Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!att!cbnews!military
From: scameron@blake.acs.washington.edu (Scott Cameron)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Scatterable Minefields
Summary: Allocation of Engineers
Message-ID: <14271@cbnews.ATT.COM>
Date: 23 Feb 90 00:59:57 GMT
References: <14124@cbnews.ATT.COM> <14241@cbnews.ATT.COM>
Sender: military@cbnews.ATT.COM
Organization: Univ of Washington, Seattle
Lines: 41
Approved: military@att.att.com



From: scameron@blake.acs.washington.edu (Scott Cameron)

In article <14241@cbnews.ATT.COM>, ssc-vax!shuksan!major@beaver.cs.washington.edu (Mike Schmitt) writes:
>   Well, that's one way.  Scatterable mines are usually air delivered by
>   helicoptor as a 'hasty minefield' to block a choke point (or something
>   like that).  Given that, they usually just lay on the ground.
Actually the preferred method, at least in the US Army, is via artillery.
> 
>   But, Rule #2 in Emplacing a Minefiled is, to cover that
>   minefield with fire - usually indirect fire from mortars or artillery -
>   sometimes with direct fire.   
Another neat trick is to set up a fire-sack, let the "Threat" get bogged
down therein, then drop FASCAM (oops -- FASCAM = FAmily of SCAtterable Mines)
behind them to block the exit.  Its also handy for closing that hole that
the covering force just retreated through...

> 
>   Usually, a combat engineer squad accompanies infantry/armor companies.
Engineers are usually not attached down below platoon level.  So while you
may sometimes get 1 squad per company, its more common to have the entire
cross-attached engineer platoon held as a batallion asset, and then to have
two squads + platoon leader sent out to a company needing engineer support,
with the third sqd kept as reserve.  (Just exactly what to do with the 
engineers is still evolving doctrine -- serious consideration is being given
to assigning a full EN Company to maneuver Bns.  Then you might get an EN plt
per company!)

>   They have organic 'mine-clearing' equipment - so - call up the engineer
>   squad and let them clear it - it's their job.
Usual organic countermine equipment is mine detectors, grappling hooks, 
bangalores, and demo.  Big stuff like MICLICS and the CEV are usually a
(engineer) company or batallion asset, depending on the task organization.
Things like mine plows (ie -- things that attach to tanks) are usually 
armor, not engineer, assets.  > 
-- 
S.D. Cameron   | "...the right of the PEOPLE to keep and bear  |  AOPA | 50 yrs
Univ. of Wash. | arms shall not be infringed." -- U.S. Const.  |      -+-
Seattle WA     | "I know I promised, but ... " -- Geo. Bush    | _____(*)_____
scameron@toby.acs.washington.edu |   My opinions, not theirs   |    WingNut