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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMOPERATIONSWhile commanders at all levels can plan deceptionoperations, those operations must support andcomplement the higher headquarters deception plan.In many cases, strategic or operational plans may includethe employment of lower-level units, eventhough subordinate commanders may not be aware ofthe deception effort (see FM 90-2 for details on battlefielddeception).REHEARSALSA rehearsal is the process of practicing a plan beforeactual execution. Rehearsing key combat actionsallows participants to become familiar with the operationand to visualize the plan. Rehearsals assist unitsin orienting themselves to their environment and toother units during execution. Rehearsals also providea forum for subordinate leaders to analyze and understandthe plan, but caution must be exercised in adjustingthe plan or order to prevent errors in synchronization.While rehearsals with combat units usuallyoccur at the tactical level, headquarters at the operationallevel can rehearse key aspects of a plan usingcommand post exercises.Sometimes conditions allow for rehearsals of large,tactical formations such as the VII Corps move westduring Operation Desert Storm from tactical assemblyareas to attack positions using the same formationalignments they would later use during the attack.XVIII Airborne Corps conducted rehearsals of OperationJust Cause just prior to that operation, using avariety of methods to shield them from the enemy.However, even if time does not permit a complete rehearsalwith a full complement of troops and equipment,some form of rehearsal must take place with allkey leaders. It can be as simple as a leader discussionover a sand table or a C2 tactical exercise withouttroops (TEWT) over similar terrain—whatever reinforcesthe commander’s intent.WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTIONThe use of weapons of mass destruction can havean enormous impact on the conduct of all operations.Not only do the sheer killing and destructive power ofthese weapons create the battlefield effect, but the strategic,operational, psychological, and political impactsof their use affect campaign designs. Further, the proliferationof weapons of mass destruction dramaticallyalters the nature of regional conflict. As these weaponsproliferate, the likelihood of their use againstfriendly forces or in response to an enemy’s first useincreases. The effects of these weapons on a campaignor major operation—either through use or thethreat of use—can cause large-scale shifts in tacticalobjectives, phases, and courses of action. Thus, planningfor the possibility of their use against friendlyforces is critical to campaign design.From the combatant commander’s perspective, aswift end to a conflict will partially negate the escalatorypotential of these weapons. A combination ofconventional offensive and defensive measures canhelp deter or reduce the likelihood of an enemy’s useof these weapons. Offensive preventive measures mayinclude raids, surgical air strikes, and operations designedto locate and neutralize the threat of such weapons.Commanders implement defensive NBC principlesof avoidance, protection, and decontamination.They also plan for effective air and ballistic missiledefense with different systems. US military policyattempts to deter enemy use of weapons of mass destructionthrough a defense posture that allows USforces to survive, fight, and win under conditions producedby these weapons.Commanders must assess an enemy’s willingnessto employ these weapons and the conditions that wouldprompt him to do so. However, commanders shouldnever assume rationality in the mind of the enemy. Avirtually defeated enemy may resort to unrestrictedwarfare by any means at hand.The Mass Destruction EnvironmentWhen weapons of mass destruction are used, extensivedestruction and mass casualties can result.Only cohesive, disciplined, physically fit, and welltrainedunits can function in this environment. Butlong-term operations in this environment will degradeeven the best individual and unit performance as a resultof wearing protective equipment. Commandersmust train and equip soldiers and civilians alike toendure these conditions. By being better prepared thanthe enemy for continuous operations under conditionsproduced by weapons of mass destruction, US forcescan maintain an advantage over the enemy that detershim from using these weapons.Force protection is an imperative in this environment.Units can survive the use of weapons of massdestruction by anticipating their employment. Commanderscan protect their forces in a variety of ways.These include training, OPSEC, dispersion of forces,and proper use of terrain for shielding against effects.6-10