Observation and Fields of Fire

Observation:

Observation is the ability to see the threat either visually or using surveillance. When looking for the for a good observation you want to find the highest possible point to observe from.

Evaluation allows you to identify:

• Potential engagement areas, or kill zones
• Defensible terrain & specific system or equipment positions
• Where maneuvering forces are most vulnerable to observation & fire

Fields of Fire:

Fields of Fire is the area that a weapon or group of weapons may effectively cover with fire from a given position.

While bugging out the ability to observe is a very important skill to master. Carrying the proper equipment i;e scopes, binoculars, night vision equipment will make observing targets, fields or fire or cover and concealment locations easier to find. Observation can also vary depending on your geographical location or what season you are in.

Cover and Concealment

Cover:

Cover is a harden structure that will protect you for small to medium fire. Keep in mind that the type of cover you choose will determined if you live or die. You will have to make the best choice while moving to ensure you are not exposed to the volume of fire that is coming at you. Please choose wisely but if its no cover vs any cover go with any cover and pray.

Concealment:

Concealment provides no direct protection for small arms fire or shrapnel. But it does hide you from the enemy, remember to keep a 360 view while you are moving to ensure your concealment location is secure. You can use concealment if you need to sneak around something or if you need to hide. When bugging out always try and conceal yourself always.

If possible pick a location with cover and concealment, I get it is not always possible or you are not able to make that happen. Once you are in a secure position you will want to observe are look for any other areas of cover and concealment that the enemy can use against you. You will have to make the best choice for your situation meaning (Do you shoot or not shoot)

Obstacles

Obstacles could be several things, building, streams, rivers and lakes are all examples. Obstacles are manmade or natural objects or terrain features that will stop or slow you down from getting to where you need too. So, weather you are on foot or diving in your BOV (BUG OUT Vehicle). Ensure that pat attention to all obstacles on your route. Inclement weather can make traveling and passing obstacles very difficult and sometime impossible so make sure you have a backup plan to deal with the issues along the way.

Key or Decisive Terrain

Key or Decisive Terrain are both types of terrain features that will give you an advantage over the enemies or lookouts when you are bugging out. Key or Decisive terrain will give you an advanced warning of approaching groups, so you can many the proper decision whether you engage or flee. Key terrain can be natural or manmade, when choosing a route take in to consideration weather there is bridges or hill tops you can set up in to observe.

Key or Decisive Terrain affords a marked advantage to the combatant who sizes, retains or controls it. The leader assesses key terrain from the objective backwards to his current position.

Examples of key terrain:

• The control of a tree line on a hillside that provides overwatch of a high-speed avenue of approach
• High ground alone is not key terrain, however high ground that overlooks an avenue of approach and offers clear observation and fields of fire and cannot be bypassed

Avenues of Approach

An Avenue of Approach is a route that an attacking force must use to approach your position.  You want to at least work observation of the Avenues of Approach into your security plan to give you advanced warning of approaching forces.  High Speed Avenues of Approach like paved roads or easily traveled terrain take additional planning and consideration because an enemy force could be upon you before you knew it or were ready to hide or oppose them.  In a true security vacuum you should consider putting obstacles along the High Speed Avenues of Approach and may even develop choke points along the Avenues of Approach as Key Terrain and engagement areas where you stop marauders before they reach your front gates.

An Avenue of Approach is an air or ground route of an attacking force of a given size leading to its objective or to key terrain in its path.

Determination should consider:

• Access to key terrain & adjacent avenues
• Use of concealment & cover
• Degree of canalization & case of movement
• Use of observation & fields of fire
• Sustainability
• Directness to the objective

You will want to ensure you work Avenues of Approach into your bugout security planning. You should also ensure you put obstacles in roads, trails, or other high speed Avenues of Approach’s to develop coke points so you can engage and stop the enemy while they are advancing.

Final Thoughts

So, I hope you understand the importance of OCOKA when bugging out. Using this acronym can greatly increase your safety and survival with moving to your new location. Planning is one of the most important skills you will lean on your prepping journey and you must master the skill. Training constantly with your weapons and equipment either with yourself or with your group will give you’re a leg up when the time comes to use the skill.