ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
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Offensive Tactics, Techniques, Procedures, and Considerations 07 December 2020 ATP 5-0.2-1 165 A-34. The division tactical command post controls the lead BCT attack across the gap. This command post coordinates and synchronizes movement from the attack position on the far side of the gap. As the battle develops, the division tactical command post may identify the need to reallocate crossing means between units and adjust movements along routes. The division tactical command post coordinates those actions with the division crossing area headquarters. A-35. The division commander typically designates one of the deputy division commanders as the division crossing area commander. The division crossing are commander focuses on getting the division to and across the gap. The crossing area commander is responsible for the movement of forces approaching the gap and within the division crossing area. The crossing area commander ensures the overall traffic management effort is synchronized to flow forces across the gap with the goal of a speedy crossing while preventing congestion and an undesired massing of assets. A-36. A division conducting a deliberate crossing normally is task-organized with either an engineer brigade or a maneuver enhancement brigade. The commander of the attached brigade normally functions as the division crossing area engineer, and their headquarters typically serves as the division crossing area headquarters. A-37. The division crossing area headquarters controls the crossing means within the crossing area and ensures the execution of the crossing plan. The division crossing area headquarters remains functional until the division has completed the crossing or is relieved by a follow-on force. If a maneuver enhancement brigade is designated the crossing area headquarters, and second maneuver enhancement brigade generally needs to be assigned to the division to focus on the other recurring maneuver enhancement brigade mission in the division area of operations. A-38. Usually the lead BCT is responsible for the assured mobility force and is augmented by an engineer battalion. This headquarters provides the staff nucleus to control subordinate battalion task forces movement from their rear boundary up to the bridgehead line. The BCT commander designates a brigade crossing area commander, brigade crossing area engineer, and a crossing site commander. A-39. The brigade crossing area commander is normally either the deputy brigade commander or the brigade executive officer and just like the division crossing area commander, the brigade crossing area commander is responsible for the movement and positioning of elements transiting or occupying positions within the brigade crossing area. A-40. The brigade crossing area engineer is normally the task-organized engineer battalion commander, and their headquarters serves as the crossing area headquarters (which is typically collocated with the BCT main command post). The brigade crossing area engineer is responsible to the brigade crossing area commander for moving the brigade forces across the gap. The brigade crossing area engineer only commands those engineers tasked to move the BCT forces across the gap, not the engineers task-organized to the BCT. A-41. A crossing site commander is designated for each crossing site. The crossing site commander is responsible for all crossing means at that site and for crossing the units that are sent there. This officer commands the engineers operating the crossing means and the engineer regulating points at the call forward areas for that site. It is normally an engineer officer and typically the company commander or platoon leader for the bridge unit operating the site. The crossing area commander maintains the crossing site and decides on the immediate action needed to remove broken or damaged vehicles that interfere with activities at the site. A-42. Commanders conducting a deliberate gap crossing organize their units into assault, assured mobility, bridgehead, and breakout forces. A-43. Assault forces seize far side objectives to eliminate direct fire on the crossing sites and allow bridgehead and breakout forces to secure their objectives. Assured mobility forces provide crossing means, traffic control, and obscuration. The main command post controls the assured mobility forces, which typically include an engineer battalion headquarters with bridge companies and other engineer capabilities, military police, and perhaps chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear units with obscuration capabilities.