Table 3. (continued)
Smoke Mission Planning
The smoke platoon leader or company commander begins planning based on --
Locating smoke positions, primary, alternate, and supplemental.
Forecasting logistics requirements.
Specifying needed control measures.
Planning and requesting support as needed (for example, engineer, aviation, security, fire support).
Coordination
Key personnel in the planning process are the G3/S3, the supported unit chemical officer, the smoke unit
commander or representative, staff weather officer (SWO), and the fire support coordinator (FSCOORD) of a
unit. The advantages gained in degrading enemy capabilities must be balanced against possible adverse effects on
friendly forces (for example, target acquisition systems).
Corps and division commanders, through the G3, establish priorities for conducting smoke operations based
on the status of available smoke assets. These priorities will also change as the battle develops.
Coordination with higher, subordinate, and adjacent units is necessary to avoid the disruption of friendly
operations. Coordination of smoke operations between the smoke unit leader and the combat unit commander is
essential. To be effective smoke must start on time, have the desired effect on the objective, and stop quickly, on
order. Further, as smoke is dependent upon the weather conditions, the smoke plan must be flexible with alternate
terrain or timing objectives built into the plan.
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