COLT teams and precision munitions.

[SgtMuhammed]

Will these be included in the game. Part of the new Digitization was to integrate the GPS and various laser devices to instantly provide targeting data. This should be even more developed by '07.

[aka_tom_w]

FYI

especially those assets that require long-range adjustment and coordination such as the combat observation lasing team (COLT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT). At the same time, the targeting team plans air interdiction (AI) and other deep actions to remove the enemy's ability to affect the Pen Box.

[SgtMuhammed]

Must have missed part of your post. Where did this come from tom?

[aka_tom_w]

I did not know what COLT was so I looked it up and found this web page

more here:

Pen Box Operations

The key events in 1st Cavalry Division Pen Box operations follow a rough timetable that I have summarized in Figure 1. From H-hour minus 48 hours to 36 hours (H-48 to H-36), the targeting team begins to adjust the location of the Pen Box, based on intelligence gathered as part of the deep effort. The 48- and 24-hour looks at the targets of the deep fight provide us with the ability to see the enemy in the expected Pen Box. With this information, the division can adjust the collection effort or scheme of maneuver as needed to support the expected location of the Pen Box. The key to this phase is to identify quickly which assets at theater, corps, or division are required to improve our picture of the Pen Box, especially those assets that require long-range adjustment and coordination such as the combat observation lasing team (COLT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT). At the same time, the targeting team plans air interdiction (AI) and other deep actions to remove the enemy's ability to affect the Pen Box.

From H-36 to H-24, the collection effort focuses on confirming the enemy disposition and the effective emplacement of collection assets. The division Pen Box team coordinates with the maneuver brigades for the aerial emplacement of COLT teams and any additional deep collection assets. This emplacement is best done in conjunction with the division's deep attack, conducted between H-24 and H-12.

During this same timeframe (H-36 to H-24), the targeting team conducts a subsequent review, refining its deep plans and the identification of AI targets. Initial close air support (CAS) allocations developed for maneuver units are published in the Air Tasking Order (ATO). Also, the brigade targeting team begins its initial input to the Pen Box process. The brigade team begins to identify initial Pen Box locations and to nominate targets that will require division resources to locate.

Between H-24 to H-12, the targeting team focuses on building an initial synchronization timeline for execution. CAS allocation is finalized for maneuver units based on any adjustments to the ATO. The maneuver brigade tasked with the Pen Box mission must refine the zone to the desired area of ten kilometers by ten kilometers. The intent here is not to obtain a perfect square box but to allow the division to focus the collection effort on the projected zone of penetration to support our scheme of maneuver and the targeting process.

At H-12, the Pen Box team meets to finalize the synchronization of all assets operating in support of the Pen Box operation. The team also meets at H-8 and H-6 to finalize mission requirements. Fire plans are built at the fire support element (FSE) at the division main command post (D-Main) and are refined as necessary. The FSE passes the plan to the division artillery (DIVARTY) tactical operations center fire direction center (FDC) NLT H-6, with the final revision due NLT H-4. After H-4, the fire support coordinator (FSCOORD) is the approving authority for targets in the target plan. Targets not on the target plan are passed to DIVARTY and treated as targets of opportunity.

[Michael Emrys]

WTF is a "Pen Box"? Obviously it has something to do with a location where they intend to be conducting operations, but I get the feeling that I am missing something here.

Michael