Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations - Historic Naval Ships ...

Approach to Planning and Primary DecisionsSTEPS IN THE AMPHIBIOUS PLANNING PROCESSHigher commander’swarning order,OPLAN, or OPORD6TRANSITION1MISSION ANALYSIS2COURSE OF ACTIONDEVELOPMENTLF commander’s OPLAN5ORDERS AND OPGENDEVELOPMENT3COURSE OF ACTIONWAR GAMECOURSE 4OFACTIONCOMPARISON ANDDECISIONLFOPGENOPLANOPORDFigure IV-1. Steps in the Amphibious Planning ProcessLanding ForceOperation General MattersOperation PlanOperation Orderinformation provided by the establishingauthority in the order initiating theamphibious operation and to produce anamphibious force mission statement(s).The commanders will provide planningguidance upon the completion of this step thatwill focus the staffs during step two, COAdevelopment.c. Course of Action Development. COAdevelopment is the phase of the JointOperation Planning and Execution Systemwithin the crisis action planning process thatprovides for the development of militaryresponses and includes, within the limits ofthe time allowed: establishing force andsustainment requirements with actual units;evaluating force, logistic, and transportationfeasibility; identifying and resolving resourceshortfalls; recommending resourceallocations; and producing a COA via acommander’s estimate that contains a conceptof operations, employment concept, riskassessments, prioritized COA, and supportingdatabases.d. Course of Action War Game. COAwargaming involves a detailed assessment ofeach COA as it pertains to the enemy and thebattlespace. Each friendly COA iswargamed against selected threat COAs.COA wargaming assists planners inIV-3