Underground Maneuvering
Against the background of the operation in Gaza, and following a large-scal=
e =

infiltration attempt through a tunnel Thursday morning, we go back to the =

special analysis by Col. (res.) Atai Shelach on the need to understand the =

subterranean medium
Atai Shelach 17/7/2014
http://www.israeldefense.com/?CategoryID=3D483&ArticleID=3D3030

Underground Maneuvering The elaborate terrorism tunnel uncovered at the =

Israel-Gaza border in October 2013 only "scratched the surface". The =

terrorist organizations have been hard at work, for years, developing a =

subterranean combat medium that would give them a significant advantage =

vis-=E0-vis the IDF. Israeli specialists are trying to develop combat =

doctrines capable of coping with the expected challenges of the future war.

The subterranean medium is a new and evolving dimension of warfare. It is b=
y =

no means a stand-alone obstacle, but an entire world of multidimensional =

warfare. The subterranean medium is already a part of all modes of battle =

and belligerence.

The need to cope with the subterranean medium calls for a comprehensive =

approach, one that encompasses most of the content worlds and challenges. =

One of the main reasons for the opponent's "disappearance" into the =

subterranean medium is the need to set off the obvious advantages of the =

typical attacker with regard to such aspects as ordnance, relative strength=
, =

full utilization of force, endurance and other technological advantages. So=
, =

in coming to deal with the challenge, it is essential that we set forth an =

extensive range of solutions that would encompass, to the maximum extent =

possible, all of the operational problems and challenges associated with =

this medium.

The IDF and Israeli defense establishment have made numerous attempts to =

develop solutions for both defensive and offensive combat operations in the =

subterranean medium.

The various types of subterranean spaces have been in existence for decades=
, =

in their standard military or guerrilla warfare forms: tunnels, bunkers, =

fortified localities, command and control centers, missile/rocket launch =

sites, etc. In the civilian sector, subterranean spaces have been used for =

such infrastructure and utility systems as sewage, drainage, electrical =

power supply, transportation, et al.

The term "new" refers to the fact that in the near future, military forces =

will be required to execute maneuvers under the ground.

In the context of subterranean maneuvering, the subterranean medium is =

regarded as an "untouched space" =96 a space that is not fully networked or =

charted. The conceptual system associated with this space is very partial. =

An analogy may be drawn between this medium and the depths of the ocean on =

the one hand, or the expanses of air and space on the other hand, as in the =

past, they, too, were "untouched spaces".

For example, almost everything above ground is networked with countless =

manual and automated aids. Consequently, any combat element and/or =

individual trooper can orientate therein at any given moment, determine =

their location and that of neighboring forces.

In the not-too-distant future, the subterranean medium will evolve into an =

even more important operational arena. The subterranean zones will expand =

and evolve into spaces. They will be used for more and more operational and =

strategic functions.

In operational terms, more and more enemy combat layouts and resources will =

be deployed in the bowels of the earth. In order to subdue the enemy, the =

attacker will be required to possess the ability to access/maneuver into =

those layouts, then capture and maintain them!

In order to fulfill the aforesaid tasks, the ability to maneuver within the =

spaces of the subterranean medium will be required.

The excavated subterranean medium has four primary characteristic elements: =

tunnels used for offensive purposes, smuggling, defensive operations, =

communication and escape; stand-alone excavated installations; complex =

excavated installations constituting a part of the enemy subterranean =

layout, and expansive subterranean spaces used as command and control =

centers, weapons storage facilities, troop accommodations, etc.

The subterranean medium is an obstacle to all intents and purposes, an =

obstacle controlled by the opponent, that must be overcome in the context o=
f =

implementing the ground maneuver mission, namely =96 capturing and holding =
the =

territory. In these cases, the subterranean medium constitutes an obstacle =

as well as a shelter for the elements dominating it, so the challenge of =

overcoming it is even greater.

The various categories of the subterranean medium exist at various depths =

and at various ranges, as determined by their relevant functions.

Various parts of the subterranean medium will contain obstacles. These =

obstacles are intended to delay and even prevent, at some points, the =

advance of the attacker's forces through the subterranean medium. It is =

important to understand and stress that subterranean obstacles can have =

numerous capabilities and may come in diversified configurations. These =

capabilities and configurations present a first-rate operational challenge =

to the attacker as well as to the defender.

It is important to distinguish between the manner in which the subterranean =

medium is dealt with in the context of routine security operations and the =

manner in which it is dealt with in the context of preparing for an =

emergency situation. In routine security operations, the challenge normally =

involves dealing with tunnels used for various functions, such as the =

smuggling of arms and goods, kidnapping of servicemen and terrorist attacks =

involving hostages. In this case, the activity mostly involves border =

protection operations rather than offensive ingress operations.

In an emergency situation, namely =96 a full-scale war or large-scale shapi=
ng =

operations, the challenge is different. It no longer involves the spotting, =

capturing and destroying of one tunnel or another, but complete subterranea=
n =

spaces where the opponent is located. In order to subdue the opponent and =

implement the maneuvering mission, the opponent must be reached. In other =

words =96 the attacker must operate underground. Such localities already ex=
ist =

in the primary combat zones of the IDF at the present time =96 in Gaza and =
in =

Lebanon. In other theaters such as Syria and the Judea and Samaria district=
, =

the field is evolving and the opponent is gaining capabilities.

Without sounding like a pessimist or a preacher, it must be noted that =

subterranean warfare is a major type of warfare, just like the warfare =

categories associated with combat operations in urban terrain, in open =

terrain, in dense/tangled areas or in fortified localities. The aforesaid =

types of warfare already have structured concepts and combat doctrines =

associated with them. Accordingly, a new doctrine and new concepts should b=
e =

developed for one specific purpose: subterranean maneuvering. Subterranean =

maneuvering will necessitate the entrance of forces on one scale or another =

into the subterranean focal point. This should take place at several =

locations simultaneously, so as to fully utilize the operational force the =

enemy forces attempt to set off by going underground.

Down the Rabbit Hole

As with any other operational challenge, everything begins with =

intelligence. As far as the subterranean medium is concerned, this issue is =

important and complex sevenfold. The medium in question is a pristine, =

"untouched" and uncharted space, so the challenge is even greater: firstly =
=96 =

to determine where the spaces are, and secondly, once they have been =

spotted, to orientate and command forces operating inside the bowels of the =

earth.

In addition to providing intelligence and in order to be able to maneuver i=
n =

the subterranean medium, the attacker should create the basic conditions =

that would allow it. The following elements are required: concepts and =

professional instructions, dedicated technology and weapon systems and =

communication systems enabling command and control of the forces, in =

addition to command and control at the level of the various command centers.

Subterranean maneuvering will take place alongside "standard" (surface) =

maneuvering and the activities of the forces operating on the various =

"levels" will be reciprocal. The two moves must be fully correlated. Each =

one should complement the other.

So how will this take place? What are the main activities that should be =

performed in order to maneuver in the bowels of the earth? As I have =

described, a basic prerequisite for subterranean maneuvering is the ability =

to spot the various subterranean spaces, chart them and insert forces into =

them, sometimes from multiple entry points. At present, I am not aware of =

any ability to insert forces into the subterranean medium except through =

existing shafts.

The attacking forces will enter the subterranean medium and move through it =

while relying on existing shafts, openings and spaces, or through openings =

breached specifically for this purpose, including routes of movement and =

advance. Today, there is no way to move troopers underground in a safe =

operational manner, and the only way to do it is through existing, =

predetermined routes.

Unlike standard (surface) maneuvering, which is based on the movement of =

substantial forces over expansive areas, in the subterranean medium =

maneuvering will be based on spotting and accessing specific points. The =

main operational challenge of subterranean maneuvering is in the ability to =

spot enemy spaces and targets under the ground and deal with them as an =

integral part of the standard surface maneuver. For example, an infantry =

battalion assigned to capture a village or a small town in the Gaza Strip o=
r =

in Southern Lebanon, in the context of its task assignment, will deploy its =

companies so that each maneuvering company would allocate a platoon to =

subterranean movement, based on the accurate spotting of subterranean space=
s =

and targets. The ability to operate simultaneously is the factor that =

creates a force multiplier at the battalion level. Subterranean maneuvering =

is a complementary capability of the standard (surface) maneuvering. In =

current scenarios, it is regarded as a must-have capability that is =

essential to the capturing of territory, implementing the maintenance of =

captured territory and maintaining vital areas.

Complex operational issues should be provided with techno-operational =

solutions in coming to develop the ability to maneuver in the bowels of the =

earth. Prior to the insertion and entrance, how do you detect and pinpoint =

the subterranean locality and the openings, spaces and tunnels associated =

with it? Once these elements have been spotted, how do you get inside in th=
e =

absence of openings? How do you insert resources and troopers into the =

locality? How do you access the subterranean space from several openings an=
d =

directions simultaneously?

Once the forces have gained access into the subterranean locality, they =

should find out how to communicate with other forces operating above ground =

and under the ground and, at the same time, how to move and advance in the =

bowels of the earth. This issue is by no means trivial, even if one =

disregards such aspects as orientation and navigation. What about the =

employment of ordnance? What will be the implications of employing explosiv=
e =

resources in the subterranean medium? Is it possible? How do you go about =

it?

Even in terms of adapting to the new environment, the subterranean medium =

presents a challenge: how do you breathe, see and cope with temperature =

changes? How do you deal, mentally, with the 'black reality' under the =

ground?

Any commander coming to plan such a maneuver should address the following =

questions: what about the movement and maneuvering of the forces under the =

ground? What is the Order of Battle that is relevant and appropriate for =

this type of activity? At what depths can you operate and move your forces =

effectively? What are the implications with regard to C3?

Illuminating the Way

There is a significant operational need for the development of a =

subterranean maneuvering capability in view of the currently evolving and =

future threats and operational challenges. The IDF will be required to =

operate in the subterranean medium more and more intensively in the coming =

years and decades.

The process of coping with the subterranean medium consists of four primary =

stages: collecting intelligence, detecting/spotting the subterranean =

locality, temporarily neutralizing the subterranean locality and finally =
=96 =

dominating, gaining a hold and destroying the subterranean locality and/or =

providing any other final solution according to the mission assigned to the =

forces.

Even as it is (above ground), the activity of the maneuvering elements is =

characterized by a high degree of friction with the opponent and the =

terrain =96 all the more so with regard to the subterranean medium. =

Subterranean fighting is characterized by the need to cope with the terrain =

and with the opponent simultaneously. Through the subterranean medium, the =

enemy increases the level of friction and sets off the attacker's advantage=
. =

Each course of action available to the attacker is threatened by the =

combination of terrain features and enemy forces commanding the spaces =

thorough observation and fire. The sequence of activities that should be =

performed inside the subterranean space and above it calls for the =

continuous handling of different tunneling and subterranean characteristics =

and layouts designed for different functions and possessing different =

characteristics. The attacker is not only required to detect and identify =
=96 =

a difficult challenge in itself, but also to operate underground, in an =

"untouched" and unfamiliar space. Consequently, one of the primary threats =

is falling into the traps laid by the opponent =96 booby-traps based on the =

attacker's disorientation under the ground. In the subterranean medium, =

everything is blocked, and the enemy chose this medium for a reason: it =

serves the enemy's operational objectives by hindering and damaging the =

operational objectives of the enemy =96 in this case the IDF.

In coming to develop a solution for this challenge, we should take into =

consideration an extensive range of challenges and threats that have one =

primary objective in common: to create a state of asymmetrical fighting tha=
t =

would constantly set off the attacker's qualitative advantage and empower =

the capability of the defending enemy. For this purpose, we should =

thoroughly analyze the operational gaps and provide them with an large rang=
e =

of solutions that would eventually be woven into the ability to maneuver =

through the medium. The solution should consist of three primary elements: =

firstly =96 formulation and establishment of a concept, a combat doctrine, =

combat techniques and drills; these would provide the compass for the other =

two elements: intelligence and state-of-the-art technologies.

There is a huge difference between ability and knowledge, between the clear =

knowledge of and familiarity with surface maneuvering operations and the =

darkness and uncertainty regarding the subterranean. Today, we suffer from =

techno-operational blindness that stems from the absence of technological =

capabilities for spotting the subterranean objectives, and once they have =

been spotted =96 for operating down there while ensuring the security of th=
e =

forces on the one hand and operating effectively from an operational point =

of view on the other hand.

To my understanding, the issue is currently positioned on the doorstep of =

the various defense industries which are already hard at work attempting to =

provide various solutions to this operational challenge. In my opinion, we =

should act much more comprehensively rather than confining ourselves to the =

relatively narrow dimension of the routine security challenges.
________________________________________
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