Setting Up An Observation Post

An Observation Post (OP) is set up for a number of reasons. It is important for anyone in the military to understand what will be expected of them when setting up an OP. This requires alot of discipline, good attention to detail, and dedication. The teams will most likely be really small in order to keep a low profile. However, if compromised, you will have to be skilled in defending yourselves and evading capture. With all that said, let's get into it.

MISSION OF AN OP

The main role of a team setting up an OP is to select a spot where they will be able to gain the best vantage point to observe as much of a target area as possible. The team may be there to ID an HVT (High Value Target), ID and mark high priority targets for future air strikes, or even act as a forward observer for artillery and air assets to deal a significant blow against the target. This means that communication and attention to every possible detail will make the difference between success and failure, or even death. You will most likely need to relay a SALUTE (Size Activity Location Unit Time Equipment) report to HQ for a general understanding of the forces (if any). From there, a log entry of individuals such as guards can tell a story about the general disposition of the occupants of the target area.

Just to give you an idea of the things I would be looking for is how the guards reacted during shift change, when they needed to be relieved for a shit, how they handle challenges, how they behave around superiors, how early or late they are to their shifts, etc. I would also be drawing a sketch of the area to display what it looked like. Also I would mark and note high value targets and hard targets. Bunkers, transportation, planes, helicopters, comm centers, command centers, officer barracks, ammunition supply etc. Everything you see, and hear can make a huge difference, even down to how the rain, wind, or snow effect the individuals and equipment within the target location. This is not a fun camping session. You will get little sleep, not be able to move much for days, and the possibility of getting discovered will be something you will have to be prepared for at all times.

MISSION ESSENTIAL GEAR

When you are tasked with setting up an OP, you are going to NEED a few things in order to help you do your job. Below is an example of the gear I would consider taking on an OP. This gear will need to be distributed between the team members in order to distribute the suck during infiltration.
-Camera with good zoom and resolution
-Radio capable of encryption and extended range
-spotting scope with high magnification and focus
-rite in the rain note gear
-map of target area, overlays, overlay markers, compass, protractor
-NVGs
-Entrenching tool
-camouflage materials like sniper veils, camo netting, ghillie suits, face paint, etc.

OTHER GEAR CONSIDERATIONS

If you are setting up an OP, you will probably be expected to be there for more than just a couple of days. In this case, you may want to consider learning to work more with less. Be realistic about the amount of ammo you may need in the case of a compromise. Field strip your MREs down to what you will use and ditch things like the accessory packs, etc. Hell, if you can instead just eat MayDay rations and mix MREs in there to prevent menu fatigue, you will save so much space and weight. I recommend that you don't indulge in too many comfort items like sleeping bags (use a poncho without the liner), tents (your OP hide is your tent), spare cammies (you truly don't need to change everyday), or hygiene kits (just bring some baby wipes and some foot powder). My method is to bring a cammie top for every two weeks you are in the OP, enough shirts to change once every 3-4 days, and enough socks to change daily. I would leave the mess kit behind and just bring a small stove and fuel for making freeze dried coffee. Drop the BS philosophy of "two is one and one is none" unless you want to wear yourself out and screw your own team in the process by slowing them down or giving them an injured and combat ineffective status. Don't be the ass who over-packs like an amateur. Pack what you need, get in, do your job, get out, and go home. 

CONTINGENCY PLANS AND EQUIPMENT

It is important to understand how dangerous it is to setup a hide in enemy territory. The risk of you being discovered is actually pretty high. The longer you are there, the higher the chance of being discovered, especially if there are perimeter patrols. They most likely know the land and will see anything that is a bit off. Sometimes you can be compromised just by dumb luck on the part of the enemy. There are several examples of this happening in recent history. Think Lone Survivor, Bravo Two Zero, etc. These men were miles from the nearest help and had no support, much like if you are in a militia. They were truly alone and they can tell you how serious the consequences are for being compromised. In any event, it is important to plan your OP with great detail. Your plan must also include what you will due if compromised. This plan can be general in nature or can be very specific. I would personally prefer the former, such as saying "If compromised, we will head south towards neutral territory. If any of us should get separated, we will meet at this RV point and wait for 1 hour. If no one should arrive in 1 hour, you will continue to make your way to neutral territory and link up with friendly forces as soon as possible." That is simple and easy to understand. If separated, meet here. We will wait a certain amount of time and then scoot on our own if you don't show in a reasonable time.

As far as equipment is concerned, you may want to have emergency supplies in your line 2 gear. I would say to stay away from that ridiculous survival tin crap. Just pack three field stripped MREs into a single MRE bag, have a thin poncho, water filter, folding knife, chem lights, 550 cord, a few extra rifle magazines (Be aware that moving will be the priority, not collecting tallies), and perhaps a signal mirror. This really isn't all that much stuff. Put it in a putt pack and you have it on your battle rig at all times. It doesn't have to be complicated and it shouldn't waste space. Cut the fat from the gear list and learn to supplement and make one thing do multiple things.

TAKE AWAY

My hope is that this article has at least given you a basic idea of what will be expected of you when being tasked with setting up an OP. There are alot of things to think about and plan for. But there is also some brainstorming to do when it comes to what gear you will really need and what you may want to leave behind to save your back. As with any mission, an OP will take alot of planning, attention to detail, and wits. Don't skimp on the details and keep your eyes sharp.