Knowing Where You Are

The Saudi desert has few of the reference points Gsibleat the NTC.

NEW AIDS TO DESERT NAVIGATION

Knowing Where You Are ...... by Captain David D. Howard To navigate, calculate distances, interpret maps, and recognize terrain at a high rate of speed is a skill that the armored force leader must learn early and hone, to properly direct forces. The ability to position and maneuver forces to obtain the advantage on the enemy is the key to any mission accomplishment. cal features were not even noted. The desert was barren, with few or no terrain features for reference. To assist in desert navigation, pack Global Positioning System (GPS) and Loran navigational devices. The Trimpack model global positioning device (or the division requisitioned Trim- - - 1st Cav trooper checks position using Trimpack device. Small Lightweight

GPS

In the early stages of our Receiver, SLGR) is a hand-deployment on Operation Desert difficult for navigation. There is no held, battery-powered navigation Shield, the 1st Cavalry Division Tiefort Mountain in our area of receiver, which receives data from recognized that navigation and con-operations. In many areas, maps of global positioning satellites. We get trolling movement in the Saudi any scale are unavailable and three-dimensional fvres when track-Arabian desert terrain would be a 1:250,000 scale maps are the most ing four or more satellites, or two-challenge. Although we train on prevalent. dimensional when only three satel-relatively flat terrain at Fort Hood lites’ signals are received. The and have experience in the Mojave The maps that were available were receiver does require line-of-sight Desert at the National Training vague, with many inaccdracies: trails access to the satellite signals. The Center, the terrain and vastness in had been rerouted, terrain features Trimpack can calculate positions in Saudi is much different and more (dunes) had moved, and some criti-latitudeflongitude, the Universal ARMOR - March-April 7991 11

LORAN device is in use by 1st Cav in Saudi Arabia Transverse Mercator coordinate system, and the Military Grid Reference system. It can figure velocity and time, and way points can also be programmed to assist with enroute navigation. The Trimpack is powered by a rechargeable NiCad or lithium battery, or powered by a vehicle DC power supply. The system may be outfitted with an optional external antenna for use inside vehicles. Up to this point, the Trimpack has been proved to be a reliable receiver. The other position locating device in use by the 1st Cavalry Division is a commercial receiver that operates on the Loran positioning system. The Loran system uses ground based positioning beacons to triangulate a position to the hand-held receiver. The receiver has the ability to program way points and figure velocity, but the Loran system cannot register altitude. The receiver must be within the range of three locating beacons to receive an accurate position and is susceptible to interference from other radio signals. The model in use in Saudi Arabia gives location in latitude and longitude, which requires the operator to use a conversion table to convert to the military grid system. The division is also using a military model of Loran receivers. Before deploying, the division received enough of both systems to outfit the cavalry squadron and the battalion, brigade, and division command posts. Upon arrival of the assault command post and advance party, recon parties began reconnaissance of the area of operations. During those reconnaissance missions, the positioning devices demonstrated their worth. The abifity to navigate and establish positions and exact boundaries quickly was astounding. In fact, the recon parties could precisely identify terrain features not recorded on the maps and pass them back to the G-2 for updating maps. Also, only a few reconnaissance elements were needed due to the speed in which areas could be navigated in a given amount of time using the positioning devices. When the main body elements began occupation of their positions, the ability to precisely know their "part of the goose egg" and position forces accordingly allowed for a quick occupation with very few adjustments of boundaries. As the division established positions, the positioning devices continued to aid in operational planning and comparison of what was portrayed on graphics to actual terrain. Helipads at all command posts were recorded using these navigational aids. Both are comparable with the Doppler Navigational System, which is in many helicopters. Knowing exact locations assisted our aviators tremendously, especially during night NVG flights. Distances in the desert were deceiving, as we found out on terrain walks. Ranges we thought were four kilometers by sight, the positioning device determined to be eight kilometers. Updating of maps with exact locations of previously unplotted terrain features continued, which assisted units that were without locating devices. Positioning devices assist the company and battalion commanders to maneuver their forces. Proper dispersion of forces, establishment of link-up and passage points, and coordination between flank units on each axis of advance and defensive boundary are improving execution time and accomplishment of missions within the units. Use of the positioning device is allowing the frontline leaders to have better control of their forces. The future use of positioning devices would help the commander maneuver forces quickly without having to question whether forces are actually in the correct position. The speed and accuracy of the system would assist to direct fast moving armored forces to key points to influence the battle. To 12 ARMOR - March-April 1991 know the terrain and to use it to your advantage is still important. When forces are rapidly deployed to an unfamiliar area, they would not be as dependent on trying to locate themselves using the terrain, but would be able to focus more on their objectives. Battlefield obscuration and limited visibility would not be such a hindrance. Sand storm obscuration was quite prevalent. The reconnaissance forces would also benefit by being able to pinpoint enemy locations accurately. The reconnaissance section, knowing its exact location, could calculate the exact placement of enemy forces. This would give the commander a better picture of the close battle and the ability to call for indirect fire, attack helicopters, and close air support (CAS). Another benefit of the location devices is in the ability to trace the actual forward line of troops (FLOT), which again would assist in battle coordination. Combat support and combat service support units could take advantage of position locating devices. Many of these forces do not have the communications to “ask for directions” once they leave their support area. With the use of the locating device, the support unit could quickly find linkup points, conduct resupply operations, and . minimize the time combat forces would be out of action. Navigation training and map reading without the locating device would still be a requirement. Soldiers and leaders should not become so dependent on locating devices that their navigation skills diminish. Just as armored forces train on degraded gunnery operations, so we will still require navigation without devices. Development of an automatic locatinglreporting system needs to become a reality. The technology is available today. All platoons, combat and combat support, should have positioning devices. The armor force needs a system that would portray force locations for use by the commander in tactical decision making. There is a great advantage in the use of position locating devices, which the 1st Cavalry Division is experiencing - an advantage in use now, and which could be expanded in the future. ARMOR - March-April 1991 Captain David D. Howard received his Regular Army commission as a Distinguished Military Graduate from South Dakota State University. A graduate of AOBC, IOAC, and the Air/ Ground Operations School (AGOS), he has served as a tank platoon leader, executive officer, and battalion maintenance officer with 3-35 Armor, 1st AD, Bamberg, FRG. He served as assistant G-3 operations officer and assistant to the secretary of the general staff, 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, Texas and Saudi Arabia. He is currently commanding a tank company in the 1st Cavalry Division in Saudi Arabia. 13