FM 100-5 Operations - Survival Ebooks Military Manuals Survival ...

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMFM 100-5Commanders consider the factors of METT-T,strategic lift, pre-positioned assets, and host nationsupport when they tailor forces. For an unopposed entryoperation, for example, a commander might schedulelogistics, engineer, MP, and special operations unitsto deploy early, particularly if faced with limited hostnation support and infrastructure. Faced with an opposedentry operation, the commander would tailorhis flow and mix differently, placing more combat unitsin the early deploying echelons. Commanders mightfind they need to substitute one type of unit for anotheror to add units that have never trained togetherbefore. This places a premium on early and continuousteamwork. Such early and continuous teamwork,emphasized by visits and other contacts, builds thecohesion in the new team that is essential for missionsuccess. Whether planning for war or operations otherthan war, commanders must select a force compositionappropriate for the mission, build the team, andplan for simultaneous deployment and expeditiousemployment of the force.INTELLIGENCEThe rapid introduction of US forces requires accurate,detailed, continuous, and timely intelligence,especially during the critical early deployment decisionwindows. Therefore, key intelligence personneland equipment must arrive in the theater early. Combatantcommanders, in their peacetime regional intelligenceassessments, and host nation support personnelshould determine the availability of infrastructuresuch as roads and railroads, ports and airfields, materialshandling equipment, construction materials, water,storage facilities, and similar resources. Theyshould also assess the capabilities of potential enemies.In the early days of a crisis, uncertainties and higherrisks dictate the need for rapid intelligence updates.Planning time is typically short, and units may have tooperate in areas where few intelligence-gathering capabilitiesexist. Therefore, tactical commanders andunits will not normally be able to produce answers totheir intelligence requirements, but will rely on moresenior echelons. They will need to gain timely intelligencefrom the full integration of national and theaterassets.Early deploying units usually face a maze of complexinformation requirements—some relating to theenemy, others to local laws, bureaucratic procedures,availability of facilities, and similar considerations.This ability of theater or national intelligence sourcesto fulfill tactical intelligence requirements and toremain responsive to dynamic, lower-echelon needsis key to the success of early deploying tactical echelons.Force-projection operations need accurate andresponsive tactical intelligence. In any case, commandersmust include in the tailoring considerations how tosatisfy their intelligence requirements for the missioneither by providing early arriving intelligence units,ensuring connectivity with national assets, or both.BATTLE COMMANDForce-projection operations will greatly tax battlecommand. The deployment phase of an operation mayresult in the physical separation of units in space andtime, thus causing units to be separated from the nexthigher headquarters. Soldiers may arrive by air, whiletheir equipment arrives by sea at a separate location,particularly if the deployment is unopposed. Someunits might not arrive in the order anticipated, whileothers might report to new organizations upon arrivalin theater. The enemy may attack unexpectedly beforedeployment is complete. This may cause somecommanders to fight without their entire complementof forces present.Commanders must contend with the simultaneouschallenges of deployment, entry, and combat, retainingthe capability to adjust to evolving conditions ofeach. Simplicity and the ability to adapt and adjustare key considerations. Tactical commanders mustadapt to the nature of the deployment flow and prepareplans that rapidly build combat power, providefor security of the force, and facilitate future operations.Commanders and staffs must have robust commandand intelligence means during force projection.Army and joint systems must accurately track friendlyforces and forecast their arrival in the theater so thatcommanders can react to last-minute adjustments.These forecasts provide flexibility and help commanderskeep their options open. Space-based systems cangreatly facilitate the commander’s real-time knowledgeof unit status and visibility of other key assets, aswell as supplement other intelligence systems. Establishingadequate communications networks may requirelinking with compatible commercial systems.Commanders require home station, en route, andin-theater communications means that are secure,reliable,3-5