friendly fires. The CP after searching along the road and find-
following historical vignette from World War ing no one. He insisted on speaking with the
II is an example of obstacles that were not infantry company commander who was sleep-
integrated with fires. ing. The infantry company commander told
the lieutenant that he would provide him
In February 1942, an engineer lieutenant with a forty-man detail, led by an infantry
with two noncommissioned officers (NCOs) lieutenant who would show the engineer
received orders to supervise the installation of where to install the minefield.
a minefield to support the defense of an
American infantry battalion near the Kasse- At 0330 hours, the infantry lieutenant
rine Pass in Tunisia. The lieutenant set off showed up with a twelve-man detail. Apolo-
at 1930 hours with a truckload of mines, to gizing for the small number of men, the
link up with one of the infantry battalion’s infantry lieutenant also told the engineer
that he had no idea where the mines were to dismounted infantry forward to breach the
go. The engineer lieutenant moved out with minefield. When the infantry reached the
the detail to choose a site for the minefield minefield, the Americans would open up
himself. Unfortunately, he had never seen the with machine-gun fire and pound the enemy
site in daylight and was unable to ensure that with artillery and mortar fire. Simulta-
the obstacle was covered by fire (it was not). neously, the American tanks and AT weapons
Additionally, the lieutenant had a small, would start firing at the North Korean
untrained work crew, without the tools to armored vehicles.
bury the mines. In one night engagement, the Americans
When the first Germans arrived at the mine- destroyed eighteen North Korean tanks, four
field, they found mines hastily strewn across self-propelled guns, and many trucks and
the road, from a hill on one side to the road personnel carriers, while taking only light
embankment on the other (about 100 meters). casualties. Although the obstacles alone did
Most mines were not even partially buried. not defeat the enemy, friendly fires combined
German engineers quickly removed the mines with the effects of the obstacles inflicted
from the road, and the German force contin- heavy losses on the enemy and halted their
ued forward, unmolested by American fires. attack.
The minefield was virtually useless.
Despite all of the problems that the lieuten-
ant encountered, his efforts would not have CHARACTERISTICS OF
been for nothing if the minefield had been OBSTACLES
integrated with fires. Small arms and artil- Some obstacles, such as antitank ditches
lery might have wreaked havoc on the dis- (ADs), wire, road craters (RCs), and many
mounted German engineers, while a single types of roadblocks, have virtually remained
antitank (AT) weapon might have done the the same since World War II. They rely on a
same to the German tanks halted behind the physical object to impede vehicles or dis-
minefield. mounted soldiers. Normally, they do not
The following historical vignette from the damage or destroy equipment, nor do they
Korean War illustrates the possibilities injure or kill soldiers. One exception is a
when a unit integrates fires and obstacles. booby-trapped obstacle that, when it is
moved, triggers an explosive device; there-
In August of 1950, an American infantry regi- fore, these obstacles are passive in nature.
ment was defending along a stretch of the
Taegu-Sangju Road known as the “Bowling Mine warfare, however, has changed signifi-
Alley” in the Republic of Korea. The regiment cantly. Mines, with different fuze types and
had artillery and a few tanks in support. explosive effects, are different from the
The attacking North Koreans had the advan- mines of the World War II era (which
tage of superior numbers of armored vehicles. required physical contact and relied on blast
However, as part of their defense, the Ameri- effect). Today’s mines are triggered by pres-
cans laid AT minefield close to their infantry sure, seismic, magnetic, or other advanced
positions so that they could cover the mine- fuzes. Mines that self-destruct (SD) at
field with small-arms fire. They also prereg- preset times give commanders influence
istered artillery and mortar fires on the over how long they remain an obstacle.
minefield. The invention of programmable mines that
can recognize and attack specific types of
When the North Koreans attacked, they vehicles within an area brings another
would invariably halt their tanks and send dimension to the battlefield. Mine warfare
Friendly forces use OPSEC to deny the obstacle effects and affect both enemy and
enemy information about friendly force friendly maneuver. The maneuver com-
obstacles to inhibit the enemy’s breaching or mander uses obstacles integrated with fires
bypassing efforts. They use phony obstacles and maneuver to create vulnerabilities and
to deceive the enemy about locations of ensure the enemy’s defeat. Combat service
actual obstacles and friendly positions. support (CSS) units anticipate and trans-
They use obstacles to prevent enemy entry port obstacle material to support the obsta-
into friendly positions and installations to cle effort. Effective C2 provides the unity of
help protect soldiers from enemy assaults. effort that drives obstacle integration
Friendly forces record, report, and dissemi- throughout all echelons of the force.
nate obstacle information and take other
actions to protect soldiers from friendly
obstacle impacts. These impacts range from OTHER OBSTACLE
injuries or damage to equipment, resulting CONSIDERATIONS
from unexpected encounters with barbed
wire obstacles, to fratricide caused by hitting The overriding consideration in planning
mines installed by friendly units. obstacles is accomplishment of the mission;
however, there are two considerations that
LEADERSHIP may not be apparent in terms of the current
military mission. They are—
The essential element of combat power is Obstacle clearing at the cessation of
competent and confident leadership. Leader- hostilities.
ship provides purpose, direction, and moti-
vation in combat. It is the leader who Obstacle effects on noncombatants and
combines the elements of combat power and their environment.
brings them to bear against the enemy. The The Army’s keystone warfighting doctrine,
competent leader must know and under- FM 100-5, states that “even in war, the
stand soldiers and the tools of war to be suc- desired strategic goal remains directed at
cessful in combat. concluding hostilities on terms favorable to
Obstacle integration is a leader task. Obsta- the US and its allies and returning to peace-
cle integration ensures that obstacles have time as quickly as possible.” Once US forces
the right priority and that units construct have accomplished their mission, obstacles
them in the right place and at the right time in the theater of operations (TO) must be
and cover them with fire. Successful obsta- cleared. Many of these obstacles will
cle integration allows leaders to— include mines, booby traps, and unexploded
Establish a clear link between force ordnance (UXO) that pose a threat to per-
allocation, direct-and indirect-fire sons attempting to clear the obstacles.
plans, maneuver, and the obstacle plan.
Ensure that weapons capabilities and OBSTACLE CLEARING
obstacle effects are compatible.
Provide obstacle control. Obstacle-clearing operations continued for
years in Kuwait following the end of the
nsure that obstacles are designed to 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War, largely due to
achieve the desired effect.
a lack of accurate minefield records by the
Obstacle integration cuts across all func- defending Iraqi forces. The minefield con-
tional areas of the combined arms force. tinued to threaten civilians long after hostil-
Intelligence and obstacle integration provide ities were concluded and caused numerous
the commander with the means to maximize casualties to military and civilian personnel.
Appendix B addresses the procedures that Commanders minimize the effects of obsta-
the Army uses to report, record, and track cles on noncombatants and the environment
obstacles of the friendly force and of the if militarily possible. For example, if the
enemy. Accurate reporting, recording, and enemy can be prevented from using a bridge
tracking not only will prevent fratricide but by means other than demolishing it,
will expedite clearing operations when peace commanders choose the less damaging
is restored. course of action (COA). Commanders avoid
unnecessary destruction of farmland or for-
EFFECTS ON NONCOMBATANTS ests or pollution of water sources when cre-
ating obstacles. Care exercised by
Commanders also consider the effects of commanders will alleviate long-term nega-
obstacles on noncombatants and their envi- tive effects on noncombatants and the envi-
ronment. Obstacles frequently modify ter- ronment.
rain through demolition, excavation, and
other means. Some obstacle actions, such as Obstacle integration occurs because of the
destroying levees, setting fires, felling trees deliberate actions of commanders and staffs.
in forested areas, or demolishing bridges, The remainder of this manual focuses on
may have immediate impacts on noncomba- providing the doctrine and the TTP that
tants and often will have long-term effects commanders and staffs use to ensure that
on them and their environment. obstacle integration is successful.
Chapter 2
Obstacle
Framework
Tactical obstacles directly attack the tasks to a subordinate unit. Units plan, pre-
enemy’s ability to move, mass, and reinforce. pare, and execute directed obstacles during
Commanders integrate these obstacles into the preparation of the battlefield. Most tacti-
the force’s scheme of maneuver and direct- cal obstacles are directed obstacles, and
and indirect-fire plans to enhance the effects most directed obstacles are planned at TF
of friendly fires. The types of tactical obsta- level. Chapter 5 provides details on planning
cles are clearly distinguished by the differ- directed obstacles in the context of TF obsta-
ences in execution criteria. The three types cle planning, although the process is the
are— same at any level.
Directed obstacles. Situational Obstacles. Situational obsta-
Situational obstacles. cles are obstacles that units plan, and
possibly prepare, before beginning an opera-
Reserve obstacles. tion; however, they do not execute the obsta-
Directed Obstacles. The higher com- cles unless specific criteria are met.
mander directs these obstacles as specified Therefore, units may or may not execute
situational obstacles, depending on the situ- the defending force from the enemy’s final
ation that develops during the battle. They assault (see Figure 2-2). Base commanders
are “be prepared” obstacles and provide the and base cluster commanders may emplace
commander flexibility for emplacing tactical hasty protective obstacles to protect against
obstacles based on battlefield development. all levels of threat in the rear area when
Chapter 7 provides specific considerations sites are to be occupied temporarily.
for planning situational obstacles.
Reserve Obstacles. Reserve obstacles are
obstacles for which the commander restricts
execution authority. These are “on-order”
obstacles. The commander usually specifies
the unit responsible for emplacing, guard-
ing, and executing the obstacle. Units nor-
mally plan and prepare reserve obstacles
during preparation of the battlefield. They
execute the obstacles only on command of
the authorizing commander or based on spe-
cific criteria that the commander identifies.
Chapter 6 provides specific considerations
for planning reserve obstacles.
Tactical Obstacle Design. Units base tac-
tical obstacle designs (width, depth, and
composition) on the intended obstacle effect
and formation of the attacker. They develop
tactical obstacle designs to achieve one of
four obstacle effects—disrupt, turn, fix, or
block. Standard designs simplify obstacle
resourcing, training, and effectiveness. See
Appendix A for more information.
Protective Obstacles
Protective obstacles are a key component of
survivability operations. Like final protec- Deliberate Protective Obstacles. These
tion fires (FPF), protective obstacles provide are protective obstacles that are more per-
the friendly force with close-in protection. manent and that require more detailed
The two types of protective obstacles are— planning and usually more resources. Units
Hasty. employ deliberate protective obstacles in
Deliberate. strongpoints or at relatively fixed sites. Dur-
ing operations other than war (OOTW),
Hasty Protective Obstacles. These are units emplace deliberate protective obsta-
protective obstacles that are temporary in cles as part of their force protection plan.
nature. Soldiers can rapidly emplace and
recover or destroy them. Platoons and Units base the composition of protective
company teams employ hasty protective obstacles on analysis of the situational
obstacles next to their positions to protect template. They design protective obstacles
NOTE: The fix effect is different achieve the block effect, units integrate com-
from the maneuver action fix, plex obstacles with intense fires to defeat
which requires preventing the ene- the enemy’s breaching effort. Complex
my from moving any part of its obstacles are obstacles that require more
force from a specific location. Care- than one breaching technique to breach the
ful use of the term “fix effect” will obstacle. Units array obstacles successively
prevent confusion. in a shallow area. When the enemy breaches
one obstacle integrated with intense fires, it
encounters another obstacle integrated
Block Effect with intense fires. Obstacles must defeat
The block effect integrates fire planning the enemy’s mounted and dismounted
and obstacle effort to stop an attacker along breaching effort. They must span the
a specific AA or prevent him from passing entire width of the AA, allowing no bypass.
through an EA. Figure 2-6, page 2-8, depicts Obstacles intended to stop the enemy along
a block effect on an attacking battalion. To a specific AA should be readily visible to
FMs 71-2 and 71-3 discuss counterreconnais- actions in conducting a patrol. A listening
sance operations in detail. The reconnais- post/observation post (LP/OP) that main-
sance and surveillance (R&S) plan includes tains constant observation on the obsta-
obstacle protection as part of the counter- cle is also depicted. Other assets, such as
reconnaissance plan. ground surveillance radars (GSRs) or
remote sensors, can aid in detecting infil-
Establishing obstacle responsibility is critical
trating enemy forces that are attempting
to obstacle protection. Commanders must reconnaissance or a covert breach.
enforce obstacle ownership. Company teams
use patrols and constant observation to
ensure that the enemy does not conduct BREACHING ASSET DESTRUCTION
reconnaissance of friendly obstacles. This Once the battle begins, early identification
not only prevents the enemy from gain- and destruction of the enemy’s breach-
ing detailed information but also prevents ing equipment, along with C2 vehicles,
a small enemy force from covertly breach- ensure maximum effectiveness of obstacles.
ing the obstacle before its attack. Figure Destroying a tank with an attached
2-8, page 2-10, depicts one company team’s mine plow or roller reduces the enemy’s
breaching capability. This increases the time Between enemy echelons or during a
for the friendly force to engage and destroy lull in the battle.
other combat vehicles. Units identify high
pay-off targets (HPTs) in the enemy’s order Overmatching forces rely on quick repair
of battle and establish priority of engage- methods, such as using modular pack mine
ment by friendly weapon systems. systems (MOPMS) or hand emplacing two to
three mines in the enemy’s breaching lane.
Units must plan, resource, and rehearse
OBSTACLE REPAIR obstacle-repair contingencies.
As part of obstacle protection, the com-
mander must plan for obstacle-repair contin-
gencies. Obstacle repair must occur in the PHONY OBSTACLES
following instances: Phony obstacles can support the complete
When a patrol detects enemy covert obstacle protection plan. Examples include
breach attempts in tactical obstacles. minefield marking where no minefield exists
or shallow excavations and berms that look granted, they have the authority in their
like ADs. Phony obstacles serve to confuse area of operations (AO), unless the authority
enemy reconnaissance and breaching ele- is subsequently withheld (or otherwise
ments concerning the location of actual restricted) by a higher commander. Com-
obstacles. manders subordinate to corps and divisions
do not have the authority to emplace obsta-
cles unless the higher commander gives
OBSTACLE COMMAND them that authority for the current opera-
AND CONTROL tion. Commanders use control measures and
other specific guidance or orders to grant
Obstacle C2 focuses on—
obstacle-emplacement authority to subordi-
Obstacle-emplacement authority. nate commanders. Higher commanders nor-
Obstacle control. mally delegate the authority to emplace
protective obstacles to the commanders of
OBSTACLE-EMPLACEMENT company teams, bases, or installations.
AUTHORITY Emplacement authority for the family of
Obstacle-emplacement authority is the scatterable mines (FASCAM) depends on the
authority that a unit commander has to particular system characteristics. Table 2-1
contains a detailed description of scatterable
emplace reinforcing obstacles. In a TO, the-
mine (SCATMINE) emplacement authority.
ater commanders have the authority to
emplace obstacles. In almost all cases, they
delegate the authority to corps commanders OBSTACLE CONTROL
who further delegate the authority to divi- Obstacle control is the control that com-
sion commanders. Once this authority is manders exercise to ensure that obstacles
support current and future operations. Obsta- emplacement authority and providing obsta-
cle control ensures that subordinate com- cle control. Table 2-2 summarizes some con-
manders emplace obstacles to best support siderations for use of obstacle-control
the higher commander’s scheme of maneuver. measures. Figure 2-9 shows the obstacle-
Obstacle control also ensures that subordi- control- measure graphics. Chapter 3 covers
nate commanders do not emplace obstacles the use of obstacle-control measures to sup-
that will interfere with future operations. port obstacle integration. Obstacle-control
Commanders maintain obstacle control by— measures are—
Focusing or withholding emplacement Zones.
authority. Belts.
Restricting types or locations of obsta- Groups.
cles. Restrictions.
Commanders use control measures, specific Obstacle Zones. Obstacle zones are a
guidance, and orders to maintain obstacle
control. graphic control measure that corps and divi-
sion commanders use to grant obstacle-
emplacement authority to brigades (includ-
Obstacle-Control Measures ing armored cavalry regiments (ACR) and
Obstacle-control measures are specific control other major subordinate units). Corps
measures that simplify granting obstacle- and division commanders also use zones to
ensure that subordinates emplace obstacles Obstacle zones do not cross brigade bound-
that support the higher commander’s aries. Commanders assign zones to a single
scheme of maneuver and that do not subordinate unit to ensure unity of effort,
interfere with future operations. Chapter 4 just as they would defensive sectors or battle
covers the use of obstacle zones for obstacle positions (BPs). This keeps tactical obstacle
planning. responsibility along the same lines as con-
trol of direct and indirect fires. This does not
Corps and divisions plan obstacle zones normally create a vulnerability on the
based on brigade AOs. When defending boundary between units since commanders
against an enemy of similar composition and base both sectors and obstacle zones on
capability, they align brigades and zones defined AAs.
with enemy division AAs as defined by Adjacent brigades may rarely cover the
regimental MCs. However, a light division same AA, but obstacle zones still do not
defending against a mechanized enemy may cross unit boundaries. Commanders give
plan obstacle zones based on enemy regimen- adjacent brigades obstacle zones that meet
tal AAs as defined by battalion-size MCs. In along their boundaries. To ensure unity of
the offense, zone planning is more flexible. obstacle effort, the commander designates a
Corps and divisions still align obstacle zones contact point for obstacle coordination
with areas for which brigades are responsi- between the adjacent brigades. The division
ble. In any case, if the obstacle zone encom- commander also may assign more than
passes the entire brigade sector, another one zone to a unit. This technique is useful
graphic is unnecessary. Commanders may when the commander wants to constrain
designate the entire sector as an obstacle tactical obstacle employment to two or more
zone, with the unit boundaries defining the specific areas, leaving the remainder free for
geographical limits of the zone. division maneuver.
Commanders can assign an obstacle intent boundaries. A single unit is responsible for a
to an obstacle zone, but they normally do belt; however, commanders may assign
not. Although the target (normally an enemy more than one belt to a unit. TF command-
division) and relative location (the area of ers cannot plan or emplace obstacles outside
the zone) are apparent, commanders nor- brigade-directed obstacle belts. Command-
mally do not specify an obstacle effect for ers use the same techniques as for obstacle
a zone. This allows the subordinate com- zones to ensure coordination along unit
mander flexibility in using obstacles. Estab- boundaries and may designate entire TF
lishing zone priorities helps identify the sectors as obstacle belts.
division obstacle main effort to subordinates.
Brigade commanders normally assign an
Obstacle zones also assist the corps or divi- obstacle intent to each obstacle belt. As with
sion staff to resource and plan obstacle logis- the obstacle zone, the target and relative
tics throughput to the brigades. Staffs location are apparent. The addition of a spe-
resource obstacle zones by anticipating how cific obstacle effect gives purpose and direc-
the brigades will use obstacles based on tion to TF obstacle planning. When brigade
their assigned mission, intelligence prepara- commanders assign an obstacle effect, they
tion of the battlefield (IPB), task organiza- ensure that obstacles within the belt com-
tion, and division commander’s intent.
plement the brigade fire plan. The combina-
Appendix C contains a detailed discussion of
obstacle resourcing and supply. tion of obstacle belts with specific effects is
the commander’s obstacle intent. It conveys
Obstacle Belts. Obstacle belts are the the effect that must be achieved by fires and
graphic control measure that brigade com- obstacles (obstacle effect) against a specific
manders use to constrain tactical obsta- enemy (target) within the defined belt (rela-
cle employment. They plan obstacle belts tive location) to his TF commanders.
within assigned obstacle zones to grant
obstacle-emplacement authority to their Obstacle belts refine the area authorized for
major subordinate units. Obstacle belts also tactical obstacles; however, they still give
focus obstacles in support of the brigade TF commanders the latitude they need to
scheme of maneuver and ensure that obsta- develop detailed obstacle plans based on
cles do not interfere with the maneuver of direct-fire planning. The brigade com-
any higher HQ Chapter 4 contains a mander’s obstacle intent is descriptive
detailed discussion of the use of obstacle rather than prescriptive. Assigning a spe-
belts for obstacle planning. cific obstacle effect to a belt does not prevent
Brigade commanders use obstacle belts to TF commanders from employing the full
attack the maneuver of enemy regiments (or range of tactical obstacle effects within the
enemy brigade-size units). They plan and belt; however, the combined effect must
allocate belts against regimental AAs based achieve the assigned intent of the belt.
on battalion MCs. This is consistent with Obstacle belts are also critical tools in
brigade planning, which allocates companies resourcing and planning obstacle logistics.
against battalion MCs and task organizes There are two key components to logistically
TFs to defeat enemy regiments. As with sustaining the obstacle effort:
obstacle zones, light units defending against The commander and staff must
mechanized forces focus obstacle belts one resource the belt with the material,
echelon down. manpower, and time required to
For the same reasons as discussed in obsta- emplace the obstacles to meet the
cle zones, obstacle belts do not cross unit intent.
The brigade must develop a plan for forces. Unlike obstacle zones or belts,
getting the necessary resources to the obstacle groups are not areas but are rela-
right place, in the right amount, and in tive locations for actual obstacles. Com-
sufficient time. manders normally show obstacle groups
using the obstacle effect graphics. When
Obstacle belts help the staff to identify detailed planning is possible (to include
requirements and plan transportation. detailed on-the-ground reconnaissance),
Appendix C contains a more detailed descrip- commanders may show obstacle groups
tion of belt resourcing and supply. using individual obstacle graphics. Chapter
NOTE: The commander at corps, di- 5 contains a detailed discussion of the use
vision, or brigade level may autho- of obstacle groups in obstacle planning.
rize emplacement authority for Commanders can plan obstacle groups with-
certain types of protective obsta- in the limits of their obstacle-emplacement
cles outside of obstacle zones or authority. Corps and division commanders
belts. Normally, the commander can plan obstacle groups anywhere in
will authorize company team and their AOs. Brigade and TF commanders
base commanders to emplace pro- can plan them anywhere in their obstacle
tective obstacles within 500 meters zones or belts, respectively. Because of the
of their positions (mission, enemy, requirement for detailed integration with
troops, terrain, and time available the fire plan, very few obstacle groups
(METT-T) dependent). The com- are planned above TF level. Unless solely
mander usually limits the types of integrated with indirect fires, obstacle
obstacles that a unit may use for groups planned at corps, division, or bri-
protective obstacles that are out- gade level ultimately are integrated with
side of obstacle-control measures fire at the TF level. When given a belt with
(for example, allowing only wire an assigned intent, the TF commander can
and antipersonnel (AP) mines out- use any combination of group effects if the
side of control measures for protec- sum effect of all groups achieves the belt
tive obstacles and requiring that intent.
minefield be fenced on all sides to
prevent fratricide). Obstacle groups impose strict limitations
on company team commanders to preserve
Obstacle Groups. Obstacle groups are one the link between obstacle effects and the
or more individual obstacles grouped to pro- fire plan. The limitations are similar to the
vide a specific obstacle effect. TFs use obsta- limitations imposed by a BP. A group does
cle groups to ensure that company teams not give the exact location of obstacles in
emplace individual obstacles that support the group just as a BP does not show the
the TF scheme of maneuver. In rare cases, exact location of each weapon in the com-
brigades, divisions, or even corps may use pany team. The company team commander
obstacle groups for specific tactical obstacles. and the emplacing unit leader, usually an
Also, units integrate obstacle groups with engineer, coordinate these details directly.
direct- and indirect-fire plans in detail.
The company team commander and the
Obstacle groups usually attack the maneu- engineer can adjust obstacles in the group
ver of enemy battalions. Normally, com- if the intent and link to the fire plan
manders plan obstacle groups along enemy remain intact. Company team commanders
battalion AAs as defined by company MCs. make minor changes to obstacles and fire-
They may plan a group along a company-size control measures based on the reality of the
AA. This is especially true for friendly light terrain. For example, a commander may
move a fixing obstacle group and direct-fire that impair future operations. It also allows
target reference points (TRPs) a few hun- commanders to focus the use of limited
dred meters to avoid having them masked resources for the main effort by restricting
by rolling terrain. A major change to the their use elsewhere. Commanders also may
obstacle-group location requires the use restrictions to prevent subordinates
approval of the commander who ordered the from emplacing obstacles in a certain area.
obstacle group emplacement. This type of restriction may be shown graph-
ically as an obstacle restricted area.
Obstacle-ADgroup responsibility falls along
the same lines as fire control. Normally, Units also may indicate this type of restric-
company team fire plans are relatively sim- tion in the operation order (OPORD). For
ple, massing the company team’s fires on a example, the order may state that there will
single AA at a time. Simplicity is essential in be no obstacles along a designated main
ensuring that company team commanders supply route (MSR) or no demolition of a
can focus their C2 on maximizing the certain bridge. This type of restriction also
effects of the obstacle group. A TF should may be implied. For example, a planned
not assign a company team more than corps counterattack (CATK) axis implies to
two obstacle groups; however, it can effec- the division that the axis is an obstacle
tively fight only one group at a time. To restricted area. Subordinate commanders
mass fires on an obstacle group, more than have the right to be more restrictive than
one company team will often cover a sin- the higher commander; however, the subor-
gle obstacle group. In these cases, the com- dinate commander cannot relax the higher
mander who is responsible for establishing commander’s restrictions.
the EA is also in charge of integrating the
obstacle group. Normally, the TF com- Obstacle Numbers
mander or Operations and Training Officer
(US Army) (S3) plays a significant role in Obstacle zones, belts, and groups are labeled
building and synchronizing an EA covered with alphanumeric designators. An obstacle
by two or more companies. number is a twelve-character designator
that is given to each individual obstacle.
Obstacle groups, resource factors, and stan- The first four characters designate the HQ
dard individual obstacles are the basis of TF that ordered the obstacle zone. The next
obstacle logistics planning. They enable the three characters are a letter for the obstacle
commander and staff to allocate the neces- zone, a number for the obstacle belt, and
sary resources to each obstacle group, EA, or another letter for the obstacle group. The
company team BP. These tools also enable next two characters are an abbreviation of
the staff to identify critical shortfalls, plan the individual obstacle type. This is fol-
the flow of materials within the TF area, and lowed by a two-digit number indicating the
schedule resupply, Appendix C addresses number of the individual obstacle in the
obstacle resourcing in detail. group. The last character is a status code.
Obstacle Restrictions. Commanders at all Appendix B contains a detailed explanation
levels may use obstacle restrictions to pro- of the use of the alphanumeric designator in
vide additional obstacle control. Command- the obstacle reporting and recording system.
ers may use obstacle restrictions to limit the The terms and definitions used in this chap-
specific types of obstacles used (for example, ter lay the groundwork for understanding
no buried mines or no SCATMINEs). These the remainder of this manual. The following
restrictions ensure that subordinates do chapters explain obstacle integration and
not use obstacles with characteristics planning.
Chapter 3
Obstacle-Integration
Principles
Obstacle integration is the process of ensur- process (FM 34-130 covers the IPB process
ing that the obstacle effects support the in detail). The IPB integrates enemy doc-
scheme of maneuver. Obstacle integration trine with the terrain and weather, mission,
cuts across all functional areas and all eche- and current battlefield situation. The IPB
lons. An understanding of the basic princi- process helps the commander to—
ples behind obstacle integration is essential Decide where to kill the enemy.
for commanders and staffs at all levels. Define the decisive point based on the
These principles are the cornerstone for terrain, enemy doctrine, and vulnera-
obstacle planning discussed in Chapters 4 bilities.
and 5.
Key steps in the IPB process are to—
Commanders and staffs consider the follow-
ing to ensure that obstacles have the desired Analyze the terrain.
impact on the battle: Determine enemy force size.
Intelligence. Determine enemy vulnerability.
Obstacle intent.
Fires and obstacle effects. ANALYZE THE TERRAIN
Obstacles and operations in depth. Staffs conduct terrain analysis based on the
Obstacle control. five military aspects of terrain: observation
Echelons of obstacle planning. and fields of fire, cover and concealment,
obstacles, key terrain, and avenues of
approach (OCOKA). The obstacles in
INTELLIGENCE OCOKA are normally existing obstacles;
Battlefield success depends largely on the however, reinforcing obstacles from previ-
ability of the commander to see the battle- ous military operations may be present in
field. He identifies enemy vulnerabilities some situations. The identification of MCs
and how the enemy may use the existing ter- and AAs helps the commander to decide
rain to gain an advantage. The maneuver where the enemy can maneuver and to iden-
commander does this through the IPB tify any limitations on friendly maneuver.
the weaknesses they create in the enemy, obstacles in the disrupt obstacle group. They
and defeat the enemy attack. Fire control use indirect fires with the obstacles to slow
requires that named areas of interest (NAIs), the part of the enemy force that makes con-
targeted areas of interst (TAIs), and TRPs tact with the obstacles. Commanders also
synchronize indirect fires with direct fires use every means available to disrupt enemy
and obstacles. C2 throughout the enemy formation. Com-
manders use electronic warfare (EW),
smoke, and indirect fires to disrupt the
FIRES AND DISRUPT EFFECT enemy’s decision cycle and increase the
Commanders use the disrupt effect to cause direct-fire window on the unimpeded part of
an enemy to— the enemy force.
Break up his formation and tempo. Commanders use TRPs to mass direct fires
Interrupt his timetable. against that part of the enemy formation not
Commit breaching assets prematurely. impeded by obstacles and indirect fires.
They do not execute those fires until the
Piecemeal his attack. force separates from its parent formation.
The disrupt effect also helps to deceive the They use direct-fire weapons that can
enemy concerning the location of friendly deliver a lethal initial volley of fire. A quick
defensive positions, separate combat eche- volley is critical if the enemy has good C2
lons, or separate combat forces from their and can react quickly to the disruption of its
logistical support. To accomplish the disrupt formation. Disengagement criteria are also
effect, the obstacles and fires must— a consideration in weapons selection. If com-
Cause the enemy to deploy early. manders plan a short engagement, they
Slow and disrupt part of the enemy choose a weapon system that can fire and
force. maneuver without becoming decisively
engaged. If they expect a long engagement,
Allow part of the enemy force to ad- they select a weapon system that can sus-
vance unimpeded. tain rapid fire with sufficient survivability
Commanders use indirect fires and long- to support the engagement.
range direct fires to force the enemy to Commanders plan fire-control measures
change from a march formation to a prebattle that allow for the shift of direct or indirect
or attack formation. Generally, indirect fires fires to the enemy slowed by the obstacle or
alone will not force an enemy to deploy to the enemy bypassing the obstacle. They
except when he is dismounted. position themselves to make an assessment
Commanders plan suppression and neutral- of the obstacle effect. If the enemy is rapidly
ization indirect-fire targets (or groups) on the breaching the obstacles, they may shift
direct fires against the enemy’s breaching fires with the long-range TOW fires, which
assets. On the other hand, if too large a force causes the enemy to button up and deploy
bypasses, commanders may shift all fires into prebattle formation.
against the unimpeded enemy to inflict max- The commander orders the company team
imum losses and then reposition friendly FIST to execute group A1B to coincide with
forces to their subsequent positions. the enemy’s encounter with the obstacles in
Figure 3-2 illustrates the integration of fires the obstacle group. Group A1B includes
with obstacles to achieve a disrupt effect. In dual-purpose improved conventional muni-
this example, the TF commander assigns tions (DPICM) and smoke. The combination
Team D to defend BP 14 oriented in EA Red of fires, smoke, and obstacles slows the
to disrupt the lead enemy battalion forward northern half of the enemy. As the enemy
of the TF EA. Team D will then reposition to loses C2 over its formation, the southern
a subsequent BP to help in the fight in the half of the enemy separates from the
TF EA. Team D is a balanced company team remainder of the battalion and continues
with one armor platoon, one mechanized forward.
infantry platoon, and an armor company HQ.
Fire-control measures include TRPs 03 and As the southern half of the enemy formation
04 forward of the obstacle group and TRPs reaches the line defined by TRPs 01 and 02,
01 and 02 south of the obstacle group. The the company team commander masses all
TF commander orders the TF fire support direct fires on the lead enemy vehicles. The
officer (FSO) to plan artillery group AIB as a company team commander uses volley fires
suppression mission to cover the disrupt to destroy the southern half of the enemy
obstacle group. The FSO assigns the Team D battalion. He then shifts all direct fires to
fire support team (FIST) the responsibility the remainder of the enemy force, fires one
for execution of A1B. volley, and repositions to his subsequent BP.
As the attacking enemy approaches the
obstacle group, the company team com- FIRES AND TURN EFFECT
mander orders the mechanized platoon to Commanders use the turn effect to integrate
engage using the Bradley fighting vehicles’ fires and obstacles to divert an enemy for-
(BFV’s) tube-launched, optically tracked, mation off one AA to an adjacent AA or into
wire-guided (TOW) missiles between TRPs an EA. To accomplish the turn effect, the
03 and 04. The commander uses indirect obstacles and fires must—
Prevent the enemy from bypassing or
breaching at the start of the turn.
Force the enemy to bypass in the
desired direction.
Maintain pressure on the enemy
throughout the turn and exploit its
exposed flank.
Commanders normally anchor turning
obstacle groups to restrictive terrain or to a
strongpoint. They plan fire-control measures
that focus all available fires first at the
anchor point. When the enemy hits the
obstacle, the combination of fires, obstacles,
terrain, and forces must seal any bypass at obstacles in the obstacle group and register-
the anchor point. ing TRPs during preparation will make indi-
rect fires more responsive.
Commanders plan an indirect-fire target or
group to turn the enemy away from the Commanders develop a fire plan and fire-
anchor point. They focus enough direct-fire control measures that allow them to shift
assets to deal with the size of the enemy fires as necessary to cover the turn effect.
force expected at that point. For example, if a Both direct and indirect fires shift in unison
commander expects an enemy company at to attack and maintain pressure on the
the anchor point, he should allocate at least a flank of the enemy force. Fires covering the
friendly platoon to mass fires at that point. If length of the turn effect are less focused
the enemy breaches the obstacle at the than at the turn point. Company team com-
anchor point, the turning effect could be lost. manders give platoons sectors of fire
This could unhinge the entire operation. between TRPs. Commanders usually exe-
cute indirect fires in groups instead of aim-
The critical task in achieving the turn effect
ing at individual targets. Direct and indirect
is to use obstacles and overwhelming fires to fires continue throughout the length and
force the enemy to move in the direction
depth of the turn effect. These fires simulta-
desired by the friendly commander. As the neously exploit the vulnerability created by
engagement progresses, the friendly force the turn effect and protect the integrity of
stops any attempt to breach the obstacle and the obstacles:
makes breaching assets priority targets.
Direct-fire systems are the primary means Figure 3-3 illustrates how a unit can inte-
for destroying enemy breaching equipment. grate direct and indirect fires with obstacles
Indirect fires can attack individual targets, to achieve the turn effect. In this example,
but they may be less timely. Targeting all the TF commander assigns Team C the
Initially, commanders orient fires on the further confuses the attacker. For direct
enemy force as a whole. However, destroying fires, commanders consider the use of TRPs
enemy breaching assets becomes increas- and supplementary positions to reorient
ingly important as the enemy continues to fires. They also consider the use of protec-
advance into the EA. To maximize obstacle tive obstacles to protect the force. The FSO
effect and inflict maximum losses on the and FISTs plan targets to hold the enemy
enemy, the fire plan requires an increase in in the EA and FPFs on critical MCs that
the intensity of fires as the enemy advances. may let the enemy threaten friendly posi-
Commanders plan successive TRPs, synchro- tions.
nized with obstacles closer to the BPs, which Figure 3-4 illustrates some considerations
trigger engagement by additional weapons. for integrating fires and obstacles to
They vary the intensity of fires through fire
achieve a fix effect. The TF commander has
control to allow the enemy to continue a arrayed two company teams oriented into
slowed advance. When the enemy fully EA Black to destroy two enemy battalions.
commits, friendly forces complete its Team A, with two mechanized platoons and
destruction. one tank platoon, occupies BP 21 oriented
Once the enemy commits in the EA, the fire between TRPs 02 and 04. Team B has two
plan forces the enemy to fight in as many tank platoons, one mechanized platoon, and
directions as possible. This serves to further one AT platoon and occupies BP 31 oriented
slow its advance, disrupt its C2, reduce between TRPs 01 and 02. The TF com-
its mass, and provide interlocking fires mander assigns Teams A and B subsequent
with flank shots on individual targets. Com- positions in BPs 22 and 32, respectively.
bining fires from multiple directions with the The TF commander directs his FSO to plan
random orientation of individual obstacles two artillery groups, A1A and A1B. Group
all available fires within the obstacle group. platoon. Team A’s commander positions one
Commanders array weapon systems in depth armor platoon each in BPs 15 and 25 and the
based on their maximum effective ranges. AT platoon in BP 35. The company team
The success of the blocking effect is mea- commander positions the BPs to allow each
sured by its impact on the enemy advance, weapon to engage about 1,000 meters beyond
not by enemy losses. The block effect requires the obstacles and still achieve acceptable
the most resource intensive type of tactical standoff. Fire-control measures include TRPs
obstacle. Commanders only use it at critical 01 and 04 at the north and south ends of the
points on the battlefield. Normally, the mis- obstacle group, TRP 02 forward of the obsta-
sion of forces overmatching a blocking obsta- cle group, and TRP 03 at the rear of the
cle effect is to defeat lead enemy units and obstacle group. The TF commander orders
cause the attacker to reconsider the the FSO to plan artillery group AID as a
deployment of follow-on forces. Normally, destroy mission on the obstacle group. He
commanders cannot expect a force over- also plans two linear targets along the rear
matching a blocking group to both protect the trace of the obstacle group. Team A’s FIST is
obstacles and defeat the enemy. responsible for executing all indirect targets.
Figure 3-5 illustrates some considerations to As the enemy vehicles enter EA Gold, they
integrate fires and the block effect. The TF are still in a march formation. As the lead
commander has assigned Team A the mis- enemy units pass the line defined by TRPs
sion to defend BP 5 oriented into EA Gold to 01 and 04, and the line defined by TRPs
stop an enemy battalion from advancing 04 and 02, they hit the first obstacles in
along this AA. Team A is an armor company the block-obstacle group. The company team
team with two armor platoons and an AT commander initiates volley fires from all
on directed and reserve obstacles focused on operations. In the offense, most protective
retaining key and decisive terrain. He may obstacles are hasty. In the defense, deliber-
use situational obstacles to deal with unex- ate protective obstacles are common around
pected threats or to support economy-of- strongpoints and fixed sites. Units in BPs
force efforts. For a mobile defense, the com- normally use hasty protective obstacles. In
mander uses directed obstacles to create the the retrograde, units use deliberate protec-
conditions for destroying the enemy. He uses tive obstacles around fixed sites, but hasty
situational obstacles to support CATKs and protective obstacles are most common. Units
reserve obstacles to maintain control over design protective obstacles specifically for
MCs. The commander tailors obstacles to the anticipated threat. Protective-obstacle
ensure the mobility of the force. effort is proportionate to the threat level. As
the threat level increases, the protective-
Although obstacle use in the retrograde is obstacle effort must increase. The force may
very similar to that in the defense, reserve employ tactical obstacles to counter any
obstacles are extremely important in the ret- major threat to the rear operations.
rograde. Commanders focus on critical
points along high-speed AAs. The enemy is
usually attempting to advance over the same OBSTACLE CONTROL
routes that a unit is using for the retrograde. Obstacle control varies with echelon and
Commanders retain positive control over METT-T. The basic idea is to limit subordi-
these routes with reserve obstacles. nates only as necessary to synchronize their
In the defense or retrograde, security forces obstacle efforts with the commander’s intent
use different reinforcing obstacles depending and scheme of maneuver. A lack of obstacle
on the security force mission. Requirements control can cause obstacles to interfere with
for reinforcing obstacles increase from the the higher commander’s scheme of maneu-
screen to guard and cover missions. A ver. Too much obstacle control can cause a
lack of obstacles that support the refined
screening force uses directed and situational fire plans of subordinate commanders.
obstacles to help harass and impede the
enemy or to assist in its displacement. A To provide obstacle control, commanders
guard force uses all types of tactical obsta- focus or withhold obstacle-emplacement
cles to assist in the delay. It may use hasty authority or restrict obstacles. They use
protective obstacles for protection against obstacle-control measures, orders, or other
the enemy’s assault. A covering force not specific guidance. Commanders and staffs
only attacks, defends, and delays but also consider width, depth, and time when they
deceives the enemy regarding the location, conduct obstacle-control planning. The fol-
size, and strength of forces in the main bat- lowing concepts guide this planning:
tle area (MBA). The covering force employs Support current operations.
obstacles to a greater extent than the guard Maximize subordinate flexibility.
force. The number of obstacles must resem- Facilitate future operations.
ble the number in the MBA to support the
deception of the location of the MBA.
SUPPORT CURRENT OPERATIONS
Commanders and staffs use obstacle control
REAR OPERATIONS to focus obstacle effort where it will clearly
Protective obstacles are the primary rein- support the scheme of maneuver and com-
forcing obstacle employed in support of rear mander’s intent. They also plan obstacle
control to ensure that obstacles will not wants a brigade to defend well forward. The
interfere with current operations. commander gives the brigade an obstacle
zone that includes only the forward part of
its sector. The division commander thus
MAXIMIZE SUBORDINATE FLEXIBILITY ensures that any obstacles the brigade
Commanders normally give subordinates emplaces will support a defense forward in
flexibility to employ obstacles similar to the the sector.
flexibility to conduct tactical missions. For
example, defending in sector requires flexi- Other specific guidance or orders provide a
bility in obstacle employment. A com- means to focus obstacle-emplacement
mander will give subordinates maximum authority. For example, a corps commander
may include in his OPORD instructions for a
emplacement authority to support the
defender’s freedom to maneuver and decen- division to concentrate obstacle effort along
tralized fire planning. A commander will a specific enemy AA. A second example is a
probably focus obstacle-emplacement brigade commander that wants a TF to force
the enemy into an adjacent TF sector. The
authority for a unit defending from a BP.
Defending from a BP requires more obstacle brigade commander gives the TF an obstacle
belt that encompasses most of the TF sector,
control because the BP dictates the
defender’s position and orientation of fires. but he assigns an intent (target, obstacle
In the offense, commanders normally retain effect, and relative location) to the belt. The
target helps to focus the type of obstacles the
a higher degree of control due to limited
subordinate will choose. The effect (here it is
opportunities for obstacle emplacement and
more requirements for friendly mobility. to turn the enemy into the adjacent TF sec-
Commanders frequently withhold emplace- tor) helps focus the obstacle array. The rela-
tive location, within the belt, still allows the
ment authority or restrict the use of most
obstacles. TF commander maximum flexibility to
develop his own scheme of maneuver and
obstacle plan.
FACILITATE FUTURE OPERATIONS Commanders withhold obstacle-emplace-
The need for future mobility drives the need ment authority using control measures,
for obstacle control to facilitate future opera- orders, or other specific guidance. For exam-
tions. A CATK axis and objective are exam- ple, a commander withholds authority by
ples of future mobility needs. Another shaping obstacle-control measures so that
example is a route for units that need to they do not overlap the CATK axis and
reposition forward as part of a higher com- objective, ensuring the freedom of the CATK
mander’s plan. Commanders usually with- force.
hold emplacement authority or use Obstacle restrictions are an important tool
restrictions to ensure that obstacles do not for providing obstacle control. For example,
interfere with future maneuver; however, a corps commander may designate a CATK
they may focus obstacle efforts to develop a axis, through a division AO, as an obstacle
situation that will support future opera- restricted area. A division commander
tions. may restrict obstacles in objectives and
Commanders can focus obstacle-emplace- planned BPs within the division sector to
ment authority using obstacle-control mea- SCATMINEs with a not later than (NLT)
sures. For example, a division commander SD time.
The commander considers the following emplace and integrate the directed obstacles
dimensions when planning obstacle control: in the TF obstacle groups.
Width. The echelonment of obstacle planning
Depth. requires that commanders at each level pro-
Time. vide subordinates with the right combina-
Maneuver control measures can aid in tion of positive control and flexibility. At
tailoring the width and depth of obstacle- each level, obstacle planning builds on the
control measures. Typical graphics that aid obstacle plan from higher echelons. Without
in focusing the width and depth of obstacle- obstacle zones and belts, units must submit
control measures are— a report of intention (see Appendix B) for
every obstacle. The report doubles as a
Unit boundaries and phase lines (PLs).
request when units initiate it at levels below
Battle handover lines (BHLs) and for- emplacement authority. Units do not submit
ward edges of the battle area (FEBAs). the report if the higher HQ grants emplace-
Lines of departure (LDs) and lines of ment authority. Commanders give the
contact (LCs). authorization to install obstacles when they
Fire-support coordination lines establish obstacle-control measures. As an
(FSCLs), no-fire areas (NFAs), and exception, units do not submit reports of
coordinated fire lines (CFLS). intention for conventional obstacles that are
Passage lanes and corridors. part of an operation plan (OPLAN) or gen-
CATK axis and movement routes. eral defense plan (GDP) if the authorizing
Objectives, future BPs, and AAs. commander approves the plan.
Commanders also consider time when plan-
ning obstacle control. For example, the use CORPS-LEVEL PLANNING
of an on-order obstacle zone gives the com- Corps-level obstacle planning primarily
mander the ability to give a subordinate centers on obstacle control. The corps devel-
obstacle-emplacement authority only after a ops obstacle restrictions to ensure that divi-
certain time or event. Also, the use of mines sion obstacles do not interfere with the
with a SD time within a control measure corps’ scheme of maneuver and future oper-
allows a commander to limit the time that ations. The corps also provides obstacle-
obstacles affect an area. emplacement authority to ACRs and sepa-
rate brigades using obstacle zones; however,
they do not provide obstacle-emplacement
ECHELONS OF OBSTACLE authority to divisions. Divisions already
PLANNING have the authority to emplace conventional
The nature of obstacle integration from obstacles within their AOs. The corps plans
corps to company team leads to an echelon- reserve or situational obstacle groups only
ment of obstacle planning. At each lower as they are necessary to support the corps’
level, commanders and staffs conduct more scheme of maneuver. In very rare instances,
detailed planning. At corps level, planning the corps may plan directed obstacle groups.
mainly consists of planning obstacle restric- Figure 3-6, page 3-14, shows a corps defend-
tions, although the corps may plan reserve, ing with two divisions on line, an ACR as a
situational, or directed obstacle groups. At covering force, and a separate brigade in
the company-team level, planning consists of reserve. The corps plans a zone in the
the detailed design and siting plans to ACR covering force area to provide the ACR
areas. In the north, the division designates Based on his analysis of METT-T, the 1st
the entire 1st Brigade sector as a zone, tar-Brigade commander of the 52d ID decides
geted at an enemy division; therefore, no to defend as shown in Figure 3-8, page
additional graphic is required. However, the 3-16. He has positioned TF 4-27 in a BP and
division has designated a contact point on has assigned it responsibility for a block
the brigades’ boundaries and has directed obstacle belt to defeat a second echelon
them to coordinate obstacles on the ground. enemy regiment. TF 2-27 has responsibility
for a fix obstacle belt in the north to destroy
BRIGADE-LEVEL PLANNING an enemy first echelon regiment. In the
Brigade-level units conduct more detailed south, the commander assigns TF 1-93 a
obstacle planning. Brigades plan obstacle turn obstacle belt, positioned well forward
belts that give obstacle-emplacement in the sector to prevent an enemy regiment
authority to TFs. Brigades also use obstacle from advancing along the boundary with
restrictions. Frequently, they plan situa- the 3d Brigade. Note that the commander
tional obstacle groups and reserve obstacle has specified an effect for each belt. Also,
groups. Directed obstacle group planning is the commander has designated a contact
more common than at division level; how- point between the two TFs to facilitate
ever, it is still rare. obstacle coordination.
Chapter 4
Commanders and staffs consider the use of plays a key role in the process, with the
obstacles when planning offensive, defensive, staff providing advice and information
and retrograde operations. This chapter related to their areas. Figure 4-1, page 4-2,
describes obstacle planning as it applies at shows the decision-making process with
corps, division, and brigade levels. At these major considerations for obstacles at each
levels, concentration is on granting obstacle- step. These steps are—
emplacement authority or providing obsta- Mission analysis.
cle control. At corps and division level, com- Course-of-action development (COA).
manders focus on developing obstacle zones COA analysis and comparison.
and restrictions. At the brigade level, com-
manders focus on developing obstacle belts Decision and execution.
and restrictions. At all three levels, com- Before beginning the decision-making pro-
manders may plan obstacle groups, but this cess, the commander receives his mission or
is rare. deduces the mission based on an analysis of
At each level, commanders include obstacle the current operation. The staff quickly
planning in the decision-making process. identifies the type of operation, current
This ensures that obstacle integration is intelligence situation, and time available
effective and that the obstacle plan is flexible (estimate).
enough to allow changes during the plan-
ning, preparation, and execution phases of MISSION ANALYSIS
an operation. The following is a method for
integrating obstacle planning at corps, divi- The first step of the decision-making pro-
sion, and brigade levels, using the decision- cess involves the following activities:
making doctrine in FM 101-5. Determine the facts and develop
assumptions.
DECISION-MAKING PROCESS Analyze the mission of the higher HQ
AND OBSTACLES and the commander’s intent.
The decision-making process is as detailed or Analyze the relative combat power.
as simple as time permits. The commander Issue the commander’s guidance.
tons. At brigade level, the staff must deal logistics. The engineer uses this information
with numbers of obstacle packages or mines. in the engineer estimate.
Intelligence Estimate. The entire staff has Fire-Support Estimate. The primary pur-
input into the intelligence estimate; how- pose of the fire-support estimate is to pro-
ever, the Assistant Chief of Staff G2 (Intelli- vide information to integrate fires with the
gence)/Intelligence Officer (US Army) (S2) scheme of maneuver; however, the fire-
has general responsibility. A detailed support estimate also helps to integrate
description of this estimate can be found obstacles properly. The following informa-
in FMs 101-5, 34-1, and 34-10. The IPB tion is useful for obstacle planning:
includes the intelligence information Total fire-support capability (such as
required to integrate obstacles, such as— batteries, battalions, attack helicop-
AAs (friendly and enemy) ters, or fixed-wing sorties).
Allocation of enemy combat power. FASCAM capable assets (artillery or
Array of enemy forces two levels lower air-delivered).
(location and formation). Engineer Estimate. The staff engineer
Enemy objectives, main effort, and conducts an engineer estimate to provide
options. the necessary engineer-related information
NAIs/TAIs/decision points (DPs). for use in the decision-making process.
Enemy vulnerabilities and enemy DPs. Although there are several steps to the engi-
Enemy breaching capabilities. neer estimate, the engineer uses the engi-
neer battlefield assessment (EBA) for facts
Logistics Estimate. The logistics estimate and assumptions. The EBA provides the fol-
helps the staff determine the unit’s obstacle lowing information for obstacle planning:
capability. The resources available and the Terrain analysis.
transportation assets available to move the
resources are both important. Normally, Enemy engineer mission and mobility/
transportation assets are not dedicated survivability (M/S) capabilities.
assets but are available only during a speci- Friendly M/S capabilities.
fied time window. Therefore, the staff must The commander and staff use these esti-
consider where and when the unit will need mates to complete the decision-making pro-
the resources. The following information cess.
concerning Class IV and Class V obstacle
materials is important for obstacle planning:
Analyze Higher Headquarters’ Mission
Type and quantity of material avail- and Commander’s Intent
able.
Location of the material. An analysis of the higher headquarters’ mis-
Location where the material is sion and the commander’s intent identifies
required. information that may impact on the mission
and which the staff uses in later steps of the
Distance from current location to re- decision-making process. The staff finds
quired location. this information in the higher unit’s OPORD
Transportation assets available to or OPLAN and in annexes that are included.
move the material. Components of this analysis are—
Schedule for moving the material. Intent.
This information will help the staff deter- AOs and deception.
mine the feasibility of a COA based on Tasks.
it considers the terrain, the enemy, the zones. The brigade staff draws obstacle belts
friendly force array, and the scheme of based on the tentative groups. Both the divi-
maneuver. For example, when the corps is sion and brigades may draw obstacle
in the defense, it arrays brigades along restricted areas or identify other restrictions
enemy division AAs. The corps staff to support the scheme of maneuver. Zones
sketches in tentative obstacle zones, consid- and belts must fall within the subordinate
ering the terrain, targeting the enemy divi- unit’s boundaries. The staff considers the
sion, and supporting the arrayed brigades obstacle-integration principle of obstacle-
and the corps’ scheme of maneuver. At the control when drawing the obstacle-control
division level, the staff uses obstacle belts, measures.
while at the brigade level, it uses groups. At Other considerations may affect the obstacle
each level, the staff identifies those areas plan. The staff also considers the use of
where mobility needs may require obstacle obstacles to support the reserve force. With
restrictions. These tentative control mea- Assistant Chief of Staff, G3 (Operations and
sures may also provide a starting point for Plans) (G3)/S3 approval, the staff prepares a
resourcing obstacles (discussed in detail in scheme-of-obstacles sketch that addresses
Appendix C) and for developing the obstacle how obstacles support the maneuver COA.
plan to support the COA.
The staff uses the tentative obstacle-control
measures to develop obstacle-control mea- COURSE-OF-ACTION ANALYSIS
sures that support the COA. The corps staff Staff analysis identifies the best COA for
draws separate obstacle zones for ACRs or recommendation to the commander. To
separate brigades. It draws obstacle analyze the COAs, the staff uses war
restricted areas or identifies areas requiring gaming techniques. They war-game the
obstacle restriction within the division obstacle plan with the supported COA, not
areas. The division staff uses the tentative separately. Considerations for the staff dur-
obstacle belts to assist in drawing obstacle ing war gaming are as follows:
The following paragraphs contain a defen- forces and the AAs in sector (see Figure
sive scenario for obstacle planning at the 4-5, page 4-13): The enemy has five
division level. The process is the same at the regimental-size AAs in the division sector. In
corps or brigade level. the north, two regimental AAs turn into a
division-size AA and then revert to three reg-
imental AAs. In the south, there are three
DIVISION DEFENSIVE SCENARIO regimental AAs that change into a
This scenario illustrates the integration of division-size AA.
obstacles into the division decision-making The staff has completed all other estimates
process in the defense. Note that this illus- and gathered the information necessary for
tration highlights only certain aspects of the planning. It has analyzed relative combat
decision-making process and focuses on a power and determined that the ratios sup-
single COA. port a defense. In addition, it has analyzed
the higher HQ commander’s mission and
intent. In this case, there are no specific
MISSION ANALYSIS impacts on division obstacle planning in the
As part of facts and assumptions, the staff corps’ plan. The staff incorporated the com-
determines the following concerning enemy mander’s guidance into the plan.
Stream along Axis Copperhead and Objec- the zone provides for battle handover of the
tive Viper. The staff anticipates that the northern two regimental AAs. To facilitate
brigade could employ two fixing obstacle the division’s CATK, the commander
belts forward of PL Stream, one on each AA. restricts the depth of the obstacle zone to
The staff also anticipates that the brigade Objective Viper. These requirements dictate
will require two blocking belts on the north- the shape of Obstacle Zone Bravo.
ern two AAs. Based on these consider-
ations, and to keep the division’s CATK axis Obstacle Zone Charlie is deep in the brigade
and objective restricted from obstacle sector. This zone has three regimental AAs.
emplacement, the staff plans two obstacle To give the brigade commander maximum
zones for the northern brigade. flexibility, the zone width will cover from the
Obstacle Zone Bravo encompasses the BHL northern boundary to Axis Copperhead.
(PL River). This zone has two regimental This covers two of the three AAs. The CATK
AAs. To give the brigade commander maxi- force will use the third AA. The forward
mum flexibility, the width of this obstacle edge of the zone is in the vicinity of Objective
zone covers the entire sector. The depth of Viper. The depth of the zone requires no
restriction; therefore, the brigade’s rear Note: The examples used to illus-
boundary dictates the zone’s depth. trate obstacle resourcing above TF
level in Appendix C relate directly
For the southern brigade, the staff uses the to this scenario.
same approach to develop the shape of
Obstacle Zone Delta. To support the com-
mander’s intent and show a strong defense COURSE-OF-ACTION ANALYSIS
forward, the staff puts the zone’s rear The staff analysis of the COA results in
boundary forward of PL Stream. This will some modifications to the obstacle plan.
cause a concentration of countermobility They plan a “be-prepared” Obstacle Zone
effort along the BHL to PL Stream. Golf to support the division reserve’s CATK
The staff must plan for the rearward pas- into Objective Viper. Obstacle resources allo-
sage of the cavalry. It recommends to the G3 cated to this zone will be for situational
that Lane Blue and Lane Red be restricted obstacles to fix the enemy formations.
from any obstacle emplacement. The bri- The aviation brigade is conducting a sup-
gades must coordinate directly with the divi- porting attack against the second echelon
sion for reserve obstacle groups to close division’s rear in Objective Cobra. Tactical
these lanes, if required. obstacles would aid the attack helicop-
Based on the obstacle plan to support the ters in their fight. The staff tailors Obstacle
COA, the staff determines the resources Zones Echo and Foxtrot to support the fight
required to support the plan. in Objective Cobra and Python respectively.
ADAM and RAAM are available. ADAM The staff does not plan protective obstacles,
and RAAM allocations will require coor- but it does provide guidance on emplace-
dination with the fire-support coordinator ment authority and allocates resources for
(FSCOORD). protective obstacles in the division rear. In
this case, the division authorizes the bri-
DECISION AND EXECUTION gades to delegate protective-obstacle-
Based on their analysis, the staff recom- emplacement authority for all types of obsta-
mended the COA in this scenario to the com- cles to company team level within obstacle
mander, and he approved. The staff prepares zones. Outside obstacle zones, units only use
the actual orders, to include the obstacle plan wire obstacles for protective obstacles.
and overlay Figure 4-8, page 4-16, shows
this division’s obstacle overlay. The staff also In the division rear, the division delegates
fills in the details required for a complete protective-obstacle-emplacement authority
plan. One detail that the staff addresses is to the base cluster commanders. CSS assets
guidance on protective obstacles. must survive to provide sustainment to
combat units. Protective obstacles are impor- scheme of maneuver. In addition, most tacti-
tant for ensuring survivability of CSS assets cal obstacles are situational. Therefore,
in the rear. The staff determines that the obstacle planning must result in a plan that
major rear area threat is from air-inserted is flexible enough to allow emplacement
dismounted enemy troops. Therefore, the authority and ensure obstacle control during
staff allocates wire and AP mines to the base the fluid offensive operation.
cluster commanders.
TYPES OF OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
OFFENSIVE OBSTACLE PLANNING There are certain obstacle-planning consid-
erations that are dependent on the type of
The following paragraphs provide special offensive operation. One common consider-
considerations and some tools for planning
obstacles to support offensive operations. It ation is that offensive operations normally
is harder to plan obstacles to support offen- rely on situational obstacles due to the vari-
sive operations than to support defensive ety of actions that may occur. The types of
operations. In the offense, it is difficult to offensive operations are—
determine where obstacles will support the Movement to contact.
the enemy force. Obstacle Zone T assists in develops a grid system that encompasses
protecting the flank of the main body. The the
use of the same technique to support a
entire division sector. In this case, the staff
deliberate attack is shown in Figure 4-10. uses PLs, grid lines, and boundaries. As the
The unit plans Obstacle Zones A and B to division crosses PL Puma (LD), the com-
support a hasty defense following seizure of mander activates zones Alpha and Bravo to
its objectives. They also plan Obstacle Zone allow units to emplace obstacles to provide
C to support the aviation brigade’s attack on flank protection. No other proposed obstacle
the enemy reserve or CATK force. zone is active.
Based on the developing enemy situation,
Use a Grid System the commander orders the division to
Use a grid system covering the entire AO. assume a hasty defense along PL Stallion
The grid system is defined by grid lines, PLs, and activates Obstacle Zones Delta and
Echo. To allow a division CATK, the
and boundaries. This technique is useful for commander orders the areas of Obstacle
all offensive operations. Zones Delta and Echo north of the 45 east-
Figure 4-11 illustrates the grid-system west grid line to be obstacle-restricted
technique. In this example, the staff areas. This technique allows the com-
mander to grant obstacle-emplacement
authority and provide obstacle control despite This chapter focused on obstacle planning
a very fluid situation, using only one overlay. at the corps, division, and brigade levels.
The de-tail at these levels ensures the right
amount of obstacle control balanced with the
maximum amount of flexibility for subordi-
Chapter 5
Obstacle Planning at
Task-Force Level and Below
The goal of obstacle planning is to support Analyze the higher HQ’s mission and
the commander’s intent through optimum the commander’s intent.
obstacle emplacement and integration Analyze the relative combat power.
with fires. The focus at the corps, division, Issue the commander’s guidance.
and brigade levels is to grant obstacle-
emplacement authority and provide obstacle
control. The focus at the TF level and below Determine Facts and Develop
is the actual integration of fires and obsta- Assumptions
cles. At the TF level, obstacle planning is Obstacle planning begins with intelligence
very directive and detailed and centers on facts and assumptions, focused on the situa-
obstacle groups. Below the TF level, obstacle tion template (SITEMP). The SITEMP
planning deals with the actual siting and includes the modified combined obstacle
emplacement of individual obstacles.
overlay (MCOO). The MCOO is the basic
product of the battlefield area evaluation,
OBSTACLE PLANNING AT terrain analysis, and weather analysis from
TASK-FORCE LEVEL the IPB. It includes the combined obstacles
overlay, AA overlay (with MCs), friendly
As with planning at higher levels, TF-level operational graphic, key terrain, and known
obstacle planning is part of the decision- potential enemy objectives. Since tactical
making process. The following paragraphs obstacles attack the enemy’s maneuver and
provide techniques and considerations for reinforce the existing terrain, the MCOO is
obstacle planning integrated with the deci- vital to obstacle planning. It helps ensure
sion-making process. that the obstacles correctly address the
enemy AAs and MCs.
MISSION ANALYSIS
The SITEMP depicts an estimate of how the
The key activities during mission analysis enemy will attack in terms of the size and
are to— the type of units and formations. The
Determine the facts and develop SITEMP should identify the probable
assumptions. locations where the enemy changes from a
on three specifics when developing the The staff decides which specific effect each
obstacle plan to support the COA. directed obstacle group must achieve. It
Fires analysis. plans obstacle groups to—
Obstacle intent integration. Disrupt the enemy.
Obstacle priorities. Turn the enemy into areas where
friendly units can mass fires.
Fires Analysis
Fix the enemy in the EA and enhance
fires.
Fires analysis starts with reviewing the TF Block the enemy along an AA.
commander’s intent. The staff examines how
it can use obstacles integrated with maneu- The staff integrates these directed obstacle
ver in the COA to achieve the commander’s groups (location, target, and specific effect
intent. (intent)) with the COA. It shows the obstacle
groups on the COA overlay using the obsta-
The staff uses the COA that it normally cle effect graphics. The staff draws the
depicts graphically on an overlay. The graphic to reflect the location of the obstacle
maneuver graphics include maneuver and group as accurately as possible.
fire-control measures. Fire-control mea-
sures indicate how and where combat forces
will mass, shift, and lift fires to destroy the Obstacle Priorities
enemy. The staff should draw planning The staff sets priorities for the directed
range fans for friendly weapon systems on obstacle groups that it placed on the COA
the overlay. Combined with the fire-control overlay. The staff aligns the obstacle group
measures, these range fans give the staff a priorities to support the TF direct-fire main
feeling for where company teams can inte- effort. It numbers the obstacle effects graph-
grate obstacles with fires. Understanding ics on the overlay starting with 1 and con-
the maneuver and fire plans and the organi- tinuing in sequence. These piorities help to
zation of the EA are fundamental to inte- determine resource allocations and to
grating obstacles with fires. ensure that units emplace the obstacles that
are most critical to the overall plan first.
Obstacle Intent Integration
Based on the TF commander’s intent and COURSE-OF-ACTION ANALYSIS
the fires analysis, the staff determines loca- The staff conducts war gaming to determine
tions for directed obstacle groups. It starts which COA it should recommend to the com-
by giving the obstacle groups a battlefield mander. The staff should consider obstacles
placement to support the maneuver plan. within the total context of the COA. How-
This location is for planning and is adjusted ever, some specific considerations for the
on the ground. staff during war gaming are—
Each directed obstacle group targets a spe- Enemy reactions at obstacle groups
cific enemy element based on the SITEMP. versus the desired obstacle effect.
The staff normally allocates groups against Enemy breaching capability that may
enemy battalion-size MCs just as they allo- make one or more varieties of individ-
cate a company team to defeat an enemy ual obstacles preferable (see Appen-
battalion. Company team fire responsibility, dix A).
therefore, drives the placement of obstacle Obstacle locations that inhibit friendly
groups. maneuver.
Compatible obstacle effects and weapon planning for the obstacle plan that supports
system capabilities. that COA. Specifically, the staff can deter-
Adequate fire-control measures to sup- mine the tentative design and resourcing for
port obstacle effect. the obstacle plan. Final design and resourc-
After war gaming, the staff adjusts the COA ing occurs after the commander approves
to include the obstacle plan. These adjust- the COA and any final changes. In fact, final
ments may include the following: design normally occurs at the company team
Changes to locations of directed obsta- and emplacing unit level. Nevertheless, the
cle groups. staff can develop a detailed concept that will
require only minor modifications to support
Changes to the obstacle effect at a spe-
cific location. the final approved plan.
Addition of situational obstacle groups The staff begins by resourcing the groups
(see Chapter 6 for specific consider- based on the MC widths and the desired
ations). effect. It determines MC widths from the
Addition of reserve obstacle groups (see SITEMP. The total amount of linear obsta-
Chapter 7 for specific considerations). cles required in a particular group is equal
Identification of other mobility require- to the width of the MC multiplied by the
ments. resource factor for the obstacle effect,
Appendix C explains resourcing in detail,
Mobility Requirements
The TF staff resources the obstacle groups
according to the obstacle group priorities.
The staff identifies mobility requirements to Once the staff resources the obstacle groups,
determine which obstacles need lanes or the engineer plans the individual obstacles.
bypasses available for friendly forces. Lanes
and bypasses are normally required for tac- Use of standard obstacles supports resource
tical repositioning, C2, and sustainment planning and obstacle group design. The
traffic. The staff identifies locations for lanes plan for the individual obstacles, which
and bypasses based on tactical repositioning make up a group, serves as a guide for the
from the maneuver graphics, such as a TF staff to adjust the resource allocation. If
route, axis, or subsequent position. It also time is available for detailed reconnais-
identifies C2 mobility requirements, to sance, the design of the group may provide
include plans for rehearsals and physical the company teams the actual obstacle
placement of TRPs. Lastly, the staff identi- design for each group. However, the design
fies lanes and bypasses that are needed to of the obstacle groups usually serves as a
support sustainment traffic. Considerations guide to company teams, and they conduct
are the MSRs into and through the TF area, the actual design of the individual obstacles
the TF logistics release point (LRP), the with the emplacing unit leader.
routes the company team takes from its posi-
tion to the LRP, and the location of key TF
DECISION AND EXECUTION
logistics nodes.
Once the commander selects a COA, the
staff completes the plan and publishes the
Obstacle Design and Resourcing
order. The staff makes final adjustments to
After comparing the COAs and determining the plan and provides subordinate units
the COA for recommendation to the com- with oral, written, and graphical informa-
mander, the staff can conduct more detailed tion, with sufficient detail to allow the
The staff analyzes the COA and makes Following the commander’s decision to
adjustments based on the analysis. These accept the COA as it is, the staff finalizes
adjustments include the addition of a the obstacle plan. The final plan includes a
situational obstacle group to support scheme-of-obstacles overlay (see Figure
the withdrawal of the scouts. The staff also 5-6, page 5-11) and obstacle execution
identifies mobility requirements. These matrices.
requirements include lanes for passage of
the TF scouts and marked bypasses in the
EA to support EA rehearsals. Figure 5-5, OBSTACLE PLANNING BELOW
page 5-10, shows the situational obstacle TASK-FORCE LEVEL
group and mobility requirements annotated
on the obstacle plan. The following paragraphs outlines princi-
ples for siting tactical obstacles to support
The staff conducts obstacle design and the company team. The focal point is the
resourcing for the obstacle plan. Obstacle coordination that must occur between the
resourcing to support an obstacle plan is dis- emplacing unit leader (normally an engi-
cussed in Appendix C. The design of obstacle neer platoon leader) and the company team
groups is discussed in Appendix A. commander. This coordination is perhaps
the most vital component of effective obsta- the obstacle group is essential to making the
cle integration. It is at this level that units obstacles a combat multiplier. The emplac-
directly integrate obstacles with the effects ing engineer is the company team com-
and capabilities of weapons and the fire mander’s team engineer for the mission. The
plan. Once the coordination is complete, the engineer and the company team commander
emplacing unit physically sites the obstacle work closely to ensure complete integration
with the company team. of obstacles with the company team plan.
The emplacing engineer and company team
COORDINATION WITH THE MANEUVER commander use a common set of information
COMMANDER when conducting coordination. The follow-
Effective coordination with the company ing tools or information will improve coordi-
team commander who is responsible for nation:
SITING THE OBSTACLE mass fires and marks the necessary fire-
The emplacing engineer and the company control measures on the ground. The loca-
team commander site individual obstacles to tion of these control measures must be clear
achieve synchronization between the obsta- since they are the basis for obstacle siting.
cle effect and fires. Both must devote suffi- Second, the commander identifies tentative
cient time to the siting effort, since it represents locations for his key weapons within his
the final adjustments to obstacle location position or sector. Finally, he and the engi-
and fire control before emplacement. neer must both understand the intent of the
obstacle group.
To site individual obstacles, certain precon-
ditions are necessary. First, the company Obstacle siting concentrates on marking the
team commander decides where he plans to obstacle group as a whole instead of each
individual obstacle; however, in broken ter- obstacles (if this has not already been done).
rain, it may be easier to site individual To mark individual obstacles, the engineer
obstacles. The company team commander platoon uses the group markers as a guide.
and emplacing engineer use vehicles or sol- As shown in Figure 5-7, page 5-15, the group
diers from the company team, the engineer markers may lend themselves well as the
platoon, or both to simulate the enemy force start and end points of individual obstacles;
and do the physical marking. The simulated however, this is not always the case. As the
enemy forces move into the EA to the enemy engineer platoon refines the group limits
side of the obstacle group. The engineer pla- into the site of individual obstacles, the pla-
toon leader and the company team com- toon can then begin the necessary site lay-
mander collocate near the weapons covering out based on the method of obstacle
the obstacle. As a technique, one or all of the
tanks, Bradleys or other crew-served weap- emplacement.
ons may occupy their position and contribute Siting is not the last thing done during prep-
to the siting process. All participants in the arations. The time and resources involved in
siting process use a common FM net to com- emplacing tactical obstacles requires that
municate during siting. siting begin concurrently with establishing
The simulated enemy forces move into the the defensive position. It is imperative that
EA simulating the enemy’s attack. They the unit sites the obstacles as soon as the
deploy into a formation of similar frontage company team commander establishes the
as the expected enemy formation. Once they EA and identifies tentative positions for key
are near the marked fire-control measures, weapons. It is not necessary that all weap-
they place markers at intervals as they drive ons are in place and dug in before siting.
the trace of the obstacle group effect (or indi- Normally, well-marked fire-control mea-
vidual obstacles in broken terrain). They sures and one known position per maneuver
remain oriented on key fire-control mea- platoon (not dug in) are all that is required
sures to ensure that the obstacle location to effectively site the obstacles.
and effect are synchronized with fires. Dur-
ing the process, each participant verifies
OBSTACLE TURNOVER AND TRANSFER
that he can cover the obstacle, notes the
location of fire-control measures and obsta- Once an obstacle group is completed, the
cles, and records the appropriate data on emplacing unit conducts obstacle turnover
range cards. As the platoon drives the obsta- with the owning unit. Occasionally, an own-
cle trace, siting participants also identify ing unit will transfer responsibility for an
dead space and requirements to refine the obstacle to another unit. Obstacle turnover
location of the obstacle group and fire-con- or transfer ensures that the commander of
trol measures. The siting process also may the owning unit is familiar with the obstacle
identify the need for other fire-control mea- and understands its responsibilities con-
sures. Figure 5-7, page 5-15, illustrates how cerning the obstacle. Considerations for
the engineer and the company team com- obstacle turnover and transfer are as fol-
mander work together to site a turn and a lows:
fix obstacle group respectively. Mutual identity check (normally only
Once the company team marks the general for obstacle transfer).
limits and orientation of the obstacle group, Briefing on local friendly and enemy
the engineers can begin marking individual situations.
Chapter 6
Reserve
Obstacles
Determines the need for a separate fir- The commander determines the require-
ing party. If the reserve obstacle ment for a reserve obstacle during the
requires an engineer technical expert COA analysis or possibly following the COA
on site to ensure obstacle execution, development. The commander may also
then the firing party is separate receive a requirement for a reserve obstacle
from the guard force. from a higher commander as a specified
task. If so, the staff identifies the require-
GUARD COMMANDER ment during the mission analysis.
The guard commander is the leader of the If the commander decides that he needs to
unit that protects the obstacle. He is a retain control over mobility along an AA, he
commissioned officer or an NCO. The guard has two options. He can—
commander— Assign a specified task to a subordinate
Ensures that the obstacle site is not unit to maintain a lane.
captured by the enemy. Use a reserve obstacle.
Gives the firing commander the order
to execute the obstacle (based on the The commander must consider the effect of
criteria that the authorizing com- the premature loss of mobility along an AA.
mander established). For example, if an ACR is withdrawing
under pressure through a division sector,
premature loss of mobility along the AA may
FIRING COMMANDER slow or even stop the ACR's withdrawal.
The firing commander is the leader of the The corps commander may specifically task
firing party and is an engineer NCO, unless the division commander to ensure that the
the commander determines that there is no ACR’s withdrawal lanes are clear until the
need for an engineer technical expert on site. ACR has withdrawn. Thus he allows the
The firing commander— division commander to determine the need
Executes the obstacle when the guard for reserve obstacles. The corps commander
commander orders him to do so. may also decide to use reserve obstacles (see
Inspects and repairs the obstacle, as Figure 6-3, page 6-6).
required. If the commander decides to use reserve
The specific orders to the guard and firing obstacles, he again has two options. If spe-
commanders are shown on the sample cific obstacle sites are obvious, such as
STANAG Form 2017 (see Figure 6-2, bridges across a major river, the corps com-
pages 6-4 and 6-5. mander may designate those sites as corps
reserve obstacles. This will require detailed
RESERVE-OBSTACLE PLANNING planning by the corps staff and coordination
down to the executing unit. If obstacle sites
CONSIDERATIONS are not obvious, the corps commander may
The staff plans reserve obstacles during specify that any obstacles along the with-
the decision-making process. The following drawal lanes are corps reserve targets. This
paragraphs contain some considerations for will require subordinate units to conduct
determining the requirement for, and the detailed planning and then coordinate
planning, preparation, and execution of, through operational and engineer channels
reserve obstacles. with the corps.
The need for reserve obstacles is not limited ADDITIONAL FACTS AND
to ensuring successful rearward passage of ASSUMPTIONS
friendly units. The reserve obstacle may con- Once the commander decides on the need for
trol key terrain along a CATK axis that is a reserve obstacle, the staff examines the
along the most dangerous enemy AA (see SITEMP. It is used to determine the–
Figure 6-4). Control of the key terrain (a Size of the guard force required.
choke point) along the CATK axis may be Requirement to secure the obstacle,
critical to success in the battle. The com- either by fire or occupation.
mander may reserve the obstacle controlling
Size of the obstacle required.
the key terrain to retain his flexibility to
commit the CATK force along the axis and Most effective type of obstacle.
have a means to close the AA if the enemy The expected threat determines the size
uses the most dangerous AA. of the guard force. The enemy and terrain
situation dictate whether the guard force site is dictated by a higher commander or
must secure the site by occupation or the terrain. A reserve obstacle directed by
whether they can do so from a distance by the higher HQ may require the subordinate
fire. The terrain that determines the size of unit to adjust its positions to cover the
the AA may determine the size of the obsta- obstacle by fire. In some terrain, there may
cle. The enemy’s breaching capability may be only a few sites where a commander can
determine the most feasible obstacle. For use reserve obstacles to control mobility
example, if the enemy does not have organic along an AA. This terrain is usually domi-
assault bridging, then tank ditches and RCs nated by some type of existing obstacle (such
may be the best obstacle. as a river, canal, or canyon). If the com-
mander decides to use a reserve obstacle, he
FIRES ANALYSIS repositions forces to ensure that the obstacle
is covered by fire.
The staff analyzes the COA to determine
the—
Location of the obstacle relative to sub- OBSTACLE INTENT INTEGRATION
ordinate units’ positions. The staff places the reserve obstacle group
Ability of the unit to cover the reserve relative to the terrain and friendly maneu-
obstacle group by fire following execu- ver graphics to support the COA. Normally,
tion. the desired obstacle effect of a reserve obsta-
Most likely subordinate unit to assign to cle is to block. Even if it is used to close a
the guard force mission. lane in a directed fix obstacle group, the
The best spot for an obstacle may not be the commander uses the reserve obstacle to
best spot to bring overwhelming combat block the AA, in this case the lane; however,
power to bear. When the unit uses the the commander may use reserve obstacles to
reserve obstacle to close a lane in a properly achieve any of the four obstacle effects. The
planned directed obstacle, the reserve staff indicates the location of reserve obsta-
obstacle is already integrated with fires. cles by using the obstacle effect graphics and
However, in some cases, a reserve obstacle annotating them as reserve obstacles.
require a physical DP but may require execu- the DP to execute the obstacle. Ideally, the
tion of the obstacle based on enemy or point should be clearly marked with a TRP.
friendly actions that the guard commander This spot may change based on visibility
cannot see. If so, the guard commander con- conditions.
firms, with the authorizing commander,
how he will get the information that drives If the reserve obstacle is also a lane, the
the decision to execute the obstacle (such as coordination required is similar to the coor-
a report from the TF scouts that the enemy dination required to conduct a passage of
has reached a certain location). lines. The guard commander must know the
following:
If execution depends on imminent enemy The number of vehicles to expect.
capture of the obstacle site, the guard com-
mander makes assumptions about how much The near and far recognition signals.
combat power he must have to retain control The passage time.
of the site. He must also consider the time Another important element to consider dur-
requirements for execution that will affect ing the rehearsal is the commitment of
the DP. For example, he must determine at assets, especially if the assets have other
what point during the fight to retain control missions. For example, artillery assets must
that he can order execution and still have be available to fire a reserve ADAM/RAAM
enough time for notification, execution, and obstacle. During the rehearsal, the staff ver-
arming. ifies the availability of the asset and identi-
If execution is based on a certain size enemy fies additional situations where the asset
force reaching the obstacle site, the guard may not be available. It ensures that the
commander uses the time required for obsta- executing unit understands the com-
cle execution and works backwards to locate mander’s priorities.
Chapter 7
Situational
Obstacles
Volcano mine canisters, and enough canis- DATK. Finally, the commitment of forces
ters to achieve the desired effect on the tar- along an AA and enemy movement to attack
get. an assailable flank is an example of a combi-
nation of friendly and enemy actions that
can trigger a situational obstacle (see Figure
INTEGRATE WITH FRIENDLY FIRES 7-1).
Like any obstacle, units integrate situa-
tional obstacles into the fire plan. Since WITHHOLD EXECUTION UNTIL NEEDED
obstacle execution depends on development
of an expected situation, integrating the The commander withholds execution of a sit-
obstacles with fires is difficult. Commanders uational obstacle until the obstacle effect is
and staffs consider where they can employ required. Commanders and staffs consider
situational obstacles and ensure that the that the obstacle assets, once committed, are
combination of fires and obstacles are suffi- no longer available to support other mis-
cient to achieve the obstacle effect. Without sions. They also consider that SCATMINEs
fires, the obstacle may interfere with the have a SD time. Emplacing the obstacle too
early may result in self-destruction of the
enemy, but he can breach the obstacle at mines before the enemy arrives.
will. For example, using SCATMINEs, with-
out fires, to delay repairs to an enemy air-
field will hinder the repairs; however, the SITUATIONAL OBSTACLES IN THE
enemy can identify and clear the mines DEFENSE
without a major risk.
In the defense, the focus of situational obsta-
cles is to help negate the attacker’s initial
PLAN THE OBSTACLES advantage (see Figure 7-2, page 7-4). Some
Situational obstacles are not used to attack possible uses of situational obstacles in the
targets of opportunity. Commanders and defense are—
staffs identify them during the planning pro- Reinforce or repair tactical obstacles
cess. The time required to commit the asset already emplaced.
and integrate the obstacle with fires nor- Emplace obstacles where previously
mally exceeds the window of opportunity there were none.
against a target. Also, the use of obstacle Defeat penetrations in the rear area.
emplacement assets (such as ADAM/RAAM) Protect the flanks of CATK forces.
against targets of opportunity may waste a Separate attacking enemy echelons.
valuable obstacle asset that the commander Reinforce existing (natural or cultural)
will need later during the battle. obstacles on AAs or MCs used by the
enemy.
IDENTIFY EXECUTION TRIGGERS Shape the battlefield for the deep
Situational obstacles are triggered based on battle.
friendly actions, enemy actions, or a combi-
nation of both. For example, the commit- SITUATIONAL OBSTACLES IN THE
ment of the friendly reserve may trigger the OFFENSE
execution of situational obstacles to separate
enemy forces. Another example of a situa- In the offense, the commander uses the flex-
tional obstacle trigger is identification of the ibility of situational obstacles to help reduce
enemy attempting to reposition during a risk, maintain the initiative, and preserve
Uses the event template to identify action may be impossible. If the threat of not
areas where fires and maneuver can having an obstacle in the TAI is great
influence the enemy and designates enough, the staff may decide to use a
these areas as TAIs on the DST. friendly action as the trigger for executing
Identifies DPs where the commander the situational obstacle. The staff focuses
must make a decision whether or not to situational obstacle planning on those TAIs
commit fires or forces to attack the where obstacles can support friendly fire
enemy at the TAI. and maneuver (see Figure 7-4).
Every TAI will not necessarily require, or be
an appropriate location for, a situational
Fires Analysis
obstacle. In some cases, the time that it
takes the enemy to travel from an NAI to a The staff analyzes weapon system ranges
TAI will be so short that triggering situa- and effects to determine locations within
tional obstacle emplacement based on enemy TAIs where it can integrate fires and
obstacles. The fire supporter, air liaison obstacle emplacement asset has sufficient
officer (ALO), and other special staff officers time to plan and rehearse each mission.
are involved in planning to ensure integra-
tion of CAS or JMT missions, if applicable. Mobility Requirements
The commander and staff consider the
Obstacle Intent Integration impact of situational obstacles on friendly
After determining where they can use obsta- mobility. As a minimum, they should con-
cles within TAIs, the commander and staff sider the impact on the following:
narrow planning even further by determin- Overall scheme of maneuver of the
ing the obstacle intent within the TAIs. A higher HQ.
TAI is a location where friendly forces can Branches or sequels in the higher HQ’s
influence the enemy. That enemy is the tar- plan.
get of the situational obstacle planned within Specified or implied tasks for follow-on
the TAI. A general location for the obstacle is forces.
determined by the TAI and the range and Branches or sequels in their own plan.
effects of friendly weapons and forces allo-
cated to the TAI. The mission of the friendly The commander and his staff must ensure
force drives the specific obstacle effect and synchronization, unity of effort, and support
refines the general obstacle location into a to the overall plan. They must also consider
location relative to the friendly force or the any obstacle-control measures imposed by
terrain. the higher commander’s order. As with any
tactical obstacle, situational-obstacle
employment is authorized only within the
Obstacle Priorities higher commander’s obstacle-control mea-
The commander and staff prioritize the situ- sures, unless the subordinate unit obtains
ational obstacles. It is possible that they will approval to put obstacles outside of the con-
develop several “be-prepared” missions trol measure.
for an obstacle emplacement asset. They use
the priorities to constrain the situational- Obstacle Design and Resourcing
obstacle plan based on actual available
assets. More importantly, they can use these To select the size and type of situational
priorities to assist in decision making during obstacle required to best meet the com-
execution of the operation if two or more com- mander’s intent, the staff analyzes the tar-
peting requirements for the same asset get, the relative location, and the desired
develop (see Figure 7-5, page 7-8). effect. It considers the following:
Normally, the commander and staff plan for Size of obstacle required to meet the
obstacle intent.
the same obstacle emplacement asset in sev-
eral TAIs with the expectation that the Location of the obstacle.
enemy target will appear in only one. How- Accuracy of the emplacement asset.
ever, the unit controlling the obstacle Trigger for obstacle execution and the
emplacement capability must understand DP.
which obstacle has priority, should the situa- Time for the enemy to move from the
tion call for the same asset in different loca- NAI to the TAI.
tions at the same time. The commander and Time to commit the obstacle emplace-
staff must ensure that the element with the ment asset to the TAI.
Time for the asset to emplace the obsta- location of the obstacle required and the
cle. requirement for accuracy in emplacing the
Arming and SD time for SCATMINEs, obstacle. For example, locations far forward
if applicable. of friendly positions or behind enemy posi-
Time for allocated fires or force to cover tions may eliminate the possibility of using
the TAI. conventional obstacles or ground-emplaced
SCATMINEs. The large size requirements
Availability of the obstacle emplace- of an obstacle could eliminate the use of
ment asset. ADAM/RAAM. The accuracy required may
C2 requirements, to include observa- also eliminate ADAM/RAAM or Gator from
tion of the NAI and reporting responsi- consideration.
bilities.
The trigger and time considerations reflect
The staff considers the feasibility of the necessity of having the obstacle
using obstacle assets based on the size and emplaced and armed before the enemy
obstacle execution understand their respon- the NAI to the TAI. If possible, it does this
sibilities. The situational-obstacle rehearsal by actually moving subunits from the NAI to
normally is conducted as part of a larger the TAI at a doctrinal enemy movement
rehearsal, although each situational obstacle rate. It modifies the movement rate based
is covered. on expected weather and light conditions.
The unit may need to adjust the location of
There may be several different rehearsals at the observation platform that is observing
several different levels, For example, a TF the NAI, based on the terrain or expected
and an artillery battalion rehearsal might weather or light conditions. The location of
include the same ADAM/RAAM target. An the NAI or DP may require marking with a
air Volcano minefield might be covered dur- TRP.
ing a brigade rehearsal and the aviation unit
rehearsal. Next, the unit verifies how long it will take to
commit the obstacle asset to the target loca-
The intent of the rehearsal is to synchronize tion. This includes the time required to—
the execution of the obstacle. The unit veri-
fies and refines the timing requirements Report the trigger (enemy arrival at
considered during obstacle design (see the NAI or friendly action that serves
Figure 7-7). First, if the trigger includes an as the trigger).
enemy action, the unit determines the Decide to execute.
time required for the enemy to move from Order the execution.
Move the emplacing asset to a location reduce emplacement time. The unit may
where it can begin emplacing. change the DP location by accepting risk
The unit confirms the emplacement time of and putting the DP farther out than the NAI
and deciding to execute based on a probable
the obstacle. This may be determined by an rather than a confirmed enemy action. The
actual physical rehearsal (such as how long unit also can change emplacement asset
it will take a ground Volcano system to drive numbers or locations, such as increasing the
the obstacle trace or a similar piece of ter- number of firing batteries for ADAM/RAAM
rain). The unit may need to estimate the or positioning emplacing systems closer to
emplacement time, based on previous experi- the obstacle location.
ence or training, such as in the case of artil-
lery-delivered ADAM/RAAM. The unit also compares the emplacement
time with the time required to integrate
If the unit uses SCATMINEs for the situa- fires and maneuver with the obstacle. The
tional obstacle, it figures arming time into unit ensures that the time requirements
the total time required for emplacement. For allow it to synchronize the effects of the
example, it takes 45 minutes for a Flipper obstacle with fires on the enemy at the TAI.
mine to arm. Another time factor the unit Another important element to consider dur-
considers is the duration of the effect. The ing the rehearsal is the availability of
SD time for short duration ADAM/RAAM, for assets. The staff must ensure that the assets
instance, is four hours from the time the necessary to emplace the situational obsta-
mine is armed (the first mines will begin to cle are available for the mission. During the
SD after 3.2 hours). Consequently, it is rehearsal, it is very important to determine
important that the obstacle is not executed the availability of the asset and potential
too early. situations where the asset may not be avail-
Once the unit verifies the total time required able. The priorities for all emplacing assets
for the situational-obstacle execution, it com- must be very clear.
pares this time with the time required for
enemy movement from the NAI to the TAI. If Execution
the time to execute exceeds the enemy move- Situational obstacles provide a tremendous
ment time, the unit may need to modify capability to the unit. The success of situa-
the emplacement plan. The unit may change tional obstacles depends on a good plan,
the design of the obstacle, such as reducing rehearsed preparation, and disciplined exe-
the density of a scatterable minefield to cution.
Chapter 8
Protective
Obstacles
Protective obstacles are obstacles that com- final assault. Base cluster and installation
manders use to protect soldiers, equipment, commanders may emplace hasty protective
supplies, and facilities from enemy attacks or obstacles to protect against all levels of
other threats. These other threats range from threat when they occupy sites temporarily
enemy surveillance to the theft of supplies or until they can plan and emplace deliber-
and equipment by noncombatants. In tactical ate protective obstacles.
operations, protective obstacles provide
friendly forces with close-in protection and
help finish the enemy’s complete destruction. DELIBERATE PROTECTIVE OBSTACLES
However, in OOTW, protective obstacles may These are protective obstacles that are
focus primarily on preventing unauthorized more permanent and require more detailed
access to facilities and installations by civil-
planning and usually a greater expenditure
ians, rather than assisting in the destruction
of resources. Units employ deliberate pro-
of an enemy force. tective obstacles in strongpoints or at
relatively fixed sites. During tactical opera-
TYPES OF PROTECTIVE tions, company teams and platoons
OBSTACLES may emplace deliberate protective
obstacles if they have considerable time
There are two types of protective obstacles. available. For example, forces that conduct
They are— early entry operations before the onset
Hasty protective obstacles. of hostilities may have time to con-
Deliberate protective obstacles. struct deliberate protective obstacles. Dur-
ing OOTW, units emplace deliberate
HASTY PROTECTIVE OBSTACLES protective obstacles as part of their force
These protective obstacles are temporary in protection plan.
nature. They are obstacles that soldiers can
rapidly emplace and recover or destroy. Pla- EMPLOYMENT GUIDELINES
toons and company teams employ hasty pro-
tective obstacles next to their positions to There are basic guidelines that apply to
protect the defending force from the enemy’s protective obstacles, some of which apply to
launchers; and possible assault positions for of the position. The primary threat is an
dismounted infiltrating forces. Other consid- enemy force that has entered the position.
erations include moving vehicle bombs or
moving vehicle assaults.
Protective-Obstacle Capabilities
Band Three. This band lays between Band Units must analyze their vulnerabilities and
Two and the unit and defines the perimeter capabilities. Some of the considerations for
of the unit position. It extends from the indi- this analysis include—
vidual equipment or personnel protective
positions out to 30 meters. The primary Type, quantity, and importance (to the
threat considerations are hand-thrown gre- current or future mission) of friendly
subunits and systems.
nades or other explosive charges and small-
arms fire. Capability of subunits to construct
protective obstacles (based on man-
Band Four. Band Four is the area within power, equipment, materials, or other
the position, and its size depends on the size resources).
the unit leave lanes or gaps in obstacles. It keep the enemy from finding them. They
uses these lanes or gaps to allow— plan and rehearse lane closure. Lanes and
Patrols to enter and leave the position. gaps are weak points in protective obstacles,
CATK/reaction forces to move through so units consider allocating increased direct
the position. and indirect fires to cover them.
Logistic and support traffic to enter It is easy to establish lanes or gaps and sub-
and leave the position. sequently close them in restrictive terrain.
It is more difficult to establish and then
METT-T will determine if these areas close lanes or gaps on roads or vehicle
remain open (closed on-order) or closed with approaches into a position. Normally, the
the defender able to open the lane. Units location of lanes on vehicle routes are fixed,
change lane and gap locations periodically to complicating the defender’s ability to change
their location. When METT-T permits, units OBSTACLE DESIGN AND RESOURCING
plan multiple vehicle lanes. Units then alter- Units design and resource protective ob-
nate the lanes that are open at any time. stacles within each band to accomplish the
With the alternating opening and closing of
these lanes, units can also change the following:
method and material used to close the lane. Counter the templated threat.
When units can establish only one lane, they Enhance direct and indirect fires and
develop redundant methods for closing the observation.
lane. Other obstacles can be built parallel to Support the commander’s force protec-
the lane to contain any vehicles that pene- tion plan.
trate at the lane. Figure 8-3 shows the identi-
fied mobility requirements annotated on the Ideally, units construct obstacles in all
planning overlay. four bands and tie the obstacles together to
ensure that there are no bypasses; realisti- help defeat this threat, such as AT mine-
cally, this is usually not possible. field in potential attack-by-fire positions. If
the unit is a tank company team, the great-
est threat in Band One may be dismounted
Band One infantry that are armed with medium AT
Protective obstacles in Band One deny the weapons. The unit may design obstacles that
enemy a position from which it can support include AP mines and wire to defeat this
assaulting forces by fire. Units design pro- threat.
tective obstacles to defeat the expected Tactical obstacles frequently tie into protec-
enemy. If the unit is a light infantry com- tive obstacles in this band. Figure 8-4 shows
pany team, the greatest threat in Band One an example of a turn obstacle group into
may be tank and IFV main gun fire. There- which the unit ties protective obstacles.
fore, the unit designs obstacles that can The protective obstacles at this point also
Appendix A
Individual
Obstacles
manpower and material intensive and use concrete to create a massive tetrahe-
units typically use it only for deliberate pro- dron. Engineers construct hedgehogs from
tective obstacles. Tanglefoot works well in three or four steel beams joined in the mid-
tall grass or along a low-water line. The dle to create something similar to a child’s
GPBTO is an extremely effective wire obsta- giant jack. Both of these obstacles are effec-
cle, and soldiers can emplace it from a vehi- tive in restrictive terrain. Units commonly
cle. Refer to Chapter 3, FM 5-34 for more use them in urban areas. Their ability to
information. See Figure A-3 for an example completely stop light vehicles makes them
of standard wire obstacles. ideal for use in protective obstacles around
fixed sites in OOTW.
Tetrahedrons and Hedgehogs
Tetrahedrons and hedgehogs target the Antitank Ditches
mounted threat. Tetrahedrons are pyramids Units can also use equipment to alter
with a triangular base and are normally terrain to create constructed obstacles.
about 1½ meters on each side. Engineers For example, an AD is a constructed
fabricate tetrahedrons from steel beams or obstacle that is effective against all types of
vehicles. Like minefield, ADs are linear otherwise incapacitating enemy personnel
obstacles, but they require that the enemy and equipment. Mines affect the enemy in
use a different breaching asset than it two ways. The first is the damage they
does for minefield. Additionally, mine- inflict on enemy personnel and equipment.
plow- and roller-equipped tanks cannot Second, mines have a psychological impact.
cross a breached AD as easily as a normal Units that detect mines, or witness the
tank can. There are two basic AD mine effect on other parts of a formation,
designs, rectangular or triangular (see
Figure A-4). tend to slow down and seek bypasses to
avoid the mine effects. The two general cat-
The AD supplements turn or block obstacle egories of land mines are–
groups. Units normally do not use ADs for
disrupt or fix obstacle groups because of the Conventional mines.
time and equipment requirements. The com- Scatterable mines.
mander must realize that the construction of
ADs is time and equipment intensive. Typi- Conventional Mines
cally, there is a trade-off between digging
ADs and digging survivability positions. Conventional mines are hand-laid mines
that require manual arming. Conventional
LAND MINES mining is resource (time, labor, supply,
and transportation) intensive. Part One,
Mines are explosive devices emplaced for the FM 20-32, covers conventional mines and
express purpose of killing, destroying, or mining in detail.
Note that throughout this manual, individ- possible obstacle arrays to support specific
ual obstacles are depicted as shaded rectan- effects.
gles, unless a specific variety of obstacle is It also is important to fit standard obstacles
discussed. Those shaded rectangles repre- to the terrain. For example, units do not
sent individual obstacles. The actual type of need to lay row minefield in a straight line.
individual obstacle depends on METT-T, They must array the obstacle based on the
Leaders should consider the full range of weapon systems and the terrain to achieve a
individual obstacle varieties when installing specific effect. Figures A-6 through A-8,
individual obstacles. Leaders have as many pages A-10 and A-11, show some examples
options as their imaginations allow. of how to use standard obstacles in different
arrays to achieve an obstacle effect.
Standard obstacles enable planners at all
INDIVIDUAL OBSTACLE ARRAY echelons to estimate resource requirements
based on linear obstacle requirements. Like
The standard row minefield in FM 20-32 all planning factors, they provide a base for
are classified as disrupt, fix, turn, and block. estimating requirements and must be
Although these minefield are classified that adjusted to the factors of METT-T. Produc-
way, the array of individual obstacles is tion rates decrease because of limited visi-
what supports the obstacle effect. Units may bility; nuclear, biological, and chemical
use any of these minefield or other obstacles (NBC) threat environment; reduced troop
to achieve an obstacle effect if the array strength or proficiency; and adverse weather
supports the desired effect. Figure A-5 shows conditions.
Appendix B
This appendix describes the obstacle num- The designation for the HQ is a letter fol-
bering system and the requirements for lowed by three numbers. For example, XVII
obstacle reporting and recording. Corps is shown as Z017; 23d Armored Divi-
sion is shown as A023; and the 103d Air-
borne Division is shown as I103.
OBSTACLE NUMBERING
Obstacle zones are indicated by a single let-
The obstacle numbering system shown in ter starting with “A” and continuing in
Table B-1, page B-2, consists of 11 alphanu- sequence. Obstacle Zone A in XVII Corps is
meric characters and an obstacle status sym- distinguished from Obstacle Zone A in 77th
bol character. This number is compatible ID by the HQ designation (Z017-A versus
with the Tactical Engineer Command and 1077-A). The second obstacle zone in 77th
Control System (TECCS) that augments the ID would be Obstacle Zone B (I077-B).
Maneuver Control System (MCS). An obsta- Obstacle belts are indicated with a single
cle number provides the following informa- digit following the obstacle zone designator
tion concerning an individual obstacle: starting with “l” and continuing in
HQ that established the obstacle zone in sequence. For example, the first obstacle
which the obstacle is located. belt in Obstacle Zone C of the 5th Cavalry
Obstacle zone designation (if any). Division is shown as C005-C1.
Obstacle belt designation within the Obstacle groups are depicted by a single let-
obstacle zone (if any). ter starting with “A” and continuing in
Obstacle group designation within the sequence. For example, the first obstacle
obstacle belt. group in Obstacle Belt 2 of Obstacle Zone B
Individual obstacle type. in the 77th ID is I077-B2A.
Individual obstacle number. The individual obstacle type is expressed by
Obstacle status. one or two letters as shown in Table B-2,
If units do not use obstacle zones and belts, pages B-3 and B-4. For example, AD obsta-
or if the HQ directs obstacles outside an cles in I077-B2A are shown as I077-B2A-
obstacle zone or belt, an asterisk is used in AD. Standard block minefield in the same
place of the obstacle zone or belt designator. group are shown as I077-B2A-MB.
The individual obstacles in an obstacle group The obstacle status symbol is the last charac-
are indicated by a two-digit number starting ter of the obstacle number. The status sym-
with “01” and continuing in sequence. There- bol shows whether the obstacle is—
fore, the first block minefield in obstacle group Planned (/)
I077-B2A is I077-B2A-MB01. The second Being prepared (-).
block minefield in the group is I077-B2A- Prepared, but not executed (+).
MB02. If the obstacle group consists of a sin-
Executed or completed (x).
gle obstacle, it is also shown as I077-B2A-
MB01. For example, if the first of the block mine-
field discussed in the previous paragraph is
If the corps or division orders the emplace-
completed, the obstacle number is I077-B2A-
ment of an obstacle group outside an obstacle MB01X. If the corps reserve obstacle dis-
zone, then there is no obstacle zone or belt cussed in the previous paragraph is pre-
designator. Instead, units replace the obstacle
pared, the obstacle number is Z017-**A-
zone and belt designators with asterisks (*). BA01(+).
For example, if XVII Corps orders the demoli-
tion of a bridge (abutment only) as a corps Obstacle numbering for protective obstacles
reserve obstacle and this is the first such may require procedures that vary slightly
obstacle, then the obstacle is indicated as from those described. Units should report
Z017-**A-BA01. If the 1st Brigade, 77th ID, protective obstacles; however, identifying the
orders an ADAM/RAAM scatterable minefield individual obstacles is difficult using the
in Obstacle Zone B and outside all obstacle obstacle numbering guidelines without guid-
belts, the designation is I077-B*A-SF01. ance from the higher HQ. A technique is for
MB Block WA Double-apron
MC Chemical WC Concertina
MD Disrupt WF Tanglefoot
MN Nonstandard WR Roadblock
MO Point WT Triple-standard
MQ Nuisance SB Gator
MT Turn SM MOPMS
MU Dummy/decoy SV Volcano
AD AT ditch HH Hornet/WAM
Earthwork BA Abutment
AW
(berms, parapets, dunes, pits)
BC Abutment and span
units to assign default obstacle zone, linked directly to specific company teams.
belt, and group designators for protective ob- The first protective minefield that Team A,
stacles outside control measures. For exam- TF 1-2 emplaces has the obstacle number
ple, 77th ID assigns W, X, Y, and Z (it is I077-W1A-MP01X.
unlikely that the division will ever have
enough actual obstacle zones to require OBSTACLE REPORTING
these letters) as default obstacle zone desig-
nators for subordinate units as follows: An obstacle report is an oral, electronic, or
x W 1st Brigade. written communication concerning obstacle
activities. The local command specifies the
x X 2d Brigade.
report format. The emplacing unit com-
x Y 3d Brigade.
mander submits it through operational
x Z Division rear.
channels to the G3/S3 of the authorizing
The 1st Brigade assigns default obstacle HQ. The HQ integrates the report with ter-
belts W1, W2, and W3 to TF 1-2, TF 2-3, rain intelligence and disseminates it with
and TF 3-4 respectively. TF 1-2 then tactical intelligence. Units send these
assigns default obstacle group designators reports by the fastest, most secure means
W1A, W1B, W1C, and W1D to its four com- available. Failure to disseminate obstacle
pany teams. Protective obstacles can now be information rapidly could result in friendly
The G3/S3 must decide how much of this that their subunits take appropriate precau-
information to disseminate to subordinate tions in those areas. Subordinate command-
units. He also must decide what level of ers may require more detailed information if
detail is necessary. Simple overlays depicting they must move through an area where
areas suspected of having large quantities of another unit (or the enemy) previously
UXO, and a brief description of the UXO and emplaced tactical obstacles. In this case, the
its hazards, may be useful to subordinate commander may need an overlay or listing
commanders. They may choose to plan of all obstacles in the area with as much
movements around those areas or ensure detail as is available.
Appendix C
between the resource factor for each obstacle unit’s area of operations. It then allocates
effect, the AA width, the total linear obstacle resources to the subordinate units based on
effort required, and a possible array of indi- the resources required for the obstacles in
vidual obstacles. The staff translates the lin- its areas of operations.
ear effort required for all the tentative Figure C-2 shows the obstacle plan from the
obstacle-control measures into resources division scenario in Chapter 4 (to include
required using standard planning factors the tentative obstacle belts used to develop
and obstacle packages. It sums the total the plan). Table C-2, page C-4, shows an
resources required for the tentative obstacle- example of the requirement-based resourc-
control measures within each subordinate ing technique based on that scenario.
mines to the brigades to meet the require- main effort based on the concept of the oper-
ments for each obstacle zone. The staff con- ation. Based on the main effort, the staff
verts the platoon hours required into develops a preliminary task organization.
platoons required based on the actual time This task organization drives obstacle mate-
available. It then task organizes engineer rial resourcing. Although the staff concerns
units to the brigades to provide the necessary itself primarily with the engineer task orga-
manpower. The staff may consider other nization, it does not ignore other units with
sources of manpower (units other than engi-
neers) when allocating engineer units. obstacle emplacement capability.
The advantage of this technique is the early
CAPABILITY-BASED RESOURCING identification of obstacle material require-
ments. Obstacles require a large amount of
The second technique for obstacle resourcing material and transportation assets to haul
is to allocate obstacle materials based on the the material. Engineer units have a limited
capability of units to emplace obstacles.
Units have the capability to emplace only a capability for hauling obstacle material. The
certain amount of obstacle material in a earlier the staff identifies the haul require-
given amount of time. For example, an ment, the easier coordination for haul assets
engineer company can emplace a quantifi- becomes. This helps logistic planners
able number of conventional mines in one who do not require great precision but cer-
day. tainly welcome early identification of
Capability-based resourcing is a good tech- requirements.
nique to use when time is short. Early in Figure C-3 illustrates the capability-based
the plan development, the staff identifies the resourcing technique. The scenario used is
the division defensive scenario from the staff could have substituted AD for part
Chapter 4. The staff developed a task organi- of the total linear obstacle effort required.
zation for engineer units with one engineer For Obstacle Belt B1, the staff could have
battalion each in support of 2d Brigade and used 1,000 meters of AD and 3,000 meters of
1st Brigade. Both engineer battalions have minefield instead of 4,000 meters of mine-
an attached engineer company (from the field. This would have reduced the total
third engineer battalion) for a total of eight Class V and platoon hour requirement for
engineer platoons each. In addition, the Obstacle Belt B1 but would have added a
cavalry squadron has an attached engineer requirement for digging assets.
company (also from the third engineer Both of the resourcing techniques discussed
battalion) for a total of two engineer pla- above can be used at any level for planning
toons. (Note that the third engineer battal- resources. At the TF level, the staff uses the
ion HQ is conducting planning and actual groups that it has planned rather
coordination with 3d Brigade for the division than tentative obstacle-control measures. As
CATK). with any other process, the staff abbreviates
To determine the obstacle resources obstacle resourcing when time is short or
required by each brigade, the division staff adds detail if time allows. Whatever the
determined the obstacle emplacement capa- technique used, staffs must make some rea-
bility of the engineers in support of the bri- sonable assumptions when necessary. They
gades. The staff made several assumptions also must use information and planning fac-
concerning obstacle emplacement capability. tors relevant to their organization.
Based on the standard row minefield in
FM 20-32 and minefield planning data in OBSTACLE SUPPLY OPERATIONS
FM 5-34, the staff assumed that an engineer
platoon can emplace 100 mines per hour. Obstacle material is Class IV or Class V
The staff also assumed that the platoons can material, which is requested and delivered
only do ten hours of effective work per day through the maneuver unit’s supply chan-
(subtracting time for travel, maintenance, nels. Obstacle material is a maneuver unit
responsibility. Figure C-4 and Figure C-5,
resupply, rest, and so forth). page C-8, show the request flow and the
The staff multiplied the effective hours per supply flow for Class IV and Class V, respec-
day by the number of mines per hour and tively, from corps to TF level.
determined that the platoons can use 1,000 Class IV obstacle material requests originat-
mines per day. The staff multiplied the num- ing at or below TF level go to the TF S4. The
ber of engineer platoons in support of each TF S4 sends supply requests to the forward
brigade by the number of mines per day. support battalion (FSB). Class IV supply
This figure was the number of mines per requests at brigade level also go to the FSB.
day that each brigade can reasonably The FSB sends the requests to the division
emplace given the engineer task organiza- materiel management center (DMMC). Sup-
tion. ply requests originating at division level
In the examples above, the staff only consid- also go to the DMMC. The DMMC sends the
ered the use of standard row minefield from request to the corps material management
FM 20-32. The staff could have used a dif- center (CMMC). Corps-level requests also go
ferent type of individual obstacle or a combi- to the CMMC.
nation of different types. If it used the Issuing Class IV obstacle material usually
requirement-based method, for example, involves large quantities of material. Corps
support elements deliver Class IV material is delivered to the user at the obstacle
directly to the emplacement sites using emplacement site.
corps transportation assets. A supply request includes the quantity, the
Units request Class V obstacle materials required delivery time, the transportation
somewhat differently. The TF S4 notifies responsibilities, and a desired location. The
the brigade S4 of Class V requirements. The quantity includes the required quantity for
brigade S4 notifies the division ammunition each type of obstacle. There may be several
officer (DAO) in the DMMC who authorizes Department of Defense identification codes
Class V issue by the ammunition transfer (DODICs) and national stock numbers
point (ATP). The DAO sends requests for (NSNs) involved, depending on the types of
Class V to the CMMC. obstacles required. The required delivery
time is very important to ensure an early
Class V obstacle material flows from the start on the preparation of the battlefield.
corps storage area (CSA) to the ammu- Lack of material could adversely affect the
nition storage points (ASP) to the mission. The transportation responsibilities
ammunition transfer points (ATP) or, must be clearly understood. MHE is
more likely, straight to the ATP. Class V required to ensure a rapid turnaround of
obstacle material, unlike most ammunition, haul assets.
In addition, the brigade staff identifies the into usable packages, and then distributed
location of Class IV/Class V points in the TF throughout the sector based on the obstacle
sectors in coordination with the TF staff. plan. At some point in the distribution plan,
Prompt identification of the TF Class IV/ the TF turns over control of the obstacle
Class V point is required if the obstacle material to engineers who then emplace
material is forwarded from the corps into the them. Obstacle logistics, especially for mine
TF sector. If the material is not forwarded warfare, at the TF level can be complex,
into the TF sector, it becomes a brigade require prudent use of scarce haul and
responsibility to deliver the material to the MHE, and demand positive C2.
TF.
In the case of obstacle groups developed at
At the TF level, sustaining obstacle opera- corps, division, or brigade level, obstacle
tions is an extremely difficult task. Central- material supply may vary slightly. The staff
ized throughput operations by the corps or that is at the level where the obstacle group
the division stops at the TF level. Mass is planned in detail determines the
quantities of obstacle material, especially resources required for the obstacle. It also
mines, are centrally received, broken down plans how the emplacing unit will get the
materials. For example, if the corps staff The relative location of the Class IV/Class V
plans a reserve obstacle group, but the supply point and mine dumps are shown in
detailed planning is done at TF level, the TF Figure C-6.
plans the resources for the obstacle group as
it would any other obstacle group. However,
if the corps staff plans the obstacle group in Class IV/Class V Supply Point
detail, it determines the resources required. The Class IV/Class V supply point is the cen-
In this case, the corps staff would also plan tral receiving point of obstacle material in
for delivery of the obstacle materials to the the TF sector. It is the point at which the TF
emplacing unit. Alternately, the corps staff receives and transfers control of obstacle
could direct the emplacing unit to pick up the material pushed forward by higher levels.
obstacle materials from a location such as The supply point is established and operated
the CSA.
by the TF and is centrally located to support
all planned obstacles within the TF sector.
OBSTACLE RESUPPLY NODES Where the tactical obstacle plan allows, the
There are two critical obstacle resupply supply point should be located near the TF
nodes within the TF sector. Each of them has combat trains to better facilitate C2 and the
a different function in the obstacle resupply availability of equipment.
process if the material is not delivered
directly to the emplacement site. They are The main purpose of the Class IV/Class V
the— supply-point operation is to receive obstacle
Class IV/Class V supply point. materials and then reconfigure them based
Mine dump. on the requirements for each obstacle group.
This requires that the supply point must is not always used; it depends on the
have a dedicated S4 representative to track method of minefield resupply. These tech-
the flow of obstacle material in and out of niques are discussed in more detail below.
the supply point. The supply point should When used, one mine dump supports a
have dedicated MHE to off-load the bulk single obstacle group. It is activated or
quantities of obstacle material and reconfig- deactivated upon initiation and comple-
ure them into obstacle packages, if required. tion of emplacing the obstacle group. Mine
Obstacle materials are normally broken dump operations are primarily an engineer
down into obstacle packages if the materials company or platoon responsibility. However,
are not already delivered in combat config- it is a good technique to augment mine
ured loads. This may require a dedicated dump operations with personnel from the
engineer representative to ensure that the company team overmatching the obstacle
obstacle materials are configured properly. group being emplaced. The mine dump may
The most labor-intensive task at the Class be located either in the vicinity of the com-
IV/Class V supply point is uncrating the pany team position or nearer to the obstacle
mines. This requires dedicated manpower group.
equipped with tools to break shipping bands There are three critical tasks that must be
and uncrate the mines from their containers. accomplished at the mine dump.
Another important aspect of uncrating
mines is tracking fuzes and booster charges. As minefield packages are transported
As the mines are uncrated, fuzes and booster to the mine dump, they are further
charges are separated; however, the same task organized into strip packages,
number and type of fuzes and boosters must complete with the right number, type,
be task organized with minefield packages. and mix of fuzes and boosters. For
This requires strict supervision because mis- example, if the platoon is emplacing a
takes can quickly lead to confusion and a standard disrupt row minefield, mines
waste of emplacement time. are task organized into three packages.
As the engineer platoon moves to the
Because of the assets involved in the Class mine dump to resupply, each emplac-
IV/Class V supply point, a TF is normally ing vehicle loads a designated package.
capable of operating only one supply point at The mines are prepared for emplace-
any given time. If the TF sector is ment. They are not fuzed at the mine
extremely wide or deep, several supply dump. Preparation includes loosening
points may be planned; however, only one and greasing fuze and booster wells
can be operated at a time, based on the com- and checking to ensure proper func-
mander’s priorities for obstacle emplace- tioning.
ment. The mines are loaded onto the emplac-
ing vehicles or delivery system.
Mine Dump
Transportation of mines from the Class IV/
The mine dump is the most forward mine Class V supply point to the mine dump is a
resupply node. It is the point at which supported TF responsibility; however, it is
mines are task organized into mine strip usually shared between the engineer com-
packages and inspected, prepared, and pany and the TF since neither one has the
loaded onto the emplacing vehicle. It is haul capability to simultaneously service all
not a permanent supply point. A mine dump active mine dumps.
the mines into strip packages based Minimizes the distance and time the
on the emplacement method and type of emplacing platoon must travel to
minefield. reload.
Allows for obstacle packages.
While it still requires the emplacing
platoon to stop laying and resupply, it May provide additional manpower and
security if it is located near a company
minimizes the distance and time the team.
platoon must travel to reload. This
requires that a small party be left at the Disadvantages. The disadvantages to the
minefield to assist in picking up where service-station resupply method are that it—
emplacement stopped. Requires additional loading and
unloading of obstacle material.
Advantages. The advantages to the service- May require augmentation with haul
station resupply method are that it— assets.
Allows for prestockage of obstacle mate- Disrupts emplacement by requiring the
rial to keep pace with emplacement. emplacing platoon to stop obstacle
emplacement, move to the supply point, Two overriding considerations drive the
reload, and return to the minefield. decision to use the tailgate resupply method:
If obstacle emplacement is being con-
Tailgate ducted during limited visibility, the
tailgate method minimizes disruption
The tailgate resupply method transports
obstacle material directly from the Class of emplacement and chance of fratri-
IV/Class V supply point to the emplacing cide as engineers move back into a
platoon on the site (see Figure C-9). Obstacle work area after reloading.
material is transported to the emplacing The tailgate method is used when
platoon using both TF and engineer haul establishing a hasty defense or when
assets. At the obstacle site, obstacle the situation is unclear and an attack
material is loaded onto emplacing vehicles or can happen at any time. Since obstacle
dispensers. This action is performed by material remains loaded until trans-
emplacing engineers rather than a separate ferred to the emplacing vehicle, the
party. tailgate method enables engineers to
Glossary
# number
AA avenue of approach
AD armored division
AD antitank ditch
AI air interdiction
AO area of operation
AP antipersonnel
AT antitank
ATTN attention
Glossary 1
FM 90-7
BP battle position
CATK counterattack
co company
CP command post
cu cubic
2 Glossary
FM 90-7
DP decision point
EA engagement area
EW electronic warfare
FM frequency modulated
FM field manual
FO forward observer
Glossary 3
FM 90-7
ft foot, feet
Gator A scatterable mine system delivered by Air Force and Navy tactical
aircraft.
HQ headquarters
hr hour(s)
ID infantry division
4 Glossary
FM 90-7
km kilometer(s)
lb pound(s)
LC line of contact
LD line of departure
LP listening post
m meter(s)
MC mobility corridor
MF minefield
MO Missouri
Glossary 5
FM 90-7
M/S mobility/survivability
NA not applicable
obj objective
OCOKA observation and fire, cover and concealment, obstacles, key terrain,
and avenues of approach
OP observation post
6 Glossary
FM 90-7
PH platoon hour
PL phase line
plt platoon
RC road crater
req required
SD self-destruct
Glossary 7
FM 90-7
TF task force
TO theater of operation
US United States
Volcano The multiple delivery mine system consisting of the M87 mine canis-
ter, the M139 dispenser, and specific vehicle mounting kits. The sys-
tem is capable of being dispensed from the air by a helicopter or from
the ground from both tracked and wheeled vehicles. It includes both
AT and AP mines.
WAM wide area mine – An antitank mine that detects and acquires targets
then launches a submunition that attacks the top of the targets.
wt weight
XO executive officer
8 Glossary
FM 90-7
Object Symbols
Obstacle belts
Obstacle zone
Disrupt
Turn
Fix
Block
Generic obstacle
Glossary 9
FM 90-7
10 Glossary
FM 90-7
References
SOURCES USED
These are the sources quoted or paraphrased in this publication.
Army Publications
Field Manuals (FMs)
FM 5–34. Engineer Field Data. 14 September 1987.
FM 5–71–100. Division Engineer Combat Operations. 22 April 1993.
FM 5-100. Engineer Combat Operations. 22 November 1988.
FM 5–102. Countermobility. 14 March 1985.
FM 5–114. Engineer Operations Short of War. 13 July 1992.
FM 5–250. Explosives and Demolitions. 15 June 1992.
FM 6-20. Fire Support in the AirLand Battle. 17 May 1988.
FM 6-20-1. Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for the Field Artillery Cannon Battalion.
29 November 1990.
FM 6-20-2. Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Corps Artillery, Division Artillery, and
Field Artillery Brigade Headquarters.7 January 1993.
FM 6-20-10. Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for the Targeting Process. 29 March 1990.
FM 6-20-20. Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Fire Support at Battalion, Task Force,
and Below. 27 December 1991.
FM 6-20-30. Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Fire Support for Corps and Division
Operations. 18 October 1989.
FM 6-20-40. Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Fire Support for Brigade Operations
(Heavy). 5 January 1990.
FM 6-20-50. Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Fire Support for Brigade Operations
(Light). 5 January 1990.
FM 20–32. Mine/Countermine Operation 30 September 1992.
FM 34–1. Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Operations. 2 July 1987.
FM 34–10. Division Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Operations. 25 November 1986.
FM 34–130, Intelligence Reparation of the Battlefield. 23 May 1989.
FM 71–2. The Tank and Mechanized Infantry Battalion Task Force, 27 September 1988.
FM 71–3. Armored and Mechanized Infantry Brigade. 11 May 1988.
References 1
FM 90-7
DOCUMENTS NEEDED
These documents must be available to the intended users of this publication.
Department of the Army (DA) Forms
DA Form 1355. Minefield Record. March 1987.
DA Form 1355–1–R. Hasty Protective Minefield Record (LRA). July 1975.
DA Form 2028, Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms. February 1974.
2 References
FM 90-7
Index
Index 1
FM 90-7
2 Index
FM 90-7
Index 3
FM 90-7
4 Index
FM 90-7
Index 5
FM 90-7
6 Index
FM 90-7
Index 7
FM 90-7
8 Index
FM 90-7
29 SEPTEMBER 1994
GORDON R. SULLIVAN
General, United States Army
Official: Chief of Staff
MILTON H. HAMILTON
Administrative Assistant to the
Secretary of the Army
07239
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