APPENDIX A
AIR DEFENSE ORDERS AND ANNEXES
This appendix explains those orders and annexes that are associated with the BSFV platoon leader's troop-leading procedures. To execute a plan, the platoon leader must be able to organize his thoughts and convey them in a concise and informative manner to his subordinates. To do this, the platoon leader must have a thorough understanding of the different types of orders and annexes he will receive and issue.
WARNING ORDER
A warning order provides subordinate units advance notice of a contemplated action or order to follow. The purpose is to initiate the troop-leading procedures of subordinate units.
The amount of detail included in a warning order is dependent on the time available, the means of communication available, and the information necessary for subordinate leaders. As more information becomes available, additional warning orders should be issued. Warning orders are normally oral orders but may be brief written messages.
The essential information required in a warning order is as follows:
- "Warning Order" stated so that addressees will recognize that orders follow.
- Addresses to whom the warning order pertains.
- Situation or a brief description of the enemy and friendly situation.
- Time and nature of the operation.
- Mission or probable mission and time.
- Earliest time to move.
- Time and place for OPORD issuance.
- Special instructions including any details of early coordination, rehearsals, special equipment requirements, attachments, et cetera.
- Acknowledgement that the warning order has been received and understood. See the following illustration for an example of a warning order.
OPERATION ORDER
To carry out the plan, the platoon leader must be able to convey his thoughts in a concise and informative manner. The Army's OPORD format standardizes the content and organization of information essential to clarity and execution of the order.
Leaders at all levels must practice preparing and presenting OPORDs. The time used will be time well-spent. Normally, at platoon level, the order will be oral or an annotated graphic overlay.
The five-paragraph OPORD tailored for an ADA platoon should contain the following information:
- Situation.
- Mission.
- Execution.
- Service Support.
- Command and Signal.
CONTENTS
See the following Air Defense Operations Order Format illustration.
FRAGMENTARY ORDER
A FRAGO is an order which presents material extracted from a more detailed order or which changes a previous order. Like warning orders, these are usually brief oral or written messages. A mission order is one form of FRAGO which provides experienced leaders with the essentials of an order: their mission or a change to a previously issued mission. FRAGOs may be oral, written, or graphic. In all instances, they are brief. See the Sample Fragmentary Order illustration.
AIR DEFENSE ANNEX
An annex is an integral part of an order which deals with one aspect of an operation. Its purpose is to keep the basic text of an order short. Annexes allow the distribution of certain information to key players in the task force. Annexes include--
- Details that amplify the basic order (operations overlay, intelligence instructions, early warning concept).
- Combat support instructions (ADA, fire support, and engineer).
- CSS instructions (service support overlay, traffic circulation, and control instructions).
- Any other information or directions required to amplify the order.
Many times the platoon leader supporting a specific unit will be required to write the AD Annex to the supported unit's OPORD. Annexes can be attached to the order or distributed separately. Unless there is good reason to the contrary, each copy of an order is issued complete with all annexes. See the Sample AD Annex illustration.
An AD annex may also be formatted in an execution matrix style that is common to many units. See the illustration for an example.
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