What is Operational Art?

Operational art is the application of creative imagination by commanders and staffs supported by their skill, knowledge, and experience to design strategies, campaigns, and major operations and organize and employ military forces. Operational art integrates ends, ways, and means across the levels of war. JP 3-0 (Chap IV)

Levels of War
Strategic Ends Operational Ways Tactical Means

Campaigns Major Operations Battles Engagements

Principles of War Other Principles of Joint Operations Maneuver Economy of Force Objective Mass Restraint Prudent application of force IAW Acceptable ROE Offensive Unity of Command Perspective Prepared for measured, protracted application of capability Security Surprise Legitimacy Perception that authority is genuine; willing acceptance Simplicity JP 3-0 (Chap II, App A) JP 3-0 (Chap II, App A)
Elements of Operational Design Termination criteria of NCA met before a joint operation can be concluded. End State & Objectives conditions that define achievement of the objectives. Effects physical or behavioral states that result from an action or actions. Centers of Gravity source of power that provides moral or physical strength or will to act. Decisive Points place, event, factor of marked advantage; keys to attacking COGs. Direct vs. Indirect balance both, seek seams. Lines of Operation physical & logical; linkage of actions and decisive points/objectives. Operational Reach and Approach Lines of operations over distance and time. Simultaneity and Depth concurrent conduct at all levels. Timing and Tempo operate inside enemy OODA loop. Forces and Functions attack forces and C2, log, air/missile defense Leverage dimensional superiority, isolate and attack. Balance maintain mix capabilities and freedom of action. Anticipation situational awareness and IPB. Synergy integrating and synchronizing all dimensions. Culmination point of loss of freedom of action Arranging Operations combine simultaneous and sequential operations. JP 3-0 (Chap IV) Organizing Operational Areas Area of Responsibility (AOR) Theater of War Theater of Operations Combat Zones & Communications Zones (COMMZ) Joint Operations Area (JOA) Joint Special Operations Area (JSOA) Joint Security Area (JSA) Amphibious Operations Area (AOA) Area of Operations (AO) JP 3-0 (Chap II) Contiguous & Noncontiguous Operational Areas

Phase 0 Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5

Campaign Phases Shape Deter Seize Initiative Dominate Stabilize Enable Civil Authority JP 3-0 (Chap V)

Campaign a series of related military operations aimed at accomplishing a military strategic or operational objective within a given time and space. Also Global Campaign, Theater Campaign, Subordinate Campaign. Major Operation a series of tactical actions (battles, engagements, strikes) conducted by combat forces of a single or several services, coordinated in time and place, to achieve strategic or operational objectives in an operational area. Campaigns and Major Operations include varying combinations of Offensive, Defensive, and Stability Operations. JP 3-0 (Chap IV & V) Organizing the Joint Force 1. Joint Force Options: Combatant Commands (Unified; Specified); Subordinate Unified Command; Joint Task Force. 2. Component Options: Service Components (ARFOR, NAVFOR, etc.); Functional Components (JFACC, JFLCC, etc.).

Joint Functions Command and Control Intelligence Fires Movement and Maneuver Protection Sustainment JP 3-0 (Chap III)

3. Coalition Options: Parallel Coalition Commands; Lead Nation Coalition Command; Combination. JP 3-16 (Mar 07) includes Integrated Command, such as NATO. JP 3-0 (Chap II)

IO Capabilities Related to Joint Functions

Core Capabilities Psychological Operations Independent Military Deception Independent Operations Security Protection Computer Network Ops: Fires, Pro, Intel Electronic Warfare: Fires, Pro, C2 Supporting Capabilities Information Assurance Protection Physical Security Protection Counterintelligence Intelligence Related Capabilities Public Affairs C2 Civil-Military Operation C2 Defense Support to Public Diplomacy

Types of Military Operations

Major Operations Homeland Defense Civil Support Strikes Raids Show of Force Enforcement of Sanctions Protection of Shipping Freedom of Navigation Peace Operations Range of Military Operations Military Engagement, Security Cooperation, Deterrence

JP 3-0 (Chap I)

Support to Insurgency Counterinsurgency Operations Combating Terrorism Noncombatant Evacuation Operations Recovery Operations Consequence Management Foreign Humanitarian Assistance Nation Assistance Arms Control and Disarmament Routine, Recurring Military Activities JP 3-0 (Chap I)

Crisis Response & Limited Contingency Operations Major Operations & Campaigns

JP 3-0 (Chap III)

Fire Support
Essential Fire Support Tasks (EFSTs)
Task Enemy Focus Targeting Objective Limit Disrupt Delay Destroy Damage (BCT & Higher) Divert (BCT & Higher) Formation Enemy Formation Function What the Enemy is Doing Purpose Friendly Focus Describes the Friendly Maneuver or Operational Purpose Method Priority Priority of Fires Allocations Observers Triggers Target Allocation Final Protective Fires Priority Targets CAS / Attack Aviation Special Munitions IEW Restrictions Fire Support Coordination Measures Effects Attempts to Quantify the Task. Provides the looker with a measure of completion of the task. Provides the Basis for the Assess Function in D3A.

Essential Fire Support Tasks (EFSTs)

Task Enemy Focus: Objective: What do you want to do to the enemy? (maneuver terminology) Formation: Clearly identify what enemy elements/ sub-elements you want to attack/affect. Function: What do you want that element not to do to us or to spot doing? (enemy units task) Purpose Friendly Focus: To allow which of your units/.. To do what? (friendly unit and his purpose) Method: The FSO works this. He recommends priorities, allocations, and restrictions based on his mission analysis. Give him special guidance only if necessary i.e. CAS, CPHD, SMOKE, ECT. If it will enhance or detract from your plan in some unique way. Priorities: Allocations: Restrictions: Effects: What must the looker see to know that he has accomplished the task?

MDMP STEP

INPUTS
Higher WARNO or OPORD Facts from FA BN, ALO, others Facts from higher and adjacent FSEs / FISTs IPB products Enemy COAs from S-2 HVTs by enemy phase or critical event

ACTIONS
Understand higher MNVR and FS plan Organize & analyze facts Id specified and implied FS tasks Translate status of FS assets into capabilities Analyze effects of IPB on FS Use above to develop draft EFSTs

OUTPUTS
FSO portion of MA brief Higher FS plan Briefing charts FS status FS capabilities/limitations FS IPB analysis FS timeline RECOMMEND EFSTs Commander: approve EFSTs or modify Give other FS guidance

RECEIPT OF MISSION and MISSION ANALYSIS

COA DEVELOPMENT

See outputs from step 1

Determine where to find and attack EFST formations ID HPTs in those formations (TVA) Quantify the effects for EFSTs Plan methods for EFSTs Allocate assets to acquire
Allocate assets to attack Integrate triggers with MNVR COA

Use battle calculus Assist S-2 in R&S develop to support FS Targeting decisions: finalize HPTL Wargame FS Plan(s) vs enemy COAs Modify / refine inputs as required Refine and test FS plan

For each COA developed: Concept of fires Draft FSEM Draft tgt list/overlay Draft TSM or modified TSM Collection /R&S plan

COA ANALYSIS AND COA COMPARISON

See outputs from step 2

Final drafts: Fires paragraph FS annex: FSEM Tgt list Tgt overlay TSM or modified TSM (HPTL, AGM, TSS) Commander: selects, modifies or approves COA FSO: FS WARNO 3 (or FS info included in Bde WARNO) Clean-up finalize and reproduce written products Prepare, rehearse and issue OPORD as part of staff FS back brief Manage refinement Rehearsal

COA APPROVAL and ORDERS PRODUCTION See outputs from step 3 STAFF SUPERVISION

Approval briefing FS plan briefed as part of each COA FSO presents analysis as part of battle staff

Commanders Guidance
(FM 5-0, P. 3-28 and FM 3-09.31 P. 4-4)
The Decisive Operation Identification of a decisive point or points Potential Key Decisions Specific COAs to consider or not, both friendly and enemy, and the priority for addressing them Initial CCIR Surveillance and reconnaissance guidance Risk Military Deception Fires Preferred FS system for the engagement of HPTs. Though the HPTL has not been developed/approved yet, based on the S2's mission analysis briefing you may have an idea of what asset to use (lethal fires, non-lethal fires) and desired effects against potential HPTs. Guidance for fires. Task as an effect on the enemy formation that provides the enemy a function. State the purpose in terms of how the targeting effect will benefit a friendly maneuver formation. Observer plan. Employment of COLTs or Strikers. Special Munitions - illum use, smoke/WP, ground & air launched precision guided munitions, scatterable mines. Counterfire or counterbattery responsibilities you want planned by the FSCOORD. (Must be synched w/higher HQ or the cntrfire HQ). Guidance on critical friendly zones (CFZ) and call-for-fire zones (CFFZ). Guidance for the security of Firefinder radars (which forces at what time or event?). Suppression or destruction of enemy air defense guidance. Fire support coordinating measures. Protected target list. ROE guidance. Guidance for FPFs, minimum safe distances and risk estimate distances. Engagement criteria. Guidance on size and type of units you want fires to engage at select points in the operation. Mobility and Counter-Mobility Security Operations Priorities for the BOS The Operational Timeline The Type of Order to Issue Collaborative Planning Sessions to be Conducted Movements to Initiate (Including C2 Nodes) The Type of Rehearsal to Conduct Any Other Information the Commander Wants the Staff to Consider

FSC Running Estimate

(FM 3-09.42 P. 3-10)
The task organization of subordinate forces and their missions The availability of FA resources, including delivery systems (cannon, MLRS), ammunition available or required, and TA assets. The availability of other FS resources including mortars, naval surface fire support (NSFS), CAS, and Army aviation support. In the attack, the enemy disposition (including frontage and depth), the degree of protection afforded the enemy, objectives for subordinate forces or units, the number of phases, and the likely frontage and depth of the assault. These will affect the allocation of FS resources to subordinate units. In the defense, the mission of the covering force, the frontage and depth of the main battle area, the contingencies for counterattack, and considerations for shaping operations. The speed of movement to contact and withdrawal. In light forces, the force anti-armor plan. Courses open to the enemy artillery commander, especially his most probable COA. These are derived from the intelligence estimate and knowledge of enemy artillery doctrine. Consideration of this factor results in The probable enemy artillery plan Enemy artillery vulnerabilities Enemy weapons of mass destruction capability and posture Any information requirements on enemy artillery that have significant influence on the tasking of weapons-locating sensors. The allocation of resources, weapons, and munitions for counterfire. Measures to reduce the vulnerability of our force. The recommended counterfire priorities for each phase of the battle (by the designation of critical friendly zones and enemy weapons systems). The enemy IEW situation The identification of high-value targets (HVTs). HVTs are those assets that the enemy commander requires for the successful completion of his mission (derived from TVA and IPB). The commanders information requirements (derived from the intelligence estimates). The availability and condition of roads, trails, and likely position areas. Ammunition consumption factors (type and quantity), pre-positioning requirements, and priority of CSS. The effects of survey and meteorological upper air data and forecast weather conditions on the ability to guarantee timely and accurate FS (to include weapon and TA assets). The reliability and range of communications. The time required for positioning and technical preparation to engage targets. The time to be ready to support the operation.