brigade levels normally contain the follow-
DECISION AND EXECUTION
ing:
The final step of the decision-making process
Obstacle restrictions (either graphi-
is deciding on and executing a COA.
cally or clearly stated).
Reserve obstacle groups (especially for
passage lanes) and execution criteria
Recommendation and Decision
and plans (see Chapter 6 for details).
The objective of the comparison is to make a
Situational obstacle groups (if any) and
unified recommendation to the commander
an execution matrix (see Chapter 7 for
on the best COA. The staff may give greater
details).
consideration to a COA that requires a more
Engineer unit task organization.
difficult obstacle plan if it looks like the best At the corps level, the following is added to
selection based on other battlefield operat-
the plan:
ing system (BOS) perspectives. The staff
informs the commander where he must
Obstacle zones for separate brigades
and ACRs (and intent, if specified).
accept risk regarding obstacles or request
additional assets to avoid that risk. The staff
See Figure 4-2, page 4-10, for an example of must also be prepared to inform the com-a corps obstacle overlay.
mander where those assets may be obtained
At the division level, the plan also includes
and what influence he may have to exert to
the following:
get them. Knowledge of the higher and adja-
cent unit assets is important.
Obstacle zones for brigades (and
intent, if specified).
The commander chooses the COA to adopt
Guidance on the use and reporting of
for final planning. He may select a specific
protective obstacles.
Obstacle Planning at Corps, Division, and Brigade Levels 4-9
FM 90-7
Engineer unit task organization.
Execution and Supervision
See Figure 4-3 for an example of a division Units refine obstacle plans. They—
obstacle overlay.
Continue to analyze incoming intelli-
gence to ensure the validity of the
At the brigade level, the plan also includes
obstacle plan in comparison to the
the following:
expected threat.
Obstacle belts for the TF (and intent, if
Ensure that subunits report obstacle-
included).
control measures and obstacles as they
Guidance on the use and reporting of
develop and execute their plans (see
protective obstacles..
Appendix B).
Guidance on obstacle ownership and
Shift assets, request additional assets,
emplacement.
or modify the plan based on the obsta-
cle effort completed and new or devel-
See Figure 4-4, page 4-12, for an example of a oping requirements.
brigade obstacle overlay.
Continue planning.
4-10 Obstacle Planning at Corps, Division, and Brigade Levels
FM 90-7
The following paragraphs contain a defen-
forces and the AAs in sector (see Figure
sive scenario for obstacle planning at the
4-5, page 4-13): The enemy has five
division level. The process is the same at the
regimental-size AAs in the division sector. In
corps or brigade level.
the north, two regimental AAs turn into a
division-size AA and then revert to three reg-
imental AAs. In the south, there are three
DIVISION DEFENSIVE SCENARIO
regimental AAs that change into a
This scenario illustrates the integration of
division-size AA.
obstacles into the division decision-making
The staff has completed all other estimates
process in the defense. Note that this illus-
and gathered the information necessary for
tration highlights only certain aspects of the
planning. It has analyzed relative combat
decision-making process and focuses on a
power and determined that the ratios sup-
single COA.
port a defense. In addition, it has analyzed
the higher HQ commander’s mission and
intent. In this case, there are no specific
MISSION ANALYSIS
impacts on division obstacle planning in the
As part of facts and assumptions, the staff
corps’ plan. The staff incorporated the com-
determines the following concerning enemy
mander’s guidance into the plan.
Obstacle Planning at Corps, Division, and Brigade Levels 4-11
FM 90-7
COURSE-OF-ACTION DEVELOPMENT
The staff sketches tentative obstacle belts
The staff developed the following COA (see
(see Figure 4-7, page 4-15). It also draws in Figure 4-6, page 4-14): The division defends areas that require obstacle restrictions. The
in sector to defeat two first-echelon motor-
following paragraphs describe the decisions
ized rifle divisions (MRDs) and a second ech-
the staff made during this process.
elon MRD. The division uses the division
The staff anticipates that the cavalry squad-
cavalry squadron to screen between PL River
ron could employ three disrupting obstacle
and PL Ocean and then conducts battle han-
belts to shape the battle. It groups these ten-
dover to two brigades defending on line. The
tative belts into Obstacle Zone Alpha. Based
northern brigade will defeat an enemy divi-
on the covering-force mission, the obstacle
sion forward of PL Stream. The brigade will
zone must allow maximum flexibility to
then delay back to PL Lake, allowing enemy
employ tactical obstacles. PL River (BHL)
penetration into an apparent salient. The
directly impacts on the obstacle zone’s
southern brigade will defend forward of PL
design. The staff adjusts the rear of the
Stream and allow penetration no greater
obstacle zone forward of PL River to allow
than platoon size. The reserve brigade will
MBA forces to employ tactical obstacles to
CATK along Axis Copperhead into Objective
support the battle handover.
Viper to destroy a second echelon MRD. The
The northern brigade defends in sector
aviation brigade will CATK along Axis Rat-
between PL River and PL Lake. The staff
tler into Objective Cobra, targeting the sec-
considers the mobility requirements for
ond echelon MRD’s C2 and CSS assets.
the reserve brigade’s mission forward of PL
4-12 Obstacle Planning at Corps, Division, and Brigade Levels
FM 90-7
Stream along Axis Copperhead and Objec-
the zone provides for battle handover of the
tive Viper. The staff anticipates that the
northern two regimental AAs. To facilitate
brigade could employ two fixing obstacle
the division’s CATK, the commander
belts forward of PL Stream, one on each AA.
restricts the depth of the obstacle zone to
The staff also anticipates that the brigade
Objective Viper. These requirements dictate
will require two blocking belts on the north-
the shape of Obstacle Zone Bravo.
ern two AAs. Based on these consider-
ations, and to keep the division’s CATK axis
Obstacle Zone Charlie is deep in the brigade
and objective restricted from obstacle
sector. This zone has three regimental AAs.
emplacement, the staff plans two obstacle
To give the brigade commander maximum
zones for the northern brigade.
flexibility, the zone width will cover from the
Obstacle Zone Bravo encompasses the BHL
northern boundary to Axis Copperhead.
(PL River). This zone has two regimental
This covers two of the three AAs. The CATK
AAs. To give the brigade commander maxi-
force will use the third AA. The forward
mum flexibility, the width of this obstacle
edge of the zone is in the vicinity of Objective
zone covers the entire sector. The depth of
Viper. The depth of the zone requires no
Obstacle Planning at Corps, Division, and Brigade Levels 4-13
FM 90-7
restriction; therefore, the brigade’s rear
Note: The examples used to illus-
boundary dictates the zone’s depth.
trate obstacle resourcing above TF
level in Appendix C relate directly
For the southern brigade, the staff uses the
to this scenario.
same approach to develop the shape of
Obstacle Zone Delta. To support the com-
mander’s intent and show a strong defense
COURSE-OF-ACTION ANALYSIS
forward, the staff puts the zone’s rear
The staff analysis of the COA results in
boundary forward of PL Stream. This will
some modifications to the obstacle plan.
cause a concentration of countermobility
They plan a “be-prepared” Obstacle Zone
effort along the BHL to PL Stream.
Golf to support the division reserve’s CATK
The staff must plan for the rearward pas-
into Objective Viper. Obstacle resources allo-
sage of the cavalry. It recommends to the G3
cated to this zone will be for situational
that Lane Blue and Lane Red be restricted
obstacles to fix the enemy formations.
from any obstacle emplacement. The bri-
gades must coordinate directly with the divi-
The aviation brigade is conducting a sup-
porting attack against the second echelon
sion for reserve obstacle groups to close
division’s rear in Objective Cobra. Tactical
these lanes, if required.
obstacles would aid the attack helicop-
Based on the obstacle plan to support the
ters in their fight. The staff tailors Obstacle
COA, the staff determines the resources
Zones Echo and Foxtrot to support the fight
required to support the plan.
in Objective Cobra and Python respectively.
4-14 Obstacle Planning at Corps, Division, and Brigade Levels
FM 90-7
ADAM and RAAM are available. ADAM
The staff does not plan protective obstacles,
and RAAM allocations will require coor-
but it does provide guidance on emplace-
dination with the fire-support coordinator
ment authority and allocates resources for
(FSCOORD).
protective obstacles in the division rear. In
this case, the division authorizes the bri-
DECISION AND EXECUTION
gades to delegate protective-obstacle-
Based on their analysis, the staff recom-
emplacement authority for all types of obsta-
mended the COA in this scenario to the com-
cles to company team level within obstacle
mander, and he approved. The staff prepares
zones. Outside obstacle zones, units only use
the actual orders, to include the obstacle plan
wire obstacles for protective obstacles.
and overlay Figure 4-8, page 4-16, shows this division’s obstacle overlay. The staff also
In the division rear, the division delegates
fills in the details required for a complete
protective-obstacle-emplacement authority
plan. One detail that the staff addresses is
to the base cluster commanders. CSS assets
guidance on protective obstacles.
must survive to provide sustainment to
Obstacle Planning at Corps, Division, and Brigade Levels 4-15
FM 90-7
combat units. Protective obstacles are impor-
scheme of maneuver. In addition, most tacti-
tant for ensuring survivability of CSS assets
cal obstacles are situational. Therefore,
in the rear. The staff determines that the
obstacle planning must result in a plan that
major rear area threat is from air-inserted
is flexible enough to allow emplacement
dismounted enemy troops. Therefore, the
authority and ensure obstacle control during
staff allocates wire and AP mines to the base
the fluid offensive operation.
cluster commanders.
TYPES OF OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
OFFENSIVE OBSTACLE PLANNING
There are certain obstacle-planning consid-
erations that are dependent on the type of
The following paragraphs provide special
considerations and some tools for planning
offensive operation. One common consider-
obstacles to support offensive operations. It
ation is that offensive operations normally
is harder to plan obstacles to support offen-
rely on situational obstacles due to the vari-
sive operations than to support defensive
ety of actions that may occur. The types of
operations. In the offense, it is difficult to
offensive operations are—
determine where obstacles will support the
Movement to contact.
4-16 Obstacle Planning at Corps, Division, and Brigade Levels
FM 90-7
Attack.
Prevent enemy withdrawal.
Exploitation.
Provide flank protection.
Pursuit.
Assist in cutting enemy lines of com-
munication (LOC).
Movement to Contact
A unit conducts an MTC to develop the situ-
Pursuit
ation or to gain or regain contact with the
The pursuit is the desired outcome of an
enemy. The primary consideration for an MTC
attack or exploitation. The pursuit involves
is anticipating actions during movement and
total destruction of a retreating enemy force.
requirements for maneuver and fire support
Commanders use air and ground assets to
when the unit makes contact. A unit con-
intercept, capture, or destroy the enemy.
ducting an MTC normally organizes with
Considerations for obstacle planning in sup-
forward, flank, and rear security elements;
port of pursuit include using them to—
an advance guard; and a main body. Consid-
erations for planning obstacles in support of
Cut off enemy withdrawal routes.
an MTC include using them to—
Allow the friendly force to fix and
Fix the enemy while the main body
destroy the enemy.
maneuvers (forward security element
or advance guard).
TECHNIQUES FOR OFFENSIVE
Assist in defeating enemy attacks
OBSTACLE PLANNING
(flank or rear security elements).
There are two techniques for planning
Support a hasty defense.
obstacle zones and belts to support the dif-
ferent types of offensive operations. They
Attack
are to—
Attacks defeat, destroy, or neutralize the
War-game.
enemy. The same fundamentals apply to all
Use a grid system.
types of attacks, including hasty, deliberate,
spoiling, CATKs, and raids. Considerations
War Game
for planning obstacles in support of attacks
include using them to—
War-game to determine the most likely
Attack reserves or CATK forces.
areas where obstacles will support the
Prevent defending forces from reposi-
scheme of maneuver, and then plan zones or
tioning.
belts in those areas. If requirements for
additional obstacle-control measures arise,
Support the protection of friendly
the staff quickly plans and disseminates the
flanks during the attack.
additional control measures. It can use this
Support a hasty defense following the
technique in obstacle planning in support of
offense.
MTCs and attacks.
Figure 4-9, page 4-18, shows an example of Exploitation
obstacle zones developed to support an
In exploitation, the attacker maintains
MTC. Obstacle Zone S supports the advance
offensive pressure to extend the destruction
guard as it fixes the lead of a moving enemy
of the defending force. Considerations for
force. As the advance guard assumes a
planning obstacles in support of exploitation
hasty defense, the main body maneuvers to
include using them to–
conduct a hasty attack against the flank of
Obstacle Planning at Corps, Division, and Brigade Levels 4-17
FM 90-7
the enemy force. Obstacle Zone T assists in
develops a grid system that encompasses
protecting the flank of the main body. The
the
use of the same technique to support a
deliberate attack is shown in Figure 4-10.
entire division sector. In this case, the staff
uses PLs, grid lines, and boundaries. As the
The unit plans Obstacle Zones A and B to
division crosses PL Puma (LD), the com-
support a hasty defense following seizure of
mander activates zones Alpha and Bravo to
its objectives. They also plan Obstacle Zone
allow units to emplace obstacles to provide
C to support the aviation brigade’s attack on
flank protection. No other proposed obstacle
the enemy reserve or CATK force.
zone is active.
Based on the developing enemy situation,
Use a Grid System
the commander orders the division to
Use a grid system covering the entire AO.
assume a hasty defense along PL Stallion
The grid system is defined by grid lines, PLs,
and activates Obstacle Zones Delta and
Echo. To allow a division CATK, the
and boundaries. This technique is useful for
commander orders the areas of Obstacle
all offensive operations.
Zones Delta and Echo north of the 45 east-