Purpose

1. Deployable Joint Task Force Augmentation Cell (DJTFAC) Multinational Planning Augmentation Team (MPAT) 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 • Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual 3500.05, CTF 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

2. Crisis Action Planning Process C R I S I S III Course of Action Development OPORD & Deployment Data Base IV Course of Action Selection V Execution Planning II Crisis Assessment I Situation Development VI Execution And/or Warning Order Planning Order Alert Order Execute Order I Mission Analysis II Course of Action Development III Analysis of Opposing Courses of Action IV Comparison of Own Courses of Action V Commander’s Decision Commander’s Estimate Process Key Planning Concepts: • Supported Strategic Commander’s (CINC--higher headquarters) strategic intent and operational (CTF HQ) 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

3. The COA is a broad statement of one way to accomplish a 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 Course of Action Development Develop Initial COAs Initial Test for Validity Determine C2 Means COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to CCTF CCTF Approves COAs Task Steps Staff estimates Vertical & Horizontal planning

4. The intended COA The clone of the Intended COA The throw away Nested COAs Prepare for COA Development Plan to plan • One big group? • Several groups? • Big brain technique? • Simultaneous or sequential development? Brainstorm • Be bold in concept • Be general by component • Be open to new ideas • Be unconstrained COA Development—Things to Avoid The commander may make the decision before all the facts are gathered and analysis is complete

5. Develop Initial COAs Develop Initial COAs • Review mission analysis / CTF commander planning guidance • Develop plans to integrate the multinational environment • Focus on centers of gravity • Identify sequencing and phasing for each COA • Identify main and supporting efforts • Identify component level missions/tasks • Develop information operations support items Initial Test for Validity Determine C2 Means COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to CCTF CCTF Approves COAs Staff estimates Vertical & horizontal planning Course of Action Development

6. Test COA Validity

7. Test COA Validity Develop Initial COAs • Is the COA suitable? • Is the COA feasible? • Is the COA acceptable? • Is the COA complete? • Are the COAs distinguishable? Initial Test for Validity Determine C2 Means COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to CCTF CCTF Approves COAs Staff estimates Vertical & horizontal planning Course of Action Development

8. Will the COA accomplish the Mission if carried out successfully. Is it aimed at the right objectives? Test COA Validity SUITABLE FEASIBLE • Do we have the required resources to accomplish the mission and will they be available in the operations area in time? • Forces / Capability • Strategic Lift • Sustainment • Support 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 CCTF must consider: • Loss in Position Legal / Ethical • Loss in Time • Political Acceptability

9. Are the COAs technically complete? Will the COAs: Satisfy all operational tasks? Forces identified? Logistical concept? Deployment and employment concept? Time estimates for mission accomplishment, termination objectives, reserve force concept and desired endstate. Transition. Test COA Validity • Are the COAs significantly different • From CCTF perspective? • From the perspective of HHQ? • From the perspective of the coalition NCA? DISTINGUISHABLE COMPLETE

10. Determine Command & Control Means Develop Initial COAs Initial Test for Validity • Determine command relationships • Operational Control (OPCON) • Tactical Control (TACON) • Support (general, direct, close) • Organizational options • Service components • Functional components • Subordinate CTF or TF • Determine control measures Determine C2 Means COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to CCTF CCTF Approves COAs Staff estimates Vertical & horizontal planning Course of Action Development

11. CTF Organizational Structure Examples CCTF NATIONAL C2 STRUCTURE “X” FORCES “Y” FORCES COALITION – AD HOC COMBINED – ALLIANCE, TREATY OR OTHER FORMAL AGREEMENT CCTF FUNCTIONAL C2 STRUCTURE CNAVFOR CARFOR CAFFOR CMARFOR CSOTF CPOTF Historically, national component structure has been used in coalition operations, and functional component structure in allied operations

12. Example: Command & Control Structure CCTF HQ STAFF* PUERTO PRINCESA/CEBU NDCC WESCOM VISCOM SOUTHCOM CTG A CEBU CTG B CAGAYAN DE ORO CFACC CLARK/CEBU CFMCC USS ESSEX/CEBU • AFP • USA/USMC • UK/NZ/CAN/AUS • ROK • CSOTF/POTF • AFP • FI • MAL • SING • TH • BD • MADAGASCAR • CPOTF/CSOTF • KC-135 • C-17/C-141/C-5 • K/C-130 • ESSEX ARG/MEU • ROKN TF • AUS LSH • UK FF • RPN TF 80 • MALAYSIAN LST COORD SUPPORTING *INCLUDES BOARDS, BUREAUS, CELLS: HA/DR COORD BOARD, ATO CHAIR, MTO (MARITIME), INFO OPS, ENGR COORD BOARD, MED SPT COORD BOARD LOG SPT COORD BOARD, CIB

13. Prepare COA Statement, Sketch, & Task Organization Develop Initial COAs Initial Test for Validity • COA statement answers WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, HOW • Develop COA sketch • Task organize the force • Initial organization • One level down Determine C2 Means COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to CCTF CCTF Approves COAs Staff estimates Vertical & horizontal planning Course of Action Development

14. Phase 3: Conduct HA/DR Operations CTF HQ: Provide C2; NGO / PVO / IO coordination; transition planning; information ops; relocate to forward location CTG A: conduct HA/DR ops ISO VISCOM; conduct info ops; coordinate with NGO / PVO / IO; prepare for redeployment CTG B: conduct HA/DR ops ISO SOUTHCOM; conduct info ops; coordinate with NGO / PVO / IO; prepare for redeployment CFACC: Support HA/DR ops CFMCC: Support HA/DR ops; redeploy HQ as required CTG A CTG B This phase starts with lodgment of forces and ends when transition criteria are met; the main effort is CTG A.

15. Develop Initial COAs Initial Test for Validity Determine C2 Means COA Statement & Sketch Brief Courses of Action to Commander of Coalition / Combined Task Force (CCTF) Brief COAs to CCTF CCTF Approves COAs Staff estimates Vertical & horizontal planning Course of Action Development

16. CCTF Consideration of the COAs Develop Initial COAs • Review and approve COAs for furtheranalysis • Direct revisions to COAs, combinations of COAs, or development of additional COAs Initial Test for Validity Determine C2 Means COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to CCTF CCTF Approves COAs Commander’s Guidance Vital During This Step! Staff estimates Vertical & horizontal planning Course of Action Development

17. Conduct Initial Staff Estimates Develop Initial COAs Initial Test for Validity • Each staff addresses each COA from its own perspective • Staff prepares for COA analysis, COA comparison, and COA recommendation and selection Determine C2 Means COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to CCTF CCTF Approves COAs Staff estimates Vertical & horizontal planning Course of Action Development

18. Continue Concurrent Planning Communicate and Coordinate! Develop Initial COAs • Discuss planning status with counterparts, higher and lower • Coordinate planning with staff counterparts from other functional areas • Permits adjustments in planning Initial Test for Validity Determine C2 Means COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to CCTF CCTF Approves COAs Staff estimates Vertical & horizontal planning Course of Action Development

19. The COA is a broad statement of one way to accomplish a 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 Course of Action Development Develop Initial COAs Initial Test for Validity Determine C2 Means COA Statement & Sketch Brief COAs to CCTF CCTF Approves COAs Task Steps Staff estimates Vertical & Horizontal planning

20. Deployable Joint Task Force Augmentation Cell (DJTFAC) Multinational Planning Augmentation Team (MPAT) Course of Action Development Questions?