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Issue link: https://engineer.epubxp.com/i/284727
January–April 2014 48 Engineer understand, visualize, describe, direct, and assess the opera- tion. The use of gap-crossing terminology and graphics dis- played how the mission was planned, resourced, and exe- cuted. Understanding doctrine enabled multiple intertwined players to communicate modifcations due to the mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops, time available, and civil considerations. Planning for this operation required cooperation from a variety of personnel ranging from Regional Command– Southwest down to the crossing site commander. Task Force Bayonet worked with the civil affairs section of the provin- cial reconstruction team at Lashkar Gah, the operations and engineer staffs of the 2d Marine Expeditionary Force, and Task Force Helmand and Manoeuvre Battlegroup at Camp Bastion. Due to the amount of information being transferred among players, the operations staff from Regional Com- mand–Southwest gathered everyone into an operational planning team to ensure that the mission was coordinated, synchronized, and supported. Task Force Bayonet worked closely with Task Force Helmand and North Atlantic Treaty Organization authorities under the 4th Battalion, Royal Reg- iment of Scotland. To support clearance operations around the bridge, Task Force Bayonet brought in a U.S. Marine Corps explosive ordnance disposal unit and a Regional Command–Southwest dog team. Task Force Bayonet also provided a squad-size element of sappers from the 82d Engineer Support Company to support route and area clearance and provide inner cordon security at the crossing site. Through participation in mis- sion analysis, course of action development, and war games, the maneuver battle group clearly understood the capabilities of the 1438th MRBC and how the bridge repair force planned to execute the mission. Task Force Bayonet provided sup- port to all planning processes, to include intelli- gence products about past signifcant activity and potential route bypasses in the worst-case scenario for the bridge repair. The efforts by the Task Force Bayonet team contributed to a shared under- standing with the joint partners. Before the operation, the crossing area com- mander offered the following Cs for everyone to focus on: ■ Complexity. Understand the mission, friendly force locations, and the scheme of maneuver. ■ Complacency. Focus on security during a controlled withdrawal since the mission will extend into the early hours of the morning. ■ Communication. Ensure that rehearsals are conducted, that systems can work with each other, and that liaisons are placed with key leaders. ■ Coordination. Work with the same maps and graphics so that reporting is not confused. ■ Composure. Remain cool under pressure; be wary of the threat of suicide, vehicle-borne, improvised explosive devices; and be prepared to engage, with force, if necessary. The joint operational team adhered to these fve Cs in accordance with combined arms gap-crossing doctrine in the execution phase. 3 Execution P hase I: Advance to the gap. Before executing this phase, an extensive reconnaissance was conducted with imagery, maps, and previous on-site visits to the bridge. The 1438th MRBC platoon leader (the crossing site commander) was responsible for the crossing means and the command of the engineers operating within the crossing area. He was familiar with the site and planned the location of the modifed engineer equipment park. An engineer equipment park should be located close enough to the bridging site for assembling, preparing, and storing bridging equipment and material without interfer- ing with traffc at the site. In this case, the advance to the gap did not require an extensive amount of bridging equip- ment, since the overbridge was already emplaced. However, since this route was highly traveled, understanding popula- tion density, traffc patterns, and timing was paramount for the advance to the gap. Following the timely movement of A Soldier observes the initial phase of Afghan contractor construc- tion of the structure beneath the Tom Bridge overbridge. EN Hanson.1.indd 51 3/24/2014 2:19:22 PM