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

Appendix E
HASTY
Figure E-2. Sample deliberate gap crossing
E-6. A hasty gap crossing (wet or dry) is possible when enemy resistance is weak and the gap is not a
severe obstacle. The BCT may seize existing fords or bridges or use organic or expedient crossing means.
Hasty gap crossings are typically for, but are not limited to, gaps 20 meters or less in width and can be
overcome by self-bridging assets (organic or augmented) within the BCT. They are normally done through
tactical bridging (AVLB, joint assault bridge [JAB], Wolverine, or rapidly emplaced bridge system
[REBS]). The SBCT has four organic REBSs, each capable of spanning 13 meters and crossing vehicles up
to military load classification (MLC) 40 (caution crossing). Neither the HBCT nor IBCT has organic
gap-crossing capability, so they require augmentation. Coordination for additional gap-crossing support
from the division must be made as early as possible prior to the crossing.
E-7. A hasty gap crossing is preferable to a deliberate crossing because there is no intentional pause to
prepare. Planned, organized, and executed much like a hasty breaching operation, the unit must consider
the integration of crossing assets in their movement formation, redundancy in crossing means, traffic flow
across the gap, and recovery of crossing assets. To accomplish a gap crossing efficiently, bridging assets
should be located in a position within the maneuver formation where positive control can be maintained.
Because a gap crossing constricts and splits the maneuver force at the crossing site, the plan must be
flexible enough for the commander to be able to make execution decisions based on acceptable opportunity
and threat variances.
Hasty (Wet)
E-8. The depth and width of the wet gap, bank conditions, and current velocity are major factors in
determining the maneuver unit’s ability to conduct a hasty (wet) gap crossing. These factors determine if
the maneuver force can cross by fording or swimming, if expedient materials can be used, or if specific
bridging assets are required. Identifying wet gaps early and deploying the required resources allow hasty
crossings of known or anticipated gaps to occur.
E-4 FM 3-34.22 11 February 2009