FM 3-90.12/MCWP 3-17.1 (FM 90-13) COMBINED ARMS GAP-CROSSING OPERATIONS July 2008 DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY This publication is available at Army Knowledge Online <www.us.army.mil> and the General Dennis J. Reimer Training and Doctrine Digital Library at <www.train.army.mil>. *FM 3-90.12/MCWP 3-17.1 (FM 90-13) Field Manual No. Headquarters 3-90.12/MCWP 3-17.1 (FM 90-13) Department of the Army Washington, DC, 1 July 2008 COMBINED ARMS GAP-CROSSING OPERATIONS Contents Page PREFACE ............................................................................................................vii INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................x Chapter 1 OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF GAP CROSSING ......................................... 1-1 Challenge to Maneuver ...................................................................................... 1-1 Integrating Assured Mobility ............................................................................... 1-2 Gap-Crossing Operations................................................................................... 1-4 Chapter 2 OVERVIEW OF GAP-CROSSING OPERATIONS............................................ 2-1 Gap Crossing as a Functional Area of Mobility Operations ............................... 2-1 Gap-Crossing Means ......................................................................................... 2-4 Gap-Crossing Fundamentals ............................................................................. 2-6 Gap-Crossing Considerations ............................................................................ 2-9 Chapter 3 PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS....................................................................... 3-1 General............................................................................................................... 3-1 Planning Process................................................................................................ 3-2 Engineer Planning Considerations................................................................... 3-10 Terrain Analysis................................................................................................ 3-10 Intelligence Integration ..................................................................................... 3-14 Priority Intelligence Requirements.................................................................... 3-14 Chapter 4 GAP CROSSING IN SUPPORT OF COMBAT MANEUVER............................ 4-1 Types of Gap Crossings..................................................................................... 4-1 Control Mechanisms........................................................................................... 4-4 Crossing Plan ..................................................................................................... 4-7 Control Elements .............................................................................................. 4-10 A Deliberate Wet-Gap Crossing....................................................................... 4-13 Phases of a Deliberate Wet-Gap Crossing ...................................................... 4-14 Distribution Restriction: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. *This publication supersedes FM 90-13/MCWP 3-17.1, dated 26 January 1998. i Contents Chapter 5 LINE OF COMMUNICATIONS GAP-CROSSING SUPPORT...........................5-1 Overview of Line of Communications Gap Crossing ..........................................5-1 Nonstandard Bridging .........................................................................................5-3 Standard Bridging ...............................................................................................5-3 Rafts, Ferries, Landing Craft Air Cushions, and Others .....................................5-4 Sustainment, Maintenance, and Replacement of Line of Communications Gap-Crossing Systems .......................................................................................5-5 Chapter 6 SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTS AND SITUATIONS...............................................6-1 General ...............................................................................................................6-1 Gap-Crossing Operations in Arctic and Cold Weather.......................................6-2 Gap-Crossing Operations in Mountainous Areas ...............................................6-3 Gap-Crossing Operations in Desert and Extremely Hot Conditions...................6-5 Gap-Crossing Operations in Jungles and Forests..............................................6-7 Gap Crossing Compounded by Chemical, Biological, Radiological, or Nuclear Conditions..............................................................................................6-9 Gap Crossing Compounded by Significant Numbers of Dislocated Civilians or Refugees.......................................................................................................6-10 Appendix A CROSSING MEANS AND ORGANIZATIONS ................................................. A-1 Appendix B CROSSING SITE SELECTION ......................................................................... B-1 Appendix C ENGINEER CROSSING FACTORS ................................................................. C-1 Appendix D ENGINEER PLANNING AND CALCULATIONS.............................................. D-1 Appendix E DIVING SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS .......................................................... E-1 Appendix F RETROGRADE GAP CROSSINGS...................................................................F-1 Appendix G SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS ....................................................................... G-1 Appendix H FOREIGN BRIDGING RESOURCES................................................................ H-1 SOURCE NOTES ......................................................................... Source Notes-1 GLOSSARY.......................................................................................... Glossary-1 REFERENCES.................................................................................. References-1 INDEX ......................................................................................................... Index-1 Figures Figure 1-1. Gap-Crossing Operations in the Army Universal Task List...........................1-5 Figure 2-1. Types and Categories of Bridging.................................................................2-5 Figure 3-1. Brigade Combat Team Crossing Timeline for a Course of Action ................3-7 Figure 3-2. Brigade Combat Team Crossing Area Overlay for a Course of Action.........3-8 Figure 3-3. Salients and Reentrants on the Enemy Shore ............................................3-13 Figure 4-1. Graphic Control Measures ............................................................................4-5 Figure 4-2. Engineer Regulating Point Layout.................................................................4-8 Figure 4-3. Communication Linkages ..............................................................................4-9 Figure 4-4. Overview of a Deliberate Gap Crossing......................................................4-14 ii FM 3-90.12/MCWP 3-17.1 1 July 2008 Contents Figure 4-5. Advance to the Gap .................................................................................... 4-15 Figure 4-6. Assault Across the Gap .............................................................................. 4-17 Figure 4-7. Advance From the Farside.......................................................................... 4-18 Figure 4-8. Secure the Bridgehead Line ....................................................................... 4-19 Figure A-1. Landing Craft Air Cushion ............................................................................ A-5 Figure A-2. Amphibious Assault Vehicle P7A1 ............................................................... A-5 Figure A-3. Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle ..................................................................... A-6 Figure A-4. Light Armored Vehicle .................................................................................. A-7 Figure A-5. Ribbon Raft................................................................................................... A-8 Figure A-6. Armored Vehicle-Launched Bridge ............................................................A-11 Figure A-7. Joint Assault Bridge....................................................................................A-12 Figure A-8. Wolverine....................................................................................................A-13 Figure A-9. Rapidly Emplaced Bridge System ..............................................................A-14 Figure A-10. Medium Girder Bridge ..............................................................................A-15 Figure A-11. M18 Dry Support Bridge...........................................................................A-18 Figure A-12. Ribbon Bridge...........................................................................................A-20 Figure A-13. Ribbon Bridge Design...............................................................................A-20 Figure A-14. Logistics Support Bridge...........................................................................A-22 Figure A-15. Acrow 700XS............................................................................................A-23