Multinational Planning Augmentation Team Course of Action Development Purpose Discuss techniques and procedures for developing courses of action – – – Part of Commander’s Estimate process Operational level Courses of action must be valid References CJCSM 3500.05, JTF Headquarters Master Training Guide, 15 April 1997 Joint Pub 5-0, Doctrine for Planning Joint Operations, 13 April 1995 JP 5-00.2, Joint Task Force Planning Guidance and Procedures, 13 January 1999 JP 5-03.1, Joint Operation Planning and Execution System, Volume I, (Planning Policies and Procedures), Annex P, 4 August 1993 Crisis Action Planning Process C R I S I S II I Crisis Situation Development Assessment III Course of Action Development IV Course of Action Selection V Execution Planning OPORD & Deployment Data Base VI Execution And/or Warning Order I Mission Analysis / Restated Mission II Course of Action Development Planning Order III Analysis of Opposing Courses of Action Alert Order IV Comparison of Own Courses of Action Commander’s Estimate Process Execute Order V Commander’ s Key Planning Concepts To the extent possible, plans should incorporate the following concepts of combined operation planning doctrine – Strategic Supported Commander’s (HHQ) strategic intent and operational focus – Orientation on the strategic and operational centers of gravity of the threat – Protection of friendly strategic and operational centers of gravity – Phasing of operations to include the commanders intent for each phase Course of Action Development The COA is a broad statement of possible ways the multinational force (MNF) can accomplish its mission – WHO will accomplish essential tasks – WHAT is the type of mission to be conducted – WHEN the operation must begin or must be completed – WHERE the combined operation will be executed – WHY or the purpose of the operation – HOW or the method of conducting the operation using major available resources Task Steps Develop Initial COAs Initial Test for Validity Determine C2 Means Course of COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to MNFC MNFC Approves COAs Staff estimates Vertical & Action Development horizontal planning Develop Initial COAs Plan to plan - One or more groups? - One big group? - Big brain technique? - Simultaneous or sequential development? Brainstorm - Be bold in concept - Be general by component - Be open to new ideas - Be unconstrained Develop Initial COAs More Considerations Review mission analysis/MNF commander (MNFC) planning guidance Develop plans to integrate the joint environment Focus on centers of gravity and decisive points Identify sequencing and phasing for each COA Identify main and supporting efforts Identify component level missions/tasks Develop information operations support items Develop initial COA sketches and statements COA Development Pitfalls - The Intended COA - The Clone of the Intended COA - The Throw Away - Nested COAs COMMANDER MAY MAKE THE DECISION BEFORE ALL THE FACTS ARE GATHERED AND ANALYSIS IS COMPLETE Task Steps Develop Initial COAs Initial Test for Validity Determine C2 Means Course of COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to MNFC MNFC Approves COAs Staff estimates Vertical & Action Development horizontal planning Test COA Validity Is the COA suitable? Is the COA feasible? Is the COA acceptable? Is the COA complete? Are the COAs distinguishable? SUITABLE Will the COA accomplish the mission if carried out successfully. Is it aimed at the right objectives? FEASIBLE Do we have the required resources to accomplish the mission and will they be available in the operations area in time? – Forces / Capability – Transportation – Resupply – Facilities ACCEPTABLE Even though the action will accomplish the mission and we have the necessary resources, is it worth cost in terms of possible losses. Besides just military losses, the MNFC must consider: – Loss in Time – Loss in Position – Political Acceptability – Legal / Ethical Acceptability COMPLETE Are the COAs technically complete? Do the COAs adequately answer: – WHO will execute it? – WHAT type of action is contemplated? – WHEN will it begin? – WHERE will it take place? – HOW will it be accomplished? – WHY key actions are required? DISTINGUISHABLE Are the COAs significantly different From MNFC’s perspective? – From the perspective of HHQ? – From the perspective of the coalition NCAs? – Task Steps Develop Initial COAs Initial Test for Validity Determine C2 Means Course of COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to MNFC MNFC Approves COAs Staff estimates Vertical & Action Development horizontal planning Determine Command & Control Means Determine command relationships – Operational Control (OPCON) – Tactical Control (TACON) – Support (general, direct, close) Organizational options – Service components – Functional components – Subordinate MNF or TF Determine control measures MNF Composition FUNCTIONAL C2 STRUCTURE MNFC CFMCC CFACC CFLCC CSOTF CPOTF SERVICE C2 STRUCTURE MNFC CNAVFOR CAFFOR CARFOR CMARFOR CSOTF CPOTF Historically, have seen more of the service component structure Task Steps Develop Initial COAs Initial Test for Validity Determine C2 Means Course of COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to MNFC MNFC Approves COAs Staff estimates Vertical & Action Development horizontal planning Prepare COA Statement, Sketch, & Task Organization COA statement answers WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, HOW, WHY Develop COA sketch Task organize the force – Initial organization COA Sketch (example) MNF HQ: Maintain C2 in City T. CMARFOR: O/O distribute relief supplies to City G. CARFOR (Main Effort): O/O, distribute relief supplies to City T. CAFFOR: Maintain air bridge from intermediate staging base in Country X to Cities G & T. CNAVFOR: Offload relief supplies at port facilities in Cities G & T. CSOTF: No change. PHASE THREE: Delivery of Relief Supplies X City T X City G ISB Country X C+31 to C+60 This phase begins with the delivery of relief supplies to Cities G & T and ends with distribution of those supplies throughout the cities well established. Operations will be conducted in both cities simultaneously. Phase is complete when distribution facilities are ready for hand over to local authorities. Task Steps Develop Initial COAs Initial Test for Validity Determine C2 Means Course of COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to MNFC MNFC Approves COAs Staff estimates Vertical & Action Development horizontal planning Task Steps Develop Initial COAs Initial Test for Validity Determine C2 Means Course of COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to MNFC MNFC Approves COAs Staff estimates Vertical & Action Development horizontal planning MNFC Approves COAs Review and approve COAs for further analysis Direct revisions to COAs, combinations of COAs, or development of additional COAs Task Steps Develop Initial COAs Initial Test for Validity Determine C2 Means Course of COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to MNFC MNFC Approves COAs Staff estimates Vertical & Action Development horizontal planning Conduct Initial Staff Estimates Each staff addresses each COA from its own perspective Staff prepares for COA analysis, COA comparison, and COA recommendation and selection Task Steps Develop Initial COAs Initial Test for Validity Determine C2 Means Course of COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to MNFC MNFC Approves COAs Staff estimates Vertical & Action Development horizontal planning Continue Concurrent planning Discuss planning status with counterparts, higher and lower Coordinate planning with staff counterparts from other functional areas Permits adjustments in planning Crisis Action Planning Process C R I S I S II I Crisis Situation Development Assessment III Course of Action Development IV Course of Action Selection V Execution Planning OPORD & Deployment Data Base VI Execution And/or Warning Order I Mission Analysis / Restated Mission II Course of Action Development Planning Order III Analysis of Opposing Courses of Action Alert Order IV Comparison of Own Courses of Action Commander’s Estimate Process Execute Order V Commander’ s Questions?