Relaciones entre algunas variables y el género

3-10. Terrain and weather are natural conditions that man has only a limited ability to influence, although terrain includes manmade infrastructure, such as roads and cities.

The commander analyzes terrain and weather for favorable and unfavorable conditions.

The enemy commander analyzes the same cond itions.

Terrain

3-11. The terrain has a direct impact on the selection of objectives; location, mov e-ment, and control of forces; effectiveness of weapons and other systems; and protective measures. Effective use of terrain diminishes the effects of enemy fires, increases the effects of friendly fire, and facilitates surprise. The effects of terrain on operations vary depending on whether a force is on the defense or the offense. For example, cross-compartmented terrain favors the d efender and hinders the attacker.

3-12. An appreciation of terrain — the ability to analyze its impact on operations — is one of the most important skills a commander can posses. Whenever possible, the commander conducts a personal reconnaissance of the terrain where he plans to operate.

Intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) is critical to analyzing and understan d-ing the effect of terrain on friendly and enemy courses of action. Terrain is normally analyzed using the acronym OCOKA, the five military aspects of terrain:

l Observation and fields of fire.

l Cover and concealment.

l Obstacles.

l Key and decisive terrain.

l Avenues of approach.

3-13. The commander considers all aspects when analyzing terrain, focusing on the ones most relevant to the specific situation. Engineer topographic teams provide terrain anal ysis products to help the commander visualize the impact of terrain on his plan.

3-14. Observation and Fields of Fire. Observation is the condition of weather and terrain that permits a force to see the friendly, enemy, and neutral per-sonnel and systems, and key aspects of the environment. The commander evaluates his observation capabilities for electronic and optical line-of-sight surveillance systems, as well as unaided visual observation. The highest terrain normally provides the best observation. For this reason, elevated terrain often draws enemy attention. A field of fire is the area that a weapon or group of weapons may cover effec-tively from a given position. A unit’s ability to observe directly relates to its field of fire.

3-15. The commander’s analysis of observation and fields of fire must consider many factors. Among these factors are the location and effect of dead space, that area within the range of a weapon system, radar, or observer that cannot be covered by fire or obser-vation from a particular position because of intervening obstacles, the nature of the ground, trajectory characteristics, or limitations in the system’s traversing, elevation and depression capabilities. The commander is able to identify potential enemy and friendly engagement areas through his evaluation of observation and fields of fire.

3-16. Cover and Concealment. Cover is protection from the effects of fires.

Concealment is protection from observation and surveillance. The com-mander considers cover and concealment from friendly and enemy perspectives to identify potential friendly and enemy assembly areas, routes and axes used to move

forces, locations of assault positions, ambush locations, and battle positions. Terrain that offers cover and concealment limits fields of fire.

3-17. Obstacles. Obstacles are any physical characteristics of the terrain that impede the mobility of a force. Obstacles can exist naturally, be man-made, or be a combination. Obstacles fall into two categories: existing or reinforcing. The types of existing obstacles are natural, manmade, and military. The types of reinforcing obstacles are tactical and protective. A reinforcing obstacle’s effectiveness varies with the type of force negotiating it, the fires covering it, the nature of the obstacle, and the weather.

3-18. Key Terrain and Decisive Terrain. Key terrain is any locality or area, the seizure or retention of which affords a marked advantage to either com-batant in a given course of action. Terrain adjacent to the commander's area of operation may be key if its control is necessary to accomplish the mission. Decisive terrain, when present, is key terrain whose seizure and retention is manda-tory for successful mission accomplishment. It should be stressed that decisive terrain is relatively rare and is not necessarily a characteristic of every situation. If the commander identifies decisive terrain, he specifies it in his concept for the operation to communicate its importance. Decisive terrain normally is not dependent upon the course of action selected, while key terrain is course of action dependent.

3-19. Avenues of Approach. An avenue of approach is the air or ground route leading to an objective (or key terrain in its path) that an attacking force can use. The size and type of force that can use it characterizes an avenue of approach. (For example, a dismounted infantry company avenue of approach, an a r-mored division avenue of approach, or an attack helicopter company avenue of approach.) A good avenue of approach allows ease of movement and contributes to the protection of the force by providing adequate maneuver space, good cover, concealment, observation, fields of fire, and avoids obstacles. Avenues of approach normally incorp o-rate key terrain or deny its use to the enemy.

3-20. Corridors (ridge and valley systems) can either form natural avenues of a p-proach, if they run towards an objective, or obstacles to movement if they run perpendicular to the direction of movement, forming cross compartments. Troops using valleys as avenues of approach must control the adjacent ridges to protect their mov e-ment. Close or broken terrain, heavy woods, built -up areas, and abru pt changes in elevation hinder heavy forces but provide cover and con cealment for light forces. A

l-though open, rolling terrain provides little concealment and cover to light forces, it is suited for rapid advances by heavy fo rmations.

Weather

3-21. Weather and its effects on terrain impact all aspects of tactical operations.

Weather affects the condition and capabilities of soldiers and weapon systems to include trafficability, visibility, obstacle emplacement times, and munitions performance.

Weather can create opportunities as well as difficulties for each side. For example, bad weather can provide concealment for a moving force while making construction of fighting positions more difficult for the defender. Simultaneously, bad weather helps the defender by making offensive movement more difficult. The commander must look for ways to use weather to his advantage.

TROOPS

3-22. The fourth factor considered in tactical operations is the number, type, and co n-dition of available friendly troops. The commander wants to use the full capabilities of available troops — task organized as an effective combined arms team, reinforcing the strengths and compensating for the weaknesses of the available forces. (For a discussion of each arm and service, tactical echelons, and task organization see Appendix A.) Differences in mobility, protection, firepower, equipment, morale, experience, leade r-ship, and training make some units more suitable for certain missions than others, affecting how the commander employs them. Even the personalities of subordinate commanders are important. A bold commander may be a better choice for a pursuit mission, while a methodical commander may be a good choice to command a unit breaching an extensive obstacle.

3-23. The commander considers his troops when analyzing whether he has enough forces to accomplish his mission. If he determines that he does not, he requests add i-tional resources from his higher commander. Increasing assets in one area may compensate for a shortage of assets in another area. For example, providing an add i-tional artillery battalion to support a force may compensate for its lack of infantry soldiers. The commander must ensure that when he assigns a mission to a subordinate, he provides him with the right mix of troops to accomplish the mi ssion.