Assets and personnel that normally support the maneuver battalion include GSR, REMBASS, field artillery, engineer platoon, air defense artillery platoon, Army aviation, and tactical Air Force.
Ground Surveillance Radar
GSR provides the tactical commander with timely combat information and target acquisition data. The primary capability of GSR is to search, detect, and locate moving objects during limited visibility. GSR is capable of accurately locating targets for rapid engagement. It provides early warning of enemy movement and assists friendly forces in movement control.
Tasks
GSR is used to:
Capabilities
GSRs can:
Limitations
GSR limitations are:
Characteristics
GSR should be used with NODS as complementary surveillance devices, since each device can be used to overcome the limitations of the other. Figure 3-2 shows GSR characteristics. GSRs are organic to the MI battalion, intelligence and surveillance (I&S) company. The MI Battalion provides GSRs in direct support (DS) of brigade operations.
Figure 3-2. GSR characteristics.
GSR teams that are DS to the brigade can be attached to maneuver battalion and company elements to support the commanders.
Radar Allocation
Radar is allocated as follows:
Site Selection Factors
General site selection should be made in close coordination with the GSR team leader whenever possible; specific site selection should always be left to the team leader. This takes advantage of the team leader’s expertise and knowledge of the GSR. Site selection should provide:
Remember, radars are an extreme electronic security risk. Both the main and side lobes emit sufficient energy for the enemy to detect and use radio ECM. GSRs, once detected, can give indicators to the enemy showing the size and disposition of friendly elements. GSRs can be destroyed or jammed. The following are common-sense OPSEC measures to be used with GSRs:
GSRs can be used in tandem with two or more widely dispersed radars having the capability to illuminate the same target area, alternating operation times. The GSR can also be used with a night vision device that may not have the same range capability, but will provide some coverage when the radar is turned off.
REMBASS
REMBASS is organic to the airborne, air assault, and light division MI battalion, I&S company. REMBASS can remain under division, in general support (GS), or the division can provide it in DS to maneuver brigades, division support command headquarters, armored cavalry squadron, or maneuver battalion. REMBASS teams report directly to the G2 or S2 of the supported unit. The sensor monitoring set, which functions as the sensor output display, provides target identification and classification. In most cases, the sensor monitoring set is placed at the supported unit’s TOC.
REMBASS teams hand deploy the sensors and repeaters; they also provide personnel to operate a monitoring device. REMBASS allocations are different for all divisions and are based on each division’s particular mission. It is important to remember to include the REMBASS team leader in planning REMBASS missions.
Capabilities
REMBASS is an all-weather, day or night surveillance system, activated by magnetic, seismic-acoustic, or infrared changes from moving targets. REMBASS transmits target data by FM radio link to the monitors. With this data the operator can determine the target’s:
REMBASS can operate in unusual climatic conditions and on varied terrain. REMBASS has transmission ranges of 15 kilometers (ground-to-ground), and 100 kilometers (ground-to-air). Because of the flexibility and wide range of REMBASS application, various sensor combinations can be selected to suit any given mission.
Limitations
Hand emplacement of sensors and repeaters in hostile areas increases employment response time. The sensor requires radio LOS to transmit data to the monitor. The equipment’s weight and size limit the amount and distance personnel can hand carry for emplacement. REMBASS receivers are highly susceptible to electronic jamming; barrage jamming is the most effective. Operator proficiency greatly affects the results obtained.
Equipment
REMBASS teams normally use three different types of sensors: magnetic, seismic-acoustic, and infrared-passive. The sensors are arrayed in strings which complement one another. The sensors function automatically, transmitting information when movement, sound, or heat activates them.
Each sensor has detection and classification techniques suited to the physical disturbance (such as magnetic, seismic-acoustic, infrared-passive). Each sensor has a self-disabling and anti-tampering feature built into it.
Experience during Operation Desert Shield indicates an increased radius of detection for sensors emplaced in sand or sandy soil with a silica base, while sensors emplaced in loose rocky soil degrades sensor detection radius. Therefore, it is very important to check the detection radius of each sensor in the type soil of its intended employment and annotate the results on the Sensor Operator Data Record, if the situation permits.
Magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor uses a passive magnetic technique to detect targets and determine the direction of movement (left to right and right to left). This sensor detects moving objects that are at least partially made of ferrous materials. The magnetic sensor will not classify targets. The magnetic sensor is most effectively used as a count indicator for vehicles.
Detection ranges of the magnetic sensor are:
Due to these detection ranges, REMBASS teams must use these sensors within proximity of the expected routes of travel. The weight of this sensor and battery is 3 kilograms.
Seismic-acoustic sensor. The seismic-acoustic sensor detects and classifies personnel and wheeled or tracked vehicles by analyzing target signature. It transmits a target classification report to the monitor. The weight of the sensor and its battery is 3 kilograms.
Detection ranges for the seismic-acoustic sensor are:
Infrared-passive sensor. This sensor detects and responds to a temperature change of 1.5 degrees Celsius within its field of view. It can determine the direction of motion relative to the sensor position. The infrared-passive sensor is most effectively used as a count indicator for personnel. The weight of the sensor and battery is 3 kilograms.
Detection ranges of the infrared-passive sensor are:
Radio repeater. The radio repeater relays data transmissions between the sensors and the monitoring sites. The radio repeater intercepts the encoded radio message from either a REMBASS sensor or another like repeater.
Ranges of the repeater are:
The repeater, like the sensors, has a self-disabling and anti-tampering feature built into it. The weight of the repeater and three batteries is 15 kilograms.
Additional equipment. Additional equipment for the sensor includes:
Figure 3-3 shows site symbols. Adjacent brigades or battalions can monitor the same sensors if they exchange radio frequency information. This lateral monitoring increases the surveillance of units and promotes the exchange of intelligence. For additional information on REMBASS characteristics and employment techniques, refer to FM 34-10-1.
Figure 3-3. Site symbols.
Field Artillery
To properly integrate field artillery assets into the R&S and CR plans, you must understand the capabilities and limitations of this equipment.
A field artillery battalion is both a producer and a consumer of combat information. Field artillery battalions in DS of brigades provide each maneuver battalion headquarters a fire support element (FSE). This element is headed by an FSO. The FSE helps plan, direct, and coordinate fire support operations. The FSE also provides a fire support team (FIST) to each maneuver company.
Forward observers (FOs) from each FIST are deployed to platoons (except in armor battalions) and may accompany reconnaissance patrols or help operate OPs. FOs observe the battlefield to detect, identify, locate, and laser-designate targets for suppression, neutralization, or destruction. They report both targeting data and combat information to the maneuver battalion FSO and S2.
The FISTs and FOs are specially equipped for their mission. The laser range finder provides an accurate distance measurement to a target. Using the ground or vehicular laser locator designator, the FO can determine distance, direction, and vertical angle. The FO can also laser-designate targets for Army, Navy, and Air Force laser-guided munitions.
The capability of the FIST to provide real-time combat information cannot be overemphasized. The FIST vehicle (FISTV) is capable of accurate target location through the combination of a manual calculation laser range finder and a self-location capability. It has a digital and voice interface with the fire support system and a thermal sight.
The FISTV can locate targets out to 10 kilometers and designate targets out to 5 kilometers. However, its electro-optics capability cannot provide acquisition beyond direct fire range (5 kilometers).
Maneuver company and troop FISTS and combat observation and laser teams use the FISTV. The FISTV has only LOS target-acquisition capability. When on the move, it cannot designate targets. The thermal sight’s range limitation is within 3 kilometers of its field of vision. Being mounted on an M113 chassis, it lacks the mobility and armor protection of the maneuver forces it supports.
Engineer Platoon
The maneuver battalion receives engineer support from the engineer company normally placed in DS of the brigade. Usually an engineer platoon supports a battalion. The mission of this engineer platoon is to provide mobility, countermobility, survivability, and general engineering support.
As the S2, you should learn to tap into this valuable resource for detailed information on natural and constructed terrain features. The S3 and the engineer support officer need to coordinate with each other to integrate engineer assets into the R&S and CR plans. The engineer support officer can provide key information about the terrain without your having to send out a reconnaissance patrol. In some cases it would prove valuable to have engineers go along with reconnaissance patrols. Engineers can provide expert terrain and obstacle analysis.
Air Defense Artillery Platoon
Short-range air defense elements normally support the maneuver battalion. These may include Stinger teams or sections and Vulcan squads. The air defense artillery (ADA) platoon or section leader functions as the battalion air defense officer. The ADA leader works closely with the battalion S2, S3-air, FSO, and air liaison officer (ALO) to plan and coordinate air defense support.
Specifically, the ADA leader would coordinate with you to pinpoint areas of enemy air and ground activity. The battalion air defense officer can tap into resources that look through the battlefield to determine areas of enemy air activity, thus revealing enemy ground activity.
The forward area alerting radar (FAAR) and target data display set provide air alert warning information to Vulcan squads and Stinger teams. This warning includes tentative identification, approximate range, and azimuth of approaching low-altitude aircraft out to 20 kilometers.
Army Aviation
Aviation units support maneuver brigade and battalion commanders. They provide a responsive, mobile, and extremely flexible means to find, fix, disrupt, and destroy enemy forces and their supporting command, control, and communications (C3) facilities. Some aviation assets are capable of performing limited reconnaissance missions; however, most will collect information only as part of normal aviation missions.
You can find out from the Army aviation support officer information concerning enemy activity in areas where aviation assets fly missions. Helicopters can resupply, insert, or extract OPs/LPs or patrols. Combat aviation companies provide airlift support for troops and evacuate equipment, casualties, and enemy prisoners of war (EPWs).
The OH-58D is found in the attack helicopter battalion supporting maneuver brigades and battalions. The crew of the OH-58D consists of a pilot and an artillery fire support coordinator and observer. This aircraft performs two functions. First, when in support of maneuver battalions with FSEs, it is primarily a target acquisition and target attack system. Second, when in support of units where no FSE exists, the OH-58D crew performs a fire support planning and coordination function.
The OH-58D has many of the same capabilities as the FISTV. It has a thermal sight; a laser range finder and designator; a self-location capability; and a digital and voice interface with the fire support C3 system. It can locate and designate targets out to 10 kilometers. Under less than ideal weather conditions it can only detect and recognize targets to within direct fire ranges.
This system provides:
These characteristics make the OH-58D a primary member of Joint Air Attack Team (JAAT) operations.
Tactical Air Force
JAAT is a combination of Army attack and scout helicopters and Air Force close air support (CAS). It normally operates in support of maneuver brigade or battalions. All staff officers participate in planning missions for Air Force support, especially the S2, S3, S3-air, FSO, and ALO. Coordinate through the ALO to receive real-time information from these Air Force assets.
The ALO also provides the means to forward immediate tactical air reconnaissance requests up the chain. Air reconnaissance reports, in-flight combat information reports, and air situation reports are all available through the ALO. The ALO weighs this information against information from the CR and the R&S plans. In this way the ALO can confirm or deny the accuracy of those plans.
