This process highlights critical tasks, stimulates ideas, and provides insights rarely gained through mission analysis and COA development alone. War gaming helps the leader fully synchronize friendly actions, while considering the likely reactions of the enemy. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each avenue? Leaders analyze terrain using the categories of How will this affect friendly and enemy target acquisition? Coordinating instructions to enhance execution and unity of effort, and to ease confusion between subordinate elements. Not only does it facilitate planning, but it also aids in briefing subordinates. He compares their COA with the enemy's most probable COA. In order to make the creation of COA diagrams eortless for the user, interaction must occur eortlessly and the interface should be invisible to the user. They must assess if the new information affects their missions and plans. Forward area arming and refueling points. The first three steps of COA development provide the bulk of the COA statement. For example, fratricide is a hazard categorized as an accident risk; surface danger zones and risk estimate distance are used to identify the controls, such as TRP and phase lines, to reduce this accidental risk. The leader ensures every unit in his command is employed, every asset is attached and adequate mission command is provided for each element. The product must reflect the results of reconnaissance and shared information. Leaders look at the terrain, foliage, structures, and other features along avenues of approach (and on objectives or key terrain) to identify sites offering cover (protection from the effects of direct and indirect fire) and concealment (protection from observation). Where am I vulnerable? He should be familiar with the basic characteristics of the units and platforms identified. AGADAP Example Walk-through Part 3:. CBRN operations usually favor the upwind force. He might do it personally, by map, or with his subordinate units, or he can use the assets and information provided by the battalion reconnaissance platoon. These attributes may pertain to the accomplishment of the unit purpose, the use of terrain, the destruction of the enemy or other aspect of the operation he believes is important. The memory aid the higher headquarters may use to analyze and describe these civil considerations is ASCOPE. Leaders analyze the enemy's dispositions, compositions, strengths, doctrine, equipment, capabilities, vulnerabilities, and probable COA. Accident risk includes all operational risk other than tactical risk and can include hazards concerning friendly personnel, equipment readiness, and environment. The leader must assess what terrain is essential to mission accomplishment. However, the weather forecaster at our station did not agree with that assessment. Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target-acquisition positions. He also identifies positions where artillery observers can call for indirect fire. A-111. Higher commanders use boundaries to define their platoons and companies' areas of operations. We stopped our climb at a base altitude of 3,000 feet and returned to the airfield. Also, they identify the tasks, purposes, and dispositions for all adjacent maneuver elements under headquarters control. At company level and below, leaders develop a graphic terrain analysis overlay. Composition These significant deductions drive the planning process and execution of operations. These effects translate directly into conclusions applying to friendly or enemy COA. In analyzing fields of fire, he considers the friendly and enemy potential to cover avenues of approach and key terrain, in particular, with direct fires. Once identified, risk must be reduced through controls. Our pilot report, along with others, gave the forecaster more information to augment his observation. A-86. EEFI are the critical aspects of a friendly operation if known by the enemy, that subsequently would compromise or lead to failure of the operation. Sometime before sunset, I headed out to preflight the aircraft. Considerations may include: A-99. Therefore, a secondary product of analysis of troops and support available should be an answer to the question:, how do I get help? A-108. I kept an eye on the dust cloud and the instrument panel at the same time, which wasn't a good idea because I soon became disoriented. The following requirements follow the Figure 9-5 sample from FM 6-0. Extremes of temperature and humidity reduce personnel and equipment capabilities and may require the use of special shelter or equipment. For example, a breach requires an assault element, support element, breach element, security element, and possibly a reserve. Your browser does not support the video tag. Based on the S-2s assessment and enemy's doctrine and current location, the leader must determine the enemy's capabilities. However, as time permits, he can develop as many COA, for comparison purposes, as time allows. Leaders at every echelon must understand the mission, intent, and operational concept one and two levels higher. Template of enemy forces and essential weapon systems. Organizations of influence force the leader to look beyond preexisting civilian hierarchical arrangements. A-103. The leader identifies locations along each avenue of approach providing clear observation and fields of fire for both the attacker and defender. For example, in an attack against a defending enemy, the COA must address the movement to, deployment against, assault of, and consolidation upon the objective. Leaders must understand how their units' purposes relate to higher. They maintain understanding of subordinates readiness, including maintenance, training, strengths and weaknesses, leaders, and logistic status. This is known as "arraying forces" or "assigning troops to task." I could barely see the ground. A-68. This tentative decisive point forms the basis of his planning and COA development; it also forms the basis of communicating the COA to his subordinates. A-116. They must determine how the terrain and weather will affect the enemy and their units. COA statment and sketch Cover the; who (generic task organization), what (tasks), when, where, and why (purpose) for each subordinate unit. Poorly developed road systems may hamper logistical or rear area movement. A-30. They were calling for three miles visibility, which is certainly legal weather. The commander also issues planning guidance to the staff, such as time limitations or a change in commander's intent. I headed to the hangar to check on my assigned aircraft for the day and then to the tactical command post (TOC) to check the mission profile. A-70. Other events, such as disasters and those precipitated by military forces, stress and affect the attitudes and activities of the populace and include a moral responsibility to protect displaced civilians. Specified tasks are specifically assigned to a unit by a higher headquarters and are found throughout the OPORD. The population within a prescribed area of operation comprises several different groups, both ethnically and politically. Instructions: The C634 course of action statement and sketch (COA S&S) is worth 20% of the overall C600 grade. Search and attack operations are conducted by smaller, light maneuver units and air cavalry or air assault units in large areas. At greater altitudes, it can increase or reduce fuel consumption. Where has the enemy positioned weapons to cover the obstacles, and what type of weapons is he using? Some temperature considerations include: A-65. Where will the enemy establish firing lines or support by fire positions? The leader develops his entire COA from the decisive point. Array Forces Gaining complete understanding of the enemy's intentions can be difficult when his situation templates, composition, and disposition are unclear. The faculty feedback from the exam will better prepare you for the COA S&S. Cloud Cover The leader must avoid unnecessary complicated mission command structures and maintain unit integrity where feasible. When possible, the observer conducts a ground reconnaissance from both enemy and friendly perspectives. This judgment call is unique to the specific METT-TC conditions the leader faces. A-114. Cover and Concealment For example, if a battalion situation template identifies a platoon-size enemy element on the company's objective and squad-size enemy elements on the platoons objective, the leader, using his knowledge of both the enemy's doctrine and terrain, develops a situation template positioning squad-size battle positions, crew-served weapons positions, or defensive trenches. Tactical considerations in analyzing key terrain. Implied in the analysis of time is leader prioritization of events and sequencing of activities. We discussed the weather conditions and decided to keep an eye on it. Furthermore, their own assumptions about the enemy must be consistent with those of their higher commander. Examples include mine fields (conventional and situational); antitank ditches; wire obstacles. He includes the requirements of indirect fire to support the maneuver. Leaders identify all constraints the OPORD places on their units' ability to execute their missions. Visibility The sketch provides a picture of the maneuver aspects of the concept. To do this, they answer the five Ws . During the war game, the leader visualizes a set of enemy and friendly actions and reactions. Civil considerations of the environment can either help or hinder friendly or enemy forces; the difference lies in which leader has taken time to learn the situation and its possible effects on the operation. Analyzing the enemy answers the question, "What is the enemy doing and why?" The leader must consider two kinds of risk: tactical and accident. For armored forces, unrestricted terrain typically is flat or moderately sloped, with scattered or widely spaced obstacles such as trees or rocks. The leader must realistically and unemotionally determine all available resources and new limitations based on level of training or recent fighting. How can I take advantage of the limited illumination? Using the results of all previous analyses done during mission analysis, the leader compares his unit's combat power strengths and weaknesses with those of the enemy. Leaders capture their understanding of what their units are to accomplish in their revised mission statements. This includes those personnel outside the area of operation whose actions, opinions, or political influence can affect the mission. This assessment is largely subjective. This is a demo of how to draw a COA Sketch as part of COADEV (Course of Action Development) for use briefing your Operations Order (OPORD) for MS200. A situation template is a visual illustration of how the enemy force might look and act without the effects of weather and terrain. In developing the concept of the operation , the leader clarifies in his mind the best ways to use the available terrain and to employ the unit's strengths against the enemy's weaknesses. Civil considerations are important when conducting operations against terrorist or insurgent forces in urban areas. A-38. Every culture, every group of people, has patterns of behavior. 6. Cover and concealment is just as vital as clear fields of fire. Even if it offers clear observation and fields of fire, it offers nothing if the enemy can easily bypass it, or if the selected course of action involves maneuver on a different avenue of approach. Identify friendly strengths to exploit the enemy weakness. See PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.h (i) for complete coverage on the content and formatting requirements for the biographical sketch. How the COA accounts for minimum essential stability tasks. Flexibility built into the plan by gaining insights into possible branches to the basic plan. In such a situation, a leader must rely on information provided by battalion or higher echelon Categories of terrain, unrestricted terrain free of restrictions to movement, so no actions are needed to enhance mobility. A-45. Leaders identify existing (inherent to terrain and either natural or man-made) and reinforcing (tactical or protective) obstacles limiting mobility in his area of operation. -Form of maneuver or type of defensive operation. Leaders must understand each groups perceptions about the United States, the Army, and specific units operating within that area. 8. The COA statement should identify. CBRN. Information related capabilities also can be properly focused with a healthy understanding of the perceptions of the civilian population. It was only then that I was able to look outside again. Research the weather reports and gain the knowledge you need. How will temperature and humidity affect the unit's rate of march? Defining other influential organizations or groups of influence allows for information collection. In it, leaders show terrain mobility classifications, key terrain, intervisibility lines, known obstacles, avenues of approach, and mobility corridors. Differences between the situation templates must be resolved before the leader can continue analyzing the enemy. On another mission, we were told we had legal weather, the forecaster reporting three miles visibility. Seize, destroy, and neutralize are examples of tasks associated with an offensive operation. Back on the ground with both flights shut down, we secured the aircraft and headed back to the TOC to check with Air Force weather regarding improved visibility later in the evening. Echeloning and identifying of enemy observation and indirect fires. How can I use these features to force the enemy into its engagement area, deny him an avenue, or disrupt his movement? It can do this by masking the target or by reducing overhead clearance. Swamps and rugged ground are two examples of restricted terrain for Infantry forces. A-63. They influence and interact with the populace, force, and each other. COA statement should identify -Decisive point, and what makes it decisive. The COA sketch is a drawing or series of drawings to assist the leader in describing how the operation will unfold. Heavy cloud cover can degrade many target acquisition systems, IR guided munitions, and general aviation operations. Is it important to me? The leader groups mutually supporting mobility corridors to form an avenue of approach. When fully boarded, we took off and headed to the first stop. The leader then determines the tactical mission tasks for the decisive, shaping, and sustaining operations. . A-51. Leaders must identify and understand tasks required to accomplish a given mission. R&S assets and, most importantly, his and his higher headquarters pattern analysis and deductions about the enemy in his AO. Leaders understand their second higher up concepts of the operation. The analysis is a comparison of how a structures location, functions, and capabilities as compared to costs and consequences of such use. He makes significant deductions about the terrain, enemy, and own forces affecting operations. Start with Situation Template 2. Our aircrews carefully synchronized our return flight using proven aircrew coordination skills. Questions He then must task organize his forces specific to the respective essential tactical tasks and purposes assigned to his subordinate elements. This then would restrict the unit's ability to mass the effects of combat power. Gaining local support can best be accomplished by the leader who demonstrates dignity and respect to the civilian population he is charged to protect and train. (a) The decisive point method employs the following steps: Determine the decisive point and the results to be achieved there. At the lower levels, leaders conduct their mission analyses by evaluating METT-TC. All work must be your own. Designating a decisive point is critical to the leader's vision of how he will use combat power to achieve the purpose, how he will task-organize his unit and how his shaping operations will support the decisive operation, and how the decisive operation will accomplish the unit's purpose. The COA covers the operational factors of who, what, when, where, and how, and must show from start to finish how the unit will accomplish the mission. At small-unit level, the enemy's most probable COA is what the enemy is most likely to do. Because of the uncertainty always present in operations at the small unit level, leaders cannot be expected to think of everything during their analysis. Leaders who analyze the ethnic dynamics of their area of operation can best apply combat power, shape maneuver with information related capabilities, and ultimately find the common denominator all ethnic varieties have in common and focus unit efforts at it. MS200 Video lecture about Course of Action (COA) Sketch and Concept Statement The views expressed are those of the speaker and do not reflect the official policy or po MDMP: Course of Action. Time refers to many factors during the operations process (plan, prepare, execute, and assess). This requires the leader to understand the laws of war, the ROE, and local situation. A-50. The product of this process is the synchronization matrix. Enemy Situation Template He includes in this situation template the likely sectors of fire of the enemy weapons and tactical and protective obstacles, either identified or merely templated, which support defensive tasks. What are all likely enemy avenues into my area of operations? PIR are best expressed in a question being answered yes or no. How can the enemy use each avenue of approach? I expressed my concern and some uneasiness about the situation because our crews had been caught in dust before and knew the consequences. Similarly, shaping operation purposes must relate directly to those of the decisive operation. Goal is to develop COAs for every feasible ECOA; however, the commander usually limits that option with his guidance. During execution, their continuous analyses enable them to issue well-developed What is the location of current and probable enemy positions? The operations purpose usually matches or achieves the purpose of the immediate higher headquarters. A-81. Defensive considerations the leader can include in his evaluation of avenues of approach: Key Terrain Windblown sand, dust, rain, or snow can reduce the effectiveness of radar and other communication systems. Structures of the enemy and update their enemy templates as new information or trends become available. The leader identifies critical factors such as type, amount, and duration of precipitation. A-72. How will it affect the enemy? Second, leaders confirm the missions decisive point. Lost opportunity, such as movement across terrain severely restricts the speed of traverse. This product is similar to the MCOO in it shows the critical military aspects of terrain. Analyzing METT-TC is a continuous process. Temperature crossovers, which occur when target and background temperatures are nearly equal, degrade thermal target acquisition systems. A-124. Engineer forces might be needed to improve mobility or platoon and squads might have to deviate from doctrinal tactics. These capabilities should include reasonable assets the next higher element, or other higher enemy headquarters, may provide. Where can I kill him? ;" "Reconnoiter route BLUE;" "Assist the forward passage of 1st platoon, B Company." A prominent hilltop overlooking an avenue of approach might or might not be key terrain. Terrain analysis should produce several specific conclusions : A-58. Leaders constantly receive information, from the time they begin planning through execution. He determines the disposition of the next two higher enemy elements. This is why the leader must develop a tactically sound and flexible plan. What lateral routes could we use to shift to other axes, and which could the enemy use to threaten our flanks? War gaming is a critical step in the planning process and should be allocated more time than the other steps. Selecting of movement techniques and formations, to include when to transition to tactical maneuver. Yet, when we actually made it to our destination, we could not see the other end of the airfield. . Scenario Blueprint Examples. The second mission variable to consider is the enemy. By defining organizations within the community, leaders can understand what groups have power and influence over their own smaller communities and what groups can assist our forces. When analyzing terrain, leaders consider manmade features and effects on natural terrain features and climate. A-83. Both the COA statement and sketch focus at the decisive point. He allocates resources required for the decisive operation's success first and determines the resources needed for shaping operations in descending order of importance. Where can I destroy the enemy? This 3-page document outlines an individual's education and training, their appointments and positions, and other . Implied tasks derive from a detailed analysis of higher up orders, from the enemy situation and COA, from the terrain, and from knowledge of doctrine and history. From developing a strategy to analyzing, refining, and rehearsing the plan, a leader should be knowledgeable in the following areas detailed under this subheading to construct a solid COA. To determine how to maximize the effects of combat power while protecting friendly forces and minimizing collateral damage. Military aspects of terrain OAKOC are used to analyze the ground. He determines how the weather will affect the visibility, mobility, and survivability of his unit and that of the enemy. Leaders in small units primarily use the COA statement and COA sketch to describe the concept of the operation. COA analysis allows the leader to synchronize his assets, identify potential hazards, and develop a better understanding of the upcoming operation. Form of maneuver or type of defensive mission. However, they must conduct their own detailed analyses to determine how terrain and weather uniquely affects their units' missions and the enemy. This additional information will assist the approval authority in making the final decision to accept the risk. They try to keep their span of control between two to five subordinate elements. Will wind speed cause obscurants to dissipate quickly? He considers light data and identifies critical conclusions about Organizations A-115. It also should give subordinates the maximum latitude for initiative. Where do I position indirect fire observers? This may include or be limited to adjusting the COA to better address risk. Air density decreases as temperature and humidity increase. Will I attack toward the sunrise? Categories of terrain, severely restricted terrain which severely hinders or slows movement in combat formations unless some effort is made to enhance mobility. Leaders assess risk to protect the force and aid in mission accomplishment. Develop a Concept of Operations A-34. For example, an armor heavy task force organized with three armor and one STEP 5 Complete the course of action by preparing a statement and sketch. Decisive point and what makes it decisive. Heavy cloud cover often canalizes aircraft within air avenues of approach and on the final approach to the target. Do not discuss this assignment or your answers with anyone other than a Department of Distance Education (DDE) instructor or your academic advisor 4 Q Whether it is set times for prayer, shopping or commuting, people follow patterns. Terrain is important for friendly observation, both for commanding and controlling and for calling for fire? He determines the specific quantity of squads, weapons (by type), and fire support necessary to accomplish each task against the enemy array of forces. Likewise, he must understand enemy doctrinal objectives. Leaders also must determine if terrain is decisive. Priority intelligence requirements are information a leader needs to know about terrain or enemy to make a critical decision. Pajota's Guerillas' mission is to block off a mile of road through the use of road blocks on both sides of the highway bridge cross over Cabu Creek of an estimated 300 yards northeast from compound. A-26. Defensive considerations in analyzing observation and fields of fire. Strength Visualizing a valid decisive point is how the leader determines how to achieve success and accomplish his purpose. Include traditional high-payoff targets, protected cultural sites, and facilities with practical applications. It succinctly describes the enemy's aim, means, and approach to achieving its end state. Will the sun rise behind my attack or in my eyes? Reconnaissance is critical in developing the best possible enemy scenario. First, leaders consider TTP from doctrine, unit SOPs, history, or other resources to determine if a solution to a similar tactical problem exists already. Match. Template events and analyze them for their political, economic, psychological, environmental, and legal implications. How do I gain or maintain control of key terrain? An example of a basic COA sketch is shown in Figure 1-1. EENT, moonrise, moonset, and percentage of illumination. Unless given the benefit of information collection, his situation template is only an estimate of how the enemy might be disposed. OAKOC Many Eastern cultures rely upon religious organizations as their centers of power and influence, whereas Western culture's power comes from political institutions by elected officials. Prepare COA statement and sketch Avenue of approach Key terrain COA Analysis (war game) Observation/fields *Action - Reaction - Counteraction* of fire Methods Cover and concealment Box. The leader must answer these questions: Precipitation This doctrinal requirement provides a framework for the leader to develop a COA. Analysis of civil considerations answers three critical questions, A-90. Biographical Sketch. Other systems? The mission is always the first factor leaders consider and most basic question: What have I been told to do, and why? A-100. Area of interest. The graphic depiction of terrain can be a photograph, overlay for a map sheet, or a terrain model. He assesses the ability of the attacking force to overwatch or support movement (with direct fire). For each COA, the leader thinks through the operation from start to finish. A-40. Most missions and tasks can be accomplished in more than one way. Wind always is described as "fromto" as in "winds are from the east moving to the west." Leaders assess risk continuously throughout COA development. Civil considerations include the influences of manmade infrastructure, civilian institutions, and attitudes, activities of civilian leaders, populations, and organizations within an area of operation, with regard to the conduct of military operations. A-91. People The first example, which describes the process in detail, is a continuation of the exercise design . If more than one COA is developed, it must be sufficiently different from the others to justify full development and consideration. The four categories the leader considers include. 4. In analyzing the enemy, the leader must understand the A-62. A-80. The decisive point might be the event or action (with respect to terrain, enemy, or time, and generation of combat power) will ultimately and irreversibly lead to the unit achieving its purpose.