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Course of Action Development (MDMP)

3 Mar 08Multinational Planning Augmentation Team (MPAT)Multinational Planning Augmentation Team (MPAT)

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Agenda

•Understand how to develop Courses of Action (COAs)

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Steps in the process

MissionAnalysis

COA Dev

COA AnalysisCOA Comparison

Orders Development

Receipt of Mission

Higher Commander’s Warning Order, Operation

Plan or Order

Commander’s Operation

Plan or Order

2

1

3

45

6COA Approval

7

You are here

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Course of Action Development

•Approved Mission Analysis Mission Statement•Commander’s Intent•COA dev guidance•Warning Order

•Commander’s:•Designated COAs for wargaming•Wargaming guidance•Evaluation criteria

•Update OPE•Display Friendly Forces•Assess relative combat power•Develop initial COAs

•Cmdr input•COA refinement

•Develop COA graphic and narrative•Ensure conformance to COA criteria•Prepare COA briefing•Select and/or modify COA•Develop Cmdr Wargame guidance•Develop Cmdr evaluation criteria

Inputs Process Outputs

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What is a COA?

•A broadly stated potential solution to an assigned mission.•It should answer the questions:–What do we want to do?–How do we want to do it?

•Should be based on experience, judgment, and creativity

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The Process

•Review the situation •Develop COAs from Commander’s Guidance•COA Sketch and Narrative•Must meet the COA Criteria–Suitable–Feasible–Acceptable–Distinguishable–Complete

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COA Sketch and Narrative

•A graphic and text description of the COA•Should include:–Scheme of Maneuver in chronological order–A Main Effort action with task and purpose–Supporting Effort actions with task and purpose–Can use Close, Deep and Rear operations–Phasing/ staging/ timing

•Developing a synchronization matrix here for each COA will be helpful during wargaming

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Example #1

CTF conducts peace enforcement operations in support of the Boise Accords along the Tierra Del Oro (TDO)-Sonora border. CTF air forces will establish bases in TDO and begin enforcement of a no-fly zone over the border area. CTF sea forces will arrive by D-20 and establish freedom of navigation. CTF land forces (the main effort) will assemble at the port of San Diego in TDO by D-10 and move along designated routes to the disputed border area not later than D Day.

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Example #2

CTF conducts peace enforcement operations in support of the Boise Accords along the Tierra Del Oro (TDO)-Sonora border. CTF air forces will establish bases in Mojave and begin enforcement of a no-fly zone over the border area. CTF sea forces will arrive by D-20 and establish freedom of navigation. CTF land forces (the main effort) will assemble at the port of Tucson in Sonora by D-10 and move along designated routes to the disputed border area not later than D Day.

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Example #3

CTF conducts peace enforcement operations in support of the Boise Accords along the Tierra Del Oro (TDO)-Sonora border. Phase I CTF moves into AO and establishes bases in TDO to support Phase II. Phase II CTF establishes no-fly zone and zone of separation along the the border area. Phase III CTF conducts transition to UN PKF. Phase IV CTF redeploys through established bases in TDO.

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COA Criteria

•Suitable–Accomplishes the mission; complies with

commander’s guidance•Feasible

–Works within time, space, and resource constraints•Acceptable

–Creates advantage with reasonable cost in resources

•Distinguishable–Does not look the same as other COAs

•Complete–Accomplishes all tasks and overall purpose

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Outputs

•COA Briefs to the Commander•Wargaming guidance from the Commander–Method of wargame–Wargame technique–Enemy COAs to wargame against

•Evaluation Criteria

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DiscussionDiscussion

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COA Development Guidance

•Guidance Common to both:–“Whole of Government” approach–Must integrate MNF support–Must integrate ASEAN support–All weather

COA 1•Relief of population Kampong Thom is the Main Effort•Use Phnom Penh as Aerial Port of Debarkation (APOD) for external support•Use Sihanoukville as Sea Port of Debarkation (SPOD) for external support

COA 2•Relief of population Prey Vang is the Main Effort•Use Phnom Penh as Aerial Port of Debarkation (APOD) for external support•Use Phnom Penh as Sea Port of Debarkation (SPOD) for external support