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

Chapter 3
CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS
3-28. The current engineer force structure does not provide personnel or equipment dedicated to
reconnaissance efforts. However, engineer units that identify and train personnel, establish SOPs, and
provide necessary equipment for the formation of task-organized reconnaissance teams have effectively
employed ERTs (see FM 3-34.170). The successful employment of engineers in a tactical reconnaissance
role requires a trained engineer staff at the BCT and in the engineer unit providing the capability.
3-29. ERTs have the capability to clear or reduce small obstacles that are not covered by fire or
observation. An ERT’s primary task (with regard to tactical and protective obstacles) is to reconnoiter
obstacles and locate and mark bypasses around obstacles and restrictions. ERTs have the following
limitations:
� The engineer company does not have personnel and equipment listed on the table(s) of
organization and equipment (TOE) or the modified table(s) of organization and equipment
(MTOE) specifically dedicated for reconnaissance activities.
� The team is extremely limited in its ability to destroy or repel enemy reconnaissance units and
security forces.
� The distance the ERT can operate away from the main body is restricted by the range of
communications, the range of supporting indirect fires, and the ability to perform sustainment
operations.
3-30. The team has limited communications capability. Based on the radio configuration of the vehicle
used during the reconnaissance and whether the ERT is working under maneuver element control, the
dedicated monitoring of engineer nets may be difficult. However, with the Single-Channel, Ground and
Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS), the ERT should be able to scan critical engineer nets or, at the very
least, easily switch to the engineer net to report OBSTINTEL. Other communication means, including
digital systems, may not be as capable of rapidly switching linkages to reflect task organization changes.
3-31. The ERT has a very limited obstacle creation and reduction ability because it normally carries a light
basic load of demolitions. Obstacle reduction is normally limited to manually reducing obstacles not
covered by enemy fires and observation.
TECHNICAL AUGMENTATION
3-32. The ERT can be augmented with general engineer capability if required to focus more specifically on
detailed technical information supporting tactical sustainment missions, such as a road reconnaissance in
preparation for MSR upgrade missions. The ERT can also use reachback capability to apply substantial
additional technical resources in support of IR. In some cases, the ERT mission provides the initial
technical information to plan or focus the employment of follow-on assessment or survey elements from
the general engineer force. General engineer capabilities available to add technical expertise include—
� Vertical or horizontal construction specialists.
� Port or pipeline construction expertise.
� Power generation and distribution specialists.
� Water well-drilling and distribution specialists.
� Divers and underwater construction specialists.
� Real estate and facilities management expertise.
� Environmental engineer specialists.
� Structural engineering specialists.
3-33. ERTs may also be augmented with specialized capabilities from within the combat engineer
function. Special training on EH is available for select combat engineers, such as a search advisor course
and explosive ordnance clearance agent (EOCA) training. With EOCA-trained members or when
augmented by EOCAs, the ERT can conduct limited UXO reconnaissance.
3-6 FM 3-34.22 11 February 2009