2011 rhb final revised 02-11-2011

11.Communications (frequencies, call signs, codes).

12.Emergency procedures and signals.

2-8. TASK. This is a specific, clearly defined, decisive and measurable activity/action ( Figure 2-13), accomplished by a Ranger or organization, that contributes to the accomplishment of encompassing missions or other requirements.

2-9. PURPOSE. This is the desired or intended result of the tactical operation stated in terms related to the enemy or the desired situation. Purpose is the Why? of the mission statement and often follows the words “in order to.” It is the most important c omponent of the mission statement (Figure 2-14).

2-10. OPERATION. A military action or the carrying out of a military action to gain the objectives of any battle or campaign. Figure 2-15 shows the types of operations.

Figure 2-13. TASKS

Figure 2-14. PURPOSE

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Figure 2-15. TYPES OF OPERATION

2-11. TERRAIN MODEL. During the planning process, the terrain model (Figure 2-16) offers an effective way to visually communicate the patrol routes and also detailed actions on the objective. At a minimum, the model is used to display routes to the objective and to highlight prominent terrain features the patrol will encounter during movement. A second terrain model of the objective area is prepared. It should be large enough and detailed enough to brief the patrol’s actions on the objective.

a.Checklist. Make sure you include these on your terrain models:

(1)North seeking arrow.

(2)Scale.

(3)Grid lines.

(4)Objective location.

(5)Exaggerated terrain relief and water obstacles.

(6)Friendly patrol locations.

(7)Targets (indirect fires, including grid and type of round).

(8)Routes, primary and alternate.

(9)Planned RPs (ORP, L/ URP, RP).

(10)Danger areas (roads, trails, open areas).

(11)Legend.

(12)Blowup of objective area.

b.Construction. Here are some field expedient techniques to help you construct your terrain models:

(1)Use a 3 x 5 card, MRE box, or piece of paper to label the objective or key sites.

(2)Use string from the guts of 550 cord or use colored tape to make grid lines. Identify the grids with numbers written on small pieces of paper.

(3)Replicate trees and vegetation using moss; green or brown spray paint; pine needles; crushed leaves; or cut grass.

(4)Use blue chalk, blue spray paint, blue yarn, tin foil, or MRE creamer to designate bodies of water.

(5)Make North seeking arrows from sharpened twigs, pencils, or colored yarn.

(6)Use red yarn, M16 rounds, toy Rangers, or poker chips to designate enemy positions.

(7)Construct friendly positions such as security elements, support by fire, and assault elements using M16 rounds, toy

Rangers, poker chips, small MRE packets of sugar and coffee, or preprinted acetate cards.

(8)Use small pieces of cardboard or paper to identify target reference points (TRPs) and indirect fire targets. Show the grids for each point.

(9)Construct breach, support by fire, and assault positions using the same methods, again using colored yarn or string for easy identification.

(10)Construct bunkers and buildings using MRE boxes or tongue depressors/sticks.

(11)Construct perimeter wire from a spiral notebook.

(12)Construct key phase lines with colored string or yarn.

(13) Use colored tape or yarn to replicate trench lines, by digging a furrow and coloring it with colored chalk or spray paint.

NOTE: Clearly identify in a legend all symbols used on the terrain model.

Figure 2-16. TERRAIN MODEL

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Chapter 3

FIRE SUPPORT

Indirect fire support can greatly increase the combat effectiveness and survivability of any Infantry unit. The ability to plan for and effectively use this asset is a task that every Ranger and small unit leader should master. Fire support assets can help a unit by suppressing, fixing, destroying, or neutralizing the enemy. Leaders should consider employing indirect fire support throughout every offensive and defensive operation. This chapter discusses plans, tasks, capabilities, risk estimate distances, target overlays, close air support, elements and sequence of calls for fire, and example call for fire transmissions.

3-1. BASIC FIRE SUPPORT TASKS. The effectiveness of the fire support system depends on successful performance of its four basic tasks:

•Support forces in contact

•Support the battle plan

•Synchronize the fire support system

•Sustain the fire support system

3-2. TARGETING. Objectives are the overall effects the leader hopes to achieve through the use of fire support assets.

a. Decide is the first functional step in the targeting process. A decision defines the overall focus and sets priorities for collecting intelligence and planning the attack. The leader must address targeting priorities for each phase or critical event of an operation. At all echelons, he analyzes one or more alternative COAs. Each is based on–

•Mission analysis.

•Current and projected battle situations.

•Anticipated opportunities.

b. Detect is the second critical function. The G-2 or S-2 directs the effort to detect the HPTs identified in the Decide step. To identify the exact Who, What, When, and How of target acquisition, he works closely with the–

•Analysis and control element.

•FAIO.

•Targeting officer and/ or FSO.

3-3. INTERDICTION. This is an action to divert, disrupt, delay, intercept, board, detain, or destroy the enemy’s military surface capabilities, such as vessels, vehicles, aircraft, people, and cargo, before they can be used effectively against friendly forces, or to otherwise achieve friendly objectives.

a.Limit. Reduce enemy options. For example, direct air interdiction and fire support to limit enemy avenue(s) of approach and fire support.

b.Disrupt. Stop effective interaction between the enemy and his support systems. Reduce enemy efficiency and increase his vulnerability.

c.Delay. Disrupt, divert, or destroy enemy capabilities or targets. In other words, change when the enemy reaches a

point on the battlefield, or change his ability to project combat power from it.

d.Divert. Create a distraction that forces the enemy to tie up critical resources. For example, attack targets that cause the enemy to move capabilities or assets from one area or activity to another.

e.Destroy. Ruin the structure or condition of a vital enemy target. You can define destruction as an objective by stating

a do able number or percentage of an enemy asset or target that the weapon system(s) can realistically achieve. For example, artillery normally says that destruction comprises a 30 percent reduction in capability or structural integrity; maneuver combat forces normally use 70 percent.

f. Damage. This can be a subjective or objective assessment of battle damage, or it can describe the damage to the objective as light, moderate, or severe.

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3-4. CAPABILITIES. Table 3-1 and Table 3-2 show capabilities of field artillery and mortars.

Table 3-1. CAPABILITIES OF FIELD ARTILLERY

DANGER

DANGER CLOSE

1.WHEN THE TARGET IS WITHIN 600 METERS OF ANY FRIENDLY TROOPS (FOR MORTARS AND FIELD ARTILLERY), ANNOUNCE DANGER CLOSE IN THE METHOD OF ENGAGEMENT PORTION OF THE CALL FOR FIRE.

2.WHEN ADJUSTING 5 INCH OR SMALLER NAVAL GUNS ON TARGETS WITHIN 750 METERS, ANNOUNCE DANGER CLOSE. FOR LARGER NAVAL GUNS, ANNOUNCE DANGER CLOSE FOR TARGETS WITHIN 1,000 METERS. FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THIS GUIDANCE CAN RESULT IN FRATRICIDE.

3.AVOID MAKING CORRECTIONS USING THE BRACKETING METHOD OF ADJUSTMENT, BECAUSE DOING SO CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. USE ONLY THE CREEPING METHOD OF ADJUSTMENT DURING DANGER CLOSE

MISSIONS. MAKE CORRECTIONS OF NO MORE THAN 100 METERS BY CREEPING THE ROUNDS TO THE TARGET.

3-5. RISK ESTIMATE DISTANCES. RED applies to combat only. Minimum safe distances (Table 3-3) apply to training IAW AR 350 1. RED takes into account the bursting radius of particular munitions and the characteristics of the delivery system. It associates this combination with a percentage representing the likelihood of becoming a casualty, that is, the percentage of risk. RED is defined as the minimum distance friendly troops can approach the effects of friendly fires without suffering appreciable casualties of 0.1 percent PI or higher.

WARNING

[Commanders] use RED formulas to determine acceptable risk levels in combat only. Specifically, use them to identify the risk to your Rangers at various distances from their targets. Risk estimate distances apply only in combat. In training, use minimum safe distances (MSD).

a. Casualty Criterion. The casualty criterion is the 5 minute assault criterion for a prone Ranger in winter clothing and helmet. Physical incapacitation means that a Ranger is physically unable to function in an assault within a 5 minute period after an attack. A PI value of less than 0.1 percent can be interpreted as being less than or equal to one chance in one thousand.

Table 3-3. RISK ESTIMATE DISTANCES FOR MORTARS AND CANNON ARTILLERY

b. Risk. Using echelonment of fires within the specified RED for a delivery system requires the unit to assume some risks. The maneuver commander determines by delivery system how close to his forces he will allow fires to fall. Although he makes t he decision at this risk level, he relies heavily on the FSO's expertise.

3-6. TARGET OVERLAYS

a.Fire Support Overlay. Figure 3-1 shows contents of fire support overlay.

(1)Non Sterile Fire Support Overlay (Figure 3-2).

(2)Sterile Fire Support Overlay (Figure 3-3). This includes–

(a)Index marks to position overlay on map

(b)Target symbols

•Point target

•Linear target

•Circular target

Figure 3-1. CONTENTS OF FIRE SUPPORT OVERLAY

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Figure 3-2. NON-STERILE FIRE SUPPORT OVERLAY

Figure 3-2. STERILE FIRE SUPPORT OVERLAY

b. PLOT CR Checklist. Using one of these (Table 3-4) helps ensure the leader’s fire support plan is complete. He uses it in identifying all aspects of individual targets before coordination and the OPORD.

Table 3-4. PLOT CR CHECKLIST

3-7. CALL FOR FIRE. Asterisks indicate required elements for a basic call for fire mission. Example call for fire transmissions are shown in Table 3-5.

a.Observer’s Identification - Call Signs.**

b.Warning Order.**

(1)Type of mission.

•Adjust fire

•Fire for effect

•Suppress

•Immediate suppression/immediate smoke

(2)Size of element to fire for effect. When observer does not specify size element to fire, battalion

FDC decides.

c. Method of Target Location.**

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•Polar plot

•Shift from a known point

•Grid

d. Location of Target.**

(1)Grid Coordinate. Six or, if greater accuracy is required, eight digit.

(2)Shift from a Known Point. Send OT direction:

•Mils (nearest 10).

•Degrees.

•Cardinal direction.

•Send lateral shift, right/left, nearest 10m

•Send range shift, add/drop, nearest 100m

•Send vertical shift, up/down, nearest 5m; use only if it exceeds 35m)

(3)Polar Plot.

•Send direction to nearest 10 mils

•Send distance to nearest 100m

•Send vertical shift to nearest 5m e . Description of Target.**

(1)Type.

(2)Activity.

(3)Number.

(4)Degree of protection.

(5)Size and shape (length/width or radius). f. Method of Engagement.

(1)Type of Adjustment. When observer does not request a specific type of fire control adjustment, issue area fire.

(a)Precision fire point target.

(b)Area fire moving target.

(2)Danger Close. This condition exists when friendly troops are within–

(a)600 meters for mortars.

(b)600 meters for artillery.

(c)750 meters for naval guns 5 inches or smaller.

(3)Mark. Used to orient observer or to indicate targets.

(4)Trajectory.

•Low angle (standard).

•High angle (mortar fire or if requested).

(5)Ammunition. Use HE quick unless specified by the observer.

•Projectile (HE, ILLUM, ICM, SMOKE and so on).

•Fuse (quick, timed, and so on).

•Volume of fire (observer may request the number of rounds to be fired).

(6)Distribution.

•100 meter sheaf (standard).

•Converged sheaf (used for small hard targets).

•Special sheaf (any length, width and attitude).

•Open sheaf (separate bursts).

•Parallel sheaf (linear target). g. Method of Fire and Control.

(1)Method of Fire. Specific guns and a specific interval between rounds. Normally adjust fire, one gun is used with a 5 second interval between rounds.

(2)Method of Control: