Ch. 5 FM 3-55 Information Collection Asset

Information gathered from different sources, like local populations, civil affairs units, or special operations forces, is crucial for planning and conducting successful military operations.

Civil affairs units, specialized for interacting with local populations, can be a valuable source of information during military operations. However, it's important to maintain their legitimacy and avoid appearing solely focused on collecting data.

Special operations forces, due to their training and experience, are skilled at gathering information, especially in unconventional settings and through interaction with local populations.

Special operations forces can provide valuable intelligence, including positive target identification, target marking, and battle damage assessment, to conventional forces.

Conventional forces can offer critical support to special operations forces, such as robust fire support, multiple attack options, and resources available to larger units.

The success of a military operation depends on gathering information at all levels, from individual units to larger commands, to ensure effective decision-making and planning.

Historical collaboration between conventional and special forces has evolved into a more synchronized and integrated approach, particularly during operations in the same area.

Predictive assessments of potential threats are crucial for planning future operations and positioning forces effectively.

Understanding the unique capabilities and limitations of conventional forces and special operations forces allows for strategic collaboration and maximizing their strengths.

Military intelligence brigades provide critical intelligence support for operational-level commands, assisting armies in gathering information and making informed decisions.

The Military Intelligence Brigade is organized to provide comprehensive intelligence capabilities, including operations, counterintelligence, signals intel, and support for theater operations.

Integrated planning and intelligence efforts are crucial to eliminate misunderstandings and ensure seamless collaboration between different units.

The Military Intelligence Brigade conducts intelligence operations, including collection, analysis, production, and dissemination, to support the theater army's mission.

The Military Intelligence Brigade helps the theater army commander by providing dedicated intelligence capabilities in all intelligence disciplines, including imagery analysis and measurement and signature intelligence.

The Military Intelligence Brigade offers long-term and continuous support to the theater army, providing intelligence for both peacetime cooperation and major combat operations.

Establishing personal relationships between members of conventional and special operations forces fosters trust, communication, and a shared understanding of each other's roles.

A brigade-level unit responsible for reconnaissance and security, supporting defense of civil authorities and enhancing commander decision-making.

The BFSB augments other brigades by providing specialized intelligence capabilities, including counterintelligence, human intelligence, signals intelligence, and unmanned aircraft systems.

The BFSB fills two roles in division-level and higher operations: augmenting other brigades and executing its own information collection plan.

The combat aviation brigade (CAB) carries out reconnaissance and surveillance using attack reconnaissance battalions and, when equipped, unmanned aircraft system companies.

Heavy and medium CABs have greater firepower capabilities than light and expeditionary CABs.

The CAB commander acts as the senior advisor to the higher commander on the deployment and use of aviation assets.

The BFSB bridges the gap between brigade-level tactical reconnaissance and higher-level operational and strategic reconnaissance.

The BFSB's information collection plan encompasses areas not assigned to subordinates, areas assigned by the supported unit, and areas with characteristics of both types.

The Brigade Combat Team (BCT) is the Army's largest combined arms unit and the primary force for close combat. It integrates various capabilities from every warfighting function to meet mission requirements.

The BCT commander ensures situational understanding by conducting integrated reconnaissance and security operations that answer the CCIRs (Critical Combat Information Requirements). These operations help them understand the battlefield.

The BCT may provide specific resources, like tank and mechanized infantry units, reconnaissance units, engineers, attack helicopters, and intelligence systems, to support reconnaissance or security tasks for subordinate units.

The BCT operations section develops the information collection plan and assigns specific tasks to subordinate units. This helps ensure a coordinated approach to gathering information.

When the BCT assigns reconnaissance or security tasks to a subordinate element it task-organizes the subordinate element and allocates the resources necessary to meet its mission requirements.

The BCT can augment or task-organize its subordinate organizations as required for specific operations. This may involve assigning additional collection assets to the fires brigade headquarters to execute a strike operation.

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) platoons are examples of assets specifically dedicated to supporting information collection activities. These systems provide valuable aerial surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

When planning reconnaissance and surveillance tasks, commanders need to consider all available information collection assets, even those not immediately apparent. This ensures comprehensive coverage and understanding of the battlefield.

Information collection assets are crucial for commanders at all levels, from brigade to joint task forces, providing the necessary intelligence for effective decision-making.

The BCT commander maintains flexibility on the battlefield by choosing the time, place, and method to confront the enemy.

The Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS-A) integrates various intelligence capabilities within the Army and joint community.

The reconnaissance squadron uses air and ground reconnaissance to identify threats in a designated area of operations.

The reconnaissance squadron commander uses various tools to conduct reconnaissance and security missions.

The DCGS-A integrates intelligence tasking, collection, processing, and dissemination across the Army and joint community.

Information collection capabilities continually adapt to new challenges and offer flexibility for a wide range of military operations.

Joint elements network together to create information sharing and collaboration among forces.

CBRN refers to hazardous substances that can be used in warfare, causing potential harm to soldiers and civilians. CBRN stands for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear.

The armored brigade combat team uses diverse assets, including reconnaissance squadrons, combined arms battalions, and military intelligence companies, to collect vital information about the battlefield.

Reconnaissance squadrons specialize in conducting security operations and surveillance, gathering crucial information to support tactical decisions.

Combined arms battalions are responsible for providing real-time information on the battlefield. They can detect, recognize, and identify targets, crucial for quick responses.

The military intelligence company gathers, analyzes, and transmits information from various sources. They also conduct crucial investigations for intelligence gathering.

The fires battalion is key to understanding the enemy's capabilities. They track and analyze enemy artillery and mortar fire, helping understand tactics and locations.

The armored brigade combat team uses a blend of ground-based and airborne sensors to gather battlefield information. These sensors provide real-time situational awareness.

Information collection is crucial for effective military operations. The armored brigade combat team employs specialized assets to gather real-time information, ensuring situational awareness and informed decision-making.