SMOKE TRAIN THE FORCE SMOKE CAPABILITIES TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
SMOKE TRAIN THE FORCE
SMOKE CAPABILITIES TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS TIME OF DAY AND WEATHER CONDITIONS TEMPERATURE GRADIENT NIGHT - UNTIL 1 HR AFTER SUNRISE. WIND SPEED IS LESS THAN 9 KMPH (5 KNOTS). CLOUD COVER LESS THAN 30%. STABLE (INVERSION) (IDEAL) DAY - MOST OFTEN BETWEEN 1 TO 2 HRS BEFORE AND AFTER SUNRISE. WIND SPEED IS 9 KMPH (5 KNOTS) OR MORE. CLOUD COVER IS 30% OR MORE NEUTRAL (FAVORABLE) DAY - BEGINNING 2 HR AFTER SUNRISE. WIND SPEED IS LESS THAN 9 KMPH (5 KNOTS). CLOUD COVER IS LESS THAN 30%. SMOKE BEHAVIOR (WIND DIRECTION ) UNSTABLE (LAPSE) (MARGINAL) TRAIN THE FORCE FM 3 -50 App F
SMOKE PLANNING PURPOSE THE US ARMY USES SMOKE AND OBSCURANTS TO: • ATTACK THREAT RECONNAISSANCE , SURVEILLANCE, AND TARGET AQUISITION (RSTA) EFFORTS • PROTECT THE FORCE • SUPPORT TACTICAL DECEPTION OPERATIONS SMOKE - SPECIFIC IMPACTS • SMOKE FAVORS THE ATTACKER; FORCE EXCHANGE RATIOS IMPROVE BY 25% TO 80% FOR THE EFFECTIVE SMOKE USER • PROJECTED SMOKE IS IMPORTANT FOR SUCCESS, BUT RESOURCE INTENSIVE. FIRING UNITS REQUIRE 400% ABOVE NORMAL BASIC LOADS. • SMOKE EMPLOYMENT MUST BE CAREFULLY PLANNED TO AVOID INTERFERENCE WITH FRIENDLY DIRECT FIRE SYSTEMS AND OTHER SUPPORTING TARGET AQUISITION AND EO SYSTEMS WHICH ARE DEGRADED OR DEFEATED BY SMOKE FM 3 -50 & TRAIN THE FORCE TC 3 -10
SMOKE PLANNING BATTLEFIELD APPLICATIONS OBSCURING - ON ENEMY, BLIND GUNNERS AND OBSERVERS, USE OBSCURING SMOKE TO ATTACK AND DEFEAT ENEMY TARGET AQUISITION AND GUIDANCE SYSTEMS AT THEIR SOURCE SCREENING - USE SCREENING SMOKE TO ATTACK ENEMY TARGET ACQUISITION AND GUIDANCE SYSTEMS BY PLACING SMOKE BETWEEN THE FRIENDLY UNIT AND THE SENSORS. DEGRADES ENEMY GROUND AERIAL OBSERVATION. THREE VISIBILITY CATEGORIES FOR SCREENING SMOKE: SMOKE CURTAIN - Vertical development of smoke between enemy forces and friendly units, it will not hamper friendly operations but does not prevent aerial observation. SMOKE BLANKET - Dense smoke used over friendly areas to conceal from enemy ground aerial observation - may degrade mobility concentration of smoke that would allow ID of veh from 0 to 50 meters. SMOKE HAZE - Light concentration of smoke placed on friendly units to restrict enemy observation and fire but not dense enough to disrupt friendly operations - ID of veh from 50 to 150 meters away MARKING - IDENTIFY TARGET, COMMO/SIGNAL PROTECTING - INDIVIDUAL COMBAT VEHICLE, DEFEAT ATGM TRACKING TRAIN THE FORCE FM 3 -50 Page 13
SMOKE PLANNING CATEGORIES DELIBERATE SMOKE - SUPPORT MOBILITY, COUNTERMOBILITY, SURVIVABILITY AND DECEPTION • EXTENSIVE COORDINATION - ADJACENT UNITS, TARGET AQUISITION, RESOURCES • EXTENDED OPERATIONS - LARGE AREA, LONG TIME • SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES - SUPPORT DELIVERY/SMOKE UNITS, FUEL, SMOKE/SUPPLIES MUNITIONS • SIGNIFICANT COMMO REQUIREMENTS HASTY SMOKE - LOCAL ON-CALL SMOKE, SAME PURPOSES • MINIMAL PLANNING, COORDINATION • MINIMAL RESOURCES - LOCAL UNIT ASSETS • SOP/ BATTLE DRILLS EXECUTION TRAIN THE FORCE FM 3 -50 Page 7
SMOKE PLANNING GUIDANCE WHAT DO I WANT SMOKE AND OBSCURANTS TO ACCOMPLISH? (DEGRADE TARGET AQUISITION? CONCEAL THE MOVEMENT OF MY MAIN ATTACK? AID IN DECEPTION? ) WHERE AND HOW LONG AM I WILLING TO SUSTAIN THIS SMOKE CLOUD? (OVER MY OWN POSITION? BETWEEN MY UNIT AND THE ENEMY? ON THE ENEMY? ) HOW MUCH RESTRICTION IN MY OWN MOBILITY CAN I ACCEPT? (VISIBILITY 50 METERS OR LESS? MORE? ) HOW MUCH RESTRICTION IN MY OWN TARGET ACQUISITION AND ENGAGMENT CAPABILITIES CAN I ACCEPT? (IF I DENY ANOTHER’S LASER DESIGNATORS, I ALSO DENY MINE, BUT MY THERMAL SIGHTS ARE UNAFFECTED) WHEN MIGHT ON-CALL HASTY OR DELIBERATE SMOKE BENEFIT ME? (WHERE DOES MY DECISION SUPPORT MATRIX INDICATE I MAY BE EXPOSED AND NEED IMMEDIATE SMOKE TO OBSCURE THE ENEMY? ) HOW WILL COUNTERSMOKE HELP ME? (IF THE ENEMY USES SMOKE, WHERE AND HOW SHOULD I RETALIATE WITH SMOKE TO INTERFERE WITH THEIR SYNCHRONIZATION) TRAIN THE FORCE FM 3 -50 Page 6
SMOKE PLANNING MISSION ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS MANEUVER UNIT COMMANDER’S RESPONSIBILITIES • COMMANDER’S INTENT: • TASK: i. e. Execute Smoke Curtain South of Axis of Advance • PURPOSE: Prevent Enemy AT 5 Acquisition along Southern Wall (Central Corridor) • • VISIBILITY CRITERIA: Haze, Blanket, or Curtain TARGET: Location and size of target. (Designate smoke target as a TAI) TRIGGER: Deliberate or Hasty Smoke based on time phased requirements START TIME: Time that effective smoke is on target - must allow for buildup over target • STOP TIME: Duration of effective smoke • SECURITY OF SMOKE ASSETS: How and with what assets (Combat Power) TRAIN THE FORCE FM 3 -50 Chap 1
Smoke Operations Role of the Smoke PLT • Participate in the planning process of the supported unit • Receive commander’s intent • Recommend a mission • Conduct coordination (Maint, Resupply, CASEVAC, etc. ) • Receive supported unit OPORD and graphics • Develop a thorough plan for execution (OPORD/Graphics) • Smoke Target • Start/Stop Times (Triggers) • Smoke Control • Security • Participate in all necessary rehearsals with the supported unit • TF Rehearsal • Breach Rehearsal • CO/TM Rehearsal • Conduct a Platoon Rehearsal TTP TRAIN THE FORCE
SMOKE IN THE OFFENSE MOVEMENT TO CONTACT BDE ADVANCE GUARD BDE MAIN BODY SMOKE PLATOON PROVIDES SCREENING SMOKE TO CONCEAL MAIN BODY AS IT MANEUVERS TO ASSAULT THE ENEMY SMK ADVANCED GUARD ENCOUNTERS ENEMY AND USES PROJECTED SMOKE BDE REAR GUARD MORT MAIN BODY MOVES FORWARD TO OUTMANEUVER THE ENEMY FORCE TF ADVANCE GUARD SECURITY FORCE SMK TF MAIN BODY PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS: • MOST SMOKE OPERATIONS DURING A MTC WILL BE HASTY SMOKE, INITIATED BECAUSE OF ENEMY CONTACT • USE OF PROJECTED SMOKE SHOULD BE COORDINATED WITH THE EMPLOYENT OF THE SMOKE PLATOON • TYPICALLY, SMOKE PLATOON IN SPT OF MANEUVER FORCES WILL MOVE WITH THE MAIN BODY TTP TRAIN THE FORCE
SMOKE IN THE OFFENSE SECURITY OPERATIONS PL THOR (LD) PL KINKS COA - 4 DECEPTIVE SMK ECHO VALLEY SMK COA -3 (N WALL) SMK LD PREVAILING WINDS COA 5 - ? FOLLOW ON MSNS ? COA - 2 (S WALL) SMK LD SMK COA - 1 DECEPTIVESMK SOUTHERN CORRIDOR SMK PL KINKS PL THOR (LD) TRAIN THE FORCE TTP
SMOKE IN THE OFFENSE DELIBERATE ATTACK APPLICATION OF SMOKE IN THE DELIBERATE ATTACK SCREENING THE LINE OF DEPARTURE SCREENING VUNERABLE FLANKS SCREENING OPEN AREAS SCREENING AN OBSTACLE BREACH SUPPORT DECEPTION OPERATIONS PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS TEMPO - THE M 1059 MECHANIZED SMOKE SYSTEM CANNOT KEEP PACE WITH THE M 1 A 1 AND M 2. MAX SPEED IS APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, HOWEVER, FULLY COMBAT LOADED WITH FOG OIL SPEED IS REDUCED TO 25 MPH MISSION DURATION - THE M 1059 CAN GENERATE SMOKE FOR A MAXIMUM OF TWO HOURS BY OPERATING ONLY ONE GENERATOR. SMOKE PLATOONS EXECUTING LONG DURATION OR MULTIPLE MISSIONS MUST REFUEL TRAIN THE FORCE FM 3 -101 -1 Chap 5
SMOKE IN THE OFFENSE DELIBERATE ATTACK SCREENING AN OBSTACLE BREACH • • • DIFFICULT DUE TO ENEMY OBSTACLES COVERED BY FIRE SMOKE UNITS MUST CONSIDER RANGE OF ENEMY DIRECT FIRE WEAPON SYSTEMS USE OF GENERATED SMOKE DEPENDS ON FAVORABLE STEERING WINDS BLOWING FROM ENEMY SIDE OF OBSTACLE NEGATE THE USE OF GENERATED SMOKE WHEN WIND DIRECTION IS UNFAVORABLE, THE USE OF PROJECTED SMOKE MUST BE CONSIDERED SCREENING THE LINE OF DEPARTURE • LARGE SMOKE HAZES, STARTED WELL BEFORE LD CAN CONCEAL THE INTENDED ROUTE OR AXIS OF ADVANCE • FRIENDLY FORCES CAN USE SMOKE TO CONCEAL THEIR MOVEMENT AGAINST AN ENEMY THAT HAS A CLEAR AND UNHINDERED VIEW OF FRIENDLY MANEUVER • FRIENDLY FORCES CAN MANEUVER WITHIN THE SMOKE HAZES, CHANGE SCHEME OF MANEUVER TO ATTACK THE ENEMY IN A UNEXPECTED POINT TRAIN THE FORCE FM 3 -101 -1 Chap 5
SMOKE IN THE OFFENSE ROLE IN SOSR OBSCURE THE DELIBERATE BREACHING OPERATION MAY REQUIRE LARGE QUANTITIES OF CAREFULLY EMPLOYED ARTIFICIAL OBSCURATION TO SCREEN BREACH AND ASSAULT FORCES AND TO OBSCURE ENEMY FIRES. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR COMPLEX BREACHING PROBLEMS WHERE THE BREACH FORCE IS EXPOSED FOR AN EXTENDED TIME. SMOKE, THEN, IS IMPORTANT IN DECEIVING THE ENEMY AS TO THE BREACHING LOCATION AND INTERFERING WITH HIS FIRES. IF SMOKE PLATOONS ARE AVAILABLE, THEY PROVIDE THE BULK OF THE SMOKE. TRAIN THE FORCE FM 90 -13 -1 Chap 2
SMOKE IN THE OFFENSE ROLE IN SOSR S - SUPPRESS * FOCUS ALL FIRES ON THE ENEMY. * PURPOSE TO PROTECT FORCES REDUCING AND MANEUVERING THROUGH THE OBSTACLE AND TO SOFTEN THE INITIAL FOOTHOLD (ASSAULT FORCE OBJECTIVE). * SUFFICIENT VOLUME (3: 1 MINIMUM) TO ISOLATE BREACH SITE. O - OBSCURE * HAMPERS ENEMY OBSERVATION AND TARGET ACQUISITION AND CONCEALS FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES AND MOVEMENT. * EMPLOYED TO PROTECT OBSTACLE REDUCTION, PASSAGE OF ASSAULT FORCES. S - SECURE * DEPLOYED TO ATTACK OUTPOSTS, FIGHTING POSITIONS NEAR OBSTACLES, OVERWATCH UNITS, AND COUNTERATTACK FORCES. * SUFFICIENT FORCE TO SECURE BREACH SITE TO PREVENT THE ENEMY WITH INTERFERING WITH REDUCTION. R - REDUCE * CREATE LANES THROUGH THE OBSTACLE. FM 90 -13 -1 * CANNOT BEGIN UNTIL THE OTHER SOSR FUNDAMENTALS ARE Chap 2 APPLIED AND BECOME EFFECTIVE. TRAIN THE FORCE
SMOKE IN THE OFFENSE ROLE IN SOSR DECISIONS CRITERIA • Decide the point of penetration • Recon force identifies obstacles and enemy positions and reduction sites • Commence suppression and obscuration fires • Observers are in position • Support force crosses Phase Line “XX” • Support force occupies the support by fire (SBF) position • Critical Friendly Zone in place over the SBF Position • Obscuration in place to screen support force movement • Support force maintains more than 70% combat power • Commit the breach force • Suppression and obscuration is adjusted and effective • CFZ in place over reduction site • Engineer preparations complete • Fire control measures are in effect • Commit the reduction element • Breach force near-side security is in position • Security element controls the reduction site by force or fires • Commit the assault force • Lane is reduced, proofed, and marked • Far-side security is in position TRAIN THE FORCE FM 90 -13 -1 Chap 2
SMOKE IN THE OFFENSE BREACH OPERATIONS N O D I T IN W REC DI KNOWN ENEMY & SUSPECTED ENEMY Ops SMOKED BY ARTY COVERED BY SMOKE, BREACH FORCE MANEUVERS INTO PSN SMK PLT ESCORTED BY SECURITY MAKES CURTAIN OF SMK BETWEEN POP & ENEMY X ----- X----- X -----X ----- X SPT FORCE MANEUVERS INTO PSN & FORMS BASE OF FIRE X ----- X----- X -----X ----- X KNOWN ENEMY STRONGPOINTS SMOKED BY ARTY KNOWN & SUSPECTED ENEMY PSN SMKD BY ARTY TRAIN THE FORCE TTP
SMOKE IN THE DEFENSE SEVEN STEPS OF THE DEFENSE MAP RECON - LEADERS RECON - PREP PHASE 1. KNOW THE ENEMY AND VISUALIZE HOW HE WILL FIGHT 2. SELECT WHERE AND DETERMINE HOW TO KILL THE ENEMY - NORMALLY MORE THAN ONE PLACE - PERFORM BATTLE CALCULUS 3. POSITION OBSTACLE GROUPS TO SUPPORT DIRECT FIRES 4. PLAN INDIRECT FIRES TO SUPPORT DIRECT FIRES 5. POSITION FORCES TO KILL HIM WITH DIRECT FIRES 6. COMPLETE THE PLAN, SITE/EMPLACE OBSTACLES, PREPARE POSITIONS 7. REHEARSE!!! CAN BE DONE SIMULTANEOUSLY / MUST BE DONE REPETITIVELY TRAIN THE FORCE FM 5 -71 -2 Chap 4
SMOKE IN THE DEFENSE MISSION CONSIDERATIONS • CONCEAL WITHDRAWAL OF SCREEN / GUARD FORCE • CONCEAL WITHDRAWAL TO SUBSEQUENT / ALTERNATE POSITIONS • CONCEAL MOVEMENT OF RESERVE FORCE • CONCEAL EMPLACEMENT OF KEY OBSTACLES • OBSTACLE EMPLACMENT DECEPTION TRAIN THE FORCE FM 3 -101 -1 Chap 6
SMOKE IN THE DEFENSE CONCEAL OBSTACLE EMPLACEMENT DECEPTION SMOKE (2400 HRS) CONCEAL TURNING MINEFIELD (0200 HRS) DECEPTION SMOKE (0300 HRS) DECEPTION SMOKE (0100 HRS) CONCEAL VOLCANO (0300 HRS) TTP TRAIN THE FORCE
SMOKE IN THE DEFENSE SCREEN GUARD WITHDRAWAL SMOKE CONTROL AA TTP TRAIN THE FORCE
Smoke Operations Screen Collapse TTP TRAIN THE FORCE
Smoke Planning Triggers • IF SCREENING MOVEMENT… TRIGGER MUST PROVIDE TIME TO ADJUST AND BUILD SMOKE BEFORE TF MOVEMENT IS VISIBLE TO THE ENEMY. TARGET MUST BE PLACED BETWEEN ENEMY OBSERVERS AND TF. • IF OBSCURING SBF FROM DIRECT FIRE… TRIGGER MUST PROVIDE TIME TO ADJUST AND BUILD OBSCURATION ON ENEMY BEFORE SBF FORCE CLOSES WITHIN 4 km OF ENEMY. TARGET ON ENEMY THAT CAN FIRE ON SBF. • IF OBSCURING BREACH FORCE FROM MRPs AT ZOP… TRIGGER MUST PROVIDE TIME TO ADJUST AND BUILD OBSCURATION ON ENEMY MRPs BEFORE BREACH FORCE CLOSES WITHIN DIRECT FIRE RANGE OF MRPs. TARGET ON ENEMY THAT CAN FIRE ON BREACH FORCE. TRAIN THE FORCE
Smoke Operations Smoke Control SMOKE CONTROL SMOKE TARGET WIND • NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE HOW EFFECTIVE SMOKE IS FROM SMOKE LINE SECURITY • SMOKE CONTROL POINT MUST MAINTAIN COMMO WITH SUPPORTED UNIT AND SMOKE UNIT • IMPERATIVE THAT SUPPORTED UNIT CDR OR S-3 MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH SMOKE UNIT TO ADVISE THEM IF THERE IS TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE SMOKE ON THE TARGET ALT SMOKE CONTROL TRAIN THE FORCE FM 3 -101 -1 Chap 3
QUOTE “MAJOR MURPHY TOLD ME THAT HE COULD NOT ADD SMOKE IN THE PLAN SINCE THE STENCIL HAD ALREADY BEEN CUT. THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST FOOLISH REMARKS THAT I HEARD DURING WORLD WAR I. ” GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON, JR PATTON’S DIARY, SEP 8, 1918 TRAIN THE FORCE
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