text: Environmental and Terrain Considerations for Fire Support
  * Assess the impact of wadis, gulches, and other significant terrain on friendly and enemy mobility.
  * Identify likely enemy forward observation positions.
  * Identify antitank guided missile systems and air defense systems as priority targets.
  D-110. Plan the correct munitions for targets:
  * Improved conventional munitions and FA mines for roads in restricted terrain.
  * FA mines to deny the enemy navigable terrain and to try to force him into wadis and gulches.
  * Variable time on reverse slopes.
  * Variable time and time fuzes on targets in deep, sandy deserts.
  * Smoke during the day and ground-burning illumination at night to silhouette the enemy.
  * Smoke and white phosphorous against likely enemy observation posts.
  * HE with point detonating fuzes on targets in rocky terrain.
  POSITIONING
  D-111. Common grid, the limited number of available attack/delivery systems requires the use of a common
  grid based on the best available survey data. Terrain association techniques (map spots) may be inadequate
  for positioning indirect fire systems.
  D-112. Concealment, FA, and mortars should move under cover of darkness, because enemy observers can
  detect the movement or at least the dust from the movement of vehicles. Resupply should also be conducted
  at night, preferably enroute between positions. Appropriate color of equipment and camouflage systems is
  essential for effective concealment of firing positions.
  D-113. Emplacement in wadis and gulches offers the best concealment. However, it entails some degree of
  risk as the result of unexpected flash flooding (size of wadis is relative to degree of risk).
  D-114. Movement, trafficability through the dunes may be severely degraded. The absence of roads in the
  direction of our movement will further slow moves.
  D-115. Position area selection, positioning on rocky soil away from roads reduces the dust hazard during
  air assault operations. Sandy deserts may be a problem for some towed artillery and mortars. Solid ground to
  secure some firing systems' platforms or baseplates and spades may be rare in certain areas.
  CLOSE AIR SUPPORT
  D-116. Air support aircraft may be more vulnerable because of the lack of covered approaches. Suppression
  of enemy air defenses is very important. However, the greater visibility common in most deserts allows target
  engagement from better standoff ranges.
  D-117. Detailed planning for CAS is important because of wide dispersion of units. Marker panels or other
  visual or electronic signatures are required to help the pilot differentiate between friend and foe.
  SECTION VI – NIGHT OPERATIONS
  D-118. Some specific reasons for night combat include:
  * To achieve surprise and to avoid heavy losses that might be incurred in daylight operations over
  the same terrain.
  * To compensate for advantages held by an enemy with superior forces or air superiority.
  * To counter the enemy night operations.
  * To retain the initiative or freedom of action.
  * To exploit the technological advantage of our forces at night over a less sophisticated enemy.
  D-119. Movement and land navigation are more difficult at night. This is largely because of problems with
  terrain recognition. If navigation aids such as GPS equipment is not available, maintaining direction while
  moving is extremely difficult at night.