NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED REL GIRoA
CJOA-A COIN MISSION ESSENTIAL TASK: Conduct Decentralized Operations
(Master the Basics, Understand the Operational Environment, Know the Enablers, Language
Training, Know the Civilian component to our Civil/Military Team, Train decentralized
operations to the lowest level)
DESCRIPTION: Within an Afghanistan district, units are required to interact with the local
population requiring proximity and access to the people. Subordinate leaders at all echelons
exercise disciplined initiative within the commanders intent in order to separate the insurgent
from the population both physically and psychologically, deny access to key district
infrastructure (key terrain), protect key district leadership where ANSF cannot provide
protection, and allow freedom of movement of district governance, commerce, and
communication. Units must be capable and comfortable to operate independently with little
guidance. Commanders must push as many capabilities as possible down to subordinate
elements.
CONDITION: A unit is assigned an Afghan district as its operational area. The unit is
partnered with an ANSF unit. A district governor is present; however the effectiveness of the
district government has not been determined.
REFERENCES:
Tasks and Standards
1. Task Title: Establish Combat Outpost
Description: Construct, Occupy and Improve Combat Outposts/Platoon House
Measures:
Measures:
M1
M2
Scale:
Yes/No
Percent
M3
Yes/No
M4
Yes/No
M5
Yes/No
M6
M7
Yes/No
Yes/No
M8
M9
Yes/No
Yes/No
Description:
Has the unit planned location with local leadership?
Of assessment completed of the current or proposed location for the
Combat Outpost
Has the population density in the vicinity of the location been
considered?
Does the unit consider the number of root causes located in vicinity
of the area?
Does the unit understand the tactical value of the location to the
insurgents?
Does the unit understand the tactical value to the counterinsurgent?
Does the unit consider key infrastructure located vicinity of the
location?
Does the unit consider systems located vicinity of the location?
Does the unit consider the government facilities located vicinity of
the location?
NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED REL GIRoA
NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED REL GIRoA
M10
Percent
M11
Percent
M12
M13
M14
M15
M16
M17
M18
M19
M20
M21
M22
M23
M24
M25
M26
Yes/No
Percent
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Percent
Percent
Percent
Number
Yes/No
M27
M28
Percent
Yes/No
M29
M30
Yes/No
Yes/No
M31
M31
M31
M32
M33
M34
M35
Number
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Of unit plans that include control of key terrain
[Area/Structure/Population %]?
Of unit plans that include protection of key terrain
[Area/Structure/Population %]?
Has resourcing of Combat Outpost been planned?
Of project/mission timeline set
Has the outpost footprint been designed based on Lessons Learned
Has the outpost footprint been designed based on Best Practices?
Has the outpost footprint been designed based on METT-TC?
Has the outpost footprint been designed based on Doctrine?
Have the requirements been designed based on Lessons Learned
Have the requirements been designed based on Best Practices?
Have the requirements been designed based on METT-TC?
Have the requirements been designed based on Doctrine?
Of unit material requests fulfilled required to complete build project
Of unit engineer assets requests fulfilled required
Of unit engineer assets requests fulfilled
Of unit stages assets
Was force protection provided to construction element during
movement
Of sites secured
Has unit conducted local population interface throughout the
planning timeline
Has unit conducted KLEs throughout the planning timeline
Has project management oversight been provided throughout
construction process
Of assets requested when identified
Have principles of work been shared with partnered unit
Does the population have access to communicate to the unit on COP
Does the unit continue to conduct position improvement
Does the unit continue to conduct force protection implementations
Does the unit continue to conduct COP life cycle
Does the unit continue to conduct COP repairs
2. Task: Conduct patrols
Description: Patrolling is necessary to provide additional security and are either reconnaissance
or combat, mounted or dismounted. A patrol is tasked to collect information, confirm or deny
accuracy of previously gained information, provide security, and harass, destroy, or capture the
enemy. Patrols can also fix the enemy in place by fire and movement until other forces arrive or
supporting fires can destroy them. Mounted patrols are used where the unit has a larger sector to
cover and few personnel to patrol, and can be used to cover gaps between units in the defense,
provide flank security and coordination, patrol forward of the base perimeter to provide early
warning, and assist in reconnaissance when a large sector must be covered in a short time.
NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED REL GIRoA
NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED REL GIRoA
Dismounted patrols may be a fire team, squad, platoon or company and must be able to interact
with local inhabitants but still be ready to conduct combat operations.
Measures:
Measures:
M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
M6
Scale:
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
M7
Yes/No
Description:
Unit develops dismounted patrol matrix
Unit plans for the conduct of soldier engagement
Unit has basic language proficiency of area of operations
Unit conducts Battle Drills for CIVCAS (with ANSF)
Unit conducts judgmental training of key formations
Unit dismounted patrols have clear security and information
gathering objectives
Unit dismounted patrols conduct debriefings for the collection of
security and intelligence gathering objectives
3. Task: Execute Battle Handover (BHO)
Description: The exchange of battlespace and missions with SOF Forces.
Measures:
Measures:
M1
M2
M3
Scale:
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
M4
M5
M6
M7
M8
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
M9
M10
M11
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Description:
Unit is aware of operations in their AOR by SOF elements
Units plan for and coordinates TTPs with SOF element for BHO
Unit coordinates and plans for post operation information
engagement
Unit supports SOF Sensitive Site exploitation (SSE)
Unit conducts follow-on SSE
Unit identifies property seized and/or damaged
Unit plans payments for injured or killed Afghan civilian personnel
Unit plans payments for damaged Afghan property to include
livestock
Unit accounts for property seized and/or damaged
Unit returns any property that is authorized
IAW COMISAF night raids directive
4. Task: Protect the force
Description: Protecting the force consists of those actions taken to prevent or mitigate hostile
actions against personnel, resources, facilities and critical information. These actions conserve
the force’s fighting potential so that it can be decisively applied, and sufficient equipment must
be available to protect not only the uniformed force, but also the essential supporting U.S. and
civilian workforce. This task includes those measures the force takes to remain viable and
NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED REL GIRoA
NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED REL GIRoA
functional by protecting itself from the effects of or recovery from enemy activities, and when
located at CONUS installations.
Measures:
Measures:
M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
M6
M7
M8
M9
Scale:
Percent
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
M10
Yes/No
M11
Yes/No
M12
Yes/No
Description:
Of Unit has received Counter-IED training
Unit has appropriate level of Counter-IED equipment
Unit identifies changes to enemy IED TTPs
Unit reports changes to enemy IED TTPs
Unit integrates ongoing Counter-IED TTP changes
Plan for Quick Reaction Force (QRF)
Execute Emergency Procedures (check JDEIS)
Integrate Foreign Security Force into Protection Plan
Unit understands the roles and responsibilities of authorized civil
defense forces
Unit integrates project development from the authorized civil defense
forces with district Civ-Mil Team
Unit interacts with personnel and elements of the authorized civil
defense forces
Unit prepares for handover of authorized civil defense forces
oversight in their area
5. Task: Personnel Recovery
Description: Personnel recovery (PR) is an implicit requirement in all combat operations. PR is
the sum of all efforts to affect the recovery and return of isolated personnel. Isolated personnel
may include U.S. military, DoD civilian, or DoD contractor who is in an operational
environment requiring them to survive, evade, resist, or escape (SERE), and is beyond the
positive or procedural control of their unit. All elements of the force possess the ability to
support PR operations, or participate in the recovery of isolated personnel. These elements can
provide a variety of support including: recovery within their local areas, support to recovery
forces such as security or medical or providing C2 for recovery units/forces. The Component
Commander may, or may not, elect to dedicate forces to perform this mission; however,
additional capability to perform self supported recovery may be provided through the use of a
designated tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel (TRAP) force.
Measures:
Measures:
M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
Scale:
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Description:
Unit has a designated PR individual
Unit has been issued the Blood-Chits
Unit understands use of Blood-Chits
Unit has proper accountability of Blood-Chit issued
Unit understands the Personnel Recovery Mechanisms
NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED REL GIRoA
NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED REL GIRoA
M6
Yes/No
Unit has issued PR kits
6. Task: District Level Intelligence Gathering
Description: To conduct the six functions of intelligence operations. The intelligence functions
are conducted to provide intelligence in support of the decision making process of Commanders
down to the small-unit level. All six functions are carried out continually during the planning,
decision, execution, and assessment (PDE&A) cycle at all levels throughout the force. Particular
functions may be stressed more during one phase of the cycle. Different units may emphasize
one or two functions over the others based on individual missions. The six functions are: support
to Commander’s estimate; situation development; indications and warning; support to force
protection; support to targeting; and, support to combat assessment.
Measures:
Measures:
M1
M2
Scale:
Yes/No
Yes/No
M3
M4
M5
M6
M7
M8
M9
M10
M11
M12
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
M13
M14
Yes/No
Yes/No
M15
M16
M17
M18
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
M19
M20
Yes/No
Yes/No
M21
Yes/No
Description:
Unit has a designated intelligence cell
Unit identifies individuals as permanent members of the intelligence
support cell
Unit has trained analysts
Unit pushes analysts to lowest level
Unit understands ISR employment
Unit understands ISR request timeline
Unit understands capabilities of ISR specific platforms
Unit understands SIGINT capabilities
Unit understands employment of SIGINT technology
Unit uses organic SIGINT technology
Unit understands lethal and non-lethal targeting and effects
Unit understands second and third order effects of executing or not
executing targets
Unit understands the importance of exercising tactical patience
Unit integrates PSYOP asset to enhance the non-lethal
synchronization
PSYOP assets provide unit with Target Audience Analysis
PSYOP assets provide unit with radio message themes
PSYOP assets provide unit with tactical level information programs
Unit integrates Civil Affairs (CA) asset to enhance the non-lethal
synchronization
CA asset provides unit with synchronized development plan
CA asset provides unit with techniques to council development and
oversight
Unit conducts information sharing with all players within district
7. Task: Conduct Raids
NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED REL GIRoA
NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED REL GIRoA
Description: To conduct short-duration, small-scale deliberate attacks, involving a swift
penetration of hostile or denied battlespace. Raids are conducted in order to secure information,
to confuse the enemy, or to seize, destroy, neutralize, capture, exploit, recover, or damage
designated targets. Raids end with a planned withdrawal upon completion of the assigned
mission.
Measures:
Measures:
M1
Scale:
Yes/No
M2
M3
Yes/No
Yes/No
M4
M5
Yes/No
Yes/No
Description:
Unit understands COMISAF tactical directive of entering compounds
at night
Unit understands COMISAF Night Raid Directive
Unit assesses entering a residence at night against the following
criteria
Unit documents property seized, damaged, etc.
Was Post operation mitigation conducted?
8. Task: Protect the Populace
Description: Commanders at all levels must be well-informed on the use of force, and intent
must not be in conflict with legal constraints. The types of guidance relevant to the use of force
include international law (which include: security assistance agreements and status-offorces
agreements (SOFA)), U.S. law, HN law, law of war, ROE, and United Nations (UN) sanctions
(as applicable). Together, these laws and rules regulate the status and activities of the forces
across the range of military operations and prescribe the reciprocal rights, powers, duties,
privileges, and immunities of the U.S. Forces stationed abroad and of the governments of the
host and allied nations and their respective armed forces. The Armed Forces of the United States
are committed to conducting defense operations according to the applicable provisions of the law
of war, including those of The Hague and Geneva Conventions. Avoid civilian casualties,
unintended consequences, and improper use of escalation of force.
Measures: Note/Background: The COIN center of gravity is the will of the people
Measures:
M1
Scale:
Yes/No
M2
M3
Yes/No
Yes/No
Description:
Unit executes civilian casualty reporting in accordance with
COMISAF Tactical directives
Unit has battle drills to deal with reported civilian casualties
Unit conducts KLE to address CIVCAS incidents if appropriate
9. Task: Conduct Joint Fires
Description: To coordinate the employment of lethal fires against hostile targets which are in
close proximity to friendly forces to assist land and amphibious forces to maneuver and control
territory, populations, and key waters. Fire support can include the use of close air support (CAS)
(by both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft), naval surface fire support (NSFS), land-based fire
support, Special Operations Forces, as well as, some elements of electronic warfare (EW).
NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED REL GIRoA
NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED REL GIRoA
Measures:
Measures:
M1
Scale:
Yes/No
M2
M3
Yes/No
Yes/No
M4
M5
M6
M7
M8
M9
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Description:
Unit understands COMISAF Tactical Directive for employment
against residential compounds
Unit has appropriate number of Joint Field Observers
Unit places Joint Field observers and Joint Tactical Air Controllers at
appropriate level
Unit conducts battle damage assessment
Unit understands the Joint Fires approval authority
Unit understands fire support assets available
Unit understands Collateral Damage Estimates (CDE)
Unit utilizes capabilities of all organic enablers
Unit utilizes capabilities of all non-organic enablers
NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED REL GIRoA