An Observation Post (OP) is a static, concealed observation position from which a small element monitors a sector for hours or days, reporting to the unit's intelligence net. On the Ukrainian front, OPs are one of the most important force multipliers and one of the most exposed: a detected position generates artillery within minutes. This chapter describes purpose, siting, discipline and operational considerations.
Purpose of the OP
The OP exists to gather visual, acoustic and in some cases electromagnetic information and forward it to command in usable form. The fundamental difference from a patrol is stasis: the OP does not move; it accumulates observation over time, building a pattern-of-life picture of the enemy.
- Surveillance of an enemy avenue of approach
- Observation of a key point (junction, bridge, firing position)
- Spotting for friendly artillery or aerial ISR
- Verification of intelligence received from other sources
- Early warning of enemy approach
- Building a pattern of life of the adversary sector
Siting — choosing the position
Choosing the OP location is the single most important decision: a good position sees without being seen, has covered ingress and egress routes, comms with the CP, and can sustain personnel for the planned duration. A bad position is discovered within hours and becomes a target.
- Line of sight on the responsibility sector — the single primary requirement
- Background: stand before a background that dissolves the silhouette, not against the sky
- Covered, different ingress/egress routes (at least two)
- Cover and concealment: protection from artillery and visual concealment
- Distance from the line: not too close (limited observation), not too far (delayed intelligence)
- Communications: radio coverage verified before occupation
- Water, drainage: a position that floods in 24 hours is not sustainable
- Vertical: consider what is above (drone, opposing sniper) and below (tunnel, sewers)
A good OP location is discovered by the reconnaissance patrol after 10 minutes of careful observation from the enemy direction. If its presence is obvious at first glance, move it. If it cannot be detected even after 10 minutes of professional scrutiny, it is probably too hidden to see out in turn.
OP composition
A minimum OP has 2 soldiers (never 1 — security always requires someone awake while the other rests or observes). A full OP for 24-48 hours has 3-4 soldiers rotating tasks.
| Role | Responsibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Observer | Active scrutiny of the sector | Max 1-2 hour shifts, then rotation |
| Radio operator | Comms with CP, periodic reports | Near the observer, coded prowords |
| Security / 360 | Rear and flank surveillance | Critical to avoid being flanked |
| Rest (rotation) | Recovery, hydration, maintenance | Never more than one resting at once |
Reporting discipline
The value of an OP depends on reporting quality, not quantity. An ambiguous or excessive report is worse than no report: noise that hinders command decision. NATO standard is the SALUTE format; Ukrainian units often use equivalent formats.
- S — Size: numbers (men, vehicles)
- A — Activity: what they are doing (moving, stationary, fortifying)
- L — Location: where (MGRS, known-point reference)
- U — Unit: identification (uniform, vehicles, symbols) if known
- T — Time: when observed (zulu or stated local)
- E — Equipment: visible weapons and vehicles
Periodic reporting even on 'nothing observed': the null report feeds the intelligence picture as much as the activity report. A silent OP is an OP that may have been neutralised.
Signature discipline in OP
Once occupied, the OP must vanish visually, thermally, acoustically and EM. Habits expose the position within hours. Discipline is permanent, not only during enemy approach.
- No smoking, no hot cooking, no prolonged heat in thermal view
- Minimum external movement, never at regular intervals
- Voice always short whisper, no chatting during observation shifts
- Bodily waste planned in a covered point, well away from the observation position
- Kit always covered: optic caps, camouflaged weapons, no visible shine
- Radio on receive, transmission only in scheduled window or for priority
- Phones in faraday — EM signature is the most frequent way OPs are detected
- Camouflage maintenance: cut vegetation dries, must be replaced
Occupation and withdrawal procedures
OP occupation and withdrawal are the riskiest moments: the position is in motion, signatures grow, the enemy can observe the action. They are planned with the same care as the position itself.
- Occupation preferably in darkness or in poor weather (cloud, fog, rain)
- Non-linear approach: break the route with intermediate cover
- Final approach in single file in cover, never in visible wedge
- Security sentry toward the enemy while the rest installs
- Withdrawal in darkness, leaving the OP 'sterile' (no waste, no signs)
- Personnel rotation: ideally the incoming team arrives before outgoing leaves, 15-30 minutes overlap
FPV and drone considerations
The modern OP on the Ukrainian front operates under permanent enemy drone surveillance. Survival depends on overhead-cover discipline and thermal discretion.
- Overhead cover (net or rigid roof): the observation position must not be visible from above
- Friendly optics and thermal cameras behind a camouflaged aperture: no visible protrusion
- Friendly drone for ground control: useful but generates EM signature, manage with discipline
- If an enemy drone flies over: no movement, no transmission, wait for it to pass
- Inbound FPV: evasion plan prepared — secondary OP, subsurface cover, AA firing position
Common mistakes
- Choosing a comfortable rather than effective position
- Underestimating duration: planning for 24 hours and staying 5 days
- Transmitting too much: each transmission is a possible DF
- Leaving occupation signs (waste, disturbed vegetation, visible paths)
- External movement at regular times (dawn, meals) — exploitable pattern of life
- Personnel rotation arriving directly at the visible position
- Neglecting rear security because 'the enemy is in front'
- Ignoring the EM picture (phone on, active smartwatch)
Lessons learned Ukraine
OPs on the Ukrainian front have become the fulcrum of the targeting cycle: an observation position that identifies enemy movement can call friendly artillery with real-time correction and generate devastating effects within minutes. The OP is therefore a priority target for the enemy: its localisation is worth that of a command post. OP losses do not happen through tactical incompetence but through accumulation of small signature indiscipline. Survival depends on sustained discipline over time, not on the actions of a single moment.