2. Concealment is the protection from observation
Observation and Fields of Fire
or surveillance both air and ground. Some examples
that provide ideal concealment are as follows
Observation and fields of fire are so closely
related that they are considered together. Fields of fire
Woods
are based on observation because a target must be seen
Underbrush
to bring effective fire upon it.
Snowdrifts
The observation considerations are as follows:
Tall grass
Weather conditions
Cultivated vegetation
Time of day
Vegetation
Other features that deny observation
Surrounding terrain
Terrain that provides concealment may or may not
provide cover.
The highest terrain features are generally ideal for
observation. However, during times of poor visibility,
positions in low areas that the enemy must pass
Obstacles to Movement
through may provide better observation.
Obstacles are anything, including a natural or
The field of fire is the area a weapon or group of
artificial terrain feature, that stops, impedes, or diverts
weapons may cover effectively with fire from a given
military movement. Entanglements are set up as
position. When you are selecting a field of fire for a
obstacles along the FEBA or the defensive perimeter
weapon, it is critical to know the capabilities of the
to channel the enemy into the beaten zone of various
weapon. Positioning an M60E3 machine gun with a
weapons held by the defending unit.
400-meter field of fire is poorly using the weapons
capability considering the weapon has a maximum
effective range 1,100 meters. The object is to engage
Avenues of Approach
the enemy as far out as possible.
Avenues of approach are routes the enemy is likely
Cover and Concealment
to travel to reach its objective. When setting up the
defense positions, the platoon commander visualizes
Cover and concealment is used together to
all possible enemy avenues of approach into the area.
provide protection from the effects of fires and
observation.
An evaluation of the avenues of approach,
together with key terrain features, serves as the basis
1. Cover is protection from the effects of fire.
for positioning platoons or squads for planning fire
Examples of ideal cover are as follows:
support. The area selected for defense should afford
Rocks
good observation, fields of fire, and adequate cover
Shell craters
and concealment to the defending forces. The
defender applies the principles of camouflage and
Ditches or quarries
continuously improves camouflage throughout the
Buildings
defensive operation.
Caves
SECURITY
Sunken roads
River banks
Security consists of those measures that prevent
Walls
surprise, avoid annoyance, preserve freedom of
action, and deny to the enemy information about our
Folds in the ground
forces. Security is not only keeping watch to detect
Highway fills
the enemy but also deceiving the enemy as to the
Areas that provide cover from direct fire may
strength of the battalion, location of the weapons, and
other valuable information. Using camouflage
or may not protect against the effects of indirect
fire.
effectively is very important to security.
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