UNITED24 - Make a charitable donation in support of Ukraine!

Military

SECTION I

PREPARATION AND PLANNING OF TACTICAL COMMUNICATIONS

Chapter 3: SYNCHRONIZING AND INTEGRATING COMMUNICATIONS ASSETS
DURING THE WARGAMING PROCESS

Planning of Tactical Communications
 Table of Contents
Planning a Successful MSE Network

Part I
WHAT TO BRING TO THE WARGAMING TABLE

Before you get to the wargame, you must have selected your signal COA, proposed C2 nodes, and designed your communications architecture. As the wargaming session goes on, it is imperative that C3is part of the synchronization matrix. Use the wargaming session to integrate and synchronize the brigade's critical C2nodes with the communications assets that support the brigade's scheme of maneuver.

The BSO and staff must have a clear understanding of the brigade's time/space relation of its movement table and where the brigade plans to fight the enemy.

This action is important so the communications conditions can be set at the critical point on the battlefield and meet the commander's C3intent.

Part II
BEFORE WARGAMING BEGINS

__ Understand the commander's intent.

__ Complete terrain analysis.

__ Identify dead space.

__ Identify tentative C2nodes and organic signal system locations.

__ Plan C2 node and signal system location of higher headquarter (ensure NFAs are provided to the fire support element).

__ Roll-up of signal systems available.

__ Be aware of identified constraints and limitation you have for the mission.

Part III
ACTIONS DURING WARGAMING

__ Identify C2requirements by phase of the operation beginning with the R & S effort.

__ Ensure the C3requirements are synchronized and integrated with the scheme of maneuver.

__ Get C3information on the synchronization matrix.

__ What are the FM net priorities: CMD, O/I, Fire Support or A/L?

__ What is the priority for redundancy? What is the focus of support FM, MSE EPLRS, and NTDR?

Part IV
ACTIONS AFTER THE WARGAMING IS COMPLETE

__ Monitor the troop-leading procedures being conducted with communications chiefs and RETRANS teams.

__ Develop a signal annex.

__ Get prepared for briefing paragraph five and the concept for signal during the orders brief.

Part V
RETRANS PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

__ What types of RETRANS systems are needed for the brigade's mission: ground RETRANS, air RETRANS platform, C2bird platform, and/or dismount RETRANS teams?

__ What is the primary net for RETRANS?

__ What is the trigger for executing RETRANS operations?

__ What is the timeline for the RETRANS to get to its location and with whom will it deploy?

__ What is the security plan for RETRANS?

__ Once the primary RETRANS mission is complete, what is its alternate mission?

__ Identify contingencies (PACE) for success or failure of the RETRANS mission.

__ What is the threat to the RETRANS teams? Conduct a thorough IPB.

Part VI
INCORPERATING RETRANS TEAMS IN TROOP-LEADING PROCEDURES (TLPs)

Time management is a challenge for the BSO and the communications chief. The BSO and the communications chief must parallel-plan during the unit's planning process to allow RETRANS teams the necessary time to plan, prepare and execute their mission. It is essential that the signal planning remain a half step ahead of the unit planning process. This action will allow you and your teams to be well into the troop-leading procedures when the unit continues in the planning process. Use the flow chart and checklists at Figures 7 through 9 to improve time management. The parallel planning process will allow more time for the RETRANS teams to prepare for their mission. Even if RETRANS teams are in continuous operations, a good WARNO followed by a FRAGO will adequately prepare them for their next mission.

Figure 7. SIGNAL SECTION TROOP-LEADING PROCEDURES, "A WAY"
(U.S. Army, 1990)

Figure 8: FM Retrans Operations Order, "A WAY"

Part VII
BRIEFING THE CONCEPT OF SIGNAL AT OPORDs AND REHEARSALS

The BSO's largest challenge out on the battlefield is to ensure every leader and soldier clearly understands the communications architecture to support the brigade/battalion scheme of maneuver. OPORD briefs and rehearsals are the means where the BSO must drive home his/her communications plan. There are several techniques, but what's important is that commanders and soldiers leave the sandtable knowing how they will communicate with their commanders and subordinates. Listed below at * are key areas the BSO must address during this important occasion.

Part VIII
OPORD BRIEF CONSIDERATIONS

__ Have acetate prepared to post onto the maneuver graphics board with RAU coverage ranges, proposed RETRANS locations, proposed unit C2node locations and planned trigger line for RETRANS operations.

__ Always position yourself at the briefing board and physically point to key terrain and key communications locations that pertain to the unit's battlespace.

* Address the following areas in the OPORD brief:

__ Communications architecture plan.

__ RETRANS plan to include triggers.

__ RAU coverage plan.

__ MSE support plan.

__ C2node location and movement plan.

__ Commander and S3 on the battlefield.

__ Anti-Jam plan.

__ Paragraph 5.

Part IX
REHEARSALS

There are no additional considerations to the unit rehearsals. It is important that the BSO physically show where communications assets and C2nodes are employed on the battlefield. A technique observed is drawing a communications concept sketch on a 3X5 or 5X7 card for each commander. The sketch is provided before the BSO begins his portion of the rehearsal. This allows the commanders to review the sketches as the BSO rehearses his communications architecture plan.

Part X
C2NODE PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

__ Identify where higher headquarters C2nodes and communications assets are located on the battlefield.

__ Identify the primary and alternate locations of the unit's C2nodes: TOC, TAC, Assault CP and commander.

__ Identify the critical events in the battle that the C2nodes must be set to support the commander. Conduct time-distance analysis to ensure C2nodes are set at the right time and place.

__ Analyze proposed C2 node locations to ensure the following:

__ The TOC is within RAU coverage.

__ The TOC is within EPLRS connectivity range.

__ Higher headquarter can communicate from the proposed location.

__ The signal architecture design plan extends from the C2node to the most forward element based on signal doctrine, higher to lower.

__ Identify triggers for moving C2nodes. This action must be synchronized with communications assets employed on the battlefield.

Part XI
OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

Certain offensive and defensive signal planning considerations are key to the BSOs success in planning for a solid signal architecture. The planning considerations listed below must be second nature to the BSO. He must consider these areas at a minimum during the planning process. These are often overlooked. There are many other signal planning factors in addition to the ones listed below.

Offense

__ Has the BSO conducted a thorough map reconnaissance and examined the brigade/battalion width and depth of the assigned battlespace?

__ How far behind the LD is the TOC and TAC?

__ Does the C2movement plan place the C2nodes on the battlefield at the critical time required to support the commander?

__ Is there a contingency plan to support the R&S effort if the primary means fails?

__ Does the communications plan extend beyond the objective, and does it effectively support seamless communications for the fight?

__ Is the command net the critical net for all phases of the operations or should the unit prioritize other nets, such as O/I, FSE and/or A/L?

Passage of Lines (POL)

__ Collocate C2nodes.

__ Identify the nets on which the coordination and POL will take place.

__ Ensure signal asset locations are passed to the unit moving forward through the POL.

Screen/Counter Recon/COLTS

__ Identify the primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency communications plan for communicating with the unit's deep eyes.

__ Review closely the depth and width of the battlefield. Reconnaissance elements are always employed deep in zone.

__ Are the RETRANS teams or communications assets assigned NAIs?

Defense

__ Is the TOC located on a primary avenue of approach for the enemy? Are you on enemy's objective?

__ Does the TOC have a displacement plan?

__ Is there a jump TOC plan?

__ Are signal assets employed on the battlefield in the right location to support C2nodes during repositioning?

__ Does the displacement plan take your TOC through friendly maneuver positions, i.e., engagement areas, attack-by-fire positions, planned situational obstacles and artillery firing positions?

__ Are the RETRANS teams well-rehearsed with the counter-reconnaissance company to conduct a successful rearward passage of line? Do they know the return route through the main defensive obstacles?

Planning of Tactical Communications
 Table of Contents
Planning a Successful MSE Network



NEWSLETTER
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list