Chapter 11: NBC and Smoke Operations

The use of nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) weapons can have an enormous impact on all battlefield operations.1 Not only does the sheer killing and destructive power of these weapons affect the battlefield, but the strategic, operational, psychological, environmental, economic, and political consequences of their use affect strategic campaign plans and operational design.

In response to foreign developments, the OPFOR maintains a capability to conduct chemical, nuclear, and possibly biological warfare. However, it would prefer to avoid the use of NBC weapons by either side--especially nuclear and biological weapons. Both nuclear and biological weapons characteristically have lethal effects over much larger areas than do chemical weapons. The effects of biological weapons can be difficult to localize and to employ in operations without affecting friendly forces; their effects on the enemy can be difficult to predict. Unlike nuclear or biological weapons, chemical agents can be used to affect limited areas of the battlefield. The consequences of chemical weapons use are more predictable and thus more readily integrated into operation plans.

Because chemical employment is more likely than nuclear or biological, this chapter begins by focusing on OPFOR chemical capabilities. Because the OPFOR may also have some nuclear and biological capabilities, these also deserve discussion, despite of the lower probability of their employment. The chapter concludes with discussions of NBC protection and employment of smoke.

Assets

Military engineers fall into two basic categories: combat engineers and special-category engineers.  Combat engineers are those  whose tasks  may bring them in direct contact with the enemy. Special-category engineers (such as bridge- and road-building units) do not normally engage the enemy and generally use utility vehicles as their primary transportation rather than engineer vehicles designed to survive close combat. Together, these two categories of engineers are responsible for the more difficult and complex engineering tasks. Their missions require specialized training and the use of special equipment or munitions. Often the distinction of engineer categories is blurred somewhat depending on task organizations and their mission-driven employment.

At the operational level, the OPFOR plans the complete integration of civilian and military engineer resources. For example, maneuver commanders may use civilian earthmoving, road-building, and construction equipment and personnel, especially in support zones. This allows constituent combat engineer equipment and personnel to accompany maneuver forces in battle. Civilian workers or maneuver units can perform many basic combat engineer tasks, with engineers providing guidance and technical expertise.

Command and Control

Engineer units allocated to an operational-strategic command (OSC) in constituent or dedicated relationships may be directly under the command of the OSC commander. The OSC commander or his subordinate commanders can control--but do not command--other engineer assets that are allocated to them in a supporting relationship. Rather than keeping all allocated engineer assets under his direct command and control (C2), the OSC commander may suballocate some engineer units to his subordinate maneuver units or to his integrated fires command (IFC) and/or integrated support command (ISC).