ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
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Appendix A 164 ATP 5-0.2-1 07 December 2020 Flexible Planning A-26. Even successful crossings seldom proceed according to plan. A flexible plan enables the crossing force to adapt rapidly to changes in the situation during execution. It allows the force to salvage the loss of a crossing site or to exploit a sudden opportunity. A flexible plan for a gap crossing is the result of thorough staff planning, not chance. The plan should include— Multiple approach routes from assembly areas to crossing sites. Lateral routes to redirect units to alternate crossing sites. Alternate crossing sites and staging areas that can be activated if enemy action closes the primary routes. Alternate gap-crossing means. Crossing equipment held in reserve to open alternate sites or replace losses. Multiple crossing means or methods. Traffic Management A-27. Gap crossings force units to move in column formations along a few routes that come together at the crossing sites. Traffic management is essential to cross units at the proper locations, in the sequence desired, and as quickly and efficiently as possible to maintain momentum. Traffic management prevents massing of targets that are susceptible to destruction by artillery or air strikes. Effective traffic management also contributes to the flexibility of the plan by enabling commanders to change the sequence, timing, or location of the crossing site. A-28. The crossing area commander at each echelon moves and positions forces within the respective crossing area. The crossing area commander coordinates and synchronizes the staff's collective efforts in managing traffic to ensure the flow of forces to the gap is balanced with the crossing rate across the gap. A-29. The unit movement officer develops the unit movement plan according to movement priorities set by the operations officer and the sustainment chief and based largely on the estimated crossing rates developed by the unit engineer and other planners. Each unit movement officer provides the unit vehicle information to the planning headquarters. The movement plan normally consists of a traffic circulation overlay and a road movement table found in the sustainment annex to orders and plans. A-30. The provost marshal section develops the traffic control plan. Military police implement the traffic control plan and play a vital role in supporting gap crossings by assisting the commander in controlling traffic at crossing sites and throughout the crossing area to reduce congestion and promote efficient movement of vehicles. Mission variables influence employing military police for gap crossing. Number and placement of military police units supporting a gap crossing vary with size of the crossing force, direction of the crossing (forward or retrograde), and degree of enemy resistance expected or encountered. A-31. Military police direct crossing units to their proper locations using staging areas, holding areas, and traffic control posts to control movement within the crossing area according to the traffic control plan. Most gap crossings, traffic control posts, and engineer regulating points are located on both sides of the gap to improve communication and coordination between units. Organization A-32. Commanders use the same organic command and control nodes for gap crossings as they do for other missions. These nodes, however, take on additional functions in deliberate gap crossings. For this reason, commanders specify which nodes and staff positions have specific planning and control duties for the crossing. Division and BCT commanders designate a crossing area commander, a crossing area engineer, and a headquarters to specifically focus on efforts needed to cross a gap. Additional engineer or maneuver enhancement brigade headquarters may also provide commanders with additional command and control nodes depending on the size and complexity of the gap crossing. Examples follow of actions by various command and control nodes and commanders during a division wet-gap crossing. A-33. The division main command post, prepare the gap crossing plan. It also conducts deep operations to isolate the bridgehead from enemy reinforcements and counterattacking formation. It controls movement from its rear boundary up to the near side release line.