You can run away, but you can't hide, especially in this technological age where satellites, handheld GPS devices, Google Maps, and cheap drones equipped with cameras make hiding even more difficult.

So, how can an army hide its command post when the enemy has a vast array of surveillance tools?

In the recent large-scale military exercise held in 2016, the U.S. Marine Corps' I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) tested a new tent at the command post. The new equipment covers buildings and tents with large swaths of tan and light brown camouflage netting.

This is of course done to disguise the existence and imprint of the First Expeditionary Force command team. This MEF-level war exercise lasted from August 14th to 22nd. During a similar exercise in February 2015, its top commander acknowledged that the command post, then located in the wilderness at Camp Pendleton, California, had left extensive traces but was not covered by any camouflage netting.

Frankly speaking, the command post is quite large and obviously extremely important in the war. This also makes it an important target, whether seen from the ground or observed from the air by drones, fighter jets or satellite imagery.

To achieve better cover and camouflage, the command this year considered various methods that would help conceal the lines and structure of the command post. They designed a new camouflage net and revised the details after a bird's-eye view.

The Marine Corps is "back to basics," one official said.

Colonel Matthew Jones, chief of staff of the MEF First Expeditionary Force, said: "We flew the drone above, and now it looks a little blurry. The command headquarters is camouflaged and hidden much better." ”

However, MEF officials refused to further disclose confidential information about the new camouflage net used in the exercise. "It's the most advanced technology available," Jones said. ”

At the same time, he also admitted that the current camouflage net still has some limitations: "I wouldn't say it doesn't look like a military installation anymore." ”

“The fact is that these camouflage nets are clearly visible from the air," he added. "You can't be mistaken. Even though it was camouflaged, it was still large enough to be a target for enemy fire. ”

Whether in offense or defense, camouflage and concealment are as basic elements of combat as weapons.

In the final analysis, it is a deception tactic, hiding your own performance and location, otherwise the enemy will be able to interpret your intentions. Deception, such as camouflage facilities, can help hide the true size of the army, combat capabilities, and now more critical technical capabilities. But large numbers of tents and buildings, radio antennas, satellite dishes, generators and shipping containers would expose the location of important headquarters.

Marine Corps Commander General Robert Neller said earlier: "If someone can see you, then you will be attacked." ”

Neller also mentioned the MEF 1st Expeditionary Force command post camouflage exercise. Although the camouflage netting worked, it could still be detected if light shone on the concertina wire surrounding the facility. He hopes that the Marine Corps can return to basic tactics, such as "dig holes, prepare defensive positions and camouflage, station in the battlefield, and don't return to the forward operating base at night to check mail."

Senior commanders pointed out that these recommendations are more relevant because more troops will be sent to dispersed battlefields in the near future.

MEF 1st Expeditionary Force and the Marine Corps wanted to change more than just the physical appearance. Emerging tools and technologies make it easier to detect interference using electronic signals. Electronic surveillance equipment such as this will pose a real threat to the military's command and control network.

"We're redoubling our efforts to hide electronic signals that make it easy for an enemy to detect you," Jones said. If the adversary's surveillance capabilities match our own, concealment becomes even more important. So we may need to think of other options. ”

(Translator: Liu Xin; Editor: Cui Puyu)