FM 3-34.22 - Army Electronic Publications & Forms - U.S. Army

PREPARATION
Combined Arms Breaching Operations
C-22. Intelligence collection continues throughout the preparations for a breaching operation. As
intelligence reports are received, the SITEMP and ISR plan are updated and revised. Intelligence reports
are also used to refine the task organization of support, breach, and assault forces and the scheme of
maneuver (proposed points of breach and target grids for smoke and suppressive fires). Updated
intelligence information is also used during combined arms rehearsals.
C-23. A unit meticulously plans, manages, and controls breaching rehearsals. Time is allocated to each
unit to perform combined arms rehearsals. A rehearsal site should reflect the actual obstacle system in as
much detail as possible. Friendly forces choose terrain similar to the operational area and construct a
practice obstacle system based on OBSTINTEL. At a minimum, rehearsals should include a leader and key
personnel walk-through and individual rehearsals by support, breach, and assault forces. As time permits,
conduct as many full-scale rehearsals as possible. When possible, friendly forces rehearse the operation
under the same conditions (operational environment, obscuration and darkness) expected during the actual
mission. Rehearsals should also include contingencies such as enemy counterattacks and attacks by enemy
indirect-fire systems (artillery, rockets, attack helicopters, other air assets, and enemy use of CBRNE). If
updates become available after the last possible rehearsal, the information should be immediately passed on
to affected elements.
EXECUTION
C-24. Each element of the breaching organization must accomplish its assigned tasks for a breaching
operation to be successful. Additionally, the entire force must be flexible when responding to changes in
the plan. Some changes might be—
� Allocating additional assets to the support force due to attrition.
� Changing the location of the POP.
� Modifying the scheme of reduction and changing the order of the units passing through the
created lane.
C-25. All units must continually update the commander during mission execution. A critical phase of a
breaching operation is the movement of the support force from the LD to its SBF positions. The support
force must be prepared to maneuver to its SBF positions. Additionally, the support force must plan for the
enemy use of SCATMINEs along its axis of advance, which may require it to conduct a breaching
operation. After the support force has occupied its SBF positions and the commitment criteria of the breach
force have been met (achieved necessary suppression and obscuration), the breaching commander should
order the breach force to begin reduction. As the breach force commander maneuvers the force to the point
of breach, he must always remain cognizant of his relationship to the support force to ensure that he does
not unnecessarily mask their fires. Actions by the assault force at an assault position may include—
� Verifying current friendly and enemy situations using tactical reports from company teams or
support forces.
� Issuing FRAGOs and disseminating information to the lowest level.
� Confirming target reference points (TRPs) and direct-fire responsibilities.
� Positioning artillery observers.
� Conducting final prepare-to-fire checks.
� Reorganizing to compensate for combat losses.
C-26. The breach force commander should lead with the security element to allow it to establish nearside
security before the reduction element arrives at the obstacle. As the security element occupies its position,
the reduction element commander should conduct a reconnaissance to acquire obstacle information and
quickly confirm or refine the scheme of reduction. As the reduction element commander brings the element
forward, the exact location where the obstacle will be reduced and the estimated time to reduce, proof, and
mark the obstacle is reported. At the same time, the breach force commander must assess the effectiveness
of the suppression and determine if and how to augment support force fires.
11 February 2009 FM 3-34.22 C-9