When should the engineer battalion consolidate the battalions ground Volcano assets?
DISCUSSION: With the reduced number of blade assets and engineer soldiers, the engineer battalion’s six ground Volcano systems are the focus for execution of counter-mobility tasks. With only one load, the battalion can emplace nearly 7 kms of minefields (6,600 x 120 meters) in 20 minutes. Leaders may desire to centrally control these assets by creating an ad-hoc Volcano platoon at the battalion level. However, during many missions, the dispersion and number of targets require decentralized execution which negates the advantages of using a battalion-level organization. Planning, preparing, and executing Volcano missions in support of task force maneuver is actually hindered by the centralized control. Control at the engineer battalion level requires that the battalion issue a complete OPORD to the Volcano subunit. It also becomes necessary for the engineer battalion to logistically support this separate unit to include LOGPAC and CASEVAC support. However, the engineer battalion command
