FM 57-35 Airmobile Operations - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMroadblocks; to locate enemy forces; to disrupt enemy communipationfacilities; and to provide the commander with early warning,security, and information. Normally, these missions are performedby the battle group engineer and reconnaissance platoons. The engineer platoon constructs the roadblocks and obstacles, and preparesbridges for demolition, while the reconnaissance platoon occupiesthe outposts and patrols forward of the RSP. When these unitsland directly on the RSP, consideration must be given to reconnoiteringthe area between it and the FEBA for enemy. Wheninitial objectives are heavily defended, the bulk of the force isemployed to seize them; when they are lightly defended, the bulkof the force may be used to clear assigned sectors as required andprepare defensive positions in depth.b. Units or personnel landed in areas other than those planned,direct their efforts to the general mission and establish contactwith their respective headquarters as soon as practicable.c. As soon as communications and the tactical situation permit,centralized control is established.d. The commander places himself where he can exercise personalinfluence and he promotes successful action by shifting or allocatingartillery, air, and other fire support; by redisposing forces, modifying missions, changing objectives and boundaries; and by employing reserves.e. After initial objectives have been captured, subordinate unitsmay seize additional objectives that make a coordinated defenseeasier to establish. Defensive positions are organized, communication supplemented, reserves reconstituted, and other measurestaken to prepare the force to repel enemy counterattacks, to minimize the effects of attack by nuclear weapons, or to resume theoffensive. Extensive patrolling is begun between adjacent defensive positions along the FEBA and the RSP, and forward of theRSP.68. Development of the Objective Areaa. After the initial ground missions have been accomplished, themajor consideration is to organize the FEBA. The first step is toseize quickly critical terrain features along the FEBA.b. The extent to which the FEBA is occupied and organized fordefense is determined largely by the mission, enemy capabilities,and defensive characteristics of the terrain. Appropriate commanders adjust the preplanned disposition of the troops and installations to fit the realities of the terrain and situation. If themission calls for an early continuation of the ground offensivebeyond the initial limits of the FEBA and if the likelihood of enemy46 AGO 2294B