Observation Post

Observation Post 

a specially equipped place from which the actions of the enemy and friendly troops are observed; in addition, control is exercised over subunits when the commander is at an observation post.

Observation posts are set up in all types of combat, and their location is determined by the commander. In an offensive, observation posts may be set up in tanks, combat vehicles, or armored personnel carriers. In a defensive operation, observation posts, as a rule, are set up in specially equipped installations and are carefully camouflaged. At observation posts, 24-hour guard duty is conducted and an observation journal is kept. There are basic, reserve, and special observation posts (artillery, engineer, etc.). Sometimes dummy observation posts are set up.