Dismounted Reconnaissance Troop - Army Electronic Publications ...

Augmenting Combat Power
augments the troop to perform specific focused reconnaissance. (For additional guidance on engineer
missions and employment, see FM 3-34.)
OBSTACLE INTELLIGENCE
7-150. In any operation where enemy obstacles interfere with friendly maneuver, obstacle intelligence
(OBSTINTEL) is one of the information requirements and could become a PIR. Obstacle classification is
one of the high-frequency tasks conducted by ERTs. The task is to conduct classification focused on
answering OBSTINTEL information requirements, including obstacle location, length, width, and depth;
obstacle composition (such as wire or mines by type); soil conditions; locations of lanes and bypasses; and
the location of enemy direct fire systems. An ERT moves with scouts and conducts dismounted
reconnaissance of templated or confirmed obstacles. The purpose of the reconnaissance is not only to locate
the obstacle, but also to determine how best to overcome the effects of the obstacle, whether by reduction
or bypass. The following tasks may be associated with the reconnaissance:
Locating and marking a bypass.
If the obstacle is to be bypassed, employing ERT to provide guides as well as mark the bypass.
Locating and marking the best location to reduce.
Estimating the reduction assets necessary to reduce the obstacle.
Note: OBSTINTEL is an engineer term for gathering information on obstacles.
CLEARING OPERATIONS
7-151. Clearing operations are designed to clear or neutralize explosive hazards and other obstacles from
a route or area. As with most mobility operations, clearing operations are often conducted by a combined
arms force built around an engineer-based clearing force. Clearing operations include route clearance and
area clearance. The engineer focus in clearing operations is again on OBSTINTEL. In support of clearing
operations, the OBSTINTEL must be comprehensive and detailed to enable the neutralization of all
obstacles along or in the route or area. The task is to conduct detailed reconnaissance of obstacles focused
on answering OBSINTEL information requirement: obstacle location, length, width, and depth; obstacle
composition (such as wire or mines by type); and soil conditions. The location of lanes and bypasses as
well as information on enemy positions is also collected, but the focus is on detailed OBSTINTEL.
SECTION V – INTELLIGENCE
7-152. Intelligence drives the conduct of operations; therefore, the IBCT S2 is responsible for ensuring
that the intelligence warfighting function operates smoothly and efficiently so that the commander receives
timely, relevant, accurate, predictive, and tailored information in a timely manner. The commander requires
intelligence about the enemy and the environment prior to engaging in operations to effectively execute
battles, engagements, and other missions within full-spectrum operations. Intelligence assists the
commander in visualizing the environment, organizing the forces, and controlling operations to achieve the
desired objectives or endstate. Intelligence supports protection by alerting the commander to threats and
assisting in preserving and protecting the force.
HUMAN INTELLIGENCE
7-153. Human intelligence is the collection of information by a trained HUMINT collector from people
and their associated documents and from media sources to identify elements, intentions, composition,
strength, dispositions, tactics, equipment, personnel, and capabilities. It uses human sources as a tool and a
variety of collection methods, both passive and active, to gather information to satisfy the commander’s
information requirement and cue other intelligence disciplines. Human intelligence tasks include, but are
not limited to, the following:
Sourcing operations using tactical and other developed sources.
Acting as liaison with host nation officials and multinational counterparts.
Collecting information from the civilian populace, including transients.
16 November 2010 ATTP 3-20.97 7-33