be made. Normally the report will be DA Form 1248 and an overlay with
enclosures. You will also be told what special control measures are in
effect.
These might
include phase
lines,
checkpoints,
artillery
concentrations, and others.
b.
Gather Information.
Once you have examined the order and are sure you understand it,
the next step is to gather as much information as possible about the
operational environment.
Some may have already been provided to you with
the mission order.
How much you can obtain will be limited by the time
available.
For the best results, you should coordinate with the local
engineers. The engineers may be able to provide current maps and overlays.
They also may know the latest route conditions, or have the results of
earlier recons. Additional information may be available from the HTD/DTO.
An excellent source of information is host nation police and/or other units
in the area, to include civilians. More information gathered ahead of time
allows for more efficient planning and saves time as the patrol is
conducted.
Some of the areas to be considered are discussed in the
following paragraphs.
(1) Enemy Forces.
Enemy influence along a route may vary
greatly.
A route is always vulnerable to attack by air, missiles, and/or
artillery.
Correlating intelligence reports with overlays and maps can
identify possible enemy contact areas. Since your patrol will be small, and
often operating at a considerable distance from friendly forces, the threat
of attack is always present. This is true no matter how far you may be from
the forward edge of the battle area (FEBA). In rear areas you will have to
consider the threat of guerrillas and/or infiltrators.
The threat of
infiltrators includes SPETZNAZ or interdiction by long range reconnaissance
patrols. You and your patrol must always be prepared to meet such threats.
(2) Terrain.
The effects of terrain on traffic flow are
extremely important. The effect of terrain on observation is a factor that
must be considered.
High ground, which will afford line-of-sight
observation and good fields of fire, is of particular importance. Areas of
cover and concealment must be examined from both a friendly and enemy
standpoint. The effects of obstacles will be critical, not only on the road
itself, but adjacent to it, due to the effect on rerouting and maneuver.
Obstacles may be natural or manmade.
They include areas of nuclear,
biological, and chemical (NBC) contamination. Key terrain is any locality
that affords a marked advantage to either side. It should be located ahead
of time.
(3) Weather.
You should collect climatic data ahead of time.
As will be seen later in this subcourse, weather can have a very restrictive
effect on traffic flow. What may be a usable ford in the dry season could
become an impossible barrier in the wet season, or during a period of heavy
rain. The likelihood of severe weather will affect your evaluation of road
surfaces and their trafficability.
(4) Civil Population. The attitudes, actions, and capabilities
of the civil population can significantly affect your mission and your
evaluation
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MP1028
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