ATP-3-09-02 Field Artillery Survey Download
Page 25 of 168
Survey Planning 16 February 2016 ATP 3-09.02 2-5 assumed. The necessary survey operations are started immediately. More extensive survey planning is required in areas where survey control is limited. Priority. The priority of work assigned is either listed in the mission or commander's guidance or derived from the mission by the S-3. The priority of work affects the order in which the plan is executed or the type of survey performed. Number of installations. The number and locations of installations to be surveyed must be considered primarily with respect to time and troops available. The survey operations required to locate a few widely scattered installations often take more time and/or personnel than would be required for many closely grouped installations. In the survey plan, the survey tasks should be allocated so that the various survey teams complete their portion most expeditiously. ENEMY 2-17. The enemy situation has a strong influence on survey operations, since the disposition of troops may interfere with or restrict the movement of survey personnel and their equipment. Restrictions on communications, such as radio silence and enemy jamming, can greatly reduce the effectiveness of survey teams. The ability of the enemy to interfere with survey operations by denying use of terrain or routes is of prime importance. When survey operations are restricted, the commander should give priority of survey to those units supporting the main attack. FA surveyors must be able to implement suppressive fire immediately if they receive enemy fire. Terrain and cover must be used as much as possible. The unit standard operating procedure (SOP) should provide for actions to be taken by survey teams when mine or improvised explosive device threat is high and for survey teams that come under fire. TERRAIN AND WEATHER 2-18. The terrain and weather through which survey control must be extended are a primary factor in determining the methods of survey to be used. The survey planner must be so familiar with the effects of terrain and weather on survey operations that he can promptly and properly advise the commander on the time and personnel requirements. Adverse weather greatly reduces the capability of survey teams. Fog, rain, snow, heat, or dust can reduce visibility to the extent that observation through an optical instrument is impossible. Extreme heat or cold can also reduce survey team efficiency and increase the time needed to complete the survey. TROOPS AND SUPPORT AVAILABLE 2-19. The survey personnel and equipment available to perform the survey mission greatly affect the plan. The status of training determines the methods available and time required to perform survey. The availability and operability of survey equipment dictate the methods used in the plan. TIME AVAILABLE 2-20. The time available to complete the survey operation is the most critical factor in planning. Survey planners must use the survey techniques necessary to provide the best survey data within the prescribed time. A tradeoff between accuracy and time may have to be made, depending on the tactical situation. The commander makes the decision to allow decreased accuracy before the survey starts or to accept decreased accuracy on completion of the survey. CIVIL CONSIDERATIONS 2-21. Civil considerations relate to civilian populations, culture, organizations, and leaders within the AO. Commanders consider the natural environment, to include cultural sites, in all operations directly or indirectly affecting civilian populations. Commanders include civilian political, economic, and information matters as well as more immediate civilian activities and attitudes. 2-22. At the operational level, civil considerations include the interaction between military operations and the other instruments of national power. Civil considerations at the tactical level generally focus on the immediate impact of civilians on the current operation; however, they also consider larger, long-term