CHAPTER 2.

PLANNING

The commander initiates survey planning situations for the area of operations. He may also
requirements in the form of an operation order. He request information be obtained during the course of
states his intent, the scheme of maneuver, the rate of survey operations on routes of march, road
movement, the anticipated enemy threat, and the conditions, terrain conditions, volume of refugees,
critical phases of battle. etc. He can then consider all the other factors that
will impact the survey plan.
The survey plan must be simple and adaptable to the
chaotic and rapidly changing environment of the
battlespace. It must provide required control, provide
checks, and be timely.
The Artillery Fire Plan

Ultimately, the survey plan will result in an order The artillery fire plan is part of the maneuver
issued to the survey section. Execution of the order commander’s operation order. It contains information
will ensure accurate and timely fires are delivered, on how artillery will support the maneuver element. The
and help alleviate any lapse in fire support to the following are some essential elements:
maneuver commander.
l Allocating all artillery assets.
Survey planning is conducted at all levels at the same
l Projected changes to allocating artillery assets based
time. Coordination between higher, lower, and
on tactical contingencies in the operation order.
adjacent survey sections during planning will ensure
even distribution of the work load, eliminate l The artillery commander’s concept of artillery
duplication of work, and provide a focus of effort in support.
establishing a common grid. l Priorities of survey.
l Locations of command posts.
The survey officer must have a thorough
understanding of the commander’s intent and l Artillery targets. This may consist of a target list
concept of operations and the artillery fire plan. This worksheet and scheduling worksheet. A target list is
understanding will allow him to prioritize the surveys also included in the fire support plan that includes all
that should be conducted first and what time targets, not just artillery targets. This list may be needed
constraints he has for completion. Coordination with for planning target surveys for non-artillery targets.
the commander’s staff in developing the survey plan l Initial positions and planned movement of units. An
(primarily with the S-3 and S-2) is paramount. overlay may be included. Unit boundaries and range
fans are shown on the overlay.
The survey officer will generally receive the l Artillery target overlay. This overlay includes
commander’s guidance through the S-3. He can artillery targets, fire support coordinating measures
provide the survey officer with operational (FSCMs), and unit boundaries.
information that will affect the survey plan. The S-3
must be kept informed of all survey related problems l Observation and target acquisition plan. It outlines
that will affect the firing units and fire support assets. mission statements for collecting specific
information, reporting requirements, positioning,
and sectors of coverage of the artillery's target
The S-2 can make available mapping, charting, and acquisition assets; e.g., forward observers (FOs),
geodesy products as well as friendly and enemy OPs, and UAVs/RPVs.
 ______________________________________________________________________________________________
2-2 MCWP 3-16.7

required control, and information which deviates

The Survey Plan from SOP are listed.

Coordinating Instructions contains instructions/

The survey plan is written in the five-paragraph order
information common to two or more parties (timelines,
format and is contained in enclosure 6 of the artillery
rally points, etc.)
fire plan, Tab B to Appendix 19 (Fire Support) of
Annex C (Operations) of the Operation Order/Plan.
The five paragraphs in the survey plan will not Administration and Logistics
duplicate the higher level planning documents. Only
This paragraph covers information to ensure service
information necessary for the survey teams to
support is adequate for the mission; e.g., rations,
complete their mission is included. The five-paragraph
ammunition, aid stations or handling of prisoners.
order as it pertains to a survey plan follows.

Command and Signal

Situation
This paragraph covers information such as the location
This paragraph describes the general situation. of the survey officer, survey chief, chain of command,
frequencies, call signs, medical evacuation
Enemy covers intelligence information regarding (MEDEVAC) procedures, and communications
the enemy situation as it affects survey (routes, between survey teams.
weapons, etc.).

Friendly covers the friendly (higher, lower, and

Mission, Enemy, Terrain and Weather,
adjacent units) situation.
Troops and Support Available-Time
Attachments and Detachments covers units who can Available
support the survey mission; e.g., security or
maintenance or units attached to the section. In forming the survey plan, the survey officer must
make an estimate of the situation. Mission, enemy,
Mission terrain and weather, troops and support available-
time available (METT-T) provides the framework for
This paragraph is a clear, concise statement of what that estimate. Considerations include but are not
must be accomplished. limited to the following.

Execution Mission
This paragraph consists of several subparagraphs that The tactical mission of the artillery unit and supported
answer the questions who, what, where, when, and unit(s) will determine the priority of survey work and
commander’s intent. It further establishes general the accuracy required. It also gives an understanding
methods to be used and the priority of work. of the tactical situation surveyors will be operating in
(defensive, offensive, high intensity or low intensity).
Rules of engagement, FSCMs, and boundaries may
Concept of Operations describes in detail the survey hinder survey operations by restricting survey
methods to be used. methods or access to survey control points.

Specific Instructions For Each Party contain specific Enemy

instructions each team needs to accomplish its
portion of the mission. Survey control to be used by The enemy situation has a tremendous influence on
this team, general locations (6-place grids) for survey operations. Disposition of enemy troops may
Marine Artillery Survey Operations ________________________________________________________________________ 2-3

interfere with or limit the movement and capabilities (DS), general support (GS), general support-reinforced
of survey personnel. Communications restrictions (GS-R) or reinforce (R).
(radio silence or jamming) can greatly reduce a survey
team’s effectiveness.
Time Available
The ability of the enemy to degrade survey operations The time available to complete the survey is critical in
by denying terrain or route of march is a prime planning. Providing the required data within the time
consideration. Surveyors must be able to readily allotted may result in a loss of accuracy. The
identify enemy vehicles and positions they may commander must be advised of any possible loss in
encounter, and be trained to call for and adjust fires on accuracy due to time constraints and decide if this is
those targets. The survey section must be equipped acceptable. Time limitations may often be implied or
and trained to take immediate action to respond to the ambiguous and require clarification.
type of enemy force they may encounter (regular
troops, militia, guerrillas, etc.) Enemy air capabilities METT-T elements are interrelated and must be
are also of importance due to the vulnerability of considered together. It is a dynamic framework, not a
survey teams. Lengthy initialization times with PADS checklist. Other factors may have an effect on a survey
or occupying traverse and GPS stations leave plan but are not necessarily covered in METT-T; e.g.,
surveyors exposed to air attack and observation. refugees or political/diplomatic agreements.

Terrain and Weather

Terrain and weather encountered will be a primary Space and Logistics
factor in determining the survey method, and, to some
extent, the priority of installations to be surveyed first.
For the survey planner, space is restricted to his
The survey planner must be familiar with the influence
operational area, within his unit’s boundaries.
of terrain and weather on survey operations. Adverse
Available survey control may only exist outside these
weather conditions greatly reduce the capability of the
boundaries thus requiring additional coordination and
survey teams. Fog, rain, snow, or dust can make
planning.
observation through optical instruments virtually
impossible. Extreme heat or cold decrease efficiency,
and increase the time needed to complete survey. Availability of logistical support must be considered
Reconnaissance to determine the suitability of terrain in all planning. The survey section has a wide array
for the installation to be surveyed is vital. Alternative of equipment that may need servicing or repair.
areas may be required once the proposed position has Regardless of the survey method used, surveyors rely
been reconnoitered. heavily on their motor transport assets to complete
their mission. At the same time they are operating
over a broad area far from their logistics base. Chow,
Troops and Support Available ammunition, water, and petroleum, oil, and
Personnel and equipment available to perform the lubricants (POL) are just some of the supply issues
survey mission greatly affects the plan. The level of that must be addressed.
training determines the methods and time required to
complete the mission. Availability and condition of In addition to evaluating the factors of METT-T, the
surveying equipment may further dictate what survey officer must also understand the
methods can be used and the time required. characteristics of the different survey methods, their
Availability of fire support depends largely on the advantages and disadvantages, and their impact on
tactical mission of the artillery unit; i.e., direct support mission accomplishment.
 ______________________________________________________________________________________________
2-4 MCWP 3-16.7

Position and Azimuth Determining System n Forest: 1 kilometer per hour.

l How far is existing control from the area requiring
The PADS is a vital survey asset. Its primary
survey?
advantage is how fast it provides survey data.
Consider the following: l How much line of sight cutting is required? Is
engineer equipment available to help cut line of
sight; e.g., chain saws, weed eaters or bulldozers?
l Is existing control accessible with a military
vehicle? If not, is existing control within 16 meters l Is the control accessible by military vehicles or does
of a location that will allow autoreflection? equipment have to be carried into the area?
l Is the mission within the PADS operational limits? l What are the accuracy requirements?
l Speed limitations for PADS vehicle: l What means of communications between team
n Cross-country: 10 kilometers per hour. members is available? (Radio, panel marker, hand
and arm signals, etc.)
n Unimproved roads: 25 kilometers per hour.
l Will traverse provide a timely enough response to
n Improved roads: 50 kilometers per hour. the need for survey data?
l Time limitations for PADS vehicle:
n 30-day bias: 2-3 hours. Intersection
n Initialization: 30-45 minutes.
This is the primary method of survey used to
n Update/mark: 5 minutes.
determine target locations. Considerations for
n Autoreflection: 15 minutes. intersection include visibility, the accessibility and
n Mission time: unlimited. availability of control, azimuth marks, and
l Is existing common control available within 55 communications between teams. Intersection can also
kilometers of the planned update point that can be provide update and initialization points for PADS or
used for future updates? locate other critical points other than targets.

l Does PADS support the operational ellipsoid in the

operation order? If not, is user-defined data Astronomic Observations
available?
When weather conditions allow the observation of
l Does PADS meet the accuracy requirements for the celestial bodies, the arty astro method is the primary
unit being supported? means used to determine an azimuth. The firing
battery’s primary method of astronomic observation is
Traverse hasty astro. Consider the following:

Traverse is the preferred conventional survey method. l Do weather conditions allow observations of
Consider the following: celestial bodies?
l Is existing control available of the proper accuracy? l Are celestial bodies within allowable observation
Are azimuth marks available for computed windows relative to time and position?
azimuths, or do azimuths have to be determined by
astronomic observations? l What is the required accuracy?

l Is the area of operations within the UTM north and l Is accurate time available?
south limits? If not, can the section perform manual
computations? RTK/OTF GPS Survey
l Planning considerations:
RTK/OTF is the newest method available to Marine
n Distances traversed: 1-20 kilometers per hour artillery surveyors. Accuracy achieved is well above
(line of sight-dependent). that required for most artillery survey missions. It is
n LOS clearing (jungle): 100 meters per hour. the fastest method available to provide survey data.
Marine Artillery Survey Operations ________________________________________________________________________ 2-5

Consider the following:

The Environment
l Is existing control available or will the base station
be operated in the absolute mode? If control is
available, is there enough control of adequate Survey operations must continue regardless of
accuracy available to be used as calibration points? environmental factors such as climate and terrain.

Are enough communications assets available to

Arctic Areas and Cold Weather Conditions
l

provide each GPS team with a voice radio and an

additional single channel ground and airborne radio Arctic areas and cold weather conditions provide the
system (SINCGARS) radio for digital surveyor with unique problems that must be overcome
communications between the receivers? if the surveyor is to provide adequate survey control to
l Have communications lines of sight been verified in supported units. For the most part, arctic regions
the areas requiring control? If not, has a map provide the same problems as cold weather conditions
reconnaissance shown that communications lines of anywhere else. When committing survey teams to
sight are clear? field operations in extreme cold, the effects of ice,
movement, snowfall, prevailing wind, light refraction,
l Are alternate sites available for the base station and other peculiarities must be considered.
when communications are not available or the
tactical situation forces evacuation of the original Cold seasons can provide the advantages of reduced
position? transportation difficulties in river, lake, and tundra
regions. Survey control can be extended easily along
l What is the required accuracy?
riverbanks, large bodies of water or over the relatively
l Is electronic line of sight to the satellites available? level, treeless plains of the arctic tundra.
If not, is engineer equipment (chain saws, weed
eaters, bulldozers, etc.) available to help cut Equipment malfunctions increase in cold weather
electronic line of sight? conditions.
l Are planned base receiver sites within 10
kilometers of installations requiring survey? If not, PADS operates without performance degradation at
are supplemental positions available? temperature extremes as low as -50°F (-45°C).
Initialization will take longer but the heat exchanger
l What are the enemy radio direction finding assets? exhaust can be covered by a blanket or field jacket to
help reduce heat loss. The vehicle heater should be
used along with windbreaks to maintain an operational
Static/Rapid Static GPS Survey temperature for the PADS.
Static/rapid static survey is the most accurate method
available. Static GPS methods provide geodetic level Optical equipment must be acclimatized before use
accuracy and establish high order survey networks. in cold weather conditions. Temperature equilibrium
Consider the following: will affect both the scales and optics of equipment.
Optical equipment should be stored in an area with
conditions as close to possible as those conditions
l Is time available for occupation of sites and post where they will be used.
processing?
l Is existing control of sufficient accuracy to allow Personnel must be trained in the use of cold weather
for adjustment of GPS measurements? equipment and cold weather field expedients.
l If no control is available, can absolute stations be
established distant enough (at least 50 Existing survey control in arctic regions is sparse to
kilometers) from each other to allow for say the least. Locating existing control will take longer
adjustment of GPS measurements? than in warm weather conditions. This is due in part to
 ______________________________________________________________________________________________
2-6 MCWP 3-16.7

a lack of reference points to help identify or witness Jungle Areas

the stations as well as the need to dig through snow
and ice to find it. Surveyors must understand that a Jungle areas provide obstacles to surveyors such as
pick and shovel can cause severe damage to a survey heat, humidity, and a lack of adequate mapping
control point and that care must be taken when digging products. Line of sight is a major concern, even for
for control. GPS operations, depending on the type of canopy.

Desert Areas Jungle heat will effect the equipment much like desert
heat; however, humidity will increase the effects of
A very large percentage of the world is covered by heat on personnel and create fogging problems for
desert. Operations in desert regions are a common optical equipment.
occurrence. These regions provide for their own
unique obstacles for surveyors. While the open terrain
and normally clear skies allow for long lines of sight Maps for most jungle areas are inadequate except for
and an abundance of celestial bodies for observation, coastlines, rivers, and roads.
other problems do exist.
Existing control will usually be located on
PADS operates without performance degradation at mountaintops. This may preclude the use of PADS
temperature extremes as high as 125°F (50°C). Sand with those stations. Optical line of sight is a major
and dust will clog the PADS air vents and cause the problem for conventional teams, as is electronic line of
PADS to quickly overheat. Covering the PADS to sight for GPS teams.
protect it from sand will have the same effect as the
sand itself. Post operation maintenance including
blowing the air vents clean is more important in desert Urban Areas
regions than in any other environment.
Survey in built-up or urban areas is restricted by
line of sight, communications, the enemy situation,
Optical equipment must be shaded during leveling and
and accuracy.
protected from sand when not in use. Leveling vials
increase about 2 graduations past true center in
temperatures above 100°F and at temperatures PADS operations in urban areas may be the preferred
reaching 120°F, leveling may be impossible. The most method due to line of sight restrictions.
obvious obstacle to survey operations with optical Communications are also restricted due to the limited
equipment is heat waves. Eyestrain is more prevalent range of FM radios in built-up areas.
and instrument operator changes are more frequent.
Observing long distances may not be possible. At
those temperature extremes, survey operations using The tactical situation has a strong influence on
optical equipment should be avoided. survey operations in urban areas. The enemy can be
well hidden in sewers, ladder wells, and windows or
on rooftops. Enemy obstacles; e.g., mines or
Personnel must be trained in desert operations. Noise
barricades, may deny the use of certain terrain or
and light discipline are more important in desert
regions than other environments. Personnel should be routes needed for the extension of survey through or
trained in desert survival techniques since the time around a built-up area.
necessary to acclimatize is not normally available.
Locations of installations are a concern in urban areas.
Existing control in desert areas, like arctic regions, is OPs may have to be placed on rooftops, firing
sparse and hard to locate. The lack of reference points positions in airports, parks, or riverbeds.
and blowing sand will increase the time needed to Reconnaissance and planning are essential for proper
locate these stations. use of survey assets in urban areas.
Marine Artillery Survey Operations ________________________________________________________________________ 2-7

Arrange for Reconnaissance

Mapping, Charting, and Geodesy
Once the tentative plan is formulated, a thorough
ground reconnaissance should be made (if time and
Often, mapping products and existing control will be the tactical situation permit.)
of a different ellipsoid and datum combination than
prescribed in the operation order. Surveyors may be The survey chief ensures the required personnel and
required to perform datum-to-datum transformations equipment are prepared to conduct the reconnaissance.
from the local datum to the operational datum and
develop overlays and provide insight to datum The route of march (with check points) and a brief
problems and transformation accuracy. Most fire itinerary should be provided to the S-2 and S-3. This
support assets and survey computational devices do will allow for coordination with higher, lower, and
not provide for computations outside of the UTM adjacent units, ensuring safe passage of the teams
system or the nonstandard grid zones that exist in and involved. Consideration should be given to challenges,
around Norway. See chapter 4. passwords, and communications during the recon.

Coordination of the logistics requirements of the

reconnaissance should be addressed to the S-4.
BAMCIS Supplies, fuel, repairs, etc., may be provided by units
located in or near the area to be reconnoitered.

The steps for generating the survey plan are found in Additional security requirements should also be
the acronym BAMCIS. requested through the battalion.

Begin Planning Make Reconnaissance

Only those Marines essential to accomplish the recon
Review the commander’s intent, scheme of should accompany the survey officer. Limit the
maneuver, and the artillery fire plan. This amount of equipment taken. During the recon mission
information is used with trig lists and intelligence the survey officer should—
information to develop maps and overlays that
include survey control, current and planned firing l Verify map data.
positions, and fire support asset locations. l Determine validity of his plan.
l Assess trafficability of routes and the condition of
terrain.
Priorities can also be determined at this time as to the l Note weather conditions.
installations or control that will be surveyed first. l Note changes to any intelligence information
received from the S-2.
A warning order should be issued to the survey chief l Make any changes necessary.
and party chiefs to allow for preparation of personnel
and equipment to conduct the reconnaissance. Complete the Plan
Upon returning from the reconnaissance the survey
Using the information above and knowledge of the officer finalizes his plan. The survey order is
capabilities and limitations of the section’s personnel written and briefed to the S-3. If time permits, the
and equipment, make a tentative plan. Also perform a survey plan is added to the artillery fire support
map recon and mentally walk through the tentative plan. The S-2 is also briefed on any changes to the
plan to ensure it will meet all requirements. intelligence fire support plan. The S-2 is also
 ______________________________________________________________________________________________
2-8 MCWP 3-16.7

briefed on any changes to the intelligence

information he provided previously. Survey Sketch

A survey sketch must reflect the survey order. It is

Issue the Order
prepared and provided to the survey teams before the
order is issued so that each portion of the survey
The survey officer issues the survey order to the entire mission is understood. The sketch should be as
section in the form of a five-paragraph order. The detailed as possible without hindering the flexibility of
order may be written or oral. If oral, certain the survey plan.
information should be provided to the survey teams
separately, i.e., strip maps or trig lists. Draw the sketch to scale. Use a large-scale map or
plotting chart for surveys covering large areas or to
enlarge small surveys.
The order should be simple, direct, and thorough. All
the information required to complete the mission Make the sketch self-explanatory.
should be given to the surveyors to allow for action
in the absence of further orders. The order should Show all known and required control. General
describe what needs to be accomplished and when. locations (6-digit grids) can be used for required
The priorities, accuracy, and the methods to be used installations.
should be stated together. Once teams depart they Label all points.
must be able to use their initiative and the
information from the order to deal with the friction Draw a north arrow for orientation purposes if a map
that is bound to occur. is not used.

Include routes that must be taken for security purposes

Use of a terrain model and/or a map during the brief is and restricted areas; e.g., hazards or obstacles.
of great importance for Marines to visualize the
mission and what is expected of them. For PADS operations, a detailed sketch is not always
necessary. Often, a strip map or route overlay that
includes known and required control may suffice.
Time should be provided at the end of the brief for any
questions that may arise. This ensures a thorough Prepare a sketch for an RTK/OTF roving team much
understanding of the mission. the same way as that for a PADS team.

For a static GPS survey, include all stations in the

Any acceptable deviations from current SOP should network, not just the stations planned for that team.
be specifically noted. Include prescribed routes and in some cases pre-
planned observation times.
Supervise A conventional survey sketch must be more detailed
than a PADS team sketch. Along with the information
Once the survey order has been issued and teams above, show—
begin their portions of the plan, the survey chief l All traverse stations.
supervises conduct of the mission while the survey
l All horizontal angles drawn from the rear station to
officer begins the planning process all over again, and
the forward station.
coordinates with the S-3 on future operations.
l Starting and closing azimuths as a dashed line with

an arrow pointing towards the azimuth mark.

As the current mission progresses and the situation
changes, subsequent orders will be issued as frag Since the survey sketch includes a large amount of
orders. The survey chief must maintain close information that can be useful to the enemy, it must
liaison with the survey officer and add to his not be compromised. Destroy it if a serious threat of
situational awareness. capture exists.