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3-01 | 124 | Chapter 12
ADA focused. Listed on the left side of each figure are the organizations, echelons, systems, and key
command/operations positions that can connect directly into the cited networks. In some cases, such as the
“Joint/multinational airborne radar” in figure 12-1, broad terms are used as there can be several types of
airborne radars connecting to the network, depending on which country or service is present and which
airborne platform is used. Next to the listing are icons – visual cues – of each organization, echelon, or system
in the networks. On the right of the figure are concentric ovals, one for each network or type of network
discussed. PADIL and FDL are shown separately in figure 12-2, as each touches only a few systems. There
are lines drawn from icons to selected ovals or networks. An arrowhead (→) from an icon that touches an
oval indicates that the organization, echelon, or system has direct connectivity with the network that is
identified by the oval label.
12-20. The depicted architecture is projected to change in the future with the introduction of a common C2
capability and the integrated fire control network. ADA system components, such as radars and launchers,
will be able to be controlled by non-homogeneous ADA C2 systems.
Figure 12-1. Communications and data architecture supporting AMD forces |
3-01 | 125 | ADA Data and Communications Architecture
Figure 12-2. Communications and data architechture supporting ADA forces
ENGAGEMENT OPERATIONS CONNECTIVITY
12-21. Tactical data links, such as the PADIL, FDL, and link 16 are used to support and enable AMD
situational awareness and engagements. They also enable ADA units to interoperate to some degree with
joint, interorganizational, and multinational organizations. |
3-01 | 126 | Chapter 12
12-22. ADA units use the AMDPCS equipment, the FAAD/C-RAM C2, THAAD C2, or Patriot C2 to
execute C2 tasks. All ADA units use the AMDWS to support planning and operations functions. The C2
systems use hierarchical communications links and LandWarNet to effect data distribution for C2 functions.
Hierarchical architectures require higher level C2 nodes to link to lower level C2 nodes down to the execution
level (firing battery or firing platoon). The execution level organization then connects directly to sensors and
shooters.
12-23. Two scenarios are briefly addressed to highlight potential connectivity challenges: a mature theater
with joint and Army AMD forces, and an austere theater with predominately maneuver forces.
* Mature theater with joint and Army AMD forces. Engagement authorization flows from the area
AADC, RADC, or SADC to the collocated ADAFCO; the ADAFCO passes engagement
directions to an ADA task force or battery. The ADAFCO does not have organic direct
connectivity into the link 16 and uses voice or a host-provided data link as the primary means of
passing engagement data. The ADAFCO may need connectivity through LandWarNet to a BCT
ADAM cell because of distance and non-line-of-sight conditions. Once engagement authorization
is passed to the AMD echelon exercising C2, internal ADA networks, such as PADIL or FDL, are
used to transmit data to the executing elements.
* Austere theater with predominately maneuver forces. If no ADA forces are present, the ADAM
cell links directly to a joint or host nation engagement authority. Direct linkage to the joint
engagement authority is via link 16 and voice. Linkage to a host nation may be via tactical data
links and voice or may be voice only, depending upon the host nation’s capability. If ADA is
present, link 16 and voice are normally the primary linkages between AMD forces and the joint
engagement authority, and between ADA and the BCT ADAM cell. The ADAM cell then provides
engagement authorization data to the BCT, based on procedural controls, and any available
automated battle aids enabled by its C2 capability and transported by its available communications
network(s).
12-24. ADA units work well and integrate with other U.S. and multinational AMD organizations, civilian
organizations, and professional fighting forces. To effect that type of integration, and sometimes
interoperability, requires extremely complex data and voice communications systems. The data systems have
to transfer near-real-time data across the battlefield or across continents to support situational awareness and
anti-missile and anti-aircraft engagements. Figures 12-1 on page 12-4 and 12-2 on page 12-5 show the breadth
of communications and data transfer systems but do not touch on the complexity or difficulty of
implementing the integration required. |
3-01 | 127 | Appendix A
Army AMD Strategic Organizations and Systems
Army AMD organizations consist of echelons of command ranging from the strategic
to the tactical level and manned by active component and National Guard Soldiers.
This appendix briefly addresses organizations and systems that are generally
categorized as strategic-level. See FM 3-27 for more discussion of the Ballistic Missile
Defense System (BMDS) and JP 3-27 for discussion of AMD of the Homeland, to
include the Army AMD mission in defense of the National Capital Region
BMDS
A-1. BMDS is an architectural construct that encompasses the strategic and operational theater missile
defense capabilities of the services. BMDS is system-architected by the Missile Defense Agency, with some
systems developed by the agency and fielded and operated by service personnel and some systems under
service development, fielding, and operation. BMDS encompasses Air Force, Navy and Army systems linked
by C2BMC. The Army systems are GMD, JTAGS, and AN/TPY-2 radars operating in the forward-based
mode, all discussed below, and Patriot, and THAAD which are presented in appendix B. BMDS capabilities
are frequently referred to in terms of tiers:
* Upper tier is a layer of airspace that encompasses very high altitudes within the atmosphere
to outside the atmosphere in which air and missile defense engagements are conducted.
Upper tier systems are designed to defeat ballistic missiles, from intercontinental to short-range
variants, during the mid-course and early terminal phases of their flight.
* Lower tier is a layer of low-to-high airspace within the atmosphere in which air and missile
defense engagements are conducted. Lower tier systems are designed to defeat close-, short-,
and medium-range ballistic missiles during the terminal phase of their flight.
GMD
A-2. GMD is a major component of BMDS and the U.S. missile defense strategy to counter intermediate-
range and intercontinental ballistic missiles in defense of the United States and designated areas. The GMD
system consists of multiple sensors, a complex communications system and fire control capability, and
ground-based interceptors. GMD fire control and ground-based interceptor components are deployed in the
United States, while contributing sensors operated by the Army, Navy and Air Force are deployed around
the world and in orbit. GMD is an upper tier system. Figure A-1 on page A-2, show a GMD launch event. |
3-01 | 128 | Appendix A
Figure A-1. Ground-based midcourse defense
A-3. United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command has
operational responsibility for the GMD system units and exercises administrative control over the GMD-
system Soldiers. The National Guard Bureau provides Soldiers to staff and operate the missile defense
element and fire direction center. Subordinate to United States Army Space and Missile Defense
Command/Army Forces Strategic Command are the 100th Missile Defense Brigade and the 49th Missile
Defense Battalion. The 100th Missile Defense Brigade staffs the missile defense element and the 49th Missile
Defense Battalion staffs the fire direction center. The missile defense element provides direction to the fire
direction center executing global missile defense operations. The fire direction center consists of the GMD
system fire control system, communications networks, in-flight interceptor communications system, and
launch support system. Either mode can prosecute the battle independently. In normal operations, the fire
direction center fights the ballistic missile battle while the missile defense element provides oversight and
assesses future battle plans. The missile defense element and the fire direction center are manned 24 hours a
day, 365 days a year.
C2BMC
A-4. The C2BMC system is a strategic-level combat information center for the BMDS. It provides planning,
situational awareness, remote sensor management, and monitoring of ballistic missile defense operations and
communications for friends, allies, deployed forces, and homeland defense. It links, integrates, and globally
synchronizes individual ballistic missile defense systems and operations to provide an optimized, layered
missile defense against threats of all ranges and in all phases of flight.
A-5. The C2BMC system provides the President and Secretary of Defense a common operating picture and
enables combatant commanders to systematically plan a missile defense operation, collectively see it
develop, and dynamically direct networked sensors and weapons systems to defeat the ICBM threat. Figure
A-2 presents the computers (simple central processing unit and monitors) in the missile defense element 2
node. |
3-01 | 129 | Army AMD Strategic Organizations and Systems
Figure A-2. Command and Control Battle Management and Communications
JTAGS
A-6. JTAGS detachments are subordinate to the 1st Space Company, Theater Missile Warning, 1st Space
Battalion. Each detachment consists of a headquarters and five crews. Two detachments with overlapping
coverage are needed to support the JTAGS mission for 24-hour per day operations over extended periods
(ATP 3-14.5). Each unit has three external high-gain, eight-foot dish antennas. JTAGS is presently a
transportable information processing system, housed in a standard military shelter, that receives and
processes in-theater, direct down-linked data from Defense Support Program satellites. Using existing
communication networks, JTAGS disseminates near-real-time warning, alerting, and cueing information on
ballistic missiles and other tactical events of interest throughout the theater to combatant commanders and
BMDS for the protection of military assets, civilian populations, and geopolitical centers. Figure A-3 on page
A-4, shows a JTAGS in a field setting.
A-7. JTAGS is currently being upgraded to a new configuration for operation with the next generation of
the Space Based Infrared System and to improve warning accuracy and timeliness. Improvements include
information assurance upgrades, new commercial antennas, SIPRNET capability, and the integration of five
systems from shelters into operation centers. |
3-01 | 130 | Appendix A
Figure A-3. Joint Tactical Ground Station
AN/TPY-2 RADAR
A-8. Missile defense batteries contain the AN/TPY-2 radars operating in the forward-based mode. The
batteries are deployed world-wide in defense of the United States, host nations, partners and allies, and
deployed U.S. forces. Each battery consists of a headquarters section, radar platoon, and prime power, sensor
management, and security operations sections.
A-9. AN/TPY-2 radars are high precision, long range, three-dimensional X-band, phased-array radars
having two modes of deployment: forward-based and terminal. (The terminal mode supports THAAD and is
discussed in paragraph B-8 on page B-5.) In the forward-based mode, the AN/TPY-2 radar primarily supports
BMDS by detecting ballistic missiles early in their flight and providing precise tracking information. The
radar provides boost phase identification, discrimination, early warning/surveillance, and tracking of ballistic
missiles for the theater and global BMDS kill chains. C2 is enabled through the C2BMC system. Figure A-4
presents an AN/TPY-2 radar and support elements. |
3-01 | 131 | Army AMD Strategic Organizations and Systems
Figure A-4. AN/TPY-2 radar |
3-01 | 133 | Appendix B
Air Defense Artillery Systems
This appendix presents brief descriptions of the ADA systems that perform AMD at
the operational and tactical levels: Patriot, THAAD, Avenger, C-RAM, Sentinel, and
non-system specific C2 systems (titled “Other ADA C2 Systems”). Patriot, THAAD,
and AN/TPY-2 forward-based mode radar are generally considered to be operational-
level systems, while Avenger, C-RAM, and Sentinel are deemed tactical systems. Such
designations, however, are scenario and situational dependent. Patriot, THAAD, and
even Avenger, for instance, may assume strategic missions; THAAD’s employment in
Koreas has strategic implications, as does Avenger’s in the National Capital Region.
PATRIOT
B-1. Patriot is a multi-mission system that provides AMD of combat land forces and other critical assets.
Patriot forces are capable of defending against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, UASs, tactical air-to-surface
missiles, large-caliber rockets, and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. Patriot is organized as battalions and
deployed generally as the base capability of ADA task forces, though it may also be deployed in smaller
configurations such as batteries or sub-sets of batteries. System components are air transportable by C-17 or
C-5 aircraft. For more information on the Patriot system and its components see ATPs 3-01.85 and 3-01.87.
B-2. Patriot radar set, AN/MPQ-65A. The Patriot radar set provides precise three-dimensional search and
detection, target track and discrimination, and a Patriot missile uplink to support defense against close-range,
short-range and selected medium-range ballistic missiles and the full gamut of air threats. The radar is part
of the battery organization and is deployed primarily as a component of an ADA task force or ADA organized
battery. Figure B-1 on page B-2 presents the Patriot radar set. |
3-01 | 134 | Appendix B
Figure B-1. Patriot radar set
B-3. Patriot launching station. Patriot launching stations, or launchers, house, transport, store, and fire
Patriot missiles capable of long-range, low-to-high altitude, all-weather defeat of close-, short-, and medium-
range ballistic missiles and the other threat types mentioned above. Patriot provides both lower tier ballistic
missile defense and air defense. Figure B-2 shows a Patriot launching station.
B-4. Three types of Patriot missiles are employed, all of which are certified rounds: Patriot Advanced
Capability (PAC)-3 cost reduction initiative missile (hereafter referred to as PAC-3), PAC-3 missile segment
enhancement (hereafter referred to as the missile segment enhancement missile), and guidance enhanced
missile. The PAC-3 missile is a medium-range, low-to-medium altitude, radio frequency, terminal homing
hit-to-kill missile. The missile segment enhancement missile is a radio-frequency terminal homing, extended
altitude and range, hit-to-kill missile. The guidance enhanced missile is a medium-to-long range, low-to-high
altitude, semi-active guided missile optimized against cruise missiles and other air threats. Patriot launchers,
depending on version/configuration, can mount 16 PAC-3 missiles, 12 missile segment enhancement
missiles, 4 guidance enhanced missile, or a mixed load. Patriot missiles require a Patriot radar to provide
uplink commands for midcourse guidance (PAC-3 and missile segment enhancement missiles) or for the full
engagement sequence (guidance enhancement missiles). |
3-01 | 135 | Air Defense Artillery Systems
Figure B-2. Patriot launching station
B-5. Patriot C2. Patriot C2 is uniquely designed to provide the full range of C2 capabilities for Patriot system
operations. It consists of echelon-specific components that distribute and collectively accomplish the full set
of force and engagement operations for Patriot.
* Information and coordination central. The information and coordination central (ICC) is the Patriot
battalion's control center and interfaces with the Patriot firing battery, adjacent battalion ICCs, and
other Army and joint AMD systems. It exercises tactical control, fire direction center functionality,
and supervision of Patriot batteries. It can, when applicable, integrate with THAAD for
engagement coordination and deconfliction when THAAD is attached to a Patriot-based ADA
task force. Both Patriot and THAAD normally conduct engagement coordination and
deconfliction through the AAMDC's ADAFCO.
* Tactical control station. The battalion's tactical control station directly supports the ICC by
providing automated defense and communications planning for the battalion and situational
awareness to the commander. The tactical control station is collocated with the battalion's fire
direction center. It is equipped with the AMDWS and Patriot tactical planner workstation; the
tactical planner workstation along with common data link modules provide unit commanders with
tools to create and test the defense design plans. The Patriot tactical planner workstation provides
operator access to the joint air picture over link-16. The tactical control station and its components
assist the commander with early warning and friendly protection.
* Dismounted Patriot information and coordination central (DPICC). This is a configuration that
provides ICC functionality in locations where the physical emplacement of the full-up ICC may
not be desirable or possible, such as inside buildings, to support mobile operations ("jump"
capability while operations continue in base location), or during rapid initial insertions. The
DPICC has data processing and man-machine interfaces to effect air battle management, and data
communications, less active transmission capabilities, to link to higher, adjacent, lower, and |
3-01 | 136 | Appendix B
supported echelons. Linkage is achieved by fiber optic or copper wire or transmission services
provided by supporting Army communications or host nation infrastructure.
* Engagement control station. The engagement control station is the Patriot battery's control center
for air battle management. It provides fire direction functionality for the battery. It remotely
controls the radar and launchers during air battle operations. Additionally, it establishes tactical
data links to the Patriot ICC and adjacent Patriot fire units via the Patriot digital information link
(PADIL).
* Battery command post. The battery command post operates in a manner similar to the tactical
control station at the battalion. It directly supports the engagement control station during planning
and air battle operations. It is also responsible for tracking battery-level force operations and
equipment status and reporting these to the battalion. External elements link to the battery
command post using standard protocols such as link 11 and link 16. The battery command post
cannot transmit on links 11 or 16; it can only receive.
THAAD
B-6. THAAD is an anti-ballistic missile upper tier system that provides the capability to engage and negate
short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles within and outside the atmosphere. Engagements
can be conducted against ballistic missiles in both the late midcourse and terminal phases of their trajectories
(see FM 3-27 for more information on defense against ballistic missiles during their flight phases). THAAD
is organized and deployed as a battery. THAAD is deployable and globally transportable via air, land, and
sea. A THAAD battery consists of four main components. THAAD system components are air transportable
by C-17 and C-5 aircraft. THAAD missiles require special authorization to ship and separate shipment (not
on the launcher). For more information on the THAAD system see ATP 3-01.91.
B-7. THAAD launcher. The THAAD launcher is a HEMTT-mounted, mobile, stabilized missile launch
platform carrying a missile round pallet. The launcher has a high rate-of-fire and can be rapidly reloaded.
The pallet contains eight hit-to-kill, passive terminal homing missile rounds per launcher. The THAAD
missile round is a certified round composed of a canister and missile containing a single-stage booster and a
kill vehicle. There are six launchers in a THAAD battery. Figure B-3 shows a THAAD launcher and missile
round at launch. |
3-01 | 137 | Air Defense Artillery Systems
Figure B-3. THAAD launcher
B-8. THAAD radar. The THAAD radar (AN/TPY-2) is an X-band, solid state, phased-array radar capable
of tracking multiple threats and multiple missiles during engagements. In the terminal mode of operations,
the THAAD radar supports engagements against missiles by providing surveillance, acquisition, track
discrimination, missile communications, and hit assessment for the THAAD fire control and communications
equipment. Figure B-4 on page B-6 presents the THAAD radar. |
3-01 | 138 | Appendix B
Figure B-4. THAAD radar
B-9. THAAD fire control node. The primary fire control node components in each THAAD battery are the
Air and Missile Defense Planning and Control System (AMDPCS) Version B and THAAD fire control and
communications. The AMDPCS Version B serves as the battery CP. The THAAD fire control and
communications component consists of a tactical operations station, launch control station, antenna support
vehicle, cable support vehicle, 30-kilowatt power plant, and THAAD portable planner. The THAAD fire
control and communications component supports engagement operations, force operations, embedded and
netted embedded training, and interoperability. The fire control crew fights the air battle inside the tactical
operations station and launch control station. The fire control section provides a THAAD portable planner to
the CP for force operations and remotes a workstation into the CP for situational awareness of the air battle
and system status.
AVENGER
B-10. The Avenger weapon system is a mobile lightweight, day or night, limited adverse weather fire unit
used to counter enemy reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition efforts and low-level fixed- and
rotary-wing threats. Avenger contains missile pods carrying Stinger infra-red homing, fire-and-forget
missiles and a M3P .50 caliber machinegun mounted on a high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle (also
known as HMMWV). It has on-board forward looking infra-red sensors to aid visual acquisition and
identification of tracks. Avenger links to the forward area air defense (FAAD) C2 for air battle management,
early warning and cueing, and aids for track identification. The Avenger system is air transportable by cargo
helicopters (CH-47 and CH-53) and C-130, C-17, and C-5 aircraft. For more information on the Avenger
system and Stinger see ATPs 3-01.64 and 3-01.18, respectively.
B-11. Avengers are currently organized as battalions and batteries in Patriot/Avenger battalions,
IFPC/Avenger battalions, and Avenger battalions and normally deploy as batteries or platoons. Avenger
formations include the Avenger weapon system, Sentinel radars, and FAAD C2. Figure B-5 presents the
Avenger system. |
3-01 | 139 | Air Defense Artillery Systems
Figure B-5. Avenger
C-RAM
B-12. C-RAM is a system-of-systems that consists of sensor, interceptor, and C2 systems. It is a fast reacting,
short-range system used to detect and destroy incoming rockets and artillery and mortar rounds in the air
before they hit their ground targets, or simply to provide early warning. C-RAM is organized as an intercept
battery and deploys as a battery or a platoon. For more information on the C-RAM system see ATP 3-01.81.
B-13. The C-RAM intercept system has an integral sensor for targeting and uses the Land-based Phalanx
Weapon System (LPWS), a multi-barrel 20-millimeter gun system, to destroy RAM threats. The LPWS is
shown in figure B-6 on page B-8.
B-14. C-RAM leverages ADA and field artillery sensors to provide alerting and cueing of incoming threats.
The Sentinel radar and AN/TSQ-50 Lightweight Counter-Mortar Radar (LCMR) are organic to the C-RAM
formation; C-RAM pulls data from the AN/TSQ-53 Firefinder radar while Firefinder is executing is primary
counterfire mission. C-RAM C2, a FAAD C2 variant with specific C-RAM modifications, provides the
requisite battle management. |
3-01 | 140 | Appendix B
Figure B-6. Land-based Phalanx weapon system
B-15. RAM Warn. The RAM Warn capability provides RAM early warning and impact point prediction and
can be used within C-RAM units or as an independent warning capability. RAM Warn is organized as part
of the intercept batteries in IFPC/Avenger battalions and is deployed as platoons or sections.
SENTINEL
B-16. The Sentinel radar, AN/MPQ-64, provides persistent air surveillance and fire control quality data. The
system features an X-band, 360-degree phased array radar that provides cueing and target identification to
an instrumented range of 75 kilometers. It can acquire, track, and classify cruise missiles, UASs, and fixed-
and rotary-wing aircraft. It is air transportable by medium-lift helicopters (sling-loadable by UH-60 or CH-
47 for the high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle (also known as HMMWV) configuration and CH-47
for the tactical vehicle variant) and C-17 and C-5 aircraft. Figure B-7 presents the Sentinel radar. For more
information on the Sentinel system and its components see ATP 3-01.48.
B-17. The Sentinel system is normally organized as a section within the Avenger battery and deployed as a
section. It is also in the intercept battery in the IFPC/Avenger battalion, C-RAM intercept battery, and
division artillery. |
3-01 | 141 | Air Defense Artillery Systems
Figure B-7. Sentinel radar
OTHER ADA COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEMS
B-18. AMDPCS. The AMDPCS integrates AMD operations at multiple echelons. AMDPCSs are deployed
with AAMDCs, ADA brigades, ADA battalions, ADA batteries, and ADAM cells. AMDPCS is also used
with BCTs, combat aviation brigades, and multifunctional brigades. AMDPCS is a collection of ADA-unique
and Army-common command, control and communications capabilities tailored to the echelon at which they
are organic. Key ADA-unique components are described in paragraphs B-19, B-20, and B-21.
B-19. FAAD C2 and C-RAM C2. FAAD C2 is a subset of AMDPCS that provides an engagement operations
system which collects, processes, and disseminates real-time target tracking and cueing information to the
Avenger system. C-RAM C2 incorporates specific air battle management functions for the C-RAM system
and receives and processes data from the LCMR and other Army counter-battery sensors. C-RAM C2 is
fully compatible with FAAD C2; FAAD C2 does not provide for the operational control of the C-RAM
system. FAAD C2/C-RAM C2 software integrates engagement operations software for Sentinel and the
Army Battle Command System, in addition to Avenger and C-RAM, to produce critical situational awareness
and automated air track information.
B-20. AMDWS. AMDWS primarily supports force operations and provides the linkage between ADA forces
and the Army Battle Command System. AMDWS is fielded in all Army ADA echelons and systems.
B-21. Air defense system integrator (also known as ADSI). The air defense system integrator is a multilink
C2 system that interoperates with multiple data links, such as links 11 and 16 and the Integrated Broadcast
System, to provide joint AMD situational awareness and intelligence data, to include space-based
intelligence. It enables AMD information exchange across the ADA echelons and with the other services and
AMD systems. The air defense system integrator displays an integrated, near-real-time air picture, combining
the joint air picture with that of a unit's organic or supporting sensors. |
3-01 | 143 | Glossary
This glossary contains acronyms and terms used throughout this publication. An
asterisk (*) indicates terms for which the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School is
the proponent.
SECTION I – ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
AADC area air defense commander
AAMDC Army Air and Missile Defense Command
ADA air defense artillery
ADAFCO air defense artillery fire control officer
ADAM air defense airspace management
AMD air and missile defense
AMDPCS Air and Missile Defense Planning and Control System
AMDWS air and missile defense workstation
AWACS Airborne Warning and Control System
BCT Brigade combat team
BMDS Ballistic Missile Defense System
C2 command and control
C2BMC Command and Control Battle Management and Communications
CBRN chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear
CEC cooperative engagement capability
CP command post
C-RAM counter-rocket, artillery and mortar
DPICC dismounted Patriot information and coordination central
FAAD forward area air defense
FCE fire control element
FDL forward area air defense data link
GMD gound-based midcourse defense
ICBM intercontinental ballistic missile
ICC information and coordination central
IFPC indirect fire protection capability
IPB intelligence preparation of the battlefield
JAOC joint air operations center
JFACC joint force air component commander
JFC joint force commander
JFLCC joint force land component commander
JTAGS Joint Tactical Ground Station |
3-01 | 144 | Glossary
LCMR Lightweight Counter-Mortar Radar
LPWS Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System
METT-TC mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available, time
available, civil considerations
Patriot digital information link
PADIL
regional air defense commander
RADC
rocket, artillery, and mortar
RAM
sector air defense commander
SADC
short-range air defense
SHORAD
Single-Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System
SINCGARS
submarine-launched ballistic missile
SLBM
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense
THAAD
Unmanned aircraft system
UAS
SECTION II – TERMS
air defense
(DOD) Defensive measures designed to destroy attacking enemy aircraft or aerodynamic missiles, or
to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of such attack. Also called AD. (JP 3-01)
air and missile defense
(DOD) Direct (active and passive) defensive actions taken to destroy, nullify, or reduce the
effectiveness of hostile air and ballistic missile threats against friendly forces and assets. Also called
AMD. (JP 3-01)
air defense artillery
(DOD) Weapons and equipment for actively combating air targets from the ground. Also called ADA.
(JP 3-01)
air defense warning condition
(DOD) An air defense warning given in the form of a color code corresponding to the degree of air
raid probability with yellow standing for when an attack by hostile aircraft or missiles is probable; red
for when an attack by hostile aircraft or missiles is imminent or is in progress; and white for when an
attack by hostile aircraft or missiles is improbable. Also called ADWC. (JP 3-01)
airspace control plan
(DOD) The document approved by the joint force commander that provides specific planning guidance
and procedures for the airspace control system for the joint force operational area. Alco called ACP.
(JP 3-52)
*alert state
A condition that prescribes the amount of resources required to achieve ready to fire and desired radar
emissions, and which specifies manning requirements and equipment configurations.
area air defense commander
(DOD) The component commander with the preponderance of air defense capability and the required
command, control, and communications capabilities who is assigned by the joint force commander to
plan and execute integrated air defense operations. Also called AADC. (JP 3-01)
*assess
In the air and missile defense engagement sequence, the analysis of the effectiveness of the
engagement and of the potential for reengagements. |
3-01 | 145 | Glossary
assign
(DOD) To place units or personnel in an organization where such placement is relatively permanent,
and /or where such organization controls and administers the units or personnel for the primary
function, or greater portion of the functions, of the unit or personnel. (JP 3-0)
ballistic missile
(DOD) Any missile that does not rely upon aerodynamic surfaces to produce lift and consequently
follows a ballistic trajectory when thrust is terminated. Also called BM. (JP 3-01)
*classification
The process of characterizing a detected object by its type, model, variant, nationality, and any other
distinguishing feature or attribute.
command
(DOD) The authority that a commander in the armed forces lawfully exercises over subordinates by
virtue of rank or assignment. (JP 1)
command and control
(DOD) The exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and
attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission. Also called C2. (JP 1)
*complex integrated attack
A synchronized attack of a friendly asset by a mix of air and missile threats arriving near-
simultaneously from different directions, altitudes, and ranges.
consolidate gains
(Army) Activiteis to make enduring any temporary operational success and to set the conditions for a
sustainable security environment, allowing for a transition of control to other lefitimate authorities.
(ADP 3-0)
control
(Army) The regulation of forces and warfighting functions to acceomplish the mission in accordance
with the commander’s intent. (ADP 6-0)
coordinating altitude
(DOD) An airspace coordinating measure that uses altitude to separate users and as the transition
between different airspace control elements. Also called CA. (JP 3-52)
*cover
In air and missile defense, a fire control order that instructs a unit to assume a posture that will allow
engagement of a target.
critical asset list
(DOD) A prioritized list of assets or areas, normally identified by phase of the operation and approved
by the joint force commander, that should be defended against air and missile threats. Also called
CAL. (JP 3-01)
defended asset list
(DOD) A listing of those assets from the critical asset list prioritized by the joint force commander to
be defended with the resources available. Also called DAL. (JP 3-01)
defensive counterair
(DOD) All defensive measures designed to neutralize or destroy enemy forces attempting to penetrate
or attack through friendly airspace. Also called DCA. (JP 3-01)
*discrimination
The process to distinguish real objects of interest from other objects or phenomena and military
significant objects from those that are not. |
3-01 | 146 | Glossary
engage
In air and missile defense, a fire control order used to direct or authorize units and/or weapon systems
to attack a designated target. (JP 3-01)
*engage hold
A fire control order which prevents automatic engagement of the specified target by the system when
the system is operating in the automatic mode.
engagement
(DOD) An attack against an air or missile threat. (JP 3-01)
engagement authority
(DOD) An authority vested with a joint force commander that may be delegated to a subordinate
commander that permits an engagement decision. (JP 3-01)
*engagement operations
Functions and activities required to execute the air, missile, and counter-surveillance battle.
*engagement sequence
The successive actions taken by all of the services' air and missile defense systems in the engagement
of aerial threats.
flexibility
(Army) The employment of a versatile mix of capabilities, formations, and equipment for conducting
operations. (ADP 3-0)
*fire control quality data
Usable guidance updates to a weapon in flight that allows a seeker to acquire the target.
*firing doctrine
The application of the methods of fire to achieve the required level of engagement effectiveness.
*force operations
Actions and functions required to plan, coordinate, prepare for, and sustain the total air and missile
defense mission.
identification
(DOD) The process of determining the friendly or hostile character of an unknown detected contact.
(JP 3-01)
integration
(DOD) The arrangement of military forces and their actions to create a force that operates by engaging
as a whole. (JP 1)
joint force air component commander
(DOD) The commander within a unified command, subordinate unified command, or joint task force
responsible to the establishing commander for recommending the proper employment of assigned,
attached, and/or made available for tasking air forces; planning and coordinating air operations; or
accomplishing such operational missions as may be assigned. Also called JFACC. (JP 3-0)
*keep-out altitude
The vertical distance above a defended asset at which a successful engagement denies an adversary's
desired weapons effects against the defended asset.
*keep-out range
The horizontal distance from a defended asset at which a successful engagement denies an adversary's
desired weapons effects against the defended asset. |
3-01 | 147 | Glossary
*kill chain
The successive linkage of commanders who can authorize engagements of air and missile threats.
leadership
(Army) The activity of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to
acceomplish the mission and improve the organization. (ADP 6-22)
*lower tier
A layer of low-to-high airspace within the atmosphere in which air and missile defense engagements
are conducted.
*methods of fire
The firing options for air defense artillery interceptors employed against aerial threats.
mission command
(Army) The Army’s approach to command and control that empowers subordinate decision making
and decentralized execution appropriate to the situation. (ADP 6-0)
mobility
(DOD) A quality or capability of military forces which permits them to move from place to place
while retaining the ability to fulfill their primary mission. (JP 3-17)
offensive counterair
(DOD) Offensive operations to destroy or neutralize enemy aircraft, missiles, launch platforms, and
their supporting structures and systems both before an after launch, and as close to their source as
possible. Also called OCA. (JP 3-01)
operational control
(DOD) The authority to perform those functions of command over subordinate forces involving
organizing and employing commands and forces, assigning tasks, designating objectives, and giving
authoritative direction necessary to accomplish the mission. Also called OPCON. (JP 1)
operational environment
(DOD) A composite of the conditions, circumstances, and influences that affect the employment of
capabilities and bear on the decisions of the commander. Also called OE. (JP 3-0)
organic
(DOD) Assigned to and forming an essential part of amilitary organization as listed in its table of
organization for the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, and are assigned to the operating forces for
the Navy. (JP 1)
*out-of-sector
That part of the air and missile defense footprint which cannot be covered by a sensor or defended by a
shooter.
positive control
(DOD) A method of airspace control that relies on positive identification, tracking, and direction of
aircraft within an airspace, conducted with electronic means by an agency having the authority and
responsibility therein. (JP 3-52)
positive indentification
(DOD) An identification derived from observation and an analysis of target characteristics including
visual recognition, electronic support systems, non-cooperative target recognition techniques,
identification friend or foe systems, or other physics-based identification techniques. Also called PID.
(JP 3-01)
*primary target line
An azimuth assigned to a weapon system or unit along which the system fire control personnel and or
gunners focus their attention. |
3-01 | 148 | Glossary
principle
(Army) A comprehensive and fundamental rule or an assumption of central importance that guides
how an organization or function approaches and thinks about the conduct of operations. (ADP 1-01)
procedural control
(DOD) A method of airspace control which relies on a combination of previously agreed and
promulgated orders and procedures. (JP 3-52)
*resilience
In air and missile defense, the quality of the defense to maintain continuity of operations regardless of
changes in or unanticipated tactics by enemy air or losses of critical air and missile defense
components.
restricted operations zone
(DOD) Airspace reserved for specific activities in which the operations of one or more airspace users
is restricted. Also called ROZ. (JP 3-52)
rules of engagement
(DOD) Directives issued by competent military authority that delineate the circumstances and
limitations under which United States forces will initiate and/or continue combat engagement with
other forces encountered. Also called ROE. (JP 3-84)
*secondary target line
A pre-planned alternative target line used to shift the orientation of fires to assure all likely threat
avenues of ingress are adequately defended.
sector of fire
(Army) That area assigned to a unit, a crew-served weapon, or an individual weapon within which it
will engage targets as they appear in accordance with established engagement priorities. (FM 3-90-1)
*short-range air defense
Capabilities that provide air defense against low-altitude air threats. Also called SHORAD.
*standoff range
A range at which an air threat can surveil or attack an asset while staying beyond the engagement
capability of a defending air and missile defense system.
tactical control
(DOD) The authority over forces that is limited to the detailed direction and control of movements or
maneuvers within the operational area necessary to accomplish missions or tasks assigned. Also called
TACON. (JP 1)
*threat evaluation
The process of determining the intended target of the threat, the threat’s predicted impact point upon
the defended asset, and the timing of the threat’s arrival.
troop leading procedures
(Army) A dynamic process used by small-unit leaders to analyze a mission, develop a plan, and
prepare for an operation. (ADP 5-0)
unmanned aircraft system
(DOD) That system whose components include the necessary equipment, network, and personnel to
control an unmanned aircraft. Also called UAS. (JP 3-30)
*upper tier
A layer of airspace that encompasses very high altitudes within the atmosphere to outside the
atmosphere, in which air and missile defense engagements are conducted. |
3-01 | 149 | Glossary
weapons control status
(DOD) An air and missile defense control measure declared for a particular area and time by an area
air defense commander, or delegated subordinate commander, based on the rules of engagement that
establish conditions under which fighters and surface air defense weapons are permitted to engage
threats. Also called WCS. (JP 3-01) |
3-01 | 151 | References
All websites accessed on 2 September 2020.
REQUIRED PUBLICATIONS
These documents must be available to intended users for this publication.
DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. June 2020.
FM 1-02.1. Operational Terms. 21 November 2019.
FM 1-02.2. Military Symbols. 10 November 2020.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
These documents contain relevant supplemental information.
JOINT PUBLICATIONS
Most joint publications are available online at https://www.jcs.mil/doctrine.
JP 1. Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States. 25 March 2013.
JP 3-0. Joint Operations. 17 January 2017.
JP 3-01. Countering Air and Missile Threats. 21 April 2017.
JP 3-11. Operations in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Environments.
29 October 2018.
JP 3-17. Air Mobility Operations. 5 February 2019.
JP 3-27. Homeland Defense. 10 April 2018.
JP 3-30. Joint Air Operations. 25 July 2019.
JP 3-52. Joint Airspace Control. 13 November 2014.
JP 3-84. Legal Support. 2 August 2016.
ARMY PUBLICATIONS
Most Army doctrinal publications are available at https://armypubs.army.mil/.
ADP 1-01. Doctrine Primer. 31 July 2019.
ADP 3-0. Operations. 31 July 2019.
ADP 3-19. Fires. 31 July 2019.
ADP 3-37. Protection. 31 July 2019.
ADP 3-90. Offense and Defense. 31 July 2019.
ADP 5-0. The Operations Process. 31 July 2019.
ADP 6-0. Mission Command: Command and Control of Army Forces. 31 July 2019.
ADP 6-22. Army Leadership and the Profession. 31 July 2019.
ATP 3-01.7. Air Defense Artillery Brigade Techniques. 16 March 2016.
ATP 3-01.8. Techniques for Combined Arms for Air Defense. 29 July 2016.
ATP 3-01.16. Air and Missile Defense Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (AMD IPB).
31 March 2016.
ATP 3-01.18. Stinger Team Techniques. 23 August 2017.
ATP 3-01.48. Sentinel Techniques. 4 March 2016. |
3-01 | 152 | References
ATP 3-01.50. Air Defense and Airspace Management (ADAM) Cell Operation. 5 April 2013.
ATP 3-01.60. Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar Operations. 10 May 2013.
ATP 3-01.64. Avenger Battalion and Battery Techniques. 10 March 2016.
ATP 3-01.81. Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Techniques. 13 April 2017.
ATP 3.01.85. Patriot Battalion Techniques. 31 January 2019.
ATP 3-01.87. Patriot Battery Techniques. 22 August 2018.
ATP 3-01.91. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Techniques. 26 August 2013.
ATP 3-01.94. US Army Air and Missile Defense Command Operations. 20 April 2016.
ATP 3-14.5. Army Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) Operations. 15 October 2014.
ATP 3-91.1. The Joint Air Ground Integration Center. 17 April 2019.
ATP 5-19. Risk Management. 14 April 2014.
FM 3-0. Operations. 6 October 2017.
FM 3-01.13. (U) Air Defense Artillery Operational Planning Data (S/NF). 1 May 2019.
FM 3-11. Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Operations. 23 May 2019.
FM 3-12. Cyberspace and Electronic Warfare Operations. 11 April 2017.
FM 3-13. Information Operations. 6 December 2016.
FM 3-13.4. Army Support to Military Deception. 26 February 2019.
FM 3-14. Army Space Operations. 30 October 2019.
FM 3-27. Army Global Ballistic Missile Defense Operations. 31 March 2014.
FM 3-90-1. Offense and Defense Volume 1. 22 March 2013.
FM 6-27/MCTP 11-10C. The Commander’s Handbook on the Law of Land Warfare. 7 August 2019.
TC 3-01.18. Stinger Team Gunnery Program. 2 October 2017.
TC 3-01.60. Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) Gunnery Program. 31 December 2018.
TC 3-01.80. Visual Aircraft Recognition. 5 May 2017.
TC 3-01.86. Air Defense Artillery Patriot Gunnery Program. 28 May 2020.
TC 3-01.92. THAAD Battery Gunnery Program. 5 April 2018.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PUBLICATIONS
Department of Defense publications are available online at https://www.esd.whs.mil/DD/ .
DODD 5100.01. Functions of the Department of Defense and Its Major Components. 21 December
2010.
RECOMMENDED READING
This source contains relevant supplemental information and is available at https://armypubs.army.mil/.
ATP 3-01.15/MCTP 10-10B/NTTP 3-01.8/AFTTP 3-2.31. Multi-Service Tactics, Techniques, and
Procedures for Air and Missile Defense. 14 March 2019.
PRESCRIBED FORMS
This section contains no entries.
REFERENCED FORMS
Unless otherwise indicated, DA forms are available on the Army Publishing Directorate (APD)
website at https://armypubs.army.mil/.
DA Form 2028. Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms. |
3-01 | 153 | Index
Entries are by paragraph number.
A B F
active AMD operations, 1-3, 1-17 ballistic missile, 1-2, 1-3, 1-8, 1- force operations, 1-55, 1-61, 2-1,
air and missile defense, 1-2, 1-2, 24, 1-30, 1-43, 1-49, 1-57, 2-7, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-25, 4-47, 4-53,
1-34, 1-55, 2-32, 2-34, 4-4, 4- 2-8, 2-10, 2-21, 2-30, 2-33, 2- 5-4, 5-9, 5-13, 5-21, 5-28, 6-2,
70, 4-71, 5-12, 5-31, A-1 35, 3-5, 3-8, 3-9, 3-11, 3-12, 3- 6-10, 6-16, 6-18, 8-9, 8-11, 10-
13, 3-14, 3-15, 3-16, 3-18, 3-25, 1, 10-15, B-6, B-9, B-20
air defense artillery, 1-2, 2-33
3-35, 3-46, 3-47, 3-48, 3-49, 4-
I
ADA role, 1-55, 9-1 62, 4-69, 4-72, 5-10, 7-1, 7-3,
ADAFCO, 4-40, 4-57, 5-9, 5-10, 5- 7-8, 7-9, 7-20, 7-22, 7-33, 7-37, identification criteria, 4-61, 4-67,
29, 5-30, 6-10, 6-15, 6-21, 6-22, 7-38, 7-40, 7-47, 7-49, 7-50, 7- 4-69, 4-74, 11-20
7-48, 8-12, 8-13, 8-15, 9-20, 9- 51, 7-52, 8-2, 8-6, 8-11, 8-16, Indirect Fire Protection Capability
21, 9-22, 10-3, 10-6, 10-7, 10- 8-23, 8-28, 8-29, 9-23, 12-10, (IFPC), 7-14, 8-9, 9-5, B-11, B-
16, 10-32, 10-33, 12-23 12-15, A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-6, 15, B-17
A-9, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6
AAMDC ADAFCO, 4-57, 5-30, 6-
J
22, 7-19, 8-29, 10-5 Ballistic Missile Defense System
(BMDS), 7-3, 7-19, 8-6, 12-4, joint counterair operational
ADA brigade ADAFCO, 4-57, 5-
A-1, A-2, A-4, A-6, A-9 framework, 1-2, 1-3
30, 6-11, 6-15, 6-21, 6-22, 7-24,
10-5 C joint force air component
commander (JFACC), 4-56, 4-
air threat, 1-3, 1-14, 1-24, 1-43, 2- centralized control, 4-73, 7-46, 9- 59, 5-2, 5-7, 5-17, 5-18, 5-24,
21, 2-31, 3-8, 3-11, 4-23, 4-37, 23 7-46, 8-5, 8-13, 9-6
4-43, 4-54, 4-66, 5-33, 7-3, 7-5,
7-8, 7-17, 7-20, 7-22, 7-25, 7- complex integrated attacks, 1-21, joint force commander (JFC), 1-
26, 7-42, 8-2, 8-10, 8-13, 8-15, 3-9, 8-2, 11-2, 11-12 45, 1-46, 2-9, 2-11, 2-19, 2-20,
8-16, 8-28, 9-1, 9-22, 9-23, 10- cyber threat, 3-41, 3-44 2-27, 4-2, 4-30, 4-43, 4-44, 4-
32, 10-33, 10-34, 11-1, 11-2, cyberspace, 1-39, 1-45, 3-1, 3-9, 45, 4-54, 4-56, 4-58, 4-67, 5-1,
11-3, 11-7, 11-9, 11-11, 11-12, 11-6, 11-21, 12-18 5-3, 5-11, 5-14, 5-17, 5-18, 5-
11-18, 11-22, 11-24, B-2, B-4 24, 5-31, 6-17, 7-5, 7-9, 7-24,
D 7-31
airspace coordination and
management, 10-26 decentralized control, 4-73 K
alert states, 4-63, 4-64, 6-23, 7-48 defensive counterair, 1-2, 1-3, 4- kill chain, 1-61, 2-29, 2-30, 2-31,
45, 4-56, 7-9, 7-46
AMD employment tenets, 1-26, 2- 4-55, 4-60, 6-5, 6-11, 6-21, 7-
21 E 28, 7-46, 8-12, 8-17, 8-27, 8-29,
9-20, 10-32, A-9
AMD principles, 1-13, 1-15, 1-17, electronic warfare, 2-31, 3-29, 3-
1-18 32, 3-41, 3-57, 11-6 L
area air defense commander engagement authority, 2-29, 4-23, levels of control, 4-67, 4-72
(AADC), 2-7, 2-10, 2-15, 4-30, 4-53, 4-54, 4-55, 4-69, 4-74, 5-
4-43, 4-49, 4-56, 4-57, 4-58, 4- 9, 6-5, 6-15, 6-22, 7-24, 7-46, M
59, 4-63, 4-66, 4-67, 4-69, 4-72, 7-47, 8-6, 8-13, 8-17, 9-20, 10- Maneuver-SHORAD, 9-5
5-2, 5-3, 5-5, 5-14, 5-17, 5-18, 16, 11-11, 11-18, 12-23
methods of fire, 1-20, 2-30, 2-33,
5-19, 5-24, 63, 6-5, 6-22, 7-19,
engagement operations, 1-55, 1- 2-34
7-24, 7-46, 7-47, 8-15, 8-16, 9-
61, 2-1, 2-2, 2-4, 2-39, 4-23, 4-
20, 9-21, 9-23, 11-7, 11-18, 12- modes of control, 4-67, 4-73
24, 4-31, 4-47, 4-48, 4-53, 4-62,
23
4-69, 5-4, 5-9, 6-2, 6-11, 6-15, O
attack operations, 1-3, 1-4, 1-6, 1- 6-16, 6-21, 7-23, 7-46, 8-9, 8-
offensive counterair, 1-3, 1-5, 5-13
52, 2-27, 3-46, 4-41, 5-9, 5-13, 12, 8-17, 8-26, 8-28, 9-37, 10-1,
5-24, 10-35, 11-4 10-15, 1032, 12-3, 12-18, B-5, operational control, 2-29, 4-15, 4-
19, 4-43, 4-51, 4-53, 4-56, 4-58,
autonomous operations, 4-73 B-9, B-19 |
3-01 | 154 | Index
6-3, 6-11, 6-20, 7-19, 7-51, 8- rules of engagement, 2-30, 4-67 T
29, B-19
S tactical control, 4-15, 4-20, 4-56,
operational elements, 1-4, 1-6, 2- 4-58, 4-59, 4-60, 6-3, 7-19, 7-
sector air defense commander
7, 5-3, 5-13 51, 8-12, 8-29, 9-16, B-5
(SADC), 4-56, 4-57, 4-63, 4-72,
operations process, 2-1, 4-52
6-3, 6-5, 6-11, 6-15, 6-22, 7-24, U
P 7-46, 7-47, 7-53, 8-15, 8-29, 9- unified action, 1-1, 1-35, 1-38, 1-
20, 9-21, 9-22, 10-16, 12-23
passive AMD operations, 1-3 41, 1-48, 2-6, 7-24
short-range air defense
positive control, 4-61, 4-70, 8-17, unified land operations, 1-1, 1-7,
(SHORAD), 1-14, 1-24, 1-49, 1-
9-20, 9-38 1-15, 1-36, 1-48, 1-50, 1-53, 6-
57, 2-15, 2-21, 2-22, 2-26, 2-36,
1, 6-14, 7-9, 7-24, 8-7, 9-8, 9-
procedural control, 4-60, 4-61, 4- 2-39, 4-69, 9-1, 9-3, 9-5, 9-6, 9-
11
62, 4-66, 4-74, 9-20, 9-40, 10- 7, 9-8, 9-9, 9-10, 9-11, 9-13, 9-
34, 12-23 15, 9-16, 9-18, 9-20, 9-27, 9-29, W
9-31, 9-32, 9-34, 9-38, 9-39, 9-
R weapons control status, 4-34, 4-
41, 9-45, 10-16, 12-18
60, 4-61, 4-67, 4-71, 4-73, 4-74,
regional air defense commander
space, 1-8, 1-39, 1-45, 1-48, 3-1, 10-34, 11-7, 11-17, 11-20
(RADC), 4-55, 4-56, 4-57, 4-63,
3-50, 3-54, 3-55, 3-56, 4-45,
4-72, 6-3, 6-5, 6-11, 6-22, 7-24,
10-31, A-3, A-6, A-7, B-21
7-46, 7-47, 7-53, 8-15, 8-29, 9-
20, 9-21, 9-22, 10-16, 11-18,
12-23 |
3-01 | 155 | FM 3-01
22 December 2020
By Order of the Secretary of the Army:
JAMES C. MCCONVILLE
General, United States Army
Chief of Staff
Official:
KATHLEEN S. MILLER
Administrative Assistant
to the Secretary of the Army
2034602
DISTRIBUTION:
Active Army, Army National Guard, and United States Army Reserve: Distributed in |
3-34 | 1 | FM 3-34
Engineer
Operations
DECEMBER 2020
DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION:
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
This publication supersedes FM 3-34, dated 2 April 2014 and
ATP 3-34.23, dated 10 June 2015. |
3-34 | 2 | Foreword
Engineer units, Soldiers, and Department of the Army Civilians continue to support ongoing contingency
operations, but these activities only represent a small portion of what we do for the nation. The United States
(U.S.) Army Engineer Regiment provides continuous support to homeland defense, disaster response, ongoing
military operations, and the dedicated work by our United States Army Corps of Engineers. As battlefields are
expanding across all domains and decision cycles continue to compress, we have an opportunity to refocus our
training, modernization, and leader development on future peer and near-peer threats to ensure that U.S. forces
can gain strategic positional advantage and freedom of movement.
With the focus on large-scale ground combat operations provided by the release of the 2017 FM 3-0, all engineers
must be ready for a fight that is incredibly fast-paced, complex, and lethal. Our resources, training, and capability
development must evolve to incorporate the critical engineer tasks required during shape, prevent, large-scale
ground combat, and consolidation of gains. With a decrease in forward-stationed forces, critical tasks include
setting the theater, improving lines of communications, providing geospatial products, and ensuring freedom of
movement and maneuver for any offensive or defensive mission on any type of terrain.
FM 3-34 provides the foundational doctrine for all engineers to meet the challenges of this paradigm. All
engineers must understand our regiment’s capabilities, be able to integrate those capabilities into the mission, and
recommend how to best mass our engineer effects. FM 3-0 incorporated enabler integration across warfighting
functions and domains at division, corps and field army levels, and now FM 3-34 subsumes ATP 3-34.23 and
incorporates engineer tasks planned and executed by these larger echelons. Command and support relationships
must be second nature to ensure that engineer units are integrated into the force—from the Sappers in the breach
to forward engineer support teams who may help a small town repair infrastructure.
To accomplish our missions, we must be able to describe our capabilities to maneuver commanders during the
planning process and during mission transitions to contribute effectively to plans of actions that support the
commander’s intent. This integration ensures that our capabilities are in the right place at the right time. Engineer
leaders must take on tough, realistic and repetitive training to build readiness. Through the Army’s reform and
modernization efforts, engineers will validate their standard operating procedures based on varying environments
and conditions. We must share, update, and incorporate our lessons learned to operate, fight and win for the next
battle.
I am proud of what we do every day. ESSAYONS…We Will Succeed!
MARK C. QUANDER
BRIGADIER GENERAL,
UNITED STATES ARMY
98TH COMMANDANT
This publication is available at the Army Publishing Directorate
site (https://armypubs.army.mil) and the Central Army Registry |
3-34 | 3 | *FM 3-34
Field Manual Headquarters
No. 3-34 Department of the Army
Washington, D.C., 18 December 2020
Engineer Operations
Contents
Page
PREFACE.................................................................................................................... iv
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... v
Chapter 1 THE ARMY ENGINEER ............................................................................................ 1-1
Engineer Disciplines .................................................................................................. 1-1
Engineer Organizations ............................................................................................. 1-3
Operating-Force Engineers ....................................................................................... 1-3
Echelon Force Tailoring ........................................................................................... 1-12
Engineer Force Tailoring ......................................................................................... 1-13
Joint Considerations ................................................................................................ 1-14
Interagency Considerations ..................................................................................... 1-15
Multinational Considerations ................................................................................... 1-15
Host-Nation Considerations..................................................................................... 1-16
Nongovernmental Organizations ............................................................................. 1-17
Engineer Support Across the Range of Military Operations .................................... 1-18
Engineer Activities Spanning the Levels of War ..................................................... 1-18
The Integration of Capabilities ................................................................................. 1-21
Chapter 2 FOUNDATIONS OF ENGINEER OPERATIONS ..................................................... 2-1
Engineer Missions ..................................................................................................... 2-1
Lines of Engineer Support ......................................................................................... 2-1
Engineer Support to Warfighting Functions ............................................................... 2-9
Chapter 3 ENGINEER SUPPORT TO SHAPE, PREVENT, AND DSCA .................................. 3-1
Operations to Shape and Operations to Prevent ...................................................... 3-1
Stability Operations ................................................................................................... 3-6
Defense Support of Civil Authorities .......................................................................... 3-8
Defense Support of Civil Authorities Planning......................................................... 3-10
Special Considerations ............................................................................................ 3-10
Chapter 4 SUPPORT TO LARGE-SCALE GROUND COMBAT .............................................. 4-1
Offensive Operations ................................................................................................. 4-1
Defensive Operations ................................................................................................ 4-8
Engineer Support Tasks to Consolidate Gains ....................................................... 4-14
Chapter 5 ENGINEER PLANNING ............................................................................................ 5-1
Section I – Integrated Planning .............................................................................. 5-1
Engineer Support to the Planning Process ............................................................... 5-1
Staff Integration ......................................................................................................... 5-4
DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
*This publication supersedes FM 3-34, dated 2 April 2014 and ATP 3-34.23, dated 10 June 2015. |
3-34 | 4 | Contents
Section II – The Planning Process ...................................................................... 5-10
Staff Processes ....................................................................................................... 5-10
Facilities and Construction Planning ....................................................................... 5-24
Project Management ............................................................................................... 5-25
Major Activities During Operations .......................................................................... 5-26
Continuous Refinement .......................................................................................... 5-26
Coordination and Control ........................................................................................ 5-27
Chapter 6 ENGINEER ECHELON PERSPECTIVES ................................................................ 6-1
United States Army Corps of Engineers ................................................................... 6-1
Theater Engineer Command ..................................................................................... 6-5
Engineer Brigade and Maneuver Enhancement Brigade ......................................... 6-8
Engineer and Multifunctional Forces....................................................................... 6-10
Other Capabilities .................................................................................................... 6-12
Chapter 7 SUSTAINMENT CONSIDERATIONS ...................................................................... 7-1
Sustainment Challenges for Engineer Support ......................................................... 7-1
Organizations and Functions .................................................................................... 7-2
Principles of Sustainment ......................................................................................... 7-2
Engineer Leader and Staff Responsibilities for Sustainment ................................... 7-4
GLOSSARY ................................................................................................ Glossary-1
REFERENCES ........................................................................................ References-1
INDEX ............................................................................................................... Index-1
Figures
Introductory figure-1. Army strategic roles and their relationships to joint phases ............................ v
Introductory figure-2. Lines of engineer support ............................................................................... vi
Introductory figure-3. The engineer framework................................................................................ vii
Figure 1-1. Brigade engineer battalion .......................................................................................... 1-4
Figure 1-2. Engineer Companies A and B ..................................................................................... 1-6
Figure 2-1. Engineer application of combat power ...................................................................... 2-10
Figure 3-1. Theater-level engineer shape and prevent ................................................................. 3-2
Figure 3-2. Corps design considerations ....................................................................................... 3-3
Figure 3-3. Division design perspective ......................................................................................... 3-5
Figure 3-4. Notional engineer support to stability operations ........................................................ 3-6
Figure 3-5. Notional engineer support to DSCA operations .......................................................... 3-9
Figure 4-1. Notional engineer support to offensive operations ...................................................... 4-1
Figure 4-2. Notional engineer support to defensive operations ..................................................... 4-9
Figure 5-1. Notional joint engineer staff ......................................................................................... 5-6
Figure 6-1. TEC deployment model ............................................................................................... 6-7
Figure 6-2. Example command and control of mobility corridors .................................................. 6-9 |
3-34 | 5 | Contents
Tables
Introductory table-1. Modified Army terms ........................................................................................ vi
Table 4-1. Engineer considerations in the offense ......................................................................... 4-3
Table 5-1. Army command relationships ........................................................................................ 5-2
Table 5-2. Army support relationships ........................................................................................... 5-3
Table 5-3. Military decisionmaking process and engineer staff running estimates ...................... 5-15
Table 5-4. Elements of decisive action ........................................................................................ 5-17
Table 5-5. Planning integrated across warfighting functions ....................................................... 5-19
Table 5-6. Engineer considerations in the military decisionmaking process ............................... 5-22
Table 5-7. Capabilities and activities organized by engineer disciplines ..................................... 5-27
Table 5-8. Considerations for the task organization of an engineer headquarters ...................... 5-28
Table 6-1. USACE division alignments .......................................................................................... 6-3
Table 6-2. Operating-force engineers .......................................................................................... 6-10
Table 6-3. Development level-based requirements comparison .................................................. 6-13 |
3-34 | 6 | Preface
FM 3-34 is the Army doctrinal publication that contains the capstone doctrinal guidance for U.S. Army
engineers. FM 3-34 demonstrates how engineers contribute to decisive action and provides a common
framework and language for engineer support to operations. It also constitutes the doctrinal foundation for
developing other fundamentals and tactics, techniques, and procedures detailed in subordinate engineer
publications. This manual is the integrating publication that nests engineer doctrine with Army capstone
doctrine and joint doctrine. It focuses on synchronizing and coordinating the diverse range of capabilities in
the Engineer Regiment to support the Army and its mission successfully. FM 3-34 provides operational
guidance for engineer commanders and trainers at all echelons and forms the foundation for the United States
Army Engineer School (USAES) curricula.
To comprehend the doctrine contained in FM 3-34, leaders must first understand the elements of unified land
operations, operational design, and combat power and the operations process as described in ADP 3-0 and
addressed in ADP 2-0, ADP 3-37, ADP 4-0, ADP 5-0, ADP 6-0, and ADP 6-22. Readers must be familiar
with ADP 3-07, ADP 3-28, and ADP 3-90. Leaders must understand how offensive, defensive, and stability
and defense support of civil authorities (DSCA) operations complement each other. They must also
understand the terms and symbols described in FM 1-02.2.
The principal audience for this manual is engineer leaders, commanders, noncommissioned officers, and staff
officers, but all Army leaders benefit from reading it. Trainers, educators, and combat developers throughout
the Army also benefit from using this manual.
Commanders, staffs, and subordinates ensure that their decisions and actions comply with applicable United
States, international, and in some cases host-nation laws and regulations. Commanders at all levels ensure
that their Soldiers operate in accordance with the law of war and the rules of engagement. (See FM 6-27.)
FM 3-34 uses joint terms where applicable. Selected joint and Army terms and definitions appear in the
glossary and the text. Terms for which FM 3-34 is the proponent (the authority) are marked with an asterisk
(*) in the glossary. Definitions for which FM 3-34 is the proponent publication are boldfaced in the text. For
other definitions shown in the text, the term is italicized and the number of the proponent publication follows
the definition.
FM 3-34 uses the Engineer Regiment as a means to singularly describe the whole of the Army’s engineer
capability and capacity provided to support Army, Joint, and unified action partner operations.
FM 3-34 applies to the Active Army, Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States and
United States Army Reserve unless otherwise stated.
The proponent of FM 3-34 is the USAES. The preparing agency is the G-3/Directorate of Training and
Doctrine (DOTD), Maneuver Support Center of Excellence (MSCoE). Send comments and recommendations
on DA Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) to Commander, G-3/DOTD,
MSCoE, ATTN: ATZT-OPD-D, 14000 MSCoE Loop, Suite 270, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri 65473-8929;
by e-mail to [email protected]; or submit an electronic DA Form 2028. |
3-34 | 7 | Introduction
This revision of FM 3-34 aligns with the joint phases as described in FM 3-0. Most joint operations share
certain activities or actions in common. There are six general groups of military activities that typically occur
in preparation for and during a large-scale joint operation. These six groups are shape, deter, seize the
initiative, dominate, stabilize, and enable civil authorities. These six general groups of activities provide a
basis for thinking about a joint operation in notional phases. These phases often overlap, and they are not
necessarily sequential. Introductory figure-1 shows the Army’s strategic roles in a general relationship to
joint phases.
Legend:
U.S. United States
Introductory figure-1. Army strategic roles and their relationships to joint phases
The Army Engineer Regiment is a mix of capabilities which spans from the Active and Reserve Component
to the USACE and Civilian corps capabilities. There are two basic categories of operating force engineers of
the Regiment—organic and force pool. The capabilities and capacity in the force pool exist to augment
organic brigade combat team (BCT) engineers and provide echelons above the BCT complementary engineer
capability and capacity. Force pool engineers units and capabilities available from either the Forces
Command or from those assigned to the Headquarters, Chief of Engineers.
The Engineer Regiment provides specialized capabilities across the range of military operations. These
capabilities include sappers, construction engineers, divers, firefighters, geospatial cells, and military
working dog teams. However, after 17 years of counterinsurgency operations, the Army has shifted its focus
to large-scale ground combat to ensure that U.S. forces are trained and ready to meet emerging threats. This
refocus to large-scale ground combat does not suggest a shift in the simultaneous nature of decisive action.
The latest revision of the engineer framework (see introductory figure-2, page vi) provides the intellectual
underpinnings for the Engineer Regiment and refines the Regiment’s purpose and major activities. These are
referred to as the lines of engineer support. The engineer framework describes how engineers combine the
skills and organizations of the three interrelated engineer disciplines (combat, general, and geospatial
engineering) to provide support to commanders that assures mobility, enhances protection, enables force
projection and expeditionary logistics, builds partner capacity, and develops infrastructure among
populations and nations.
The three engineering disciplines are commonly interdependent, interrelated, and foundational to how
engineer units are organized and lines of engineer support. The geospatial engineering discipline is also
considered the foundation that supports the combat and general engineering disciplines and lines of engineer
support. In introductory figure-2, the combat and general engineering tasks commonly overlap because of
the support they provide to the Army’s missions and end states. The lower section of general engineering is
also greyed as an acknowledgement of general engineering’s inseparable link to United States Army Corps
of Engineers (USACE) civil works. The engineer disciplines provide the means of enabling the lines of |
3-34 | 8 | Introduction
engineer support. The Army engineer disciplines are the means with which the Regiment applies its
capabilities to achieve the ends. The ways are how the capabilities, inherent in engineer formations and
organizations, are applied to enable combat power. The ends provide freedom of action to enable engineer
ground forces to gain, retain, and exploit the initiative to enable unified land operations. The Engineer
Regiment consists of the three disciplines found in the operating force and USACE who conduct multiple
engineer tasks along each line of engineer support to enable combat power and ensure freedom of action.
Introductory figure-2. Lines of engineer support
The Engineer Regiment exists to provide the freedom of action for land power by mitigating the effects of
terrain in the operational environment (OE). This manual explains how (not what) to think about exploiting
the capabilities of the Engineer Regiment in support of unified land operations. Engineer operations are
executed through combat, general, and geospatial engineering capabilities. Each discipline focuses on
capabilities that support, or are supported by, the other disciplines. Engineers enhance the Army’s ability to
visualize, understand, and exploit the terrain that facilitates the lines of effort: assures mobility, enhances
protection, enables force projection and logistics, builds partner capacity, and develops infrastructure. The
engineer disciplines are interdependent areas of expertise formed by engineer technical capabilities and
tactical tasks. This is true whether conducting operations at home or abroad. See introductory figure-3 for a
logical representation of the Regiment’s contribution to Army operations.
Based on current doctrinal changes, certain terms for which FM 3-34 is proponent have been added,
rescinded, or modified for purposes of this publication. The glossary contains acronyms and defined terms.
See introductory table-1 for specific term changes.
Introductory table-1. Modified Army terms
Term Remarks
field force engineering Modifies the definition. |
3-34 | 9 | Introduction
Legend:
DSCA defense support of civil authorities
Introductory figure-3. The engineer framework |
3-34 | 10 | Introduction
The doctrinal engineer foundations provided in this manual support the actions and decisions of engineer
commanders. But, as with ADP 3-0, the manual is not meant to be a substitute for thought and initiative
among engineer leaders. Regardless of how robust the doctrine is or how advanced the new engineering
capabilities and systems are, it is the engineer Soldier who must understand the OE, recognize shortfalls, and
adapt to the situation on the ground. It is the adaptable, innovative, and professional engineer Soldiers and
Civilians of the Regiment who are most important to the future, and they must be able to successfully perform
basic skills and accomplish the mission with or without the assistance of technology. FM 3-34 chapter
outlines are as follows:
* Chapter 1 provides an overview of the Army engineer, organization, and capabilities. It defines
and highlights the interdependence of the engineer disciplines.
* Chapter 2 explains the engineer framework, defining the four lines of engineer support and
describing the relationships to the engineer disciplines, decisive action, and the warfighting
functions.
* Chapter 3 provides information on shaping and preventing engineer mission support to Army
operations.
* Chapter 4 explains engineer support to large-scale ground combat operations and consolidating
gains.
* Chapter 5 discusses engineer planning.
* Chapter 6 discusses engineer echelon perspectives.
* Chapter 7 discusses sustainment considerations. |
3-34 | 11 | Chapter 1
The Army Engineer
The Army engineer is a military engineering profession within the Army profession
that represents the Army engineering capabilities. The Army engineers are composed
of people—not just of equipment, organizations, or technologies—who possess unique
technical skills that are grouped together into three engineer disciplines: combat,
general, and geospatial engineering. It consists of Regular Army, Army National
Guard, and United States Army Reserve engineer organizations; USACE; Department
of Defense (DOD) Civilians; and affiliated contractors and agencies in the civilian
community. It has a diverse range of capabilities that is focused on providing the
required engineer expertise and skills needed to support the combined arms team.
ENGINEER DISCIPLINES
The engineer disciplines are areas of expertise within engineer units and headquarters. Each discipline
is focused on capabilities that support, or are supported by, the other disciplines. Within these disciplines are
personnel and equipment that provide unique technical knowledge, services, and capabilities that make
engineers a valued member of the Army profession.
Army engineers are ground forces who conduct operations on, in, above, or below the terrain in the
land domain. The ground forces are affected by the terrain, and they often have an effect on it. Engineer
operations are unique because, regardless of the intended purpose, they are directly aimed at affecting terrain
or at improving the understanding of the terrain. In this context, terrain includes natural and man-made terrain
features. As a result, terrain is central to the three engineer disciplines. Combat and general engineering are
focused on affecting the terrain, while geospatial engineering is focused on improving the understanding of
the terrain.
Regardless of the disciplines, engineers must be prepared to conduct missions in close combat. Combat
engineering is the only discipline that is trained and equipped to support movement and maneuver while in
close combat. The general and geospatial engineering disciplines are not organized to maneuver within
combined arms formations or to apply fire and maneuver. The general and geospatial engineering disciplines
have small arms and a limited number of crew-served weapons that are capable of engaging in close combat
with fire and movement, primarily in a self-defense role.
COMBAT ENGINEERING
Combat engineering is the engineering capabilities and activities that directly support the maneuver of
land combat forces that require close and integrated support (JP 3-34). This engineer discipline focuses on
affecting terrain while in close support to maneuver. Combat engineering is integral to the ability of combined
arms units to maneuver. Combat engineers enhance force mobility by shaping the physical environment to
make the most efficient use of the space and time necessary to generate mass and speed while denying the
enemy mobility. By enhancing the supported unit ability to maneuver, combat engineers accelerate the
concentration of combat power, increasing the ability of the force to exploit critical enemy vulnerabilities.
By reinforcing the natural restrictions of the physical environment, combat engineers limit the enemy ability
to generate tempo and mass forces. These limitations increase enemy reaction time and degrade their will to
fight. |
3-34 | 12 | Chapter 1
GENERAL ENGINEERING
General engineering are those engineering capabilities and activities, other than combat engineering,
that provide infrastructure and modify, maintain, or protect the physical environment (JP 3-34). This engineer
discipline is primarily focused on providing construction support. It is the most diverse of the three engineer
disciplines and is typically the largest percentage of engineer support that is provided to maneuver units
(except in the offense and defense) at the tactical level, when combat engineering is typically predominant.
General engineering occurs throughout the area of operations (AO), at all levels of war, and during every
type of military operation. It may include the employment of all engineer military occupational specialties.
See ATP 3-34.40 for additional information on general engineering.
General engineering is primarily focused on construction support. Tasks most frequently performed
under general engineering include—
* Restoring damaged areas.
* Constructing and maintaining lines of communication (LOCs).
* Establishing small base camps.
* Repairing and restoring infrastructure.
* Providing environmental assessments.
* Providing master facility and design support.
* Developing and maintaining facilities.
* Providing power generation and distribution.
* Acquisitioning real estate.
GEOSPATIAL ENGINEERING
Geospatial engineering is the engineering capabilities and activities that contribute to a clear
understanding of the physical environment by providing geospatial information and services to commanders
and staffs (JP 3-34). Geospatial engineers generate geospatial products and provide services to enable
informed running estimates and decision making. It is the art and science of analyzing and visualizing
geospatial information to enable an understanding of the effects of the physical environment (terrain) on
military operations. The art is to understand mission variables, apply the relevant geospatial information, and
describe the military significance of the terrain and the other spatial and temporal aspects of the OE to the
commander. The science is the application and exploitation of relevant geospatial information and mission-
specific variables, to include spatial and temporal aspects, through the use of a geospatial information system
to produce geospatially precise measurements and modeling in support of the six warfighting functions.
Geospatial engineers work with, and as part of, the Army Geospatial Enterprise to deliver a standard and
sharable geospatial foundation (SSGF) to create a common operational picture (COP) for the warfighter. The
Army Geospatial Enterprise allows geospatial data to be collected, stored, conflated, analyzed, and
disseminated across echelons, networks, and network security domains. This geospatial data is comprised of
the SSGF and functional geospatial data and information. See ATP 3-34.80, JP 2-03, and TC 3-34.80 for
additional information on geospatial engineering.
Geospatial engineers provide the following support, from the Army service component command
(ASCC) to brigade combat team (BCT) levels:
* Terrain analysis, management, and other tactical decision aids that support the operations process.
* Terrain visualization, to include 3-D terrain mapping and fly-through representation.
* Nonstandard, tailored map products, to include cross-country mobility, view shed, zone of entry,
and hydrology.
* SSGF data (maintaining, updating, managing, and disseminating) for the COP.
* The theater geospatial database (TGD) (maintaining, updating, and managing). |
3-34 | 13 | The Army Engineer
ENGINEER ORGANIZATIONS
The Army organizes engineer Soldiers and equipment into a variety of organizations, each with
particular capabilities and capacities. Engineer units are primarily organized around combinations of engineer
disciplines. Engineers are composed of organizations arrayed between the operating and institutional forces,
operating force units assigned to USACE, and those capabilities organic to USACE. These organizations
operate concurrently with one another and support combatant commanders (CCDRs) and unified action
partners. The engineer’s active Army organizations include USACE and Army military engineer units within
the combatant commands and Army commands. Approximately three-fourths of Army military engineer
units are in the Reserve Component. The United States Army Reserve provides two theater engineer
command (TEC) headquarters, including a wide range of specialized capabilities in its Army National Guard
and United States Army Reserve Component. Engineers are experienced in providing interagency support
and in leveraging nonmilitary and nongovernmental engineer assets to support mission accomplishment.
The USAES provides specialized unit and individual training, including the Joint Engineer Operations
Course, Combat Engineer Heavy Track Course, Route Reconnaissance and Clearance Course, Explosive
Ordnance Clearance Agent (EOCA) Course, Mine Detection Dog Course, Master Breacher Course, Crane
Course, and Sapper Leader Course. The Engineer Branch works closely with USACE to leverage a vast pool
of additional technical engineer expertise provided by DOD Civilians, affiliated contractors, and agencies
within the civilian community. Technical support is available directly in support of the engineer staff and
forces through the USACE Reachback Operations Center (UROC). The Counter Explosive Hazards Center
coordinates doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities
policy solutions and integration to counter explosive hazards.
OPERATING-FORCE ENGINEERS
Engineers in the operating force operate at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels across the range
of military operations. Units are organized in a scalable, adaptable manner to support combat, general, and
geospatial engineering requirements. Army engineer forces operate as integral members of the combined
arms team during peace and war to provide a full range of engineering capabilities in conjunction with
USACE. This section provides an overview of engineers in the operational force.
ORGANIC
The BCT brigade engineer battalion (BEB) commander is the senior engineer in the BCT and advises
the maneuver commander on how best to employ combat, general, and geospatial engineering capabilities to
conduct combined arms integration in support of decisive action, especially during early-entry operations.
The BEB provides organic engineer planning and execution capabilities to the BCT. The BEB has the
capacity to maintain command and control (C2) of task-organized engineer organizations; assigned signal
and military intelligence companies; and a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN)
reconnaissance platoon (located in the headquarters and headquarters company). The BEB is a
comprehensive unit that provides maneuver support for bridging, breaching, route clearance, explosive
hazards identification, and horizontal construction support. See figure 1-1, page 1-4 for the structure of the
brigade engineer battalions. |
3-34 | 14 | Chapter 1
Note. Combat engineer companies shown are generic. Add the appropriate organizational icon to the basic
function symbol for the brigade combat team affiliation.
Legend:
BEB brigade engineer battalion
CMD command
CP command post
MI military intelligence
OPS operations
Figure 1-1. Brigade engineer battalion
The BEB is responsible for administrative, logistical, training, and protection support of subordinate
units. The BEB has a typical functional staff; however, the staff is predominantly engineers. The typical staff
is as follows:
* S-1—Personnel. The personnel section is responsible for the personnel administration of the
many specialized military occupational skills of the battalion.
* S-2—Intelligence. The military intelligence officer in the intelligence section is primarily
responsible for providing intelligence to the BEB and assisting the military intelligence company.
The military intelligence company receives administrative and sustainment support from the BEB.
* S-3—Operations. The operations section includes combat, general, and geospatial engineers who
are at the center of technical planning and estimating. The operations section is responsible for
training, operations, and plans for the battalion.
* S-4—Logistics. The logistics section is responsible for coordinating the integration of supply,
maintenance, transportation, and services for the battalion.
* S-6—Signal. The signal section is primarily responsible for network management, knowledge
management, and information assurance to the BEB. The signal company receives administrative
and sustainment support from the BEB.
* CBRN reconnaissance platoon. The CBRN reconnaissance platoon provides reconnaissance and
surveillance of CBRN hazards to protect the force during decisive action and is responsible for
providing technical advice to the BEB. The CBRN reconnaissance platoon may be detached to
other units within the brigade to provide early warning in the deep areas or provide CBRN route |
3-34 | 15 | The Army Engineer
reconnaissance and site assessment support to the BEB. The CBRN reconnaissance platoon
receives administrative and sustainment support from the BEB. See FM 3-11 for more information
on the employment of CBRN reconnaissance platoons.
The BCT commander directs command and support relationships within the BCT. These dictate
whether the BEB will logistically support or coordinate support with the BCT for attachments. Unless the
BCT directs otherwise, the BEB retains a command or support relationship with organic and attached units.
Organic companies and companies that are operational control (OPCON) to the BEB may be further task-
organized to maneuver task forces, the reconnaissance squadron, or a subordinate company or troop. Unless
the BCT directs otherwise, the BEB retains command and support relationships with organic and attached
units, regardless of their physical location. The companies may be further task-organized to maneuver task
forces, the reconnaissance squadron, or a subordinate company or troop.
Two engineer companies provide the BCT the minimum capability to support the offense and defense
(breach and cross obstacles, assist in the assault of fortified positions, emplace obstacles to protect friendly
forces, construct or enhance survivability positions, conduct route reconnaissance and information collection,
identify and clear improvised explosive devices). This maintains the BCT freedom of maneuver and inhibits
the enemy ability to mass and maneuver. Each company is slightly different, but the primary focus is to
support the combat engineering discipline with breaching, gap crossings, digging assets, and route-clearance
capabilities.
Company A
Engineer Company A is identical in the armored and infantry BCTs. This engineer company provides
combat engineer support, and it consists of a company headquarters, two combat engineer platoons, and one
engineer support platoon. The company provides mobility, countermobility, and survivability (M/CM/S), and
limited construction support to the BCT. The combat engineer platoons provide the BCT assets for breaching
and obstacle emplacement. The engineer support platoon consists of a platoon headquarters; a horizontal
squad that provides specialized engineer equipment to support limited general engineering tasks assigned to
the company; and a breach squad that provides specialized equipment to support mobility, countermobility,
and sustainment tasks assigned to the company. In a Stryker BCT, Engineer Company A has a company
headquarters and two combat engineer platoons; but instead of an engineer support platoon, it has a bridge
section. The breach squad of the Stryker BCT is limited to mine-clearing line charges and proofing equipment
in the company. Generically, each company organization is depicted in figure 1-2, page 1-6. |
3-34 | 16 | Chapter 1
Note. The combat engineer companies shown are generic. Add the appropriate modifier(s) to the basic function symbol
for the brigade combat team affiliation.
Legend:
A/IBCT armored/infantry brigade combat team
BREACH breach asset (mine-clearing line charge)
CON construction
MS mobility support (including route clearance teams)
SBCT Stryker brigade combat team
SPT support
Figure 1-2. Engineer Companies A and B
Company B
Engineer Company B is slightly different in the armored, infantry, and Stryker BCTs. Engineer
Company B is generally of the same composition as engineer Company A, but it also has a route clearance
platoon. This platoon provides the detection and neutralization of explosive hazards and reduces obstacles
along routes that enable force projection and logistics. This route clearance platoon can sustain LOCs as
members of the combined arms team or autonomously in a low-threat environment. The armored and infantry
organization for this company is organized the same; however, the breach section contains different
equipment and capabilities. The armored and Stryker BCT breach section consists of bridging, whereas the
infantry BCT breach section consists of mine-clearing line charges. With the exception of the airborne
variant, the infantry BCT currently does not have a bridging capability and requires augmentation from EAB
engineers if the capability and capacity are required. |
3-34 | 17 | The Army Engineer
Brigade Combat Team Geospatial Engineering Staff
Two types of geospatial engineer elements exist in brigade and BCT staffs. The two types of geospatial
teams are the geospatial engineer team and the geospatial intelligence team. Geospatial engineering teams
support functional and multifunctional brigades (aviation, engineer, sustainment, division artillery,
expeditionary military intelligence, fires, maneuver enhancement and security force assistance). Geospatial
intelligence teams support BCTs, divisions, and corps and are typically assigned to the assistant chief of staff,
intelligence (G-2), but they can also be task-organized into other staff sections. Geospatial engineers within
a geospatial engineering team or geospatial intelligence cell provide geospatial support to the assigned
echelon and lower.
SECURITY FORCE ASSISTANCE BRIGADE—BRIGADE ENGINEER BATTALION
The BEB under the Security Force Assistance Brigade is designed to provide C2 to the Security Force
Assistance Brigade BCT and to provide engineer technical and tactical advisory support to HNs. The mission
of the Security Force Assistance Brigade BEB is to provide C2 of attached and assigned units in support of
the Security Force Assistance Brigade’s and CCDR’s objectives to train, advise, and assist foreign security
forces by teaching, coaching, mentoring, and providing direct access to coalition capabilities. The sizes and
numbers of advising teams may adjust based on the assigned mission. The headquarters at company and
battalion support dispersed teams across the AO.
ECHELONS ABOVE BRIGADE
Engineer headquarters C2 subordinate elements. Each EAB headquarters has a staff that assists the
commander to C2 engineer organizations and other task-organized units, supporting multifunctional missions
(combined arms breaching, combined arms gap crossing). The units in this category consist of the TEC,
engineer brigade, and engineer battalion.
Baseline engineer units provide combat and general engineering capabilities that are primarily focused
on enabling tactical operations. Baseline engineer units are used to augment BCT engineers and to provide
engineering capabilities to EAB engineer headquarters. When supporting a division or a corps, baseline
engineer units are typically attached to, or are under the OPCON of, an engineer brigade or a maneuver
enhancement brigade (MEB). When supporting echelons above corps, the baseline engineer units are
normally attached to, or are under the OPCON of, a functional engineer brigade, TEC, or MEB.
Specialized engineer units are technically oriented (often low-density) units that provide specialized
capabilities in construction support, infrastructure development, explosive hazards mitigation, geospatial
support, well drilling, military working dog units, prime power, diving, and firefighting. The specialized
engineer units primarily support the operational to strategic levels, but they also provide selected support at
the tactical level.
Engineer Headquarters
There are three echelons of engineer headquarters units—the TEC, engineer brigade, and engineer
battalion. Multifunctional units may also provide C2 for engineer forces when engineer support is integral to
the multifunctional mission. The engineer battalion is most often found in the engineer brigade, in a MEB,
or in support of a BCT. The engineer brigade, one of the Army functional brigades, provides C2 for up to
five engineer battalions at the division and corps levels. While not an engineer headquarters unit, the MEB
is a significant headquarters for the employment of engineering capabilities. See FM 3-81 for additional
information on the MEB.
The theater army normally receives one TEC. The TEC is designed to have C2 of assigned or attached
engineer brigades, other engineer units, and contracted construction engineers within the supported theater
army area of responsibility (AOR). When directed, the TEC serves as the core for the creation of a joint
forces engineer component command. The TEC focuses on operational-level engineer support across the |
3-34 | 18 | Chapter 1
three engineer disciplines. Upon deployment, it serves as the senior engineer headquarters for a land
component headquarters or theater army, based on mission requirements. The TEC—
* Maintains primary responsibility for theater infrastructure development.
* Synchronizes engineer efforts for the ASCC. The ASCC commander provides contingency
training support and support of military engagement for supported respective commands.
* Deploys staff elements and organizations under ASCC authority.
* Provides a wide range of technical engineering expertise and support.
* Consists of a command section and a deputy command section and deploys their main command
post (CP) and two deployable CPs.
Engineer unit task organization is tailored to meet anticipated requirements based on mission analysis.
The divisional engineer force is typically organized under a functional engineer brigade headquarters or
multifunctional headquarters, such as a MEB. In some situations, the division may require a combination of
engineer forces that are organized under both functional and multifunctional headquarters.
Typically, an engineer brigade is aligned to a corps or division. The brigade can control up to five
mission-tailored engineer battalions that are not organic to maneuver units. The battalions have capabilities
from any of the three engineer disciplines. The engineer brigade may serve as a joint engineer headquarters
and may be the senior engineer headquarters deployed in an AO if a full TEC deployment is not required.
The engineer brigade headquarters—
* Provides C2 for assigned, attached, or OPCON units of nonengineer units performing missions in
support of a deliberate gap (river) crossing.
* Plans, supervises, and coordinates for engineer support to combat operations, construction, facility
rehabilitation, task organization, resource management, river crossings, barrier placements,
countermines, and counterobstacles.
* Provides one deployable CP with engineer staff expertise in technical planning, design, quality
assurance and control, geospatial and terrain analysis, and the oversight of contract construction
and labor.
* Provides support at an SPOD or APOD (missions are terrain-focused) during early-entry
operations or support to a movement corridor within a corps AO.
* Assists with the generation, management, analysis, and dissemination of geospatial data for the
TGD. The geospatial engineer team captures and includes field-collected data into the TGD for
use by all units.
The engineer battalion provides organic C2 for one headquarters and headquarters company and one
forward support company. The engineer battalion is assigned any variation of up to five engineer companies.
When appropriately task-organized, it can provide C2 for combat and general engineering capabilities in
support of a BCT, engineer brigade, or another unit. The engineer battalion can simultaneously support forces
at all theater echelons. Due to habitual training relationships, some battalion headquarters are more capable
in combat engineering than in general engineering or vice versa. Some battalion headquarters have additional
capabilities (airborne, air assault, survey, design). The battalion may be focused on a single mission (route
clearance, security, construction, cache inspection, reduction). The engineer battalion may be organized to
perform as a breach force command when the BCT is conducting a combined arms breach. During a gap-
crossing (river-crossing) operation, the engineer battalion provides the option to be designated as the
crossing-site command. |
3-34 | 19 | The Army Engineer
Baseline Engineer Units
Baseline engineer units include combat and general engineer units. The baseline engineer units are the
primary building blocks for the organization of most engineer battalions. These units may augment the
organic engineering capabilities of a BCT, or they may be task-organized under an engineer battalion
headquarters to provide specific tailored capabilities to the EAB.
Baseline combat engineer units are focused on supporting combined arms operations at the tactical
level. The baseline combat engineer units are designed to provide support to maneuver forces. Engineers
have the capability to fight as engineers or, if required, as infantry. An engineer battalion headquarters is
typically included to provide the necessary C2, logistics, and staff supervision for attached and assigned
combat engineer units when two or more are assigned to a BCT, a MEB, or another organization. Combat
engineer units may construct tactical obstacles, defensive positions, and fixed and float bridges; repair CPs,
tactical routes, culverts, and fords; and conduct general engineering tasks related to horizontal and vertical
construction when augmented with the appropriate tools, equipment, and training. Combat engineer units
also provide engineer support for gap-crossing operations, assist in assaulting fortified positions, and conduct
breaching operations. Airborne and air assault-capable engineer units have the unique ability to employ air-
droppable, rapid runway repair kits to support forcible, early-entry operations. The more specialized combat
engineering capabilities of assault bridging, breaching, and route and area clearance are added to the organic
engineering capabilities in BCTs (or to deployed baseline Sapper companies) when required by the mission.
Baseline general engineer units include horizontal and vertical construction, engineer support,
bridging, mobility augmentation, and clearance companies. The baseline general engineer units construct,
rehabilitate, repair, maintain, and modify CPs, LOCs, supply installations, building structures, bridges, and
other related aspects of the infrastructure. These units may also perform repairs and limited reconstruction of
railroads and water and waste facilities. The basic capabilities of these units can be expanded by augmenting
them with additional personnel, equipment, and training from specialized engineer units or other sources.
Such augmentation gives them the capability to conduct quarrying and crushing, pipeline support, horizontal
and vertical construction support, dive support, and major horizontal construction projects (highways, storage
facilities, airfields).
Specialized Engineer Units
Specialized engineer units provide explosive hazards support and general and geospatial engineering
capabilities at the operational and strategic levels, and they often augment those capabilities down to the
tactical level. Many capabilities are lower density than those of the baseline engineer units. These smaller,
more specialized units are designed to support technical aspects within larger, engineer-related missions or
to augment headquarters elements with unique technical engineering skills.
Construction support includes the following capabilities:
* Asphalt teams.
* Concrete sections.
* Construction management teams.
* An engineer facility detachment.
* An engineer utilities detachment.
* A forward engineer support team–advanced (FEST-A).
* A forward engineer support team–main (FEST-M).
* Quarry platoons.
* Well-drilling teams. |
3-34 | 20 | Chapter 1
Infrastructure support includes the following capabilities:
* Engineer prime power units that generate electrical power and provide advice and technical
assistance on all aspects of electrical power and distribution systems. Prime power units have
limited electrical engineering capability (design and analysis); provide electrical surveys; and
operate, maintain, and perform minor repairs to other electrical power production equipment, to
include HN fixed plants.
* Engineer facility detachments that support theater opening and closing, base camp development,
construction management, contract technical oversight, base camp operations (to include waste
management functions), and master planning.
* Firefighting teams that provide base and base camp fire protection and search and rescue.
Note. See ATP 3-34.40 for more information on infrastructure and construction support.
The engineer diving detachment performs scuba- and surface-diving-related activities, to a depth of
190 feet, in maritime geography in support of combat, general, and geospatial engineering. Divers provide
reconnaissance, river-crossing, hydrographic survey, demolition, port construction and rehabilitation, harbor
clearance, ship husbandry, salvage, joint logistics-over-the-shore, and hyperbaric life support operations. See
ATP 3-34.84, TM 3-34.83, and TM 3-34.84 for additional information.
Explosive hazards support provides the commander specialized capabilities and integrates the tasks
conducted to counter the explosive hazards threat. These capabilities include the linkage to Army explosive
ordnance disposal (EOD) capabilities found in the Ordnance Branch and in Navy and Air Force EOD units
of the joint Services. The engineer squad (canine) employs mine dog teams. These teams assist in locating
firearms, ammunition, and explosives in rural and urban environments. The teams may be used to augment
a variety of route and area clearance capabilities found in the clearance company.
The geospatial planning cell (GPC) provides geospatial support to deployed units that require
augmentation. Geospatial engineering capabilities include analysis, collection, generation, management,
finishing, and printing. GPCs generate, manage, and disseminate geospatial data, information, and products
in support of ASCC headquarters and geographic combatant commands. GPCs are responsible for the
management of the TGD, which contains detailed information about geographic features within the ASCC
AOR. The intended goal of these organizations, in coordination with organic geospatial teams, is to apply
the relevant geospatial information available, explain the military significance of the terrain and other spatial
and temporal aspects of the OE to the commander, and facilitate informed decision making. Furthermore,
these geospatial organizations conduct the exploitation of geospatial information and services (GI&S),
producing spatially accurate products for commands and commanders, intelligence, measurements, mapping,
visualization, and modeling.
Other Capabilities
Technical engineer reconnaissance is routinely formed for mission-tailored teams to collect engineer-
specific tactical and technical information. These teams are a critical source of information for engineers and
combined arms commanders, playing an important role in the intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB).
ATP 3-34.81 provides a detailed discussion on the range of engineer reconnaissance capabilities.
REACHBACK SUPPORT
The UROC is the reachback management team for technical engineering requests to USACE. The
UROC provides, relevant, and reliable solutions to Soldiers and Civilians in support of the armed forces and
the nation. The reachback engineering capability allows U.S. personnel who are deployed worldwide to talk
directly with experts when a problem in the field needs quick resolution. Deployed personnel are capable of
linkage to subject matter experts within the U.S. government, DOD, USACE, private industry, and academia
to obtain a detailed analysis of complex problems that would be difficult to achieve with the limited expertise
or computational capabilities available in the field. While the UROC is capable of responding to a variety of
complex technical problems, the team is also trained to exploit the entire array of expertise within USACE |
3-34 | 21 | The Army Engineer
laboratories, centers of expertise, base camp development teams, USACE divisions and districts, other DOD
or U.S. government agencies, or other organizations for more complex engineering issues.
A base camp development team is a non-deployable team within a selected USACE district that can
quickly provide base camp development engineering, master planning, and facilities design in support of
field force engineering (FFE) and other reachback requests for information. Base camp development teams
are trained and organized within USACE divisions, and they maintain a rotational readiness cycle. While
these teams are capable of responding to a variety of complex technical problems, they are also trained to
exploit the entire array of expertise within USACE laboratories or centers of expertise for more complex
engineering issues. Focus areas for the base camp development teams are engineer-related planning and
development issues involved in locating, designing, constructing, and eventually closing or transferring base
camps. Base camp operations and maintenance activities are not within the scope of FFE support, but they
may rely on FFE applications to address specific technical engineering requirements when necessary. The
base camp development team resources and expertise are available to support FFE teams and operational
forces through the USACE Reachback Operations Center Web site.
A USACE contingency engineer district supports combatant command requirements. Should contract
construction exceed the capabilities of the major subordinate commander, USACE may establish an
additional contingency support organization or simply augment the existing staff. These capabilities would
align themselves with the theater level engineer staff element.
The USACE contingency engineer district provides responsive technical engineer support to U.S.
forces, other U.S. government agencies, and headquarters and staff augmentation. Technical engineer support
includes—
* Engineer reconnaissance.
* Estimates.
* Design and plan projects.
* Execution of contract construction.
* Project quality assurance and quality control.
* Real estate acquisition and disposal.
* Environmental assessments and operations.
* Operation and maintenance until projects are turned over to designated agencies.
* Technical engineering advice to the supported command and agencies in support of the operational
campaign plan.
USACE contingency engineer district business management functions include—
* Project contracting.
* Resource management operations.
* Legal support for contract construction.
* Safety and occupational health.
* Logistics management operations.
The headquarters and staff augmentation cell is a USACE cell that synchronizes USACE construction
effects and customer requirements at the theater level, provides oversight of USACE construction programs,
and provides USACE major subordinate command-level of oversight of forward-deployed contingency
engineer districts and other USACE assets. This augmentation cell provides the theater-wide synchronization
of construction effects and program oversight. The augmentation cell roles and responsibilities include—
* Communicating construction effects to theater level decision makers and jointly developing an
infrastructure plan that nests with the civil-military strategy as part of the theater campaign plan.
* Augmenting theater engineer staff with technical engineering expertise not resident within the
staff.
* Engaging with the HN government and the U.S. government interagency to synchronize
construction effects. |
3-34 | 22 | Chapter 1
* Pulling information from contingency engineer districts, synthesizing the information into
construction effects for reporting purposes, and providing programmatic oversight of construction
programs.
* Advising the supported command on USACE core competencies and supporting construction
decisions for work acceptance.
* Participating in the development of infrastructure construction requirements and providing
strategic command guidance to deployed contingency engineer districts according to theater and
USACE strategic command objectives.
* Providing oversight of the USACE major subordinate commander.
* Acting as the operational conduit between deployed elements and the USACE major subordinate
commander.
* Pushing guidance to the deployed contingency engineer districts from the supported theater
command.
* Prioritizing mission execution and ensuring the implementation of USACE business processes
consistently throughout the theater.
Note. See USACE Engineer Pamphlet 500-1-2 for additional information on FFE.
ECHELON FORCE TAILORING
With input from appropriate corps and division headquarters, engineer planners at the joint and theater
army (and the TEC when deployed) select engineer forces based on analysis of mission variables and
recommend the deployment sequence. Actual requirements for engineer forces in a campaign seldom match
planning figures; in fact, they typically exceed the planning figures. Tactical-level requirements are difficult
to fully define at operational levels. The engineer planners at the theater army echelon gain a broad
understanding of the operational-level requirements, but they must rely on subordinate echelons to assist in
defining tactical-level requirements. Engineer planners must also consider and leverage the variety of other
engineer capabilities that may be available to meet or mitigate requirements.
Echelons above brigade (EAB) engineer planners consider a variety of other engineer capabilities to
meet operational- and, in some cases, tactical-level requirements. A designated DOD contract construction
agent (normally, the USACE or Naval Facilities Engineering Command [NAVFAC]) that may have available
mission support capabilities supports each theater. When not deployed, the TECs support ASCC campaign
plans through persistent habitual engagement. Through these relationships, the TEC supports joint and theater
army strategic and operational planning, assists in-theater posture construction program management,
provides technical support, and provides tailorable support packages to ASCC operations in support of theater
campaign plans. Planners review operational and mission variables and consider the availability of local
engineer resources, including host-nation (HN) military and civilian sources. Unified action partner
capabilities are also considered. Despite a full accounting of contract and other available resources,
operational-level engineer planners may also identify a number of requirements for which the most effective
engineer capability only exist in USACE or other institutional force engineer organizations.
Theater army engineer planners must understand some requirements more fully than others. The theater
army echelon must comprehend the various engineer support requirements for accessing the theater and
establishing a sustainment base. Many of these may be translated to potential military engineer missions and
the related tasks. For example, theater engineer planners must know the requirements for upgrading selected
seaport of debarkation (SPOD) and aerial port of debarkation (APOD) with enough clarity to include tentative
designs, plans, and estimates. Similarly, a selected ground line of communication (LOC) may require
construction activities that can be clearly defined. The most well-defined requirements tend to focus on
operational-level support, and most engineer support at this level is organized in the general engineering and
geospatial engineering functions.
Theater army engineer force planners do not disregard tactical-level requirements. They must analyze
operational and mission variables to determine and shape the engineer forces required for the tactical-level
operations of subordinate echelons. These forces include capabilities organized in the combat, general, and |
3-34 | 23 | The Army Engineer
geospatial engineering disciplines. Because the theater army echelon analysis may not include the full
resolution of tactical-level requirements, the subordinate echelon corps and division headquarters offer
refinements for the engineer forces required to support their more detailed concept of operations. For
example, based on an understanding of the physical environment in a potential AO and an initial design for
operational maneuver, the engineer planner may identify the requirements for numerous gap crossings by
subordinate tactical elements. After consideration for joint, multinational, and other capabilities, the planner
may determine and shape baseline engineer forces capable of supporting gap-crossing requirements. As
corps, division, and subordinate planners add depth to the understanding of the AO and develop a scheme of
maneuver, the shape of the baseline forces to support gap crossings allocated by the higher echelon design is
impacted by decisions regarding timing, locations, and other factors, refining the gap-crossing design.
Prioritization occurs in applying the tailored engineer forces most effectively against actual
requirements. EAB engineer staff and planners recommend priorities to the commander based on the
continuous assessment maintained through the running estimate. EAB engineer staffs also shape the
organization of the tailored forces for the conduct of engineer operations. Tailoring the engineer force should
not be confused with task organizing. Tactical and operational commanders organize and reorganize groups
of tailored engineer units for specific missions. This process of allocating available assets to subordinate
commanders and establishing their command and support relationships is called task organizing. Flexibility
to meet evolving engineer requirements while an operation is conducted depends directly on the ability to
efficiently task-organize the tailored engineer force and integrate it within the gaining or supported force.
ENGINEER FORCE TAILORING
The organization of forces within the Army is dynamic. Actual requirements for forces are seldom
identical to planning figures. Therefore, the theater army commander recommends the appropriate mix of
forces and the deployment sequence for forces to meet the geographic combatant command requirements.
This is called force tailoring (selecting forces based on a mission and recommended deployment sequence)
and may include elements from the operational Army and the institutional force.
Tailoring the engineer force requires a different mind-set—one that thinks in terms completely divested
from how the force is organized in a garrison. It requires a leader to think beyond garrison structures and
embrace combinations of engineering capabilities and scalable C2 to provide each echelon of the force the
right support. Engineers are organized and equipped to support unified land operations. Careful prioritization
must occur for the limited engineer resources typical in the OE. To accomplish the identified tasks in the
desired timeframes, commanders must consider augmentation requirements and recognize which mission
requirements can be supported through reachback and geospatial products rather than enlarging the engineer
footprint in the AO. Engineer units are more narrowly designed to accomplish specific types of tasks.
Therefore, when tailoring the engineer force, it is imperative that a broad range of capabilities is allocated
from the engineer force pool.
Engineer force packages must contain the right mix of capabilities to assure timely and relevant
engineer support to the joint force command. This mix changes dramatically during transitions, and the joint
force engineer must anticipate and plan for these changes. For example, combat engineers often make up the
majority of engineer forces in-theater during sustained combat operations. However, combat engineers must
be reinforced during the transition to operations that are dominated by stability operations, because they
typically do not have the adequate capability or capacity to accomplish the required general engineering
tasks.
The implications of Army force generation on the engineer force are similar to those on other maneuver
support branches within the Army where a majority of forces are not organic to a BCT structure. Activating
an engineer unit early in the Army force generation process has secondary and tertiary effects for operational,
sustainment, and personnel planners. It reduces the availability of units later in the cycle. A surge of engineer
units can be accomplished for short periods, but not indefinitely without looking at increasing engineer units
in the inventory or using HN or contract engineers. Engineers are typically employed in modules, units, or
companies, but they are deployed in a battalion level organization.
Military engineers may need to coordinate activities with other nation forces, U.S. government
agencies, nongovernmental organizations, United Nations agencies, and HN agencies according to the
operational mandate or military objective. In all cases, the authority must exist for direct coordination. |
3-34 | 24 | Chapter 1
Military engineers must establish interagency relationships through negotiation. The specific agency varies,
depending on who has federal or state jurisdiction for the situation (for example, disaster relief versus a
firefighting mission). Agreements should be written as memorandums of understanding or terms of reference
to ensure understanding and avoid confusion. Most agreements are made at the combatant command or joint
task force (JTF) level and normally place legal restrictions on using military personnel and equipment. These
agencies and organizations may have unique engineering capabilities that could be used as part of the overall
operational effort. However, these agencies and organizations often request extensive engineer support of
activities and programs. It is critical that an effective engineer liaison is established with the force
headquarters civil-military operations center, or the civil military operations directorate of a joint staff (J-9)
at the JTF level, to coordinate and execute any engineer support exchanged with these agencies.
JOINT CONSIDERATIONS
Army engineers frequently operate in a joint environment and must understand joint command and
support authorities and relationships (described in JP 1), which are similar, but not identical to, Army
command and support relationships. They must understand how these are applied in joint engineer operations,
as described in JP 3-34. Particularly pertinent to engineer operations are—
* The directive authority for logistics that CCDRs have and the authority to delegate directive
authority for common support capabilities, which include engineer support.
* The authority to employ mines, which originates with the President. See JP 3-15 for additional
information.
SUPPORT TO SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES
Special operations forces provide an array of formations that are capable of rapidly reversing the
conditions of human suffering by decisively resolving conflicts. Engineers support Army special operations
forces through a number of unique capabilities and tasks that include GI&S, infrastructure development,
facility construction and maintenance, training an indigenous population on how to construct protective
obstacles, mobile electric power, and facility hardening. Special operations support can be performed at the
company, platoon, squad, or Soldier level. Support to special operations tends to require smaller elements
with multifunctional capabilities. Operational contract support, logistics, and engineering operations work
hand-in-hand throughout the special operations AOR.
SUPPORT TO CYBER ELECTROMAGNETIC ACTIVITIES
Cyber electromagnetic activities are continuous and unimpeded by geography. This domain leverages
the electromagnetic spectrum through wireless systems. Wireless systems are enablers to modern
telecommunications, computer networks, and weapon systems. Engineers are enablers and users of cyber
electromagnetic activities. Engineers support these activities through tasks that include—
* Hardening facilities.
* Constructing protective obstacles.
* Providing uninterrupted medium-voltage electrical power.
* Providing clean and secure power/energy supply and grid systems to mitigate and minimize cyber
electromagnetic disruptions from adversary systems.
SPACE-BASED DEPENDENCIES
Engineers rely on space-based capabilities and systems (global positioning systems, communication
and weather satellites, intelligence collection platforms) to be successful in combat, general, and geospatial
engineering. The planning and coordination of space support with national, Service, joint, theater, and
commercial resources take place at the corps and division levels to provide expertise, advice, and planning
that may directly affect and impact engineer missions to plan, communicate, maneuver, and maintain
situational awareness; conduct reconnaissance; and protect and sustain U.S. forces. Space-enabled
capabilities are widely used to maintain situational awareness. Space-based systems are critical during
engineer operations because they— |
3-34 | 25 | The Army Engineer
* Provide rapid communication that enables a commander to gain and maintain the initiative.
* Provide communication links between forces and commanders within the theater.
* Provide updates of the solar environment and its impact to terrestrial and space-based segments
of friendly communication systems.
* Monitor terrestrial areas of interest through information collection assets to help reveal enemy
location and disposition and to conduct route, area, zone, and force reconnaissance.
* Provide global positioning system status and accuracy for planning and conducting geospatial
engineering.
* Provide meteorological, oceanographic, and space environmental information that is processed,
analyzed, and leveraged to produce timely, relevant, and accurate weather effects.
INTERAGENCY CONSIDERATIONS
Interagency cooperative agreements expand the scope and capabilities of any given response because
of the wide variety of expertise and funding resources that are potentially available. Not only do interagency
operations increase the resources engaged in an operation, but they also increase and complicate the
coordination necessary to conduct operations. Engineer support to operations may be significantly impacted
by the participation of interagency organizations. Engineer support may be a key enabler to these operations.
During the conduct of stability, interagency organizations employ contract or other construction capabilities
concurrently with ongoing military engineer support. Coordination can help identify and avoid conflicting
issues and unify the effect of these efforts. The following interagency organizations may be involved:
* United States Department of Homeland Security.
* United States Environmental Protection Agency.
* United States Justice Department Drug Enforcement Administration.
* National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
* United States Geological Survey.
* United States Public Health Service.
* United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol.
* United States Department of Agriculture.
* United States Department of State.
* United States Agency for International Development.
* Office of United States Foreign Disaster Assistance.
* United States Department of the Interior.
* United States Fish and Wildlife Agency.
* United States General Accounting Office.
* United States Department of Homeland Security.
* United States Customs and Border Protection.
* United States Coast Guard.
* National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).
MULTINATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the American, British, Canadian, Australian, and
New Zealand Armies Program engineering capabilities are well-known, and data about them is readily
available. (See FM 3-16 for additional information on multinational operations.) Standardization agreements
between national armies facilitate engineer interoperability and cooperation. The capabilities of engineers
from other nations are normally available through intelligence channels or formal links with the nations
involved. Several nations have engineers that are experts in specific combat engineering tasks (such as mine
detection and removal). Other national engineers are focused on specific missions (such as disaster relief).
Engineers require an appreciation for the engineering capabilities and limitations of other nations. Allied
Tactical Publication-3.12.1 provides a necessary starting point for working with allied engineers. |
3-34 | 26 | Chapter 1
Depending on the multinational force arrangement in-theater, Army engineers may control or work
closely with engineers from other nations. Command and support relationships for multinational engineer
forces are established to enable unity of effort. Providing adequate U.S. engineer liaison officer (LNO)
support (linguist support, communications equipment, and transportation) is critical to this process.
When projecting the force, the initial engineering capabilities in-theater can employ a mix of HN,
contracted, and multinational capabilities. As Army engineers deploy into a theater, they may be joined by
multinational and joint engineers. When coordinating multinational engineer plans and operations, the theater
army engineer staff should consider the joint considerations that are addressed in JP 3-34 and the following:
* Requesting the latest information and intelligence concerning the HN or multinational engineer
structures and logistics requirements.
* Requesting the latest engineer intelligence data from the HN or deploying multinational engineer
elements to help identify force projection theater army engineer requirements and enemy
engineering capabilities.
* Requesting HN geospatial data, including terrain, feature, cultural, demographic, explosive
hazards, obstacle, and other available geospatial data.
* Establishing multinational engineer staff links between the theater army, HN, and multinational
engineer force staff sections through the JTF or combatant commands engineer staff and
headquarters.
* Providing NATO multinational C2 with the NATO operation order (OPORD) format and the
NATO decisionmaking process.
* Providing necessary Army engineer LNO support.
* Developing the multinational task organization relationships that enhance HN and multinational
engineering capabilities following the deployment of Army engineers.
* Assessing the need for HN and multinational engineer support following the arrival of Army
engineer units in-theater.
* Determining if multinational engineer units need augmentation from Army engineer units.
* Developing procedures for Army engineer units to support multinational engineers with additional
Class IV construction materials and engineer equipment.
HOST-NATION CONSIDERATIONS
In a forward-deployed theater, the theater army identifies wartime facility and construction
requirements for the Army as part of the deliberate war planning effort. The planning module in the joint
construction management system (JCMS) is used to identify construction requirements. Construction plans
may also be requested from one of the USACE Centers of Standardization to site-adapt existing drawings.
Subsequent analyses further refine construction requirements and provide a basis for—
* Force structuring.
* Procurement.
* Lease provisions and HN agreements.
The product of these analyses is the engineer support plan (ESP). The goal is to reach HN support
agreements in peacetime to provide maximum facilities within the theater. Advanced planning and the
commitment of resources by HNs reduce the early lift requirements needed to support reception, staging,
onward movement, and integration (RSOI). Written agreements with HNs regarding support items foster an
understanding of the assistance levels and increase the likelihood of execution. Engineer support from the
HN usually involves providing—
* All available geospatial data.
* Land.
* Facilities.
* Construction support.
* Manpower.
* Equipment. |
3-34 | 27 | The Army Engineer
* Materials.
* Services.
* Waste disposal.
HOST-NATION SUPPORT AGREEMENTS
Wartime HN support agreements in forward-presence theaters (Europe and Korea) have been
negotiated to provide HN construction support (facility modifications, LOC maintenance and repair, utility
services). During contingency operations, HN support agreements tend to be less formal; however, these
agreements are no less critical to mission success in the event of an operation. Such HN support is used when
possible to free U.S. engineer units for critical missions where HN support alternatives are not viable. Support
agreements negotiated in peacetime are on a resource basis. Resources may be facilities, contracts, or
equipment. Again, this support is particularly critical during the initial stages of a contingency, when RSOI
requirements are high and engineer assets are limited.
PREPOSITIONING OF EQUIPMENT
Pre-positioning engineer equipment within the region reduces the response time in a particular theater
by allowing engineer forces to deploy by air and fall in on war stocks within the region. These pre-positioning
locations are a critical element of the U.S. force projection national strategy and represent a significant
contribution of HN support. Beyond direct HN support, multinational elements directly or indirectly involved
in the crisis may provide other support. Other nations sympathetic to the cause may be limited in direct
participation because of constitutional restrictions or political sensitivities. However, these nations may
provide engineer equipment, supplies, or funding, much like the Japanese provided during the Gulf War.
During a conflict, the HN may provide local contractors to repair or construct facilities. Construction
materials (cement, asphalt, aggregate, lumber, steel) and contract labor may also be available. HN assets may
also be available for providing local security and for transporting construction materials and equipment. Third
country nationals may be available by request through the HN or by direct contact with nationals to support
engineer activities. Engineer reconnaissance and assessment teams engaged in planning during peacetime or
dispatched early in contingency operations are the key to identifying and accessing available HN assets.
NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
Relationships with international and domestic nongovernmental organizations must be established
through negotiation. Most agreements are made at the strategic level; however, the operational and tactical
commanders may have some latitude delegated to them. Agreements normally have serious legal restrictions
on using military personnel and equipment. Some of these agencies may have unique and significant
engineering capabilities that may be used as a part of the overall operational concept. These capabilities may
be a useful source of Class IV supplies, not only for agency projects, but also as a negotiated barter for
services rendered in support of the mission. However, these agencies and organizations typically request
extensive engineer support for activities and programs. These organizations play an important part in the
CCDR achievement of strategic objectives; therefore, the demands must be coordinated. It is critical that an
effective engineer liaison be established and maintained with the force headquarters civil-military operations
center.
The United Nations may designate a regional organization, which has a greater vested interest and
appreciation for the forces at work in a given region, as its operational agent to exercise control. These
organizations have different operational concepts and organizational procedures. U.S. forces are familiar with
some of these concepts and procedures (such as NATO exercise control procedures), but they are not familiar
with others. |
3-34 | 28 | Chapter 1
ENGINEER SUPPORT ACROSS THE RANGE OF MILITARY
OPERATIONS
While violence varies across the range of military operations, the magnitude of requirements for
engineers may remain consistently high from peace through war. This demand results in the application of
the engineer disciplines to provide a menu of actions available to support military operations.
Engineer requirements to support peace during military operations may include geospatial engineering
support to provide a clear understanding of the physical environment. Military engagement, security
cooperation, and deterrence activities sometimes require large numbers of forces. These forces need
infrastructure, facilities, LOCs, and bases or base camps to support sustainment. Even in areas with well-
developed existing infrastructure, significant engineer effort is required for the planning, design,
construction, acquisition, operation, maintenance, or repair necessary to support operations in-theater.
Assistance in response to disaster and humanitarian relief usually includes significant engineering challenges
and opportunities to affect the situation immediately and positively.
Engineer activities to support war during military operations require support for ground combat (or the
possibility of ground combat). Engineers and other supporting units integrate with fires and maneuver to
assure the mobility of friendly forces, alter the mobility of threats, and enhance the survivability of friendly
forces. It also involves the significant challenges associated with sustaining the operation.
During transitions between peace and war, engineers are often required to improve stability through
projects that develop infrastructure and create or improve HN technological capacity. There may also be
requirements to provide specialized engineer support to other agencies. The USACE uses the Foreign
Military Sales program to support intergovernmental relations and to enhance capacity through construction.
Engineers involved in unconventional warfare help overcome challenges to the commander’s ability to move
and maneuver freely, protect the forces employed, and sustain the operation. Other requirements include
directly impacting threat freedom of action and improving stability.
ENGINEER ACTIVITIES SPANNING THE LEVELS OF WAR
The challenges of planning, preparing, executing, and continuously assessing operations within diverse
theaters are numerous and varied. The engineer staff must be involved in the operations planning process at
each level of war (strategic, operational, and tactical). (See ADP 3-0 for additional information.)
Understanding the challenges and opportunities identified from an engineer view equips the staff with
relevant information to form a more comprehensive understanding. The omission of engineer considerations
at any level may adversely affect the effectiveness of the operation. Engineer support to operations must be
synchronized from the strategic level to the tactical level.
STRATEGIC
Engineer planners must determine the means, ways, and ends as part of a joint force to prevent, shape,
and win decisively. Activities include planning the right engineer force with the right mixture of capabilities,
engineer policy, and doctrine development in place to mobilize, deploy, employ, sustain, and redeploy forces.
Engineer activities at the strategic level seek ways to contribute to preventing, shaping, and winning by
setting conditions for decisive action. Engineers conduct force planning, develop engineer policy, and support
campaigns and operations, focusing primarily on the means and capabilities to generate, deploy, employ,
sustain, and recover forces.
Additionally, infrastructure development is a critical aspect of enabling and sustaining force
deployments, and it places a heavy demand on engineer requirements. Engineers at the strategic level advise
on terrain and infrastructure, to include—
* GI&S.
* TGD management.
* SPOD.
* APOD.
* Force generation. |
3-34 | 29 | The Army Engineer
* Engineer support priorities.
* LOCs.
* Air base and airfield operations.
* The theater basing strategy.
* Joint targeting.
* Foreign humanitarian assistance.
* Environmental considerations.
* Engineer interoperability.
* Input to the rules of engagement.
* Rules for the use of force.
* Support to protection.
* Explosive hazards mitigation and explosive remnants of war.
Environmental issues can have strategic implications. They can also affect mission success and end
states if the issues are not recognized early and incorporated into planning and operations. Environmental
considerations may include input to the rules of engagement for targeting cultural sites, developing guidance
for targeting industrial infrastructure, deciding which laws and treaties pertain to the environmental situation,
and determining the level at which the military may conduct environmental remediation and restoration.
Environmental baseline surveys, annual re-inspections, and base closeout surveys are vital to protecting
Service members’ health and government liability for the remediation of issues not caused by U.S.
government entities. Natural resource protection can be a key strategic mission objective and is important to
HN reconstruction. The failure to recognize environmental hazards can result in significant risk to the JTF,
adversely affecting readiness. If not appropriately addressed, environmental issues have the potential to
negatively affect local community relations, affect insurgent activities, and create diplomatic problems for
the JTF. See ATP 3-34.5 for environmental considerations.
OPERATIONAL
Engineer activities at the operational level focus on the impact of geography and force projection
infrastructure on the CCDR operational design. Engineer planners must determine the basic (yet broad)
mobilization, deployment, employment, and sustainment requirements of the CCDR concept of operations.
Engineer planners must secure funding within authorities and plan for the procurement of Class IV supplies
and services. Operational planning merges the operation plan (OPLAN) or OPORD of the joint force, specific
engineer missions assigned, and available engineer forces to achieve success. Combatant command engineer
planners also need to understand the capabilities and limitations of Service engineer forces.
See JP 3-34 for a full explanation of Service capabilities, contributions, and limitations.
Many of the engineer activities conducted for strategic operations are also performed at the operational
level. Engineers conduct operational area and environmental assessments and work with intelligence staff to
analyze the threat. Engineers anticipate requirements and request the capabilities to meet them. They provide
the scheme of base camps, geospatial products and services, and recommendations on joint fires and
survivability for the forces employed. (See ATP 3-37.10 for additional information on base camps.) As the
link to tactical engineer integration, operational planners set the conditions for success at the tactical level by
anticipating requirements and ensuring that capabilities are available to accomplish engineer support
requirements. An example of this includes field forces that are assigned to the operational Army (FESTs,
multirole bridge companies, engineer construction companies, prime power teams, additional engineer
brigades).
Engineer staff officers assigned to the United States Army Special Operations Command or the 1st
Special Forces Command are responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing engineer support.
Engineers at this echelon provide policy and direction in the aspects of engineering, to include coordination
for engineer support from conventional forces. Due to the nature, scope, and remote environments in which
special operations forces operate, theater infrastructure is not always available. Despite recent increases in
special operations force structure, conventional force engineers across the three disciplines are capable of
providing additional engineer support. Requests for conventional engineers at this level could be to support
special operations in core activities—ranging from augmenting special operation forces in training exercises |
3-34 | 30 | Chapter 1
to providing technical capabilities to restore essential services, to providing infrastructure reconstruction and
humanitarian relief, to showing U.S. commitment in the area of interest. Engineers must be familiar with
fiscal policy, and they must have the ability to translate special operations requirements in terms that the
supporting conventional forces can understand and execute.
TACTICAL
Engineer planners must determine the best methods to task-organize forces at the lowest level to
support the maneuver of combat forces to win at the least cost. Engineer activities at the tactical level focus
on support to the ordered arrangement and maneuver of forces—in relationship to each other and to the
enemy—that are required to achieve combat objectives. At the same time, engineer support is critical to
achieving necessary stability tasks.
Tactical planning in the context of engineer support to operations translates to a primary focus on
combat engineering tasks and planning done within tactical organizations. The senior engineer staff officer
in the brigade is the primary planner at the tactical level. Engineer tactical planning is typically focused on
maneuver support and sustainment support that are not addressed by the higher-echelon commander.
Construction planning at the tactical level typically focuses on survivability tasks in support of the protection
warfighting function and infrastructure development that are primarily in support of the sustainment
warfighting functions. Engineer planners at the tactical level use the engineer assets provided by operational
planners to support the tactical mission tasks assigned to the combat maneuver units they support. With the
support of engineers, subordinate commanders ensure that engineering capabilities are effectively integrated
into the scheme of maneuver and the performance of assigned tasks. Tactical missions are complex, and the
planning staff must consider threat capabilities.
Geospatial engineers provide unique graphical representations and terrain analysis that enable
commanders to visualize the AO. Additionally, geospatial engineers provide SSGF, which serves as the
geospatial background for the unit COP on all C2 systems. Engineer reconnaissance (tactical and technical)
is a critical capability to the maneuver commander at the tactical level. At the tactical level, geospatial
engineers collect the technical feature data (such as bridge, road, and tunnel dimensions) from reconnaissance
elements within the supported unit, validate the data, and submit the data to a higher echelon for inclusion
into the TGD. See ATP 3-34.80 and ATP 3-34.81 for additional information.
Engineer support to special operation forces at this echelon has been allocated to provide engineer
expertise across the engineer disciplines. Engineer units at this echelon should be prepared to provide an
engineer LNO to be integrated into the receiving special operations forces headquarters. Engineer planners
should be able to provide engineer support that is no different than the support provided to other
organizations, with the exception that contingency and crisis action planning are the two primary
methodologies used. At this level, planning and execution are decentralized. Engineer staff officers must plan
for the right personnel and equipment package to conduct engineer operations in austere environments
without extensive support until follow-on conventional forces arrive. Engineer organizations do not execute
missions differently than they would for any other decisive action, but they do execute these missions with
an emphasis on speed and resource ingenuity.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR UNIFIED LAND OPERATIONS
The Army operational concept is unified land operations. Unified land operations describes how the
Army seizes, retains, and exploits the initiative to gain and maintain a position of relative advantage in
sustained land operations through simultaneous offensive, defensive, and stability operations in order to
prevent or deter conflict, prevail in war, and create the conditions for favorable conflict resolution
(ADP 3-0).
Organic engineering capabilities in each of the BCTs provide close support to the maneuver of those
forces. Based on a mission variable analysis, the BCTs task-organize with additional engineering capabilities
to meet mission requirements. For the offense and defense, engineer augmentation may consist of additional
combat engineering capabilities and an engineer battalion headquarters to provide the necessary C2 for the
mix of engineer units and capabilities augmenting the BCT. Other, more technically specialized engineering
capabilities support the BCT requirements related to the movement and maneuver, protection, and |
3-34 | 31 | The Army Engineer
sustainment warfighting functions. These same capabilities may be employed at division, corps, and theater
army echelons to primarily enable force mobility, survivability, and sustainment. Force-tailored engineering
capabilities from the force pool can provide critical nonlethal capabilities to conduct or support stability and
DSCA operations. Geospatial engineering capabilities, organic and from the force pool, provide support by
adding to a clear understanding of the physical environment.
During combat operations, engineer units normally have command and support relationships aligned
to maneuver commanders. (See ADP 6-0 for additional information.) Engineer commanders advise the
maneuver commanders on which appropriate command or support relationship best enables the execution of
the mission while limiting the burden on the supported or supporting headquarters. Although the forms of
offensive maneuver have different intentions, the planning phase must always begin with predicting enemy
intent through a thorough understanding of the threat, engineer capabilities, and the effect of terrain on
operations. Geospatial products and information become the foundation and common reference for planning.
Of all forms of maneuver, the knowledge of enemy disposition is especially critical and required for an
infiltration or penetration due to the requirements for stealth and surprise. Engineer planning tends to focus
on mobility support, including a robust reconnaissance effort. (See ATP 3-34.81 for a full discussion of
engineer reconnaissance.) A greater degree of planning is required for a penetration from the breach to the
ultimate control of the objective.
Engineering capabilities are a significant force multiplier in unified land operations, facilitating the
freedom of action necessary to meet mission objectives. Decisive action requires simultaneous combinations
of offensive, defensive, stability, and DSCA operations. Higher-echelon engineer activities are intrinsically
simultaneous—supporting combinations of operational components, occurring at every echelon, influencing
each level of war, and influencing the entire range of military operations. Engineer activities modify,
maintain, provide an understanding of, and protect the physical environment. In doing so, they enable the
mobility of friendly forces and alter the mobility of a threat. This enhances survivability; enables the
sustainment of friendly forces; contributes to a clear understanding of the physical environment; and provides
support to noncombatants, other nations, and civilian authorities and agencies. Indeed, engineer activities
may be so widespread and inclusive that they may be viewed as a stand-alone objective, but they are not
stand-alone. Engineer applications are effective within the context of the supported objective. Military
engineer support is focused on the combined arms objective. To identify and maintain that focus for the
widespread application of engineering capabilities, engineer support is integrated within the combined arms
operation.
THE INTEGRATION OF CAPABILITIES
Decisive action follows a cycle of planning, preparation, execution, and continuous assessment. The
operations process is the context within which engineer capabilities integrate into combined arms maneuver.
See chapter 5 for more discussions on enabler integration and command and support relationships. |
3-34 | 33 | Chapter 2
Foundations of Engineer Operations
Army engineers support operations by using a variety of engineer capabilities.
Commanders use engineers to assure mobility, enhance protection, enable force
projection and logistics, build partner capacity, and develop infrastructure. This chapter
describes engineer tasks, the lines of engineer support, and engineer support to the
warfighting functions.
ENGINEER MISSIONS
Engineer missions seek to provide freedom of action for supported forces. Engineer missions that affect
terrain deal with obstacles (including gaps), bridges, roads, trails, airfields, fighting positions, protective
positions, deception, and a wide variety of other structures and facilities (base camps, aerial ports, seaports,
utilities, buildings). Engineers affect these by clearing, reducing, emplacing, building, repairing, maintaining,
camouflaging, protecting, conserving, or modifying them in some way through tasks (obstacle clearance,
obstacle reduction, infrastructure and environmental assessments, geospatial engineering).
Regardless of category, engineer missions have different purposes in different situations. For example,
a task to clear explosive hazards from a road that is designated as a direction of attack may have the purpose
of assured mobility. Two days later, that same road may be designated as a main supply route, and a task to
clear explosive hazards from the road may have the purpose of protecting critical assets or enabling logistics.
The same task is involved, but with different purposes. In addition to the different purposes that an engineer
task can have at different times, engineer support often involves simultaneous tasks with different purposes
that support different warfighting functions. This chapter explains how engineer missions are grouped by
purpose into the lines of engineer support, how they are grouped into the types of operations, and how they
contribute to the warfighting functions.
LINES OF ENGINEER SUPPORT
Fundamental to engineer support to operations is the ability to anticipate and analyze the problem and
understand the OE. Based on this understanding and the analysis of the problem, engineer planners select
and apply the right engineer discipline and unit type to perform the required individual and collective tasks.
They must think in combinations of disciplines, which integrate and synchronize tasks in concert with the
warfighting functions to generate combat power. Finally, they establish the necessary command and support
relationship for these combinations. The lines of engineer support are the framework that underpins how
engineers think in combinations, and these lines provide the connection between capabilities and tasks.
Commanders use lines of engineer support to synchronize engineer missions with the rest of the
combined arms force and to integrate them into the overall operation throughout the operations process. Lines
of engineer support are categories of engineer missions and capabilities that are grouped by purpose for
specific operations. Lines of engineer support assist commanders and staffs with understanding the engineer
capabilities, organic to the engineer disciplines, and aligns activities according to purpose. The engineer
disciplines are capabilities (based on knowledge and skills) that are organized in units. These units are
organized based on the disciplines that are executed through individual and collective tasks. The combination
of these tasks for a specific purpose, in the context of decisive action, achieves the lines of engineer support.
Regardless of where a task falls within the Army universal task list, task alignment with a line of
engineer support is determined by the purpose of the task in a given situation. Engineer support is primarily
focused on achieving the four lines of engineer support. |
3-34 | 34 | Chapter 2
The three engineer disciplines encompass tasks along the lines of engineer support. The combat
engineering discipline, due to its support to maneuver forces in close combat, is primarily focused on tasks
that assure mobility and enhance protection. The general engineering and geospatial engineering disciplines
perform tasks along all four lines of engineer support. Geospatial engineers provide standard and nonstandard
geospatial products, mission-tailored analysis, tactical decision aids, and visualization products that enable
the commander and staff to visualize the OE. Geospatial engineers also conduct data management of standard
and nonstandard geospatial products and information necessary to plan and support operations.
ASSURE MOBILITY
The assure mobility line of engineer support orchestrates the combat, general, and geospatial
engineering capabilities in combination to allow a commander to gain and maintain a position of advantage
against an enemy (mobility) and deny the enemy the freedom of action to attain a position of advantage
(countermobility). These tasks primarily focus on support to the movement and maneuver warfighting
function, to include support to special operations forces. Although normally associated with organic combat
engineers, general engineers may be task-organized to support this line of engineer support. This line of
engineer support does not include engineer tasks intended to support the administrative movements of
personnel and materiel. Such tasks are normally intended to enable logistics.
The assure mobility line of engineer support is achieved through the assured mobility framework
described in ATP 3-90.4. The assure mobility line also supports countermobility, which enables combined
arms forces to operate anywhere along the range of operations. Countermobility shapes enemy movement
and maneuver and prevents the enemy from gaining a position of advantage. In the offense, countermobility
operations are conducted to isolate objectives and prevent the enemy from repositioning, reinforcing, and
counterattacking. See ATP 3-90.8 for more information.
Support to Mobility
Engineer support to mobility includes the following primary tasks:
* Conduct combined arms breaching.
* Conduct clearing (areas and routes).
* Conduct a gap crossing.
* Construct and maintain combat roads and trails.
* Construct and maintain forward airfields and landing zones.
Mobility is a quality or capability of military forces which permits them to move from place to place
while retaining the ability to fulfill their primary mission (JP 3-17). As described in FM 3-90-1, mobility is
the key to successful operations. The primary purpose for mobility is to mitigate the effects of natural and
man-made obstacles and to enable friendly forces to move and maneuver freely. Mobility tasks include
bypassing, reducing, or clearing obstacles (including gaps) and marking lanes and trails to enable friendly
forces to move and maneuver freely. These tasks frequently occur under conditions that require combat
engineer units and most frequently occur when conducted at the tactical level in support of maneuver. Support
to early-entry operations includes reconnaissance that would mitigate anti-access and area-denial
mechanisms to clear and open APOD and SPOD. These tasks are often considered combat engineering tasks,
even though general engineer units can perform them when the conditions allow. |
3-34 | 35 | Foundations of Engineer Operations
Engineer tasks to repair, maintain, or build roads, bridges, and airfields usually do not occur under
conditions that require combat engineer units. As a result, these tasks are often considered general
engineering tasks, even though combat engineer units can perform them if they are provided additional
training and augmentation. Combat engineers can perform these tasks if performed under conditions of close
support to maneuver forces that are in close combat.
Engineer contributions to the planning of mobility occur at all levels of war and throughout decisive
action. The execution of engineer tasks in support of mobility usually occurs at the operational and tactical
levels of war, but it often has strategic-level implications. At the tactical level of war, combat engineer units
are frequently required, especially in offensive and defensive operations. At the operational level, engineer
tasks are typically performed by general engineer units. During the conduct of offensive and defensive
operations, engineer tasks are focused on the mobility of friendly forces. In stability and DSCA, engineer
tasks are often focused on the mobility of the first responders and the population.
Engineer tasks that support mobility typically support the assure mobility line of engineer support, but
they may also support the other three lines. Similarly, a road constructed for an LOC has the purpose of
enabling sustainment. Likewise, a bridge might be constructed to develop infrastructure, allowing the local
population to transport goods to the market. Engineers perform these tasks most frequently as part of the
movement and maneuver warfighting function, but they may perform them in support of the other warfighting
functions. Combat engineering is typically focused on mobility at the tactical level, while general engineering
is typically focused on mobility at the operational level (although general engineering may impact strategic
mobility at times).
Mobility tasks are typically identified as essential tasks and may require integration into the
synchronization matrix to account for the assets and the time required to implement them. See chapter 3 for
a discussion of planning considerations for M/CM/S.
Support to Countermobility
Engineer support to countermobility includes the following engineer tasks:
* Siting obstacles.
* Constructing, emplacing, or detonating obstacles.
* Marking, reporting, and recording obstacles.
* Maintaining obstacle integration.
Countermobility operations are those combined arms activities that use or enhance the effects of
natural and man-made obstacles to deny enemy freedom of movement and maneuver (ATP 3-90.8). The
primary purpose of countermobility is to slow or divert the enemy, increase the time for target acquisition,
and increase weapon effectiveness. The advent of rapidly emplaced, remotely controlled, networked
munitions enables engineers to conduct an effective countermobility operation as part of the offense, defense,
or stability operation and during the transitions among these operations.
Countermobility tasks typically involve engineers and must always include proper obstacle integration
with the maneuver plan, adherence to the obstacle emplacement authority, and rigid obstacle control. The
engineer advises the commander on how to integrate the obstacle, coordinates for the obstacle emplacement
authority, establishes obstacle control, recommends directed obstacles, supervises the employment of
obstacles, and maintains obstacle status throughout the operation. Most obstacles have the potential to deny
the freedom of maneuver to friendly and enemy forces. Therefore, it is critical that the engineer accurately
understands the countermobility capabilities and limitations of the available engineer forces and properly
weighs the risks of employing various obstacle types. The engineer must also plan for the clearing of
obstacles at the cessation of hostilities and for minimizing obstacle effects on noncombatants and the
environment.
The engineer tasks that support countermobility operations include those that construct, emplace, or
detonate obstacles and those that track, repair, and protect obstacles. Combat engineer tasks are performed
by engineers in close support to land combat forces. These conditions frequently occur when the tasks are
conducted at the tactical level as part of the offense or defense. They are often considered combat engineering
tasks, even though general engineer units can perform them when the conditions allow. |
3-34 | 36 | Chapter 2
The effects of natural and man-made obstacles are considered during planning at every level of war.
At the tactical level of war, combat engineers play a prominent role in assessing and predicting the effects
and integration of tactical obstacles in support of offensive and defensive operations. General engineers may
also be involved in countermobility operations intended to achieve operational (or strategic) effects.
Countermobility operations typically reinforce the terrain to block, fix, turn, or disrupt the enemy’s ability to
move or maneuver, giving the commander opportunities to exploit enemy vulnerabilities or react effectively
to enemy actions. In stability, countermobility tasks may support missions such as traffic or population
control. See ATP 3-90.8 for information on countermobility.
Engineers usually perform these tasks under the first two lines of engineer support (assure mobility
and enhance protection), although they may also be applicable in selected cases for the other two lines of
engineer support. These tasks typically support the movement and maneuver and protection warfighting
functions.
As of 1 January 2011, U.S. forces are no longer authorized to employ persistent and undetectable land
mines (land mines that are not self-destructing or self-deactivating). The current U.S. land mine policy
acknowledges the importance of protecting noncombatants while enabling legitimate operational
requirements. The United States employs self-destructing and self-deactivating mines (scatterable mines) to
provide countermobility for the force. Additionally, newly developed weapon systems (called networked
munitions) provide the flexible and adaptive countermobility and survivability capability required by the
Army. Networked munitions are remote-controlled, ground-emplaced weapon systems that provide lethal
and nonlethal effects; they have the ability to be turned on and off from a distance and can be recovered for
multiple employments.
Other Tasks Associated with Assure Mobility
Geospatial engineering provides the necessary geospatial information and products to help combat and
general engineers visualize the terrain and perform tasks along the assure mobility line of engineer support.
Geospatial information is the foundation upon which information about the physical environment is
referenced to form the COP. (See ATP 3-34.80 for additional information.) Geospatial information that is
timely, accurate, and relevant is a critical enabler throughout the orders process. Geospatial engineers work
as staff members to aid in the analysis of the meaning of activities and significantly contribute to the
anticipating, estimating, and warning of possible future events. They provide the foundation for developing
shared situational understanding, improving the understanding of capabilities and limitations for friendly
forces (and the enemy), and highlighting other conditions of the OE. Geospatial engineers must possess a
thorough understanding of tactics and the application of combat power to tailor geospatial information to
support the commander’s visualization and decision making. Geospatial engineers provide the following to
the assure mobility line of engineer support:
* 3-D perspective fly-through views.
* Mobility corridor and combined obstacle overlays to identify assembly areas, plan air and ground
missions, and develop EAs.
* Fields-of-fire and line-of-sight analysis products to locate defensible terrain, identify potential
EAs, and position fighting systems to allow mutually supporting fires.
* Urban tactical planners that display key aspects of urban terrain in thematic layers overlaid on
high-resolution imagery or maps to facilitate mission planning in urban areas.
* Hydrologic, bathymetric, and gravimetric data analysis to determine soil conditions on land and
underwater and to verify the depth of the ocean or lake floors in support of surface and subsurface
mobility within the AO.
* LOC analysis and overlays to identify structures (roads, airfields, railroads, bridges, tunnels,
ferries) capable of facilitating the transportation of people, goods, vehicles, and equipment.
The engineer diving detachment provides equipment and personnel to conduct underwater operations.
The diver’s unique skills provide critical support to commanders during river-crossing operations by
conducting nearshore and far-shore reconnaissance; performing hydrographic surveys to depict bottom
composition; conducting underwater and surface reconnaissance of bridges to determine structural integrity
and capacity; repairing or reinforcing bridge structures; and emplacing, marking, or reducing underwater
obstacles. See ATP 3-34.84 and TM 3-34.84 for additional information. |
3-34 | 37 | Foundations of Engineer Operations
Engineer reconnaissance teams may operate independently, but they normally support BCT, cavalry
squadrons, or scout platoons to classify routes, locate obstacles, and determine how to overcome the effects
of obstacles by recommending bypass or reduction. Engineer reconnaissance teams also conduct the
reconnaissance of proposed obstacle placement locations and ensure that obstacles remain integrated with
the maneuver plan. All terrain, obstacle, and reconnoitered data collected is submitted to geospatial engineers
for updating the unit COP and for inclusion in the TGD. See ATP 3-34.81 for more information on engineer
reconnaissance tasks.
EOCA are combat engineers trained to defeat explosive hazards. They can perform limited
identification and disposal of unexploded ordnance in support of mobility.
ENHANCE PROTECTION
The enhance protection line of engineer support is the combination of the three engineer disciplines to
support the preservation of the force so that the commander can apply maximum combat power. This line of
engineer support consists largely of survivability operations, but it can also include selected mobility tasks
(such as the construction of perimeter roads), countermobility tasks (such as the emplacement of protective
obstacles), and explosive-hazards operations tasks. It also includes survivability and other protection tasks
performed or supported by engineers. See ADP 3-37 and ATP 3-37.34 for additional information.
Support to Survivability
Engineer support to survivability consists of the following areas:
* Fighting positions.
* Protective positions.
* Hardened facilities.
* Camouflage and concealment.
Survivability operations—those military activities that alter the physical environment to provide or
improve cover, concealment, and camouflage—are used to enhance survivability when existing terrain
features offer insufficient cover and concealment. This is one of the tasks under the protection warfighting
function found in ADP 3-37. Engineers employ capabilities from the three engineer disciplines to support
survivability operations. Engineer support to survivability operations is most often aligned with the enhance
protection line of engineer support.
Although units conduct survivability operations within capability limits, engineers have a broad range
of diverse capabilities that can enhance survivability. Engineer tasks in support of survivability operations
include tasks to build, repair, or maintain fighting and protective positions and to harden, conceal, or
camouflage roads, bridges, airfields, and other structures and facilities. These tasks tend to be equipment-
intensive and may require the use of equipment timelines to optimize the use of low-density, critical
equipment.
Engineer tasks that support survivability operations occur predominately at the operational and tactical
levels of war. At the tactical level of war, they often occur in support to maneuver and special operations
forces that are in close combat, which require combat engineer units. This often occurs for tasks to build,
repair, or maintain fighting and protective positions. Those tasks are often considered combat engineering
tasks, even though general engineer units can perform them when the conditions allow. At the operational
level, engineer tasks that support survivability operations are typically performed by general engineer units.
In the offense and defense, they are focused on the protection of friendly forces, but during the conduct of
stability and DSCA, they sometimes focus on the protection of the population or civilian assets.
See ATP 3-37.34 for additional information about survivability operations.
Engineers enhance the survivability of forces, in part, by maintaining the tempo of the offense.
Engineer mobility efforts and counter-obstacle operations assist in synchronizing the offense by preventing
a loss of momentum or an incomplete commitment of forces. Engineer digging assets provide survivability
to key systems or units during operational halts or when transitioning to the defense. Because they have
distinct appearances and uses, engineer assets can assist in deception operations. For example, moving bridge
trucks to various river-crossing sites can deceive the enemy about the actual crossing location. The ability to |
3-34 | 38 | Chapter 2
mass combat power and conduct continuous offensive operations for an extended time is key to the success
of the offense. General engineering focuses on the requirements to sustain operations and ensure that
commanders can commit follow-on forces decisively. Besides maintaining LOCs, engineers—
* Develop or improve transportation nodes (airfields, ports, railroad terminals).
* Manage real estate.
* Provide and operate large-scale power-generation capabilities.
* Find and drill for water.
* Perform vertical and horizontal construction in support of the theater.
* Validate and disseminate current geospatial information.
Other Tasks
Engineers also enhance protection through the execution of countering explosive hazards tasks. See
ATP 3-34.20 for more information about countering explosive hazards. These include area and route
clearance; specialized searches using engineer mine-detection dogs and patrol explosive-detection dogs; and
the collection, analysis, and dissemination of explosive hazards information. These tasks mitigate the effects
of explosive hazards and can be performed by engineers at all echelons or by specialized units (explosive-
hazards teams, area clearance platoons). Where the tactical situation permits, area clearance is accomplished
by a USACE-contracted capability.
Engineers who are trained by EOD trained personnel and have explosive ordnance clearance
experience not only play a vital role in the assure mobility line of engineer support, but are also equally vital
for the enhance protection line of engineer support. EOCA trained personnel advise the on-scene commander
on recommended personnel and equipment protective measures and isolate blast and fragmentation danger
areas within the AO. EOCA trained personnel may assist EOD personnel in disposing of explosive hazards.
Engineer mobility and countermobility tasks typically support the assure mobility line of engineer
support, but they may also support the enhance protection line of engineer support. Examples include
constructing a trail for use as a perimeter road to secure a base and providing protective obstacles or entry
control points for the protection of base camps. See ADP 3-37 for additional information.
Engineer divers enhance protection through force protection dives by identifying and removing
underwater hazards. Engineer divers improve underwater security measures by checking for the enemy
tampering of ships, docks, piers, intakes, and other marine facilities. Engineer divers are trained in explosives
and can identify and remove explosive hazards through sympathetic detonation. Planners and senior staffs
should be aware of diver capabilities and integrate them into early-entry operations.
Firefighting teams are limited assets that provide fire prevention and fire protection services. Some of
the key protection tasks provided to commanders are fire prevention inspections and investigations, fire
suppression, search and rescue, and hazardous material response. Additionally, these teams provide medical
response and assistance to victims and offer technical oversight of nonfirefighting personnel when supporting
firefighting operations.
Other specialized engineer support teams can be embedded at the tactical level to conduct baseline
surveys and environmental assessments that enhance protection. These teams identify potential hazards
before force projection or base and base camp establishment. See ATP 3-34.5 for additional information on
environmental considerations.
ENABLE FORCE PROJECTION AND LOGISTICS
Tasks in the enable force projection and logistics line of engineer support free combat engineers to
support maneuver forces, establish and maintain the infrastructure necessary to support follow-on forces, and
sustain military operations to enable force projection and logistics to continue after hostile action and to
provide recommendations for the site selection of facilities, joint fires, and protection. Engineers combine
capabilities from the three engineer disciplines to enable force projection and logistics. Primarily through the
general engineering discipline, these capabilities are applied to enhance strategic through tactical movements.
Tasks in this line of engineer support sustain military operations in-theater. |
3-34 | 39 | Foundations of Engineer Operations
Tasks That Support Enable Force Projection and Logistics
The engineer-focused tasks are typically performed by engineer units or commercial contract
construction management assets, such as USACE (FFE and districts), for specialized and reachback support.
They can be performed by a combination of joint engineer units, civilian contractors, and HN forces or
multinational engineers. They may also require that various types of technical and tactical reconnaissance
and assessments be performed before or early on in a particular mission. This may include countermobility,
site selection, master planning, support to disaster preparedness planning response, and support to
consequence management. See ATP 3-34.81 for additional information.
Geospatial engineers can provide geospatial products to enable terrain visualization and situational
understanding to support operations. This provides early-entry forces with terrain information and analysis
on landing sites, movement corridors, AAs, and follow-on objectives, just as it provides follow-on forces
information on potential locations of bases and base camps for initial operations.
Combat engineers can provide support that enables force projection and logistics by conducting
reconnaissance and clearance tasks. Combat engineers conduct route reconnaissance to determine
trafficability and route classification within an AO. These engineers also detect and mark explosive hazards
and can clear the hazards that are within capability to ensure the freedom of movement along LOCs, APODs,
and SPODs.
Engineer personnel augment sustainment units to support joint logistics over the shore to assist
planning efforts. Engineer personnel prepare access routes to and from the beach when port facilities are
unavailable, damaged, or denied; and they prepare landing sites and staging areas.
Other Tasks That Enable Force Projection and Logistics
These tasks are primarily general engineering tasks that are not normally performed under conditions
of support to maneuver forces that are in close combat. (See ATP 3-34.40 for additional information.) These
tasks include—
* Constructing and maintaining strategic and operational LOCs, airfields, seaports, railroads, bases
and base camps, pipelines, bulk and distribution storage facilities, and standard and nonstandard
bridges.
* Providing facilities engineer support.
Mobile electrical power.
Utilities and waste management.
Real estate acquisition, management, remediation, and disposition.
Firefighting.
* Conducting battle damage repair.
* Conducting baseline surveys and environmental assessments.
* Improving fighting and protective positions and hardening facilities.
* Providing prime power.
* Providing Corps of Engineers real estate teams.
* Providing engineer divers.
* Neutralizing water-borne obstacles that block shipping channels in port and other navigable
waterways.
* Repairing or reinforcing damaged subsurface structures as port facilities, dams, and bridges.
* Conducting search and recovery to locate and salvage submerged equipment, supplies, and
personnel.
* Providing support to joint logistics over-the-shore operations.
BUILD PARTNER CAPACITY AND DEVELOP INFRASTRUCTURE
Engineers combine capabilities from across the three disciplines to support the build partner capacity
and develop the infrastructure line of engineer support, which are vital to stability and counterinsurgency |
3-34 | 40 | Chapter 2
tasks that do not align with a specific phase of operations. This line consists primarily of building, repairing,
and maintaining various infrastructure facilities; providing essential services; and, ultimately, building
partner capacity to codevelop HN capabilities to perform such tasks. Linkages to stability are predominant
in this line. Most infrastructure development takes place during shape, deter, stabilize, and enable civil
authority. It is often a series of technical tasks (build a road, build a water treatment facility) that fall under
different sectors (electricity, road and rail transportation, water supply and sanitation, water treatment and
sewage).
Tasks That Support Build Partner Capacity and Develop Infrastructure
This line of engineer support consists primarily of general engineering tasks. Many of the tasks that
support this line of engineer support are the general engineering tasks listed previously in the enable logistics
line of engineer support. However, the key differences from the enable logistics line of engineer support are
the purpose and the desired effect. The primary purpose of the tasks in the build partner capacity and develop
infrastructure line of engineer support is to support the commander in improving the conditions for HN
leaders, institutions, and infrastructure development capabilities and in influencing them to achieve military
objectives for self-defense.
The different purposes of build partner capacity and develop infrastructure to enable force projection
and logistics significantly change the manner in which a task is executed in most cases. For example, building
a road could be a task for the enable force projection and logistics line of engineer support or the build partner
capacity and develop infrastructure line of engineer support. While the completed road may be the same, the
conditions and requirements to build it may be very different due to its intended purpose. If the road is being
built to improve the local economic conditions, using local labor to increase employment may be more
important than just completing the work in the quickest manner possible. Additionally, a road for the local
populace may require coordination with many different local agencies, organizations, and ministries to
support the local government and assist them in establishing legitimacy. Engineers may be required to
provide technical training to HN managers on engineer tasks for planning, designing, and constructing roads.
The interaction with the population during the process of building the road may take priority over the quality
and speed of completion of the road itself.
Included in the build partner capacity and develop infrastructure line of engineer support is the engineer
role in capacity building. (See FM 3-07 for additional information on building partner capacity.) Engineers
may support the United States Agency for International Development, the State Department, and special
operations forces to improve HN infrastructure and the human or intellectual capacity to sustain the sector
over time. Tasks to improve HN infrastructure require coordination with local- or national-level government
agencies or ministries that maintain or control infrastructure. The tasks may emphasize the development of
local technical and engineering institutions. Engineers may be required to train, educate, and develop local
leaders, engineers, and organizations in the process of executing a task in this line of engineer support. For
example, an engineer unit that is assisting the local populace in improving drinking water systems may also
train the local public works to operate and maintain the system.
While engineers at all echelons build partner capacity requirements, USACE FFE units have additional
expertise to advise and assist HN capacity building that spurs long-term relationships. Engineers supporting
BCTs may build partner capacity by providing training teams and reconstruction teams, sharing institutional
knowledge, and conducting key leader engagements.
Other Tasks That Build Partner Capacity and Develop Infrastructure
General and geospatial engineers contribute to the build partner capacity and develop infrastructure
line of engineer support because geospatial engineers and other USACE experts can provide technical advice
and assistance. Specialized units can locate and map water sources. Well-drilling teams are limited assets
that can be applied to solve long-term water restoration issues.
Engineers in all of the disciplines may support tasks that build partner capacity and develop
infrastructure by participating in foreign exchange programs and attending conferences. Participation in joint
exercises is another opportunity that allows engineers to exchange information, build relationships, and
develop infrastructure simultaneously. |
3-34 | 41 | Foundations of Engineer Operations
ENGINEER SUPPORT TO WARFIGHTING FUNCTIONS
Unified land operations require the continuous generation and application of combat power, often for
protracted periods. Combat power is the total means of destructive, constructive, and information capabilities
that a military unit and formation can apply at a given time (ADP 3-0). Army forces (ARFOR) generate
combat power by converting potential into effective action. (See ADP 3-0 for additional information on
warfighting functions.) There are eight elements of combat power—leadership, information, C2, movement
and maneuver, intelligence, fires, sustainment, and protection. Leadership and information also multiply the
effects of the other six elements of combat power—C2, movement and maneuver, intelligence, fires,
sustainment, and protection. These six elements of combat power are collectively described as the
warfighting functions. In unified land operations, ARFOR combine the elements of combat power to defeat
the enemy and master each situation.
The engineer disciplines are well-suited to provide engineer support for special operations—from an
advisory role to augmentation support. Engineering capabilities are scalable and can be tailored to provide
horizontal and vertical construction capabilities to improve austere conditions. Because special operations
forces tend to deploy into smaller formations, engineers provide support through the supervision of HN
contractors and laborers.
Engineer support contributes significant combat power (lethal and nonlethal) to unified land
operations. To effectively support the combined arms team, engineering capabilities are organized by the
engineer disciplines and synchronized in the application through the warfighting functions. These
warfighting functions also provide the framework for engineer tasks in the Army universal task list.
Every unit, regardless of type, generates combat power and contributes to the operation. A variety of
engineering capabilities and unit types are available to contribute to combat power. Engineer disciplines are
each generally aligned in support of specific warfighting functions, although they have impact in and across
the others. Figure 2-1, page 2-10, depicts these primary support relationships. For example—
* Survivability support may be provided linkages to the fires and protection warfighting functions.
* Combat engineering is aligned primarily with the movement and maneuver and protection
warfighting functions.
* General engineering aligns with the sustainment warfighting function and has a secondary
functional relationship with the protection warfighting functions.
* Geospatial engineering is primarily aligned with the C2 warfighting function, but it also serves as
a direct liaison with the intelligence warfighting function and as a secondary functional
relationship to the remaining warfighting functions. |
3-34 | 42 | Chapter 2
Figure 2-1. Engineer application of combat power
Combined arms is the synchronized and simultaneous application all elements of combat power that
together achieve an effect greater than if each arm was used separately or sequentially (ADP 3-0). The
warfighting functions provide engineers a common framework to link the required engineering capabilities
to the synchronized application of combined arms.
COMMAND AND CONTROL
The command and control warfighting function is the related tasks and systems that develop and
integrate those activities enabling a commander to balance the art of command and the science of control in
order to integrate the other warfighting functions (ADP 3-0). It is unique in that it integrates the activities of
the other warfighting functions.
Engineer units must integrate the operations process activities for the unit while interacting with the
activities of the unit being supported. The interaction may be primarily through an engineer staff assigned to
the supported unit or through staff counterparts. In some cases, a supported unit may not have assigned
engineer staff, so the supporting unit provides support as well. This relationship and degree of interaction is
determined by many factors, including the type of unit and echelon being supported and the command or
support relationship established. This manual addresses the C2 of engineer forces separately from engineer
staff participation in the supported commander processes.
There are typically not enough engineering capabilities available to accomplish the desired engineer
tasks. Careful prioritization must occur. Even more challenging is that once they are in the AO, force-tailored
engineer units must be able to rapidly transition among elements of operations. |
3-34 | 43 | Foundations of Engineer Operations
Because the available force-tailored engineer units are designed for specific tasks, engineering
capabilities must be dynamically shifted within the AO to match the requirements with the capabilities of
engineer units. Transitions occur at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels; and flexibility in the task
organization permits the shifting of engineering capabilities.
Control measures are essential tools designed to help engineers accomplish the mission. One such
control measure is the engineer work line, which is a graphic control measure used to designate areas of work
responsibility for subordinate engineer organizations. An engineer work line is a coordinated boundary or
phase line used to compartmentalize an area of operations to indicate where specific engineer units
have primary responsibility for the engineer effort. The engineer work line may be used at the division
level to discriminate between an AO supported by division engineer assets, and an AO supported by direct
or general support corps engineer units. See ATP 3-34.40 for additional information on general engineering
operations.
Whether a subordinate or supporting unit, engineer unit commanders must understand and exercise the
mission command approach of C2. (See ADP 6-0 for additional information about C2.) Organic units
operating within assigned BCTs operate within that structure as a matter of routine. However, the augmenting
units face challenges by quickly task-organizing and integrating into the receiving unit. Similarly, as units
and headquarters elements are allocated to division, corps, and theater armies, those unit commanders and
staffs must integrate within the receiving headquarters. The engineer headquarters provides control of
ongoing engineer operations, to include monitoring engineer forces and assets, mitigating explosive hazards,
coordinating engineer reconnaissance, and providing geospatial support through GI&S. This adds depth to
the engineer staff capabilities within the supported or gaining headquarters. Similarly, task-organized units
face challenges in quickly integrating into the distinct character of the new unit that they have been task-
organized to support. A thorough understanding of, and practice with, the C2 warfighting function and the
operations process that it drives enables the flexibility necessary for engineer forces to integrate into
supported units. In unique cases where an engineer headquarters serves as the foundation around which a
task force or JTF is formed (a disaster relief operation), it is critical for the C2 warfighting function and the
operations process it drives to adhere closely to the ideal described in Army and applicable joint doctrine.
Finding ways to accomplish the mission with an appropriate mix of lethal and nonlethal actions is a
paramount consideration for every Army commander. Through synchronization, commanders mass the lethal
and nonlethal effects of combat power at the decisive place and time to overwhelm an enemy or dominate
the situation. Engineer leaders and staff planners at each echelon play a pivotal role in ensuring the
synchronization of a variety of engineering capabilities that are available to conduct or support unified land
operations.
MOVEMENT AND MANEUVER
The movement and maneuver warfighting function is the related tasks and systems that move forces to
achieve a position of advantage in relation to the enemy and other threats (ADP 3-0). Engineers support the
movement and maneuver warfighting function by performing tasks associated with geospatial engineering,
engineer reconnaissance, and M/CM/S. The three engineer disciplines support the movement and maneuver
warfighting function. Combat engineer support applied through the movement and maneuver warfighting
function is focused on assured mobility because combat engineers are trained and equipped to support forces
in close combat. A BCT organic engineer unit shapes the battlefield to support early-entry operations with
mobility and countermobility tasks, which enables initial lodgments and further expands lodgments to enable
force projection.
Performing as Combat Engineers
Operating in close combat support to maneuver forces requires combat engineer units to be able to
integrate and coordinate actions with the fire, movement, or other actions of combat forces. To do that,
combat engineer units must be organized, manned, equipped, and trained differently than general engineer
units that are not optimized to operate in combat conditions. For example, combat engineer units are
organized similarly to infantry squads and platoons, manned with additional medical personnel, equipped
with specific weapons and vehicles, and trained with supported close combat force. These requirements limit
the ability of combat engineer units to perform many tasks to the same standard as general engineering units. |
3-34 | 44 | Chapter 2
With additional equipment, training, and augmented technical expertise, combat engineer units can perform
as general engineers, and vice versa.
Fighting as Engineers
Fighting as engineers is inherent to the primary mission of engineer units. Combat engineers are well
forward because they fight alongside maneuver units as part of a combined arms team. When supporting
unified land operations, engineers must be prepared to fight and employ combat skills and integrate activities
with fire and maneuver. On the battlefield, the enemy makes every effort to detect and engage engineers
quickly, regardless of location. In addition to the primary responsibilities within combat engineering, combat
engineers are trained, organized, and equipped to fight and destroy the enemy. Combat engineers engage in
close combat to accomplish engineer missions and to—
* Neutralize explosive hazards by locating, assessing, and rendering them incapable of interfering
with the conduct of operations (except render-safe procedures).
* Enhance mobility by conducting route and obstacle reconnaissance, obstacle reduction, assault
gap crossing, construction and repair of combat roads and trails, and forward aviation combat
engineering.
* Deny the enemy the freedom of movement and maneuver (countermobility) by lethal and
nonlethal means with land mines, network munitions, and demolition and constructed obstacles.
* Enhance protection through survivability operations (fighting and protective positions, hardening
facilities, camouflage and concealment).
Fighting as Infantry
Throughout history, engineer organizations have been required to fight as infantry as a secondary
mission. A combat engineer organization is capable of executing infantry tasks or task-organizing to fight as
infantry with other combat units. When reorganized, combat engineers require additional positions normally
found in maneuver formations (fire support, medical personnel). If an engineer battalion has been designated
to reorganize and fight as infantry, it requires the same support and integration as maneuver units (armored,
fire support) in its task organization to accomplish the mission. It may also require significant reorganization.
A commander who commands combat engineers has the authority to reorganize them as infantry, unless
otherwise reserved. However, a commander must carefully weigh the gain in infantry strength against the
loss of engineer support.
Reorganizing engineer units as infantry requires careful consideration, and the command decision for
its reorganization is normally determined at the operational-level command. Reorganization involves
extensive equipment and training that are specific to the reorganization, and it must be coordinated with the
higher headquarters. Employing engineers merely implies that the gaining commander employs the engineers
for a short period of time. Reorganization also requires additional resources, time, and training.
An emergency or immediate requirement for infantry may not require the reorganization of engineers.
Engineers may simply be required to engage in close combat. Commanders should consider this option in
limited scope and task application. The commander makes a decision after weighing the mission variables;
determining an acceptable risk level; and considering the resources, time, and training required to reorganize
engineer units as infantry.
Executing General Engineering Tasks
General engineer support to movement and maneuver accomplishes the tasks that exceed the capability
of the combat engineer force. General engineer support to movement and maneuver also accomplishes
extensive upgrades or new construction of LOCs and base camps. (See ATP 3-34.40 for additional
information about general engineering.) Although general engineer support is typically applied through the |
3-34 | 45 | Foundations of Engineer Operations
sustainment warfighting function, it may include many of the following tasks that also cross over to support
movement and maneuver:
* Constructing and repairing combat roads and trails that exceed the capability of combat engineer
assets.
* Providing forward aviation combat engineering that exceeds the capabilities of combat engineer
assets.
Repairing paved, asphalt, and concrete runways and airfields.
Conducting airfield surveys.
Providing firefighting and aircraft rescue services.
Marking airfield landing and parking surfaces.
* Constructing field-expedient landing strips for manned and unmanned aviation assets.
* Constructing standard and nonstandard bridging.
* Ensuring theater access through the construction and upgrade of LOCs, main supply routes, ports,
airfields, and base camps.
INTELLIGENCE
The intelligence warfighting function is the related tasks and systems that facilitate understanding the
enemy, terrain, civil considerations and other significant aspects of the operational environment (ADP 3-0).
Engineering capabilities are employed to add to the situational understanding of the commander. Engineers
play a major role during IPB supporting the G-2/battalion or brigade intelligence staff officer (S-2) and
assistant chief of staff, operations (G-3)/battalion or brigade operations staff officer (S-3) analysis of terrain,
weather, and civil considerations. Engineers also anticipate and provide digitized mapping and terrain
analysis products. Geospatial engineering improves terrain visualization and understanding of the physical
environment and provides SSGF to geospatial intelligence. During IPB, engineer staffs and planners provide
a predictive and deductive analysis of enemy engineering capabilities to intelligence, provide civil
infrastructure considerations for the operational variables (political, military, economic, social, information,
infrastructure, physical environment, and time and strategic variables), and support the information collection
plan through engineer reconnaissance. See chapter 5 for further support to IPB.
Engineer information collection is a deliberate process. The engineer information collected assists
commanders in determining the feasibility of areas for use based on the aspects of the terrain. Engineer
information collection may be conducted remotely or physically, but it is an essential task performed during
planning. An assessment of the AO begins well before the deployment of forces, and continuous assessments
ensure that accurate information is provided to the COP. Engineer information collection may include, but is
not limited to, conditions and capacities that support mobility, potential sources of construction materials,
local construction standards, power generation and transmission capabilities, and geotechnical data in the AO
(soils, geology, and hydrography). Engineer staffs at division, corps, theater army echelon, and in-theater
engineer headquarters determine engineer information requirements in an AO; and they collect and analyze
engineer information in coordination with the respective G-2.
Engineer reconnaissance provides data and information that contribute to answering the commander’s
critical information requirements and is necessary in the lines of engineer support. (See ATP 3-34.81 for
additional information on engineer reconnaissance and the engineer reconnaissance teams.) To accomplish
all four lines of engineer support, engineers must designate the specialized assets available to collect the
information needed to answer these requirements. Reconnaissance is inherent in the three disciplines;
however, the information collected may be different and tactical or technical in nature. The engineer
disciplines provide a menu of reconnaissance capabilities. These vary in linkages to warfighting function
tasks. They also vary in the type and degree of tactical or technical expertise and effort. The capabilities are
provided and organized by combat and general engineer units, with overarching support from geospatial
means. These units do not have organized and dedicated reconnaissance elements within the structure (except
for the armored BCT), but they are organized with a mix of engineer specialties, expertise, and equipment.
Commanders task-organize combat and general engineers with other elements from across the engineer
disciplines or warfighting functions based on the mission and situation. |
3-34 | 46 | Chapter 2
Reconnaissance in support of M/CM/S is conducted primarily by engineer reconnaissance teams.
Engineer reconnaissance teams are composed of combat engineers and are focused on the collection of
tactical and technical information to support the BCT freedom of maneuver and survivability of friendly
forces and facilities. This requires the engineer company commanders to form and train ad hoc teams for
tactical reconnaissance tasks that focus on collecting technical information and performing a limited analysis.
Geospatial engineering teams apply information and services to improve the situational understanding
of terrain. GI&S is the collection, information extraction, storage, dissemination, and exploitation of
geodetic, geomagnetic, imagery, gravimetric, aeronautical, topographic, hydrographic, littoral, cultural, and
toponymic data accurately referenced to a precise location on the Earth’s surface (see JP 2-03). The Army
Geospatial Center (AGC) is a reachback capability that includes instruction, training, and guidance for the
use of geospatial data to enable users to access and manipulate data. Common military applications of GI&S
include support to—
* Planning.
* Training.
* Geospatial intelligence planning.
Navigation.
Mission planning.
Mission rehearsal.
Modeling.
Simulation.
Targeting.
FIRES
The fires warfighting function is the related tasks and systems that provide collective and coordinated
use of Army indirect fires, air and missile defense, and joint fires through the targeting process (ADP
3-0). Engineering capabilities significantly contribute to this warfighting function when they are used to
facilitate targeting. Geospatial engineers may provide template observer and firing points based on the line
of sight and the slope restrictions and may analyze the mobility and suitability of potential targets and EAs
to facilitate the repositioning of artillery systems. Combat engineers may be used to shape terrain by
emplacing obstacles that enhance the effect of fires, construct survivability positions for fires units, and
support mobility during displacements.
Integrating engineer effects, missions, and capabilities into combined arms operations at BCT and
above includes integrating the respective target or mission into the targeting process. This enables the
selection and prioritization of engineer targets into the larger Army and air tasking orders. Engineer leaders
on staffs must understand preplanned situational obstacle integration and how to shift family of scatterable
mines systems during dynamic targeting. See ATP 3-60 for additional information on engineer tasks in the
targeting process.
SUSTAINMENT
The sustainment warfighting function is the related tasks and systems that provide support and services
to ensure the freedom of action, extend operational reach, and prolong endurance (ADP 3-0). Engineers
support the sustainment warfighting function by performing tasks associated with mobility and survivability.
Engineers contribute by constructing base camps, ammunition holding areas, and revetments or other types
of hardening of distribution facilities and by clearing LOCs.
General engineer applications are primarily linked through a major category of tasks that provide
logistics support in the sustainment warfighting function. As previously discussed, general engineering
capabilities in support of combat engineer applications link across the movement and maneuver warfighting
function and protection warfighting function.
During the conduct of stability and DSCA, sustainment support may shift to the establishment of
services that support civilian agencies and to the normal support of U.S. forces. The conduct of stability |
3-34 | 47 | Foundations of Engineer Operations
operations tends to be of a long duration compared to the other operations. As such, the general engineering
level of effort, including support from USACE, is very high at the onset and gradually decreases as the theater
matures. As the AO matures, the general engineering effort may transfer to theater or external support
contracts (logistics civil augmentation program, Air Force contract augmentation program, Navy global
contingency construction contract).
Operational contract support obtains and provides supplies, services, and construction labor and
materiel—often providing a responsive option or enhancement to support the force. (See ATP 4-92 and
ATP 4-94 for more information on the theater sustainment command and operational contract support.)
General engineers provide subject matter expertise for the oversight of contracted services and materials use.
PROTECTION
The protection warfighting function is the related tasks and systems that preserve the force so the
commander can apply maximum combat power to accomplish the mission (ADP 3-0). Engineers have unique
equipment and personnel capabilities that can be used to support survivability operations and related
protection tasks. Combat engineers, supported by general engineer capabilities when required, provide
selected survivability operations through the protection warfighting function. (See ATP 3-37.34 for
additional information on survivability operations.) Combat engineers typically provide the basic hardening
and field fortification support, while general engineer support is focused on long-term survivability efforts.
General engineer support is also applied through the protection warfighting function to control pollution and
hazardous material and to harden facilities. Survivability operations include the following engineer tasks:
* Protecting against enemy hazards within the AO.
Constructing vehicle fighting positions, crew-served weapon fighting positions, or individual
fighting positions.
Constructing protective earth walls, berms, and revetments or constructing vehicles,
information systems, equipment, and material protective positions.
Employing protective equipment (vehicle crash barriers, entry control points, security fences).
Installing bridge protective devices for an existing float bridge or river-crossing site to protect
against waterborne demolition teams, floating mines, or floating debris.
Installing or removing protective obstacles.
Conducting environmental assessments to identify and protect against environmental
conditions.
* Conducting actions to control pollution and hazardous material. See ATP 3-34.5 for additional
information on environmental pollution and hazardous materials.
* Conducting tactical firefighting. See TM 3-34.30 for additional information on firefighting.
When conducting stability and DSCA, survivability remains a key concern. Although the likelihood
of combat operations is reduced, key resources and personnel remain vulnerable to other types of hostile
action or attack. Commanders must consider protecting vital resources such as fuel sites, sustainment
convoys, base camps, and logistics support areas because the entire AO has an equal potential for enemy
attack. The priority of work for construction assets is focused more on protecting these types of resources
than on constructing fighting positions for combat vehicles or crew-served weapons. Vital resources requiring
survivability may also include facilities that are critical to the civil infrastructure (such as key industrial sites,
pipelines, water treatment plants, and government buildings). Engineers also employ protective obstacles as
a key tool in protecting these important assets and locations. Protective obstacles range from tetrahedrons
and concrete barriers to networked munitions. Physical barriers provide a relatively inexpensive, inflexible
survivability capability. Networked munitions, with built-in sensor capabilities and central control, provide
a flexible intrusion detection and denial system. |
3-34 | 49 | Chapter 3
Engineer Support to Shape, Prevent, and DSCA
Conflict prevention is primarily diplomatic actions that are taken in advance of a crisis
to prevent or limit violence, deter parties, and reach an agreement short of conflict.
Military operations are tailored to meet political demands and may require deploying
forces to contain a dispute or prevent it from escalating into hostilities.
OPERATIONS TO SHAPE AND OPERATIONS TO PREVENT
A primary function of the theater army, in its role as the ASCC, is executing the CCDR’s daily
operational requirements. These activities occur during large-scale ground combat, but they also occur during
operations to shape and operations to prevent. The theater army’s four primary tasks occur across all phases
of the joint operations construct: provide Title 10 United States Code (10 USC) administrative control of
ARFOR; conduct theater security cooperation; assess and develop infrastructure; and develop concept and
OPLANs. Additional tasks completed by the theater army enabling commands include conduct regional
information collection and analysis, communications architecture, land-based air and missile defense, and
detainee operations.
During operations to shape and operations to prevent, the theater army engineer effort typically
requires more general engineering-related activities. Engineers at the theater level are one of many key
enablers as the ASCC commander drives both Army design methodology and tactical concept of operations
to shape conditions and achieve objectives. The ASCC designates the routes for ground forces well in
advance of their intended use so that engineer units can upgrade them, as necessary, and keep them open or
repaired. The ASCC makes recommendations for initial and temporary land-based lodgments.
The theater army engineer provides a focus on the relationship of the physical environment and
infrastructure to the developing Army design methodology. Other relevant information gained from the
engineer analysis of the OE assists the commander in framing (and reframing) the problem, formulating the
design, and refining the design. Operational-level engineer concepts are synchronized with and expressed
through the framework of Army design methodology, as described in ADP 5-0. Unified action partners must
be considered for those tasks which Service engineers do not have the capability or capacity to perform.
Between the levels of war and theater echelons of command, the horizons for planning, preparation,
and execution are vastly different. Operational-level commanders typically orchestrate the activities of
military and other U.S. government organizations across large physical areas and across the range of military
operations. Theater commanders seek to create the most favorable conditions possible for subordinate
commanders by shaping future events. The theater army echelon maintains a broad perspective, typically
considering simultaneous major operations across the range of military operations and throughout the theater.
The theater army engineer views a similarly broad perspective of challenges and opportunities, considering
the range of military operations from peacetime military engagement to large-scale ground combat and the
various administrative and support functions required throughout the theater.
At the theater army echelon, the engineer staff uses operational art (through design methodology) to
assist in translating the broad Army conceptual plan into a coherent, feasible concept for employing forces.
The engineer examines the functional and multifunctional mobilization, deployment, employment, and
sustainment requirements of the concept of operations. From the operational perspective, those requirements
typically include RSOI, construction, real estate, and other general engineering support through the
sustainment and protection warfighting functions. The operational perspective also includes initially aligning
combat and general engineer capabilities to provide the most favorable outcomes for each subordinate
echelon. Geospatial information and terrain analysis provide the foundation on which understanding the |
3-34 | 50 | Chapter 3
physical environment is based. Figure 3-1 shows an example of how the warfighting functions, engineer
tasks, and engineer disciplines are used to organize and integrate theater echelon engineer requirements.
Figure 3-1. Theater-level engineer shape and prevent
Setting the theater for engineers includes establishing, maintaining, and defending bases or base
clusters—from an APOD/SPOD to an intermediate staging base. Managing the basing process and individual
bases spans across the basing life cycle. It ranges from considering the acquisition (and later disposal) of real
estate; real property; materials; construction labor; base setup; decommissioning; and transfer back to an HN
or other authority. Most of this planning and management is logistical in nature. A key part of the logistical
puzzle is managing Class IV (barrier and construction material) and Class V explosives. It is important to
manage these classes of supply separate from the others because they help to serve very distinct and separate
purposes (base defense, infrastructure security, general force protection measures, and occasionally
breaching).
Infrastructure survey teams use infrastructure assessments to prioritize the categories and parts of the
infrastructure that require reexamination during the infrastructure survey. The FEST-A is capable of
providing infrastructure assessment. The following are some considerations used to evaluate infrastructure
operational requirements:
* Does existing or planned infrastructure meet the operational needs over those of the campaign
phases in terms of quantity, quality, location, and force protection?
* Will infrastructure meet coalition, unified action partner, and host-nation needs over time?
* Should infrastructure be repaired, upgraded, maintained, or newly constructed?
* What are the infrastructure defense and protection needs over time, by type and scalability?
* Is any part of the infrastructure on the critical asset list, defended asset list, or protection
prioritization list? |
3-34 | 51 | Engineer Support to Shape, Prevent, and DSCA
CORPS ENGINEER ECHELON
The corps headquarters is organized, trained, and equipped to serve as the Army force in major
operations and campaigns (with command of two or more Army divisions) with supporting theater-level
organizations across the range of military operations. As the Army force for the joint force commander (JFC),
the corps serves as an operational-level headquarters conducting land operations as the Service component.
The corps normally has one expeditionary sustainment command and one medical brigade (support). Other
theater-level assets are attached, as required. The C2 capabilities organic to the corps allow it to adapt to
operational- or tactical-level roles, depending on the CCDR’s requirements.
With minimum joint augmentation, the corps can function as a JTF or joint force land component
command (JFLCC) for small-scale contingencies. When a corps is a JTF or JFLCC, a TEC’s deployable CP
or engineer brigade can be assigned as the senior engineer organization. The corps can also serve as a
deployable base for a multinational headquarters directing protracted operations. The corps’ flexibility allows
the Army to meet the needs of JFCs for an intermediate land command while maintaining a set of
headquarters for contingencies. It provides a capability that views challenges and opportunities associated
with the operational approach and concentrates on the substance and shape of required tactical actions.
An example of engineers supporting a theater is the USACE—Pacific Ocean Division (headquartered
in Hawaii) being a critical enabler to help set the theater in support of the United States Army Pacific
Command and the United States Indo-Pacific Command. The USACE—Pacific Ocean Division focuses
more heavily toward supporting set the theater construction, though it also supports basing and infrastructure.
The Pacific Ocean Division designs and constructs facilities for the Army and Air Force in Alaska and Hawaii
and for all Department of Defense agencies in Kwajalein Atoll (in the Republic of the Marshall Islands). In
support of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) strategy, it designs and constructs
facilities for all U.S. forces in Korea and Japan. Figure 3-2 shows an example of tasks upon which the corps
echelon engineer builds as a foundation of operational requirements while detailing tactical-level
requirements for a contingency.
Legend:
C2 command and control
FACE forward aviation combat engineering
Figure 3-2. Corps design considerations |
3-34 | 52 | Chapter 3
ENGINEER SUPPORT TO DIVISION AND BELOW OPERATIONS
The division is the Army’s primary tactical warfighting headquarters. Its primary role is to serve as a
tactical headquarters exercising C2 of BCTs and supporting brigades in decisive action. Depending on
mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available–time available and civil considerations, it
commands up to five BCTs and a mix of functional brigades. The division combines offensive, defensive,
stability, or DSCA operations in an AO assigned by its higher headquarters, normally a corps. It task-
organizes its subordinate forces according to mission variables to accomplish its assigned mission.
With staff augmentation, the division headquarters may serve as a joint force land component
headquarters in a smaller-scale contingency or as an ARFOR headquarters (primarily for operational tasks)
in smaller-scale contingencies without additional Army augmentation. With extensive augmentation, it may
serve as a JTF for a small-scale contingency. When serving as the ARFOR, JFLCC, or JTF, the division is
primarily concerned with the conduct of operational tasks. The theater army provides most of the
administrative control and Army support to forces deployed in the joint operations area (JOA)
Joint manning documents determine other Service officer and noncommissioned officer augmentation
that the division staff requires to perform duties as a JTF or JFLCC headquarters. When serving as a JTF
headquarters, the division headquarters organizes and operates in accordance with joint doctrine. (See JP
3-31 for more doctrine on the JFLCC, and see JP 3-33 for more doctrine on the JTF.) When conducting
operations, the division synchronizes and integrates warfighting functions primarily from the tactical-level
perspective.
At the division echelon, the engineer staff officer and other engineer staff assist in understanding and
translating the Army design methodology into a division concept of operations. The division engineer staff
analyzes the operation and begins to concentrate on courses of action (COAs) for arranging forces in relation
to each other and employing combat power to accomplish the mission. Just as corps echelon engineers
validate analysis supporting the operational echelon engineer design, the divisional engineer analysis adds
detail or offers new information for operational consideration. Ultimately, as operational-level engineers
refine and address requirements at their echelon, the division echelon engineers gain understanding of the
operational requirements that must be included in the conduct of division operations. Division echelon
engineers concentrate on the substantial development of engineering requirements and capabilities necessary
to the division concept of operation. The divisional engineer analysis is operationally broad enough to include
general and geospatial engineering support not included in the Army design methodology. The analysis is
more comprehensive and detailed in considering and shaping combat, general, and geospatial engineering
requirements for arranging and employing divisional forces. Figure 3-3 shows an example of how the division
echelon engineer integrates tactical engineer actions (shown in the preceding paragraphs as the top-most set
of tasks, resting on the foundation from theater and corps echelons in the illustration) through warfighting
functions to support the division concept of operations.
Operational echelon commanders seek to create the most favorable conditions possible for the
employment of divisions. The division meets the needs of JFCs by enabling the tactical command to be
capable of translating designs into concepts and decisions into actions. It synchronizes forces and warfighting
functions in time, space, and purpose to accomplish missions. The division perspective is substantially shaped
by the operational approach described by the theater and is focused on the tactical actions inferred from that
approach. The division echelon engineer perspective similarly includes a solid operational foundation from
which to focus on the detailed tactical level requirements for shape and prevent activities (see figure 3-3). |
3-34 | 53 | Engineer Support to Shape, Prevent, and DSCA
Legend:
BCT brigade combat team
C2 command and control
FACE forward aviation combat engineering
Figure 3-3. Division design perspective
Engineers at the division and below focus on effective leader development. Training and leader
development form the cornerstone of operational readiness and they are part of Army operations to shape.
The priority focus for engineer forces not committed to specific CCDR requirements is building and
sustaining readiness to conduct large-scale combat. Units, leaders, and Soldiers achieve the tactical and
technical competence that builds mutual trust, esprit de corps, and adaptability by overcoming challenges
through realistic training. Combat training centers facilitate training and leader development and that of
unified action partners.
Operational planning and contingency training exercises facilitate understanding of engineer
perspectives of OEs. A complete understanding of an OE may be hindered if the focus is solely on adversary
information and actions. Additional information collection with a focus on area access/area denial is often
required for and is key to enabling division freedom of mobility. People and populations within a region can
present significant security and countermobility challenges. Operations to shape are accomplished through a
variety of missions, tasks, and actions, and they are often focused toward understanding, engaging,
influencing, changing, or countering human perceptions. From an engineering perspective, this is executed
through engineering partnerships that improve LOCs, APOD/SPOD, local population, and engineering
expertise. This requires study and analysis to ensure that the right decisions and actions are taken at the right
time to get positive outcomes. The complexity of the human aspects of conflict are dynamic. Therefore,
operations to shape must be ongoing, consistently maintain positive engagements, and be flexible enough to
adjust to changing political conditions. |
3-34 | 54 | Chapter 3
BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM ENGINEER ECHELON
The BEB commander is the brigade engineer in the BCT. The BEB commander advises the maneuver
commander on how best to employ combat, general, and geospatial engineering capabilities in support of
decisive action. The brigade engineer integrates engineers into the brigade planning process and coordinates
engineer activities in the brigade area. The BEB is typically responsible for all engineer units assigned or
attached to the brigade or for those working in the brigade AO. The BEB also provides organic engineer,
military intelligence, signal, planning, and execution capabilities to the BCT.
Brigade and below engineer support to operations that shape and prevent typically includes the state
partnership program, infrastructure repair, restoration to reconstruct, and the establishment of services that
support the population. Home station training enhances BEB personnel skills in areas that are normally
instructed as USACE-provided specialized training. This training includes reconnaissance tools, tele-
engineering communications equipment, and the Joint Construction Management System facilitate shape and
prevent tasks by enhancing standardized construction practices.
STABILITY OPERATIONS
Stability operations consist of six primary tasks—establish civil security, support civil control, restore
essential services, support to governance, support to economic and infrastructure development, and conduct
security cooperation. The primary tasks are discussed in detail in ADP 3-07.
Engineer support to stability operations includes the simultaneous application of combat, general, and
geospatial engineering capabilities through synchronizing warfighting functions and throughout the depth of
the AO. General engineering support for the restoration of essential services and infrastructure development
is the primary engineer focus in stability; however, the three disciplines are applied simultaneously to some
degree. Figure 3-4 shows a notional application of engineering capabilities providing support to stability. The
participation of engineer institutional force elements (USACE tasks provided during stability tasks) are
significant and typically realized as general or geospatial engineering support.
Legend:
CDR commander
COP common operational picture
FACE forward aviation combat engineering
LOC line of communication
SSGF standard and sharable geospatial foundation
Figure 3-4. Notional engineer support to stability operations |
3-34 | 55 | Engineer Support to Shape, Prevent, and DSCA
Often, stability operations are required to meet the critical needs of the populace. Engineer forces may
be critical enablers in the provision of essential services until the HN government or other agencies can
provide essential services. Engineer tasks primarily focus on establishing or reconstructing infrastructure to
provide essential services that support the population. The effort is typically conducted in conjunction with
civilian agencies and other engineer support of U.S. forces. The support for infrastructure development may
be extended to assist the HN in developing capability and capacity. Essential services for engineer
consideration include food and water, emergency shelter, and basic sanitation (sewage and waste disposal).
Engineer stability tasks are similar to those required during DSCA, except that engineer stability tasks are
conducted overseas. Engineer DSCA tasks include—
* Constructing and repairing rudimentary surface transportation systems, basic sanitation facilities,
and rudimentary public facilities and utilities.
* Detecting and assessing water sources and drilling water wells.
* Constructing feeding centers.
* Providing environmental assessments and technical advice.
* Constructing waste treatment and disposal facilities.
* Providing base and base camp construction and power generation.
* Conducting infrastructure reconnaissance, technical assistance, and damage assessments.
* Conducting emergency demolitions.
* Conducting debris- or route-clearing operations.
Engineer support to stability operations may include the typical integration with, and support for,
combined arms forces in their missions. Combat engineer route clearance and other close support capabilities
may be critical tasks that are applied through the movement and maneuver warfighting function. Geospatial
engineer support continues to provide SSGF that supports the COP. General engineer support may be
required for the sustainment and protection requirements of the force. However, during stability, a focus of
the engineer effort is likely to be the general engineering capabilities applied to restore essential services and
support infrastructure development.
Many of the technical capabilities only found in the institutional force are essential to providing
engineer reachback. Many of the engineer capabilities sought are provided through for specialized expertise
and capabilities only available through reachback or forward USACE contingency element. Stability
operations tend to be of a long duration compared to the other unified land operations. As such, the general
engineering level of effort is very high at the onset and it gradually decreases as the theater matures; support
is required to some degree for the duration of stability. Preparation activities include the identification of
significant infrastructure and base development construction projects and the nomination of those projects
for funding. The highest priority projects may be executed using military general engineer capabilities, while
others may compete for contingency funding and execution through a contract capability. As the AO matures,
the general engineering effort in support of sustainment requirements may transfer to theater or external
support contracts (logistics civil augmentation program, Air Force contract augmentation program, Navy
global contingency construction contract).
Engineer support may be critical to civil affairs activities, enabling the relationship of military forces
with the civil component of the OE, including inter-governmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations,
the interagency, indigenous populations and institutions, and the private sector. Similarly, engineering
capabilities may be applied to provide specific construction and other technical support integrated within the
commander’s plan. Integration occurs throughout the operations process, and it is facilitated by coordination
between the engineer staff officer and civil affairs staff at the civil-military operations center.
Preparing for stability operations may be more difficult than preparing for combat operations because
of the technical nature of the requirements and the broad range of potential engineer missions associated with
them. An early, on-the-ground assessment can be critical to tailor the engineer force with required specialties
and engineer resources. The results of this assessment are passed to planners to ensure that an adequate
engineer |
3-34 | 56 | Chapter 3
force arrives in the AO in a timely manner. This early, on-the-ground engineer reconnaissance and associated
assessment or survey identify the—
* Status of the infrastructure in the AO (airfields, roads, ports, logistics bases, troop bed-down
facilities); real estate acquisition; environmental standards, conditions, and considerations;
construction material supply; construction management; and line-haul requirements.
* Status of theater- and situation-specific protection requirements.
* Availability of existing geospatial products and requirements for new terrain visualization
products.
* Requirements for specialized engineer support (prime power, well drilling, quarry, firefighting)
and support to other emergency services.
* Status of specialized engineer requirements available only from the institutional force or USACE.
* Requirements of the C2 system, to include headquarters staffing, communications, and
information systems support.
* Requirements for engineer liaison, to include linguists and civil affairs personnel.
* Potential for contract construction or other engineering capabilities.
Stability Planning
The conduct of stability operations emphasizes the construction tasks performed by Soldiers who are
normally working among noncombatants and local populations. In planning to conduct stability operations,
engineers consider the requirements necessary for the support of the primary stability tasks. Engineers are
typically critical enablers and may lead in the restoration of essential services. The planner (with input from
the assistant chief of staff, civil affairs operations [G-9]/battalion or brigade civil affairs operations staff
officer [S-9] on civil considerations) determines the capabilities needed to establish or restore the most basic
services for the provision of water, emergency shelter, and basic sanitation (sewage and garbage disposal),
as required. Terrain products continue to have a great deal of importance, but political and cultural
considerations are equally important. Terrain analysts work with the intelligence staff to develop usable
products for the commander to reflect this information. When analyzing the troops available, the engineer
staff officer considers unified action partner engineering capabilities as a whole, not simply those assigned
to the organization. Interaction with these other parties requires engineers to address interoperability,
common standards, and mutual agreements. Combined arms forces have a major role in this interaction,
working with and through HN agencies and other civilian organizations to enhance the HN government
legitimacy.
DEFENSE SUPPORT OF CIVIL AUTHORITIES
DSCA includes operations that address the consequences of natural or man-made disasters, accidents,
and incidents within the United States and its territories. ARFOR conduct DSCA when the size and scope of
events exceed the capabilities or capacities of domestic civilian agencies. The Army National Guard is often
the first military force to respond on behalf of state authorities. DSCA includes four primary tasks (discussed
in detail in ADP 3-28):
* Provide support for domestic disasters.
* Provide support for domestic CBRN incidents.
* Provide support for domestic civilian law enforcement agencies.
* Provide other designated support.
Engineering in DSCA may include the simultaneous application of combat, general, and geospatial
engineering capabilities through synchronizing the warfighting functions throughout the AO. General
engineering support for the restoration of essential services is the primary engineer focus in DSCA. Engineer
support may also be required for ARFOR providing C2, protection, and sustainment to government agencies
until they can function normally. Figure 3-5 shows a notional application of engineering capabilities
supporting DSCA. The institutional force elements, including USACE, play a critical and substantial role in
DSCA. |
3-34 | 57 | Engineer Support to Shape, Prevent, and DSCA
There are few unique engineer missions performed in DSCA that are not performed during other
operations. The difference is the context in which they are performed. The U.S. law carefully limits the
actions that military forces, particularly Regular Army units, can conduct within the United States and its
territories. In addition to legal differences, DSCA is always conducted in support of local, state, and federal
agencies, and ARFOR cooperate and synchronize efforts closely with them. These agencies are trained,
resourced, and equipped more extensively than similar agencies involved in the conduct of stability
operations overseas. Policies issued by the federal government govern the essential services that ARFOR
provide in response to disasters. Within this context, a focus for engineers during DSCA is the restoration of
essential services. Combat and general engineering capabilities may be applied to restore essential services.
Engineer equipment is well suited for the removal of rubble and debris associated with rescue and for access
to affected areas. Other likely requirements include the construction of temporary shelters and the provision
of water and sanitation services. Likely engineer missions are similar to those required during the conduct of
stability operations, except that they are conducted within U.S. territorial jurisdiction.
Legend:
CDR commander
COP common operational picture
FACE forward aviation combat engineering
LOC line of communication
SSGF standard and sharable geospatial database
Figure 3-5. Notional engineer support to DSCA operations
Engineer support to DSCA may include the typical integration with, and support for, combined arms
forces during missions. Combat engineer route clearance and other capabilities may be critical tasks that are
applied through the movement and maneuver warfighting function. Geospatial engineering support continues
to provide SSGF that supports the COP. General engineering support may be required for the sustainment
and protection requirements of the force and may be extended to support other agencies. This may include
the following missions:
* Base camp construction and power generation.
* Debris- or route-clearing activities.
* Road construction and repair.
* Forward aviation combat engineering, to include the repair of paved, asphalt, and concrete
runways and airfields.
* Expedient landing strip construction for manned and unmanned aviation assets. |
3-34 | 58 | Chapter 3
* Installation of assets that prevent foreign object damage to rotary-wing aircraft.
* Temporary bridge construction.
* Port, airfield, and RSOI facility construction and upgrades to ensure access to the region.
DSCA may require an immediate response. USACE maintains significant response capability, and
they are normally involved in providing engineer support to civil authorities. USACE leverages capabilities
and expertise developed through responsibility for military construction and civil works programs to prepare
for assigned and anticipated DSCA missions.
Engineer units tasked to support DSCA must be qualified urban search and rescue rescuer and urban
search and rescue extraction through formal training. Formal training includes training on rescues involving
rope, confined spaces, vehicles and machinery, trenches, and structural collapse as a level one or level two
rescuer.
DEFENSE SUPPORT OF CIVIL AUTHORITIES PLANNING
Planning DSCA is significantly different from planning offense, defense, or stability operations
because of the unique nature of the hazard or threat, although the basic missions may be very similar to those
associated with the conduct of stability operations. The hazard (or threat) is a natural or man-made disaster
with unpredictable consequences. Planners must be aware of the number of statutes and regulations that
restrict the Army interaction with other government agencies and civilians during DSCA. Geospatial
engineers can provide terrain visualization products that provide predictive analysis of potentially impacted
and support areas. Local and state responses normally lead the effort, with a federal response providing
support as required. Interagency response during DSCA operations is governed by the National Response
Framework, which delegates responsibility to various federal agencies for emergency support functions. The
USACE and other general engineering capabilities of the institutional force have the preponderance of the
roles in DSCA operations. See ADP 3-28 for additional information about DSCA and the National Response
Framework emergency support functions.
As a military partner in DSCA, Army commanders assume a support role to one or more designated
agencies. Engineers can expect to be involved in planning for the support of relief operations by providing
geospatial products and analysis of potential areas to establish life-support areas. Engineers may be called on
to provide manpower support or general engineering support from units with unique capabilities (water well
drilling, temporary shelter, power generation, and firefighting). Engineer commanders and staff work with
the planners to identify requirements and plan engineer applications.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Army commanders assess the relevance and impact of one or more urban areas as part of the mission.
They also need to determine if urban operations may be the sole focus of the commander or if they are only
one of several tasks nested in an even larger operation. Urban operations are often conducted as a single
battle, an engagement, or an operation. They are often conducted as a major operation, requiring joint
resources. ATP 3-06 provides a framework (assess, shape, dominate, and transition) for urban operations.
These are not phases or sequential operations, but rather a means to visualize the fight (or potentially the
stability or DSCA operations).
Geospatial engineers can partner with local authorities to share geospatial data and information.
Geospatial engineers assist with the generation, management, analysis, and dissemination of geospatial data
and information, enabling the commander to understand the physical environment. Geospatial engineers
continue to support the unit COP by providing SSGF in a DSCA operation. See ATP 2-22.7 for a further
discussion of geospatial intelligence cells.
The assured mobility framework enables commanders to frame its fundamentals (predict, detect,
prevent, avoid, neutralize, and protect) as a method to think about how to shape and dominate in urban terrain.
General engineering tasks are prevalent throughout operations, but they are the major function during the
transition to stability or during DSCA operations. Combat engineers work closely with the elements that
enable M/CM/S. They must ensure close coordination with EOD in the reduction of explosive hazards
(improvised explosive devices and unexploded ordnance) to minimize collateral damage. Engineers may |
3-34 | 59 | Engineer Support to Shape, Prevent, and DSCA
have to coordinate with military police to enable the movement of civilians along routes or with CBRN
elements to detect and identify potential CBRN threats and hazards along routes and other locations within
the AO.
Engineers must be familiar with the history of the AO, terrain, and conflict. The knowledge of threat
doctrine, engineer methods, and engineer functions is critical. Engineers should consider patterns of obstacle
employment—do they infer threat doctrinal employment? Not all threat forces or nonstate actors mark their
minefields, and many non-first-world countries rely on improvised explosive devices or mark minefield
locations and hazard areas unconventionally. Many nonstate actors lay mines and mark them with readily
available materials rather than by formal marking methods or by adhering to any doctrine. These markings
are generally used to warn their own troops and local civilians of the presence of mines. Friendly units
operating in these threat environments must know and understand these markings. |
3-34 | 61 | Chapter 4
Support to Large-Scale Ground Combat
Engineer support in large-scale ground combat occurs throughout the depth of the AO.
Engineers provide simultaneous and synchronized support to deep, close, and support
area operations. Engineers plan obstacles that forces can emplace in the enemy rear
AO. Knowledge of the terrain and terrain visualization can identify locations at which
friendly forces can stop enemy reinforcements. Engineer reconnaissance identifies
areas at which friendly forces require engineer effort in support of mobility. Attacking
forces task-organize engineer units to provide mobility support to the main and
supporting attacks and to the reserves. Engineers provide countermobility support to
secure vulnerable flanks or prepare defenses.
OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
Engineer support to the offense includes the simultaneous application of combat, general, and
geospatial engineering disciplines through synchronizing warfighting functions and throughout the depth of
the AO. Combat engineering in support of maneuver forces is the primary focus of engineers involved in the
conduct of offensive operations; however, the three disciplines simultaneously apply their capabilities to
some degree. The primary focus supports movement and maneuver. Figure 4-1 shows a notional application
of engineering capabilities supporting offensive operations.
Legend:
FACE forward aviation combat engineering
SSGF standard and sharable geospatial foundation
Figure 4-1. Notional engineer support to offensive operations |
3-34 | 62 | Chapter 4
Combat engineers use preparation activities to posture engineer assets with the task-organized gaining
or supported headquarters. Engineer units establish early linkups with the maneuver units they support. As
combat engineer units prepare for offensive operations, they focus on inspections and combined arms
rehearsals. Combined arms breaching forces are task-organized, and they conduct rehearsals for the breach,
assault, and support forces. The engineer staff officer at the appropriate echelon coordinates for engineer
reconnaissance that is focused to support the collection of the appropriate information to collect obstacle and
mobility information. If route clearance is anticipated, clearance teams are task-organized and focused on
combined arms rehearsals. Combat engineer preparations are aligned and integrated with their supported
maneuver force preparations.
Engineer staff officers at every echelon coordinate the movement and positioning of general engineer
assets that are task-organized to augment combat engineering capabilities. Although general engineer assets
can be placed in command or support relationships with the maneuver force, a command relationship with
the supported engineer unit is often more effective. General engineer equipment requires more time for
movement, regular refueling, dedicated maintenance personnel and supplemental maintenance tools, and
dedicated haul assets. For significant construction, preparation activities may require a more technical
engineer reconnaissance to enable adequate project planning and design, including the provision of
construction materials, as required. Specialized engineer assets may also be necessary to accomplish certain
missions. General engineer activities may occur independently. When this is the case, they must be fully
coordinated with the maneuver commander responsible for the AO. Such general engineer support is
primarily applied to enable sustainment, but it may also be critical to the preparation for an offensive
operation, including support to operational mobility.
During the conduct of offensive operations, fighting and protective position development is minimal
for tactical vehicles and weapons systems. The emphasis lies on the mobility of the force. Protective positions
for artillery, air and missile defense, and logistics positions may be required in the offense and defense,
although more so in the defense. Stationary command facilities require improved survivability to lessen
vulnerability. During halts in the advance, the terrain enables varying degrees of survivability. Therefore,
based on the threat level and unit vulnerabilities, units should develop as many protective positions as
possible for key weapon systems, command nodes, and critical supplies. For example, the sites of expedient
earth excavations or parapets are determined based on the locations that make the best use of existing terrain.
During the early planning stages, geospatial engineering teams can provide information on soil conditions,
vegetative concealment, and terrain masking along movement routes to facilitate survivability for the force.
When executing offensive operations, the maneuver force uses its COP to link detection efforts to
maneuver to avoid encountering obstacles along the route of attack. The maneuver force can actively avoid
obstacles by interdicting threat countermobility efforts before emplacement or passively avoiding obstacles
by identifying, marking, and bypassing them. Assessments by on-site engineers assist in the decision to
bypass or breach obstacles. If the friendly force commander is compelled to neutralize obstacles, the force
employs the breach tenets of intelligence, breach fundamentals, breach organization, mass, and
synchronization. When possible, bypasses are preferred. They are marked and handed off to follow-on
engineer units for maintenance and improvement. Similarly, line-of-communication bridging replaces assault
bridging, so assault bridging assets remain available for future missions. Assessments that are more technical
are made as soon as possible to determine feasible and suitable improvements to LOCs.
BASICS OF THE OFFENSE
Offensive operations are combat operations conducted to defeat and destroy enemy forces and to seize
terrain, resources, and population centers. They impose the commander’s will on the enemy. A commander
may also conduct offensive operations to deprive the enemy of resources, seize decisive terrain, deceive or
divert the enemy, develop intelligence, or hold an enemy in position. This chapter discusses the basics of the
offense from an engineer perspective, in support of maneuver. To find weaknesses in the enemy’s defense, a
thorough engineer battlefield assessment is essential. Accurately templating the obstacle system facilitates
attacks through gaps and against flanks and helps to avoid the enemy’s strength. The template also provides
the basis for the engineer reconnaissance plan. |
3-34 | 63 | Support to Large-Scale Ground Combat
Engineer Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is vital to verify the accuracy of the assessment. Detailed information on existing
(natural or cultural) and reinforcing obstacles identifies obstacle limits. It also determines whether a bypass
or an in-stride breach is an option. Engineers identify specific reconnaissance requirements and augment
patrols and scouts to identify obstacle characteristics. The maneuver unit must integrate engineer
reconnaissance into the reconnaissance plan. Because engineer reconnaissance teams are ad hoc formations
for engineers, commanders must understand the risk involved in creating them from organic resources and
the drain it creates on platoons and squads. Data gathered by an engineer reconnaissance team should be
transferred to the echelon intelligence section. The geospatial engineering team updates data, extracts data,
and updates the TGD as directed.
During the attack, engineer reconnaissance teams and engineer units provide continuous assessments
of the friendly axis of advance and make recommendations on the use and repair of key routes. They pay
special attention to the main supply routes, bypassed obstacles, and engineer materials in their assigned areas
of operations.
Engineer support to the offense occurs throughout the AO. Engineers provide continuous and
coordinated support to close, consolidation, and support areas. Engineers recommend obstacles, such as
scatterable minefields, that shape the friendly scheme of maneuver. Geospatial engineers provide terrain
visualization products that aid in identifying locations at which friendly forces can affect enemy
reinforcements and employ obstacles. Engineer reconnaissance identifies areas limiting friendly force
mobility and areas requiring additional engineer effort.
Support to Offensive Operations
Engineers support offensive operations by enabling movement and maneuver. The division engineer
ensures that subordinate BCTs conducting offensive operations are task-organized with additional combat
engineering capabilities to enable the maneuver commander’s freedom of action. The division engineer
recommends sustainable command and support relationships for elements augmenting the BCT, which
allows the gaining commander the maximum flexibility to employ assets.
Engineer support to the offense considers tasks when task-organizing additional engineers. The
primary offensive operations are—
* Movement to contact.
* Attack.
* Exploitation.
* Pursuit.
Note. See FM 3-90-1 for more information on Army offensive operations. See ATP 3-90.4 for
more information on combined arms mobility. Table 4-1 provides a summary of engineer
considerations for each type of offensive operation.
Table 4-1. Engineer considerations in the offense
Offensive
Engineer Consideration
Operations
Movement to • Priority for combat engineer support is typically on mobility, although it may
contact rapidly shift to countermobility in anticipation of an enemy counterattack.
• The task organization of engineers must balance task-organizing mobility
capabilities with the lead element to optimize response time and tempo
without increasing risk to the mobility of the main body or limiting the ability
to mass breaching assets against complex obstacles. |
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Table 4-1. Engineer considerations in the offense (continued)
Offensive
Engineer Consideration
Operations
Attacks • The employment of engineer reconnaissance as part of the information
collection effort helps generate obstacle information that provides the
necessary detailed COP of the enemy situation. If breaching is anticipated,
the breach organization is established based on detailed reverse breach
planning. Combined arms rehearsals are critical to the success of
combined arms breaching.
• Engineer priority of effort is on mobility with priority of support to the main
effort.
• Countermobility is provided through the employment of situational
obstacles. It is initially intended to support the isolation and fixing of enemy
forces and to protect friendly flanks.
• Upon seizure of the objective, and depending on the follow-on mission,
engineers are prepared to conduct countermobility and survivability in
support of a defense, while mobility focuses on clearing obstacles or
improving lanes to support friendly mobility.
Exploitation • Engineers support an exploitation by breaching obstacles to facilitate the
maneuver of ground forces, keeping movement routes open, and
emplacing situational obstacles to protect the flanks.
Pursuits • Direct-pressure and encircling forces require engineers to be forward in
maneuver unit formations to quickly breach obstacles that cannot be
bypassed to ensure unimpeded mobility. Engineers also conduct
countermobility and survivability tasks in support of the encircling force.
Legend:
COP common operational picture
The types of offensive operations and the forms of maneuver describe relationships between friendly
forces and the enemy. Planning must always begin with understanding the commander’s desired endstate.
Analyzing and understanding the threat, threat engineer capabilities, and how the terrain affects friendly
action are the best methods of determining the enemy’s intent. FM 6-0 provides a common foundation and
reference for planning. Engineer planning tends to focus on mobility support and likely includes a robust
engineer reconnaissance effort. Because engineer units tend to have habitual command and support
relationships with maneuver commanders conducting the offensive, parallel planning between division and
subordinate echelons is vital in allowing engineer units to position essential assets, establish early linkups,
and task-organize into their supported units. A significantly greater degree of planning centralized at the
division echelon is required when resources from the division are needed to control the maneuvering of
brigade forces, such as a river crossing.
Mobility is a quality or capability of military forces which permits them to move from place to place
while retaining the ability to fulfill their primary mission (JP 3-17). Mobility tasks are those combined arms
activities that mitigate the effects of obstacles to enable freedom of movement and maneuver. Freedom of
mobility is the key to successful military operations.
Engineers shape the terrain. Terrain shaping begins with a thorough visualization of both the enemy
and friendly perspectives of the terrain. Reconnaissance answers information gaps in the understanding of
terrain. Engineers conduct reconnaissance as far in advance of the initial maneuver formation as possible.
The following vignette provides an example of when properly conducted reconnaissance assisted the ground
commander. |
3-34 | 65 | Support to Large-Scale Ground Combat
Bloody River
The Allied Landings in Italy in September 1943 were followed quickly by the liberation
of Naples. The crossing of the Volturno River in October had tied down German forces
in southern Italy, and the next river crossing (into the Liri Valley) was needed to draw
German troops south to ensure success of the Anzio Landing on Italy’s west coast. In
theory, the enemy would be caught in a great pincer movement (now called a double
envelopment).
By year’s end, a reinforced German army of 23 divisions consisting of 215,000 troops
engaged in the south as 265,000 troops in reserve in the north were conducting a slow
withdrawal under pressure from the United States Fifth Army, the Commonwealth, and
the Allied forces of the British Eighth Army. South of Rome, the Germans constructed
three major defensive lines: the Barbara Line, the Bernhard (or Reinhard) Line, and
the most formidable of the three belts—the Gustav Line. The Gustav Line was a system
of sophisticated interlocking defenses, anchored on Monte Cassino, that stretched
across the rugged, narrowest point of the peninsula along the Garigliano and Rapido
Rivers.
The Rapido River was incorporated into the Gustav Line and formed a natural moat,
protecting Monte Cassino. Rapido is an Italian word that means fast or rapid, and the
river was appropriately named. The banks of the Rapido were very steep and, in some
places, vertical. The shallow crossing areas of the Rapido had been scouted by the
Germans, allowing for concentrated, accurate artillery fire. Artillery fire originated from
well concealed gun pits that had been blasted out of the solid rock in the mountainside.
Before the Allied soldiers could get close to the river and attempt the crossing, they
had to contend with flooded ground along the river banks. The Germans had diverted
the Rapido by damming the river near crossing points. Allied soldiers were forced to
walk and crawl across the submerged, near-freezing ground to reach the river, carrying
all of their heavy equipment across the flooded fields. The soggy terrain had made it
impossible to use heavy, tracked vehicles. Tanks could only move single-file on steel
matting laid down by engineering companies. The Germans had only to knock out the
lead tank to render the remaining tanks helpless.
After they crossed the river, the Allied soldiers encountered entanglements of barbed
wire and extensive minefields. While clearing paths across the minefields, the soldiers
were exposed to interlocking machine gun fire from concrete pillboxes. The Germans
cleared the river banks of all obstructions to provide clear fields of fire. After Allied
tanks crossed the river, they then had to contend with antitank ditches. As Allied troops
finally began their attack uphill, the rocky hillsides proved to be a natural, well
protected, concealed fighting position for the Germans. The man-made obstacles of
the Gustav Line added to the natural Italian terrain features, making Monte Cassino a
defender’s dream and an attacking army’s nightmare.
ATP 3-90.4 describes the following primary mobility tasks:
* Conduct breaching.
* Conduct route and area clearance.
* Conduct a gap crossing.
* Construct and maintain combat roads and trails.
* Construct and maintain forward airfields and landing zones.
* Conduct traffic management and enforcement. |
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Conduct Breaching
A breach is a synchronized combined arms activity, under the control of the maneuver commander,
conducted to allow maneuver through an obstacle (ATP 3-90.4). Breaching allows maneuver, despite the
presence of enemy reinforcing obstacles covered by fire. Breaching enables the projection of combat power
through enemy obstacles.
Conduct Route and Area Clearance
Route and area clearance are conducted to eliminate enemy obstacle effects or residual obstacles that
affect the operational area or route. Based on the requirements of the mission, commanders may order route
and area clearance to facilitate mobility within an AO.
Conduct a Gap Crossing
A gap crossing is the projection of combat power across a linear obstacle (wet or dry gap)
(ATP 3-90.4). Gap crossings have historically been described only in the context of crossing rivers. A gap-
crossing mission requires the allocation of specialized crossing resources and a force dedicated to the security
of the bridgehead. While a river crossing is still considered one of the most challenging of gap crossings, a
river is only one type of gap that can obstruct freedom of movement and maneuver. The fundamentals of
crossing wet or dry gaps are essentially the same. Gap crossings are conducted in every type of environment
and use organic and augmented engineer (and other) elements best suited to accomplish the mission. See
ATP 3-90.4 for more information on gap-crossing planning and execution.
A successful gap crossing is characterized by applying gap-crossing fundamentals. These
fundamentals are applied when a gap is encountered in the operational area. These fundamentals are—
* Surprise.
* Extensive preparation (less for a hasty crossing).
* Flexible planning.
* Traffic management.
* Organization.
* Speed.
Construct Combat Roads and Trails
Combat roads and trails facilitate the movement of personnel, equipment, and essential supplies
throughout the AO to achieve the commander’s intent, despite terrain restrictions. Combat roads and trails
enable movement through otherwise untrafficable areas. They also allow forces to bypass obstacles (natural
and man-made), including populated areas and areas with cultural, historical, or religious significance.
Combat roads and trails are a combat engineering mission because they are typically performed in close
support of ground maneuver forces. However, general engineering units also construct combat roads and
trails.
Construct and Maintain Forward Airfields and Landing Zones
Forward aviation combat engineering describes the engineering capabilities that are employed for the
hasty construction or repair of aviation facilities (landing strips, landing zones, forward arming and refueling
points) that support fixed-, rotary-, and tilt-wing aircraft (manned and unmanned). Forward aviation combat
engineering missions are employed to shorten the distance between an aviation unit’s objective areas,
improve unit sustainment, reduce turnaround times, and enhance the availability and responsiveness of
aviation assets.
Conduct Traffic Management and Enforcement
Engineering supports traffic management and control by repairing and clearing roads to improve
trafficability and facilitate movement. These efforts may range from studying traffic patterns to installing |
3-34 | 67 | Support to Large-Scale Ground Combat
permanent traffic control devices. In support of traffic studies, engineers also provide technical expertise on
the design and installation of permanent traffic control devices into the road network.
THEATER ARMY ENGINEER SUPPORT
Engineers at the theater echelon are primarily responsible for building and managing engineer
capabilities during RSOI. This echelon of engineer support also focuses on the challenges associated with
intermediate staging bases and on supporting other types of lodgments, such as ports and airfields. When a
force is able to quickly build combat power, it allows the theater army commander greater flexibility in the
use of that combat power.
A successful operational approach results when commanders orchestrate coherent movements and the
systematic defeat of an opposing force distributed over time and space. The use and denial of man-made
infrastructure coupled with the natural terrain (including waterways) within an AO contribute to this
approach. Properly implemented plans facilitate freedom of maneuver. Creative planning and execution of
engineer disciplines in concert with that framework provide advantages to the ground commander.
CORPS ECHELON ENGINEER SUPPORT
The corps has specific fundamental planning and resourcing responsibility. The corps engineer and his
staff are responsible for developing detailed schemes of engineer support and for providing the extensive
engineer forces and assets required for both missions. EAB combat team engineer units retained by the corps
as operational resources primarily support barrier reduction and river crossings not conducted by the BCT.
Mobility support for corps close operations focuses on the movement of large tactical unit formations from
the corps support area to the brigade rear boundary. Corps-assigned engineer units—
* Expand lanes through minefields and other obstacles breached by assault-division engineers.
* Breach obstacles bypassed by assault forces.
* Upgrade combat roads and trails.
* Keep open key routes designated by the corps G-3.
Corps-assigned bridging capabilities provide assault float bridging and follow-on LOC bridging.
General engineering tasks are executed to maintain LOCs.
The engineer brigade staff mainly acquires and positions resources needed for future operations. The
staff is limited to coordinating the activities of the brigade subordinate groups or battalions and to solving
problems that hinder corps operations. The engineer brigade staff completes the detailed planning necessary
to implement the tasks assigned by the corps order. The staff mainly acquires and positions resources needed
for future operations.
DIVISION ECHELON SUPPORT
The division engineer staff performs many of the same activities for the division as does the corps
engineer staff. Upon deployment into a theater, the division may undergo significant task organization to
enable operations. The division engineer should be prepared to conduct live, virtual, and constructive
offensive operations training exercises with multinational military engineering partners that demonstrate
friendly capabilities. In an immature theater, the division engineer staff should be prepared to modify the
headquarters command building to accommodate the command structure of the next higher echelon for an
interim time. See ATP 3-91 for additional information on division operations.
During large-scale ground combat, a division typically operates in an AO. In combat, the offense is the
decisive element of decisive action. Offensive operations are the primary means for gaining and maintaining
the initiative. The offense aims at defeating, destroying, or neutralizing the enemy. A commander may
conduct offensive operations to deprive the enemy of resources, seize decisive terrain, develop intelligence,
hold an enemy in position, or facilitate other friendly operations. Surprise, concentration, audacity, and tempo
characterize successful offensive operations.
Surprise includes the tempo and intensity in executing the attack plan and in employing unexpected
factors (such as selecting a less than optimal COA), varying tactics and methods, conducting deception |
3-34 | 68 | Chapter 4
operations, and ensuring operations security. An enhanced COP and enhanced terrain visualization enable
engineer commanders to achieve the element of surprise because enemy defensive preparation is better
understood. Engineers assist the ground commander in achieving surprise through obstacle reduction and
situational obstacle employment. The element of surprise is enabled by rapidly overcoming obstacles, thus
increasing the force tempo.
Concentration requires careful prior coordination within the combined arms team, other Services, and
multinational partners. Engineers consider the concentration of effects in planning by integrating geospatial
products and templating threat obstacles and hazards. This effort is further enhanced with the employment
of engineer reconnaissance, which can provide the necessary obstacle information and other technical
information essential for detailed planning. This allows the maneuver force and the engineers who support
them to concentrate reduction assets and overcome complex obstacles as part of the maneuver unit breaching
plan.
Engineers who understand the commander’s intent and operate in a decentralized role can enable the
commander to see the OE and anticipate future operations. With enhanced situational understanding,
commanders can be more audacious. Engineer speed and flexibility are crucial to the attack. The ability to
quickly reduce, mark, and guide the supported maneuver unit through an obstacle is the engineer’s signature
function.
BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM ECHELON SUPPORT
The BCT conducts offensive operations to defeat and destroy enemy forces and to seize terrain,
resources, and population centers. Offensive operations impose the BCT commander’s will on the enemy.
Offensive operations capitalize on accurate and timely intelligence and other relevant information regarding
enemy forces, weather, and terrain. Maintaining the momentum of the offense requires the BCT to quickly
pass through obstacles as it encounters them. The commander plans how and where subordinate forces breach
obstacles that are encountered. Commanders at brigade and task force levels configure engineer capabilities
to emplace obstacles rapidly once on the objective to protect attacking forces from enemy counterattacks.
The commander must carefully consider the most effective command and support relationship for
engineers in support of maneuver elements. In the offense, engineers must be positioned well forward within
maneuver formations to be able to be most responsive. A habitual relationship between engineer and
supported maneuver units enhances effectiveness and efficiency. Engineers must link up with their supported
maneuver unit early in the planning process. During an offensive operation, the commander should keep
changes to the engineer task organization to a minimum. Task organization changes during the offense are
normally linked to time- or event-based triggers. The engineer’s main effort may reinforce the maneuver
commander’s main effort and help ensure the success of the commander’s overall intent. Through a
supporting effort, the engineer’s main effort often ensures the success of a maneuver commander. The
engineer commander may weigh the main effort through the presence of the commander, senior staff, or
additional mobility or countermobility or through an emphasis on resource resupply. The designated priorities
of engineer support should identify the focus of support (M/CM/S) and a point of application.
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
The defense is conducted to defeat an enemy attack, gain time, economize forces, and develop
conditions favorable for offensive or stability operations. Defense plans should not be designed to simply
resist enemy attack. Defensive operations should be concentrated toward reverting to the offense and
decisively defeating the enemy. The engineer focus is on attacking the ability of the enemy to influence
operating areas (countermobility through combined arms obstacle integration and survivability of the
defending force) and on assuring mobility for friendly repositioning or counterattacking forces.
The defending force arrives first on the battlefield and, with the help of engineers, shapes the battlefield
to its advantage. Based on the higher commander’s intent, maneuver commanders, the fire support officer,
and engineers site tactical obstacles to enhance the effects of direct and indirect fires on the enemy. Engineers
provide technical expertise and advice to the commander on tactical obstacle emplacement. Fortifications
allow fires from positions that best disrupt and destroy the attacker. Due to defending force survivability, the |
3-34 | 69 | Support to Large-Scale Ground Combat
defender can postpone the commitment of major forces until the attack develops and then strike the extended
enemy over selected, prepared terrain.
Disruption, flexibility, maneuver, massing effects, operations in depth, preparation, and security
characterize successful defensive operations, as depicted in FM 3-90-1. Defensive operations have a distinct
preparation phase, which is vital to setting the conditions for combat and to giving the defender the tactical
advantage against an attacker. The mission of the engineer staff officer and engineer commanders is to plan
and execute engineer efforts that enhance the ability of the defending unit to combine fires, obstacles, and
maneuver to destroy an attacking enemy. The success of engineers in the preparation of the defense depends
largely on the ability of the division echelon engineer to conduct integrated planning with the division staff
and parallel planning with supporting and subordinate engineer units. The division echelon engineer uses
parallel planning to disseminate the information and intent needed to foster early planning and the preparation
efforts required at subordinate levels. The division scheme of engineer operations, task organization, obstacle
control, survivability guidance, and allocation of resources (barrier materials, munitions, and construction
equipment) enable and focus subordinate unit engineer efforts. With the information provided, subordinate
units can anticipate the limitations of allocated capabilities and prioritize efforts and resources to mitigate
limitations.
Engineer support to the defense includes the simultaneous application of combat, general, and
geospatial engineering capabilities through synchronizing warfighting functions throughout the depth of the
AO. Combat engineering in close support of maneuver forces is the primary focus in the defense; however,
the three disciplines apply simultaneously to some degree. Figure 4-2 shows a notional application of
engineering capabilities supporting the defense and the preponderance of the weight of activities performed.
Legend:
COP common operational picture
EA engagement areas
FACE forward aviation combat engineering
SSGF standard and shareable geospatial foundation
Figure 4-2. Notional engineer support to defensive operations |
3-34 | 70 | Chapter 4
The primary focus for combat engineers in support of defensive operations is to enable combined arms
obstacle integration (countermobility) to facilitate mobility for friendly repositioning or counterattacking
forces. Defensive operations demand the greatest survivability effort. Activities in the defense include
constructing survivability positions for headquarters, artillery, air and missile defense, and critical equipment
and supplies. Activities also include preparing individual and crew-served fighting positions and defilade
fighting positions for combat vehicles. The use of engineer work timelines is essential, and digging assets are
intensively managed. During this period, countermobility efforts compete with survivability resources and
assets. Because of this, it is critical that maneuver commanders provide clear guidance on resources and
priorities of effort. General engineers support tasks that exceed the capability of the combat engineer force
and provide more extensive support to the mobility of repositioning counterattack forces. Examples of
expected missions include the—
* Construction and integration of obstacles.
* Preparation of fighting positions and survivability positions in depth.
* Upgrade and repair of routes that facilitate the repositioning of forces throughout the AO.
During preparation, engineer assets are postured with the task-organized gaining or supported
headquarters, and they initiate the engineer work effort. The equipment work effort is a balance between
countermobility and survivability, as determined by the commander. The effort continues throughout
preparation activities until it is complete or until it is no longer feasible. Significant coordination is required
to resource the materials required for constructing obstacles and fighting positions and to integrate the
obstacles with friendly fire effects. Designated combat engineers provide mobility support for the reserves
or mobile strike force. The engineer staff officer, at appropriate echelons, coordinates for engineer
reconnaissance and surveillance assets to identify specific enemy engineering capabilities (breaching,
bridging, and countermobility assets) to nominate those capabilities for targeting, ensuring timely
destruction.
At the theater level, general engineer support is continuously conducted to harden and prepare
protective positions for facilities and installations. These activities are primarily applied through the
protection warfighting function. General engineering support to protection and survivability continues
throughout operations as improvements are continuously reassessed and an additional effort is made
available. The theater may employ barriers in support of countermobility. (See JP 3-15 for a further
discussion of barriers.) Other general engineer activities applied to enable the sustainment warfighting
function may also be critical to the preparation and conduct of the defense. Enabling mobility throughout the
depth of the AO will remain an engineer mission.
BASICS OF THE DEFENSE
The types of defensive operations are mobile defense, area defense, and retrograde. These types have
significantly different concepts and must be dealt with differently during planning and execution as follows:
* Mobile defense. Engineer support to a mobile defense focuses on using obstacles to defeat enemy
maneuver and on providing mobility to the striking force and reserves. Countermobility and
survivability assets support the fixing force, while many mobility assets support the striking force.
Obstacle control coordinated at the division echelon is directed at the most likely enemy COA
rather than the terrain and may be restricted to assure striking force mobility. Situational obstacles
are advantageous in the mobile defense. These obstacles allow the commander to exploit enemy
vulnerabilities, exploit success, separate follow-on forces, and provide flank protection.
* Area defense. In an area defense, the focus of engineer effort is on providing the maneuver
commander with the ability to hold terrain while enabling maneuver units to concentrate fires from
static positions. Engineers help identify key and decisive terrain that supports the commander’s
concept of operations, with a focus on where the commander wants to kill the enemy. During
obstacle planning, obstacle control measures are designed to give maximum flexibility to
subordinate units while focusing the tactical obstacle effort on terrain retention. The engineer staff
officer must advise the commander of the resource requirements of each subordinate unit based
on its assigned essential M/CM/S and other engineering tasks. The division echelon must balance
these engineer resource requirements. Planning for scatterable mines enables commanders to
accept less risk by not allowing the enemy to cross terrain-shaping obstacles. |
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* Retrograde. Mobility and countermobility are normally the focus of engineer support to a
retrograde. The priority of effort depends on whether the unit is in contact with the enemy. The
underlying purpose of engineer support to the retrograde is twofold as follows:
The mobility of the force must be maintained, regardless of the type of retrograde being
conducted. Mobility focuses on maintaining the ability of the force in contact to disengage
while preserving the main body freedom of maneuver.
The force must be protected because they are particularly vulnerable to enemy actions during
retrograde operations. Consequently, a retrograde is normally conducted under limited-
visibility conditions. Engineers support units left in contact and extend the time available to
the commander by reducing enemy mobility through obstacles, fires, and terrain optimization.
The primary defensive tasks use mobile and static elements. In mobile defense, static positions help
control the depth and breadth of enemy penetration and retain ground from which to launch counterattacks.
In area defense, commanders closely integrate mobile patrols, security forces, sensors, and reserves to cover
gaps among defensive positions. In retrograde operations, some units conduct area or mobile defenses and
security operations to protect other units that are executing carefully controlled maneuver or rearward
movement. Static elements fix, disrupt, turn, or block attackers and gain time for other forces to pull back.
Mobile elements constantly maneuver to confuse the enemy and prevent enemy exploitation.
Defensive Operations Planning
Planning for the defense is inextricably linked to offensive operations and, for planning purposes,
planners conducting the military decisionmaking process (MDMP) should consider the transition from the
offense and the follow-on offensive operations. Engineers work directly with tactical maneuver units during
the seven steps of enagement area (EA) development. EA development (explained in ATP 3-90.8) consists
of the following steps:
* Step 1. Identify likely enemy avenues of approach (AAs).
* Step 2. Determine likely enemy scheme of movement and maneuver.
* Step 3. Determine where to kill the enemy.
* Step 4.* Plan and integrate obstacles.
* Step 5.* Emplace weapon systems, to include the preparation of fighting positions.
* Step 6.* Plan and integrate observation and indirect fires.
* Step 7. Conduct an EA rehearsal.
Note. Although the steps are listed sequentially, the steps marked by an asterisk (*) should be
conducted simultaneously.
During the preparation of the defense, engineers use geospatial products to assist with all aspects of
EA development (AAs, mobility corridors, obstacle emplacements to enable overwatch, an array of friendly
forces to depict the most advantageous lines of sight, indirect fire target reference points). Engineers then
work with intelligence staffs to describe the threat and to predict where the enemy is likely to attack friendly
forces. Engineers also work in conjunction with intelligence staffs to determine sensor capabilities that would
be leveraged to prevent the enemy from maneuvering freely into the defended area. Defensive operations
planning includes security and survivability considerations. The consideration of counterattack planning or
support for the mobile strike force is the same as the typical mobility planning for the offense. The engineer
staff officer works with the other staff members to ensure that the counterattack force can mass its effects on
the enemy for decisive operations. This form of defense helps to define the amount and focus of engineer
effort required. An area defense typically requires a more robust engineer effort due to an increased
survivability requirement. A mobile defense typically requires less effort because it has greater flexibility
and takes advantage of the terrain in depth.
Mobile Defense
The focus of mobile defense is the destruction of the enemy attacker. The mobile defense is organized
to permit the enemy to advance into a position that exposes them to counterattack and envelopment by a |
3-34 | 72 | Chapter 4
mobile reserve. Therefore, the mobile defense trades space and time for achieving a decisive advantage
against the enemy. The defeat mechanism is a large, mobile reserve that must have combat power and
mobility that are equal to or greater than the targeted force.
The division engineer must understand the implications of a force-oriented defense on engineer
functions and operations. Engineer support to the mobile defense concentrates on using obstacles to attack
enemy maneuver and on preserving the mobility of the friendly force. Obstacle planning is more closely
linked to the enemy’s most probable maneuver COA than to terrain. It must support attacking the enemy’s
maneuver in a way that supports destruction by counterattack. Consequently, obstacle planning is more
restrictive than permissive and reduces the flexibility of the brigades. This masses the brigade obstacle effort
at critical areas and preserves the mobility of the counterattack force in the main battle area.
Survivability effort is also tailored to a force-oriented defense that trades space and time for creating
an enemy weakness to exploit by counterattack. To create the conditions for counterattack, brigades must
fight the depth of their sectors from multiple primary and subsequent battle positions. Fortification efforts
support fighting quick engagements from multiple positions by providing primary and alternate hull defilade
fighting positions in primary and subsequent battle positions. The nature of the fight reduces the overall need
for protective obstacles throughout the defense. Protective obstacle effort is concentrated in final subsequent
positions, where the penetration must be blunted to allow counterattack.
The defeat mechanism of the mobile defense is the counterattack by a large, mobile reserve with
combat power and mobility that are superior to the targeted enemy force. The division engineer supports the
mobility of the mobile reserve in two ways. First, obstacle control measures are used to ensure that brigade
obstacle efforts do not limit the mobile reserve’s freedom to maneuver. Second, the division engineer ensures
that the mobile reserve has the necessary dedicated engineer support to maintain its mobility during the
counterattack. It must be able to counter the enemy’s offensive use of obstacles or reduce friendly obstacles
as required by changes in the situation. Above all, the counterattack cannot be stalled by a lack of mobility.
The division engineer must weigh the trade-offs between dedicating engineer forces to the counterattack and
meeting the obstacle and survivability requirements of the main battle area.
Area Defense
The focus of the area defense is on the retention of terrain. The area defense is organized to absorb the
enemy into an interlocked series of positions from which the enemy can be destroyed. In this pattern, the
defeat mechanism is the interlocking nature of defensive positions and the small mobile reserves within
subordinate defenses to defeat local penetrations. The area defense does not promise outright destruction of
the attacker and may require other simultaneous or subsequent operations to achieve a decisive defeat of the
enemy.
The division engineer must understand the implication of the area defense on mobility and survivability
requirements and engineer operations. Likewise, the scheme of engineer operations orients on the retention
of terrain and on enabling the division to concentrate fires from fixed positions. The location of key and
decisive terrain plays a major role in organizing the area defense and becomes the focus of obstacle and
survivability efforts. Division obstacle planning uses obstacle control measures to give maximum flexibility
to the brigades while still focusing tactical obstacle effort on the retention of terrain.
Survivability effort must enable brigades to concentrate fire power from fixed positions. The division
engineer must be sensitive to the increased hardening needs of the brigades in a division area defense. To
fight from more fixed positions, the brigades may require primary, alternate, and supplementary turret-
defilade positions. This is particularly true of brigades defending decisive terrain. The increased requirement
for survivability also entails heavier employment of protective obstacles to break the attacker’s assault.
Integrating defensive positions and small, decentralized, mobile reserves is a key component to
enabling a complete defeat mechanism. The division engineer must ensure that the tactical obstacle effort of
adjacent brigades is coordinated and mutually supporting and achieves an interlocking defense. Additionally,
the division engineer must ensure that the engineer task organization provides the brigades dedicated mobility
support of their respective mobile reserves. |
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Retrograde
Retrograde operations involve organized movement away from the enemy (including delays,
withdrawals, and retirements). Retrograde operations—
* Gain time.
* Preserve forces.
* Place the enemy in unfavorable positions.
* Avoid combat operations in undesirable conditions.
Engagement Area Development
Terrain shaping affects the enemy’s ability to move and maneuver. Terrain shaping enables friendly
forces to engage the enemy at a desired place and time. The employment of obstacles must be linked with
the maneuver commander’s intent on how and where to deploy the bulk of the unit’s combat power and
conduct decisive operations to defeat an attacking enemy. To mass resources, EAs are critical maneuver
corridors that are important to both friendly and enemy forces. Every obstacle, barrier, and minefield is
created to support the maneuver plan and to be evaluated from both an offensive and a defensive posture.
Successful EAs allow for obstacles to be linked to restrictive terrain or natural obstacles. These constructed
obstacles vary by type and with time and supply constraints. Resources and barrier types include networked
mines, scatterable mines, demolition obstacles (such as road craters), constructed obstacles, and field
expedient obstacles.
Obstacle siting is a support rehearsal that is focused on the integration of obstacles and fires. It is
considered a support rehearsal because it supports the EA rehearsal that occurs as the last step in the EA
development process. Engineers must walk the terrain in conjunction with the supported maneuver unit to
ensure that fires cover the EA. See ATP 3-90.8 for more information on the seven steps of EA development.
ENGINEER SUPPORT TO THE THEATER ARMY
The goal of the defense is to defeat the enemy’s attack and to quickly transition to the offense. To reach
this goal, engineers provide synchronized engineer efforts to prioritized deep, close, and support areas. See
ATP 3-90.8 and FM 3-90-1.
Theater army engineer operations apply technical capabilities to create favorable conditions for any
combination of operational elements. While the influence of distinct operational elements may be lessened
for some technically focused engineering tasks, the overall engineer effort must remain integrated within a
combined arms framework. The theater echelon engineer staff (either from the TEC or echelon engineer staff
section) participate in the operations process to synchronize the orchestration and sustainment of primarily
subordinate echelon engineer actions and the application of more technically focused engineer capabilities.
Some generalities can be observed when considering the operational elements and strategic objectives.
For large-scale ground combat, a significant portion of the tailored engineer force tends to have
command relationships to maneuver commanders. The tailored engineer force is pushed using command
relationships in the task organization to tactical echelons for close support of combat operations. This is true
for some general engineering capabilities and for most combat engineering capabilities. Movement and
maneuver requirements are not well defined at higher echelons and are more dynamic in combat operations.
Tailored forces are pushed to subordinate echelons to address these requirements and add flexibility for those
maneuver commanders to react to unforeseen challenges and opportunities.
For defensive operations, operational echelon engineer planners are not typically able to generate
adequate construction capabilities to support the subordinate requirements for movement and maneuver
(countermobility) and protection (survivability). Operational requirements compete for these same
capabilities. Planners recommend priorities for engineer capabilities and then work collaboratively with
unified action partners and subordinate elements to mitigate shortfalls.
Obstacle-emplacement authority is the authority that a commander has to emplace reinforcing
obstacles. Theater commanders are normally delegated the emplacement authority, which is aligned with the
theater rules of engagement. Theater commanders delegate that authority to corps commanders who delegate |
3-34 | 74 | Chapter 4
it to division commanders. Division commanders retain authority unless a higher commander withholds or
restricts it.
ENGINEER SUPPORT TO THE CORPS
Corps engineers aid in the disruption of the enemy attack throughout the depth of the AO. The corps
engineer works closely with the corps staff to ensure that engineer disciplines are integrated into deep, close,
support, and consolidation areas.
The engineer effort in support of deep operations includes providing terrain visualization and
identifying enemy AAs. It also includes planning and executing situational obstacles to disrupt enemy forces.
These forces may include committed, reserve, or follow-on enemy units.
In close areas, engineers shape EAs by integrating the effects of obstacles with direct and indirect fires.
Engineers plan, coordinate, and synchronize survivability to support protecting friendly forces. Finally, they
allocate mobility assets to the counterattack force.
In support areas, Engineers ensure the survivability of C2 facilities by hardening key and critical
infrastructure and creating protective barriers. They strengthen base and base camp defenses. Engineers also
maintain LOCs and facilities.
ENGINEER SUPPORT TO THE DIVISION
A significant consideration for the division echelon is ensuring that subordinate BCTs conducting
defense operations provide adequate additional combat and general engineering capabilities to meet the
requirements. The division echelon must balance the availability of combat and general engineering
capabilities against extensive requirements in support of the protection and movement and maneuver
warfighting functions. Typically, these assets are task-organized in support relationships to optimize their
availability. An exception is that some general engineering units may be task-organized in a command
relationship to a combat engineering unit or an engineer headquarters unit to facilitate integration into the
combined arms team.
Divisions in the defense generally take one of two traditional patterns: mobile defense and area defense.
The fundamental difference between these patterns is their focus-and-defeat mechanism. The scheme of
engineer operations to support the division in the defense is tailored to the type of defense used. The focuses
of engineer efforts, unit missions, and task organization are all inseparably linked to the focus-and-defeat
mechanism of each type of defense. Therefore, the division engineer must understand the area and the mobile
defense and their implications on engineer functions and unit operations.
BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM SUPPORT
The brigade engineer echelon provides a critical function in supporting the defense. As with offense
operations, the ultimate goal is to integrate and synchronize engineer operations with other warfighting
functions. Maneuver and engineer commanders must understand the relationship between maneuver planning
and obstacle integration. The brigade commander’s intent for obstacle and survivability operations provides
the impetus for directing the engineer effort. The engineer estimate process is the base planning tool for
integrating into brigade defensive operations plans. While the process remains the same, each step is tailored
to the needs of defensive operations planning. See ATP 3-34.22 and ATP 3-90.8 for more information on
BCT echelon engineer defense planning.
ENGINEER SUPPORT TASKS TO CONSOLIDATE GAINS
Consolidate gains are the activities to make enduring any temporary operational success and to set the
conditions for a sustainable security environment, allowing for a transition of control to other legitimate
authorities (ADP 3-0). Commanders continuously consider activities necessary to consolidate gains and
achieve the end state. Consolidate gains is integral to winning armed conflict and achieving enduring success.
It is essential to retain the initiative over determined enemies because it ultimately removes their capability
and will for further resistance. It is the final exploitation of tactical success. Engineer forces, when supporting |
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