Intelligence Preparation &

Monitoring of the Battlespace

Land Intelligence Wing

Defence Intelligence Training Centre
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 Step 1

Define the Battlespace

Environment

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 Step 1 - Key Outputs

Identify Time Available

Identify the Area of Operation & Areas of Interest

Identify Key Environmental Characteristics

Determine Intelligence Requirements and make Assumptions

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Identify Time Available

• Identify the time available

– There is NEVER enough time
• Prioritise efforts = what matters to the Commander
– 70% solution on time is better than 100% 3 hours late

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 Identify the AO/AI

Area of Operations (AO)

• Geographical area of
commander’s assigned
responsibility and authority to
conduct military operations

II
• Provides geographical focus

II
for IPMB

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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Conventional Operations
example…

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Area of Operations
“AO TIGER”

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Asymmetric Operations
example…

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Area of Operations
“AO LION”

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 Identify the AO/AI
Bn AO Potential AIs

Areas of Interest (AI)

• Elements OUTSIDE THE AO that may
threaten or assist accomplishment of the
mission.

– anticipated future task locations,

– friendly force activities,
– hostile forces able to project combat

II
power or move into the AO
– regions that generate weather
conditions that can affect the AO
II
– regions from which people, resources
and information flow into the AO
– threat intelligence collection, including
remote sensing and aerial imagery.

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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AI5 AI6

Areas of Interest (AI)

AI No. Location/Ref Significance Remarks

AI 1 Tugun Beachhead/ Likely loc of enemy Div

Beachhead/ Airhead Avn assets / CAIRS
Coolangatta AP

AI 2 Beaudesert – Resupply route for

Nerang Rd. enemy mech div
AI 3 Beechmont Sealed withdrawal Terrain other than road
route to the south. unsuitable for Mech ops.
Possible cutoff loc
AI 4 Canungra Source of POL. Indications of resumption
AI2 Township of enemy mech div
advance towards
Beaudesert
may indicate that friendly
AI4 combat team has been
bypassed
AI5 IVO Tambourine Direction of Indications of advance
Village friendly brigade on Canungra may draw
Bde advance attention away from
friendly combat team
AI6 Coomera R / M1 Current block of Resumption of advance
enemy mech div may result in
advance abandonment of MLH
corridor

AI3
AI1

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 Identify Environmental Characteristics

Physical Terrain

Human Terrain

Information Terrain

Rules of Engagement

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Physical Terrain Factors
• Landform
• Topography
• Soil and rock type
• Vegetation
• Hydrology
• Infrastructure
• Land information
• Utilities
• Transportation
• Host nation capability
• Urbanisation
• Hazards
1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Human Terrain Factors
• Population
• Education
• Religion
• Health
• Legal
• Political
• Economics

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Informational Terrain Factors

• Civilian systems

• Threat systems

• Flow of information

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Determine Information Requirements

• identify gaps in knowledge and/or understanding

from step 1 of IPMB

• Task collectors:
– Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance
– Analysts

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Make Assumptions

• List all assumptions

• Brief all assumptions to commander

• List each IR that will verify the assumption

• Apply intelligence cycle to confirm, modify or

dismiss assumption

• Reassess

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Example: Information Requirements

Warning Order:
1 Combat Engineer Regiment be prepared to bridge Coppename River
• Assumption: 1st Brigade has enough bridging assets to cross gap
– PIR1. What is the width of gap?
• Indicator: UAV imagery indicates gap = 100m
– PIR2. What is the speed/ depth of Coppename River?
• Indicator: Engr Reconnaissance measures 16m deep
– FFIR1. How many metres of MGB does 1st brigade have?

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 Example: Assumptions
1. All roads and bridges in the AO remain passable
2. Beechmont Rd is unsuitable for enemy Mech Ops
3. Enemy Mech Div unlikely to resume advance towards
Beaudesert whilst friendly combat team remains a threat to
flank/rear security
4. Enemy Mech Div unlikely to bypass friendly combat team
5. Enemy Mech Div commander will want to resume advance
prior to friendly brigade being in position to block advance
6. Friendly Combat Team is enemy Mech Div commander’s
priority

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Example: Information Requirements
1. What is the condition and status of Beechmont Road?
(assumption 1 and 2)
2. Where are the lead elements of enemy Mech Div?
(3/4/5)
3. Has enemy Mech Div commenced advancing nth from
Canungra? (3/4/5)
4. Has enemy Mech Div commander requested/been
provided with helo support from enemy Mech Div to
provide cutoff for friendly combat team? (6)
5. What additional assets has enemy Mech Brigade
commander provided subordinate battalion with? (6)

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 Step 1: Key Outputs

• Timeline
• Area of Operations/Areas of Interest Overlay
• Key Battlespace Factors
• Initial Collection Plan
• Initial Information Requirements & Assumptions

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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Questions?

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 Step 2

Define the Battlespace

Effects

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 Step 2 - Key Outputs

Analyse battlespace effects (OCOKA)

Analyse other battlespace characteristics

Weather analysis

Combine battlespace effects.

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Analyse Battlespace Effects

Three Aims:
• Provide clear and concise military
view of the ground
• Predict enemy use of the ground,
and identify enemy courses of
action (COA)
• Assist development of friendly
COA that:
– enhance weapon capabilities
– Provides, movement, concealment
and protection
1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Output 2.1 – Analyse Battlespace
Effects: OCOKA
O bservation & fields of fire

C over & concealment

O bstacles

K ey & Decisive Terrain

A venues of Approach

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Output 2.1 – Analyse Battlespace
Effects: observation & fields of fire
• Observation
– Visual or ELOS
– Aerial observation
– Local national reporting
• Fields of fire
– Consider ranges
– Local nationals
– Vegetation, terrain, urban

II
• This can assist to
identify: II
– Potential engagement areas
– Defensible terrain
– Potential Operations/ISR.

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Output 2.1 – Analyse Battlespace
Effects: cover & concealment
•
Concealment (Veg) Cover (slope)
Concealment. Protection from
observation
• Cover. Protection from the
effects of fire

• Note:
– ISR / Weapon characteristics
– The complex environment

• This can assist to identify

II
– Movement techniques
– Recon ability

II
– Formations
– Battle positions
– Avenues of approach
– Infiltration lanes
– Key Terrain

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Output 2.1 - Analyse Battlespace
Effects: Obstacles
Vegetation Slope
• Any natural or artificial RESTRICTED

VERY RESTRICTED Hydrography Urban

feature that stops,
impedes, slows or
diverts movement
• Analysed to determine
mobility
Potential
– Note: Population obstacles EA

• Classified using the

II
terms:
– Unrestricted II
– Restricted
– Very Restricted.

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Criteria for Symbols on Combined
Obstacle Overlay
Vegetation
Effects of Obstacles
Medium Vegetation Dense Vegetation • Restricted terrain
Vineyard Rainforest
Orchard Pine Plantation – Massage formation

Slope

20-30 Degrees >30 Degrees

• Very Restricted
– Break Formation
Hydrography

Subject to inundation Swamps

Dams
Coastal flats

Urban

All BUA
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 Output 2.1 – Analyse Battlespace
Effects: Key Terrain
• Key Terrain. Affords a marked K Key Terrain
advantage to either combatant
– Must be controlled, not necessarily
occupied
– Choke point or influence mobility
– Access control point K
– Economically/ politically important
– Key personnel Potential
EA
– ALL BRIDGES IN THE AO ARE
NOT AUTOMATICALLY KEY

II
TERRAIN
K K
• Decisive Terrain. Affords mission II
success.
– In complex operations this often
becomes the population.

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Output 2.1 – Analyse Battlespace
Effects: Key Terrain
Assign Mobility Corridors
• Indicate areas where a force will
be canalised due to terrain
restrictions

• Indicate the size of the force that Size

can manoeuvre in battle formation Descriptor

• Minimum frontage, example

enemy battle formation:

– Division – 6km;
– Bde/Regt – 3km;
– Battalion – 1.5km; and
– Company – 0.5km.

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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Example

LWD 2-1, Fig: 6-5

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 Output 2.1 – Analyse Battlespace
Effects: Avenues of Approach
• An air or ground route which a
manoeuvring force of a given
size uses to approach an
objective or key terrain

• MUST BE 360° from objective

• All COAs involving manoeuvre

depend on available AAs

AAA1
MC2
AA3

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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Example

LWD 2-1, Fig: 6-6

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Modified Combined Obstacles
Overlay (MCOO) Example

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Example

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 MC1
PL
MC2 K
COY MC3
K COY

MC4
PL MC5 MC6
PL(+) MC7
PL COY(+)
K MC8
PL
Example

MC9 PL
K

MC10
OBJ BN

MC11
K COY(+)

MC12
MC14
BN MC13 K COY
PL(+)

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 AA2 MC1

MC2 K
MC3 AA3
AA1 K
MC4
MC5 MC6
MC7
K MC8
Example

MC9
K

MC10
OBJ AA4
MC11
K

AA5
MC14
MC12

MC13 K

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 2.1 - Analyse Battlespace Effects
Military Geospatial Information Teams – Spt IPMB
Example

3-Dimensional Draping

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Physical Terrain

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Physical Terrain

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 Physical Terrain
• Observation & Fields
of Fire
• Cover & Concealment
• Obstacles

Assessment
The terrain in this AO cannalises mechanised forces into the Coomera River Valley

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Key Terrain
K1

K2

K3
K4

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Avenues of Approach
1 2

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3
 Output 2.2 – Analyse Battlespace
Effects: Other terrain effects
• Any other relevant terrain that can include,
but is not limited to:

– Urban Terrain Analysis

– Human Terrain Analysis
– Information Terrain Analysis

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 Urban Terrain – OCOKA
• Observation
– Buildings can both reduce observation and assist observation.
– Fields of Fire limited
• Cover / Concealment
– Buildings, underground access can provide cover.
– Civilian population can maske enemy movements and activities
• Obstacles
– Debris from destroyed buildings
– Plenty of resources for building obstacles
• Key Terrain
– Airports, stadiums, parks, buildings, bridges.
– Hospitals, food supply, communications facilities
– Government or religious institutions
• Avenues of Approach
– A lot of chokes points and potentially limited manouvre
– Possible high-speed movement routes, including rivers and streams
– Civilian information on drains, mass transit, etc

Assessment
Destruction of buildings likely to inhibit mech manouvre in central business district.
Enemy likely to enter and exit AO dismounted via waterways and underground
networks.

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 Human Terrain – OCOKA
• Observation
– Who operates in the AO, including enemy forces, civilians & NGOs?
– Can local police and security forces operate effectively?
• Cover / Concealment
– Can enemy move freely among the population?
– Are there a large number of sympathizers in the local population, they may protect the enemy?
• Obstacles
– What & where are the ethnic and language boundaries?
– Is the local population happy?
– Does the enemy scare the local population?
• Key Terrain
– Who are the leaders wtih influence? Criminals? Powerbrokers?
– Who do we need to influence or protect as “key terrain”
• Avenues of Approach
– How do people move throughout the AO?
– Where are the markets?
– Where are the important social or religious sites?

Assessment
Civilian population responsive to religious leadership. Local places of worship are
key terrain. Also as key terrain, it is important to positively influence local religious
leaders.

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 Informational Terrain - OCOKA
• Observation
– AO is loc within a river valley surrounded by high terrain –Satellite (AUSTAR) and Terrestrial TV signals still
available (ABC/SBS/Seven/Nine/Ten/Southern Cross Ten)
– AM and FM radio reception still available
• Cover / Concealment
– NSTR
• Obstacles
– High terrain to N, E and W impacts on VHF comms
– ADSL internet not functioning, but mobile internet available
– Telstra land line service inoperable, but mobile services still functioning at reduced capacity
– Newspapers not being delivered
• Key Terrain
– Southern Cross Television is loc at Bundall (GC) and likely to be used to conduct propaganda broadcasts
– Several Gold Coast Radio broadcast stations (AM and FM) may be within control of MAF and used to conduct
propaganda broadcasts
– Other TV stations based in Brisbane, unlikely to be impacted by MAF Ops
• Avenues of Approach
– Radio and Television are the major avenues of information flow
– RUMINT/GOSINT likely to be a major factor among local populace

Assessment
VHF Comms with friendly forces unlikely to be available, but HF Comms likely to
be workable
Enemy likely to use local radio and TV stations to broadcast propaganda

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 Output 2.3 - Climate & Weather
Analysis
• Analysis based on:
– Visibility
– Wind
– Precipitation
– Cloud Cover
– Temperature & Humidity
• Weather is neutral
• Products:
– Weather Effects Matrix
(daily or weekly)
– Key deductions /
assessments on climate.

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Output 2.3 - Climate & Weather
Analysis: Visibility
• Visibility
– Measures in metres
– Aided by technology

• Discuss
– Natural illumination
– Obscurants
– Technology

• Effects
– Concealment
– Target acquisition
– Engagement ranges
– Air operations

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Output 2.3 - Climate & Weather
Analysis
• Wind

• Strong winds effect:

– Moves obscurants
– Visibility better when
viewing downwind
– Limits air operations
– Rough seas limit
amphibious operations
– Engagement ranges
– Reduced wpn accuracy

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Output 2.3 - Climate & Weather
Analysis
• Precipitation
– Light = 2.5mm per hour
• Little spray, puddles slowly
– Moderate 2.6-7.5mm per hour
• Even drops, noticeable spray,
puddles quickly
– Heavy = greater than 7.6mm
• Sheets of water, heavy spray

• Effects
– Reduces soil trafficability
– Reduced visibility
– Reduced air ops
– Snow reduces comms
– In dusty climate rain can
reduce dust signature
– health

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Output 2.3 - Climate & Weather
Analysis
• Cloud cover
• Expressed in ‘eights’
– Scattered
• Clouds cover 1/8 & 4/8 the sky
– Broken
• Clouds cover 5/8 & 7/8 the sky
– Overcast
• Clouds cover entire sky
• Effects
– Limits illumination
– Reduces temperatures
– Degrades many TA systems
– Reduces effectiveness of Air
operations

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Output 2.3 - Climate & Weather
Analysis
• Temperature and
Humidity
– Measures in metres
– Aided by technology

• Effects
– Visibility (hase/glare)
– Impact water sources
– Heat/cold injuries
– impact in shelter and
equipment
– degrades thermal devices
– Reduces battery life

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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 Weather Effects & Forecast
Astronomical Data: 19/MAR/12
Area: Mode:
Gold Coast
Civ Tw’lt 0545 Eff Daylight: 12 Hr 26 Mn 1811
Date:
19/MAR/12 0607 1748
Sun
Prep by:
S2 Moon 1038 Illum: 39%, Ph: 1/4

0256 1600
Tide 4.4m 0918 5.0m 2241
1.6m 2.1m

6 12 18

Forecast Weather / Impact: Four-Day Forecast

Legend:
Mon Tues Wed Thu Impacts
19 Mar 12 20 Mar 12 21 Mar 12 22 Mar 12 None
Marginal
Weather: Significant
Causes
12 / 23 C 12 / 24 C 12 / 25 C 12 / 25 C 1. Wind 7. Tide
2. Cloud 8. Sea St
Impact: S 5-15Kt ISL SH SE 5-15 Kt SE 5 - 15Kt SE 5 - 15Kt 3. Rain 9. Dust
4. Fog 10. Smoke
AIR 4 4 4 4 5. Thdr St 11. Spare
6. Low Lt 12. Spare
MNVR
INTEL
AMPHIB 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
6 12 18 6 12 18 6 12 18 6 12 18

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 WEATHER EFFECT ON OPERATIONS: DZ CORMORANT 13MAY07
Lunar/Light
Data
13MAY07
5000’ NOVEMBER 5000’

SS: 1746 K 4000’ 4000’

EENT: 1836 K
BMNT: 0542 K 3000’ 3000’
SR: 0632 K
MR: 0228 K 2000’ 2000’
MS: 1450 K
ILLUM: 18% 1000’ 1000’

1200K 2400K
Example

Temperature High: 30° Low: 18° RH: AM: 67 % PM: 57 % Winds

Temperature. Average temps range from FORECAST TIME PERIOD 13MAY07

17.6-27.6ºC, with extreme temperatures
ranging from 6.0-32.5ºC. Relative humidity ASSET 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 0200 0400 0600 0800
ranges from 67% at 0900 K to 57% at
1500 K. Risk of heat illness is assessed Satellite THX THX THX THX
as medium in soldiers not acclimatized Optics VIS
to the conditions.
IR
Rainfall. An average 34.4 mm of rain falls
TI THX THX THX THX
in MAY over 3.8 rain days. Beginning of
dry season. Intermittent watercourses GSR
unlikely to be flowing, but may contain
C3 VIS
standing pools.
Mobility Foot
Cloud cover. Cloud cover is complete on
an average 9.9 days, while 10.3 days are Mobility Wheel VIS
completely clear. Conditions for near Mobility Track VIS
real-time satellite imagery more than
Amphibious Op
68% of the time.
Airmobile Op VIS

CSS

Key: CC (Cloud Cover) P (Precipitation) THX (Thermal Crossover) VIS (Visibility) Favourable Marginal Unfavourable
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 Weather & Climate Analysis
• Sunrise/Set
– 7th 0625/1721
– 14th 0619/1725
– Approx 9 hours of daylight
• Moonphase
– Full Moon 6 Aug
– Last Quarter 14th
• Moonrise/Set
– 7th 1827/0651
– 14th 0008/1046
– Moonrise progressively later.
• Fog usually forms in Coomera R Valley in mornings/early evening

Assessment
AO gets dark very quickly. Around the 14th, use of night vision goggles between sunset and
midnight will be impacted by lack of moon illumination. Fog may impact on nservatiobn in the
first hour after sunrise

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 IPMB Step 2: Key Outputs

• TERRAIN analysis – • A range of specialists

Physical, Human, to assist:
Informational, • MGI, PSYOPS, CIMIC,
Stakeholders Own Troops
• Weather/climate analysis • All BOS
• Update ISR Plan – further advisors/specialists
collection • We will probably have to
• Key Assessments find out ourselves
regarding the Battlespace
that impact the mission

1. Battlespace Environment 2. Battlespace Effects 3. Enemy Evaluation 4. Enemy COAs

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Questions?

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 QUESTIONS?

‘Mind what you have learned, save you it can…’

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