FMI 3-34.119 - Soldier Support Institute - U.S. Army

Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Planning Considerations7-37. During mission analysis, the staff identifies those specified and implied tasks necessary for themission accomplishment, to include IED defeat tasks. IED defeat must be an integral part of unitoperations, particularly those operations involving maneuver and mobility within the unit AO. Leadersmust coordinate their IED defeat efforts with adjacent units and integrate them as necessary. Often, leaderswill need to coordinate the use of theater-level assets and resources for use in IED defeat operations. IEDdefeat tasks may include―• Reconnaissance (route, zone, area).• Security patrols.• Route security.• Route clearance.• Area security, to include defending critical sites and infrastructure.• Raids.• Cordon and search.• Sniper operations.ENEMY7-38. Both conventional and unconventional forces may use IEDs. However, IEDs are often a weapon ofchoice for insurgents and terrorists due to imbalances in technology or numbers. IEDs allow them to strikewithout exposing themselves. This negates the advantages of conventional forces and allows the insurgentor terrorist to fight on its own terms. Conventional forces are often left to mitigate the effects of the devicewhich impacts upon mission completion.7-39. The defeat of IEDs will often require a more holistic and coordinated approach than merely focusingon the device itself. IED defeat must engage the entire system, to include public support, financing, supply,manufacturing, leadership, and the planning processes of the enemy. Figure 3-1, page 3-3, depicts keynodes and activities within an enemy IED system.7-40. Enemy considerations include their disposition (organization, strength, location, and tacticalmobility), doctrine and/or methods, vulnerabilities, and probable COAs. Focus areas include―• Methods and TTP for initiation of IED.• Common materials used.• Favored targets.• Patterns developed for the areas and location of IED attacks.• Organization (cells, echeloned, and so forth).• Supply sources.• Safe house and safe areas (for the insurgents).• Level of popular support (may vary across the AO).• Communications means.• Known or suspected funding sources.• Known or suspected leadership.TERRAIN AND WEATHER7-41. Terrain and weather are natural conditions impacting both friendly and enemy operations.TERRAIN7-42. The terrain has a direct impact on the selection of objectives and locations for the placement of IEDs.The type of terrain will also impact on the effectiveness of IEDs or the protective measures of friendlyforces. The natural and man-made terrain features not only affect maneuver and mobility in an operation,but can also mask the employment of IEDs. Terrain is analyzed from both the friendly and enemyperspectives using the observation and fields of fire, avenues of approach, key terrain, obstacles, and cover21 September 2005 FMI 3-34.119/MCIP 3-17.01 7-11