the battalion.
It has also enhanced its ability to fight on the AirLand
battlefield. Later on in this learning event we will consider the divisions
separately.
We will review the mechanized division and then review the
armored division.
This will be discussed in conjunction with maneuver
battalions.
The following discussion considers the mission of the heavy
division.
The Mission of the Heavy Division
The mission of the heavy division can be stated as "to destroy enemy
military forces and to secure or dominate critical land areas, their
populations, and resources." Under the Army of Excellence, we assign both
the mechanized and armored heavy divisions this general mission statement.
The US Army heavy division provides us with a mobile, armor-protected force
of significant firepower. Because of their mobility and survivability, the
heavy divisions are used when battles are fought over wide areas.
As
provided in the mission statement, they destroy enemy armed forces and
control land areas, including populations and resources. During offensive
operations, heavy divisions rapidly concentrate combat power to break
through or envelope enemy defenses. They then strike deep to destroy fire
support, command and control, and service support elements of the enemy.
This is an important aspect associated with the Army's AirLand Battle
doctrine and the role of the heavy division as part of the US Army
structure.
Heavy divisions can defend wide frontages. They can also conduct offensive
operations. Using mobility for rapid concentration to attack, reinforce, or
block, they can defeat an enemy while economizing forces in other areas.
Heavy divisions work best in open terrain.
In open terrain, their heavy
mobility and long-range direct fire weapons are used to their best
advantage.
The Capabilities of the Division
The heavy division has a number of capabilities.
Significant capabilities
lie in the ability to:
o
Conduct nuclear and chemical operations with organic delivery
systems.
o
Conduct sustained, mobile, combat operations against enemy heavy
forces in a conventional, chemical, or nuclear environment.
o
Operate as an attack or counterattack force and accomplish rapid
movement in fighting and pursuit.
o
Conduct defensive operations, dispersing over great distances and
concentrating rapidly from widely separated areas.
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IS7003
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