NCJ Number
156801
Date Published
1995
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) is applied to operations other than war (OOTW), including counterdrug operations.
Abstract
Like many other OOTW missions, counterdrug support requires interagency coordination and collaboration. Battalion and company commanders who provide counterdrug support frequently operate in direct support of law enforcement agencies (LEA's), and effective operations require cross-cultural understanding between the military and LEA's. Similarities and differences between law enforcement and military concepts are exemplified in intelligence. In traditional combat operations, IPB is the basic methodology analysts use to predict when and where the enemy will be on the battlefield. Counterdrug IPB is a valuable tool military intelligence analysts can bring to counterdrug operations in order to define the battlefield environment, the battlefield's effects, the threat, and appropriate courses of action. A decision support template is described for use in displaying areas where significant drug trafficking activities will probably occur and target areas of interest along drug trafficking routes where counterdrug forces can conduct interdiction operations. The author concludes that counterdrug IPB can help LEA's use their limited resources more effectively. 6 endnotes and 2 photographs