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

Engineer Support to Combat Operations
6-77. Engineer success in the preparation phase depends on the ability of the ENCOORD to conduct
integrated planning with the combined arms staff. The ENCOORD must identify the full range of engineer
requirements in support of decisive and shaping operations, understand the capabilities of engineers and
equipment on the battlefield, and determine the resources (manpower, equipment, and material) required
and available to meet the demand. As described in FM 90-7 (to be revised as FM 3-34.13), obstacle
control, intent, and resourcing are top-down driven (initiated by the higher headquarters), whereas the
process of integrating the actual obstacle location with fires is bottom-up driven (initiated by the
subordinate or emplacing unit).
6-78. Engineer focus in the preparation phase is not limited to close combat in the MBA. Each element of
the defensive framework must be considered during engineer mission analysis and accounted for in the
scheme of engineer operations.
6-79. A critical planning piece during defensive operations is EA development. (The results of the
engineer running estimate described in chapter 2 and appendix E support the steps of EA development.)
The following seven steps represent a way to build an EA:
� Step 1. Identify likely enemy AAs. Engineers analyze the terrain, weather, civil considerations,
and enemy M/CM/S capabilities and estimate their effects on mobility. Engineers integrate
geospatial products into tactical decision aids (such as the MCOO) to help commanders and staff
visualize important aspects of the terrain to support planning and decisionmaking.
� Step 2. Determine the likely enemy concept of operations. Engineers analyze the enemy
mission and M/CM/S capabilities to determine and create a template of enemy engineer
activities.
� Step 3. Determine where to kill the enemy. Geospatial products (such as line-of-sight [LOS]
overlays) help commanders and staff design EAs.
� Step 4. Plan and integrate obstacles. The combined arms integration of fires and tactical
obstacles is crucial to achieving success in the defense. Obstacles are integrated into the defense
based on the terrain, obstacle intent (target, location, and obstacle effects), and fires. Methods
for employing situational obstacles and their associated triggers are coordinated and
synchronized. Obstacle emplacement begins after the final determination is made on the location
of friendly weapon systems and fire control measures. Engineers mark obstacles and lanes to
prevent fratricide. (See FM 90-7 for detailed information on obstacle coordination and obstaclesiting
procedures.)
� Step 5. Emplace weapons systems (includes preparation of fighting positions). Geospatial
products can display the suitability of areas for preparing fighting positions based on LOS and
the soil or ground conditions. Engineers incorporate priorities for survivability and manage
survivability tasks using execution matrices and timelines based on the commander’s intent.
(FM 5-103 provides information on preparing fighting positions.)
� Step 6. Plan and integrate indirect fires. Engineers ensure that obstacles are included in the
FS plan and coordinate for situational obstacles, lane closure, and breached-obstacle repair.
Engineers coordinate to ensure that the FS plan is refined based on the actual location and
orientation of emplaced obstacles.
� Step 7. Rehearse the execution of operations in the EA. Engineers emplacing obstacles and
constructing survivability positions rehearse contact actions and movement to assembly areas or
the occupation of fighting positions when defense preparation is complete. Engineers supporting
security, counterattack, and reserve forces conduct combined arms breaching rehearsals and
precombat checks on breaching systems.
Note. Although listed sequentially, Steps 4, 5, and 6 should be performed concurrently.
11 February 2009 FM 3-34.22 6-17