The ability to project power
is a central element of the nation's security strategy and force
projection is a key element. Force projection may be deliberate
or time sensitive. The Army's response to a regional crisis may
be time sensitive and may occur in areas of the world where the
Army does not have a significant presence. With the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction, it is likely that regional crises
will involve nations that have an offensive NBC capability.
The Army operates in a strategic
environment that can result in military operations under many
conditions. These operations are conducted within a range of three
states--peacetime, conflict, and war. Force projection will usually
begin as a contingency operation--a rapid response to a crisis.
Contingency operations may be required for combat or noncombat
situations. Contingency operations will be joint and could be
combined. Committed forces are tailored and task-organized for
rapid deployment, forcible entry if needed, effective employment,
and mission accomplishment.
As weapons of mass destruction
spread across the globe, it is likely that the US will face them
in military operations across the range of military operations.
Since NBC weapons will make any operation more difficult, detailed
planning is crucial. Chemical units and staffs must be prepared
to operate across the range of military operations and will play
an increasing role in contingency operations. Chapter 6 discusses
operations other than war.
PHASES
Ideally force projection operations
are phased. While particular crisis response may not include every
phase, there are generally eight phases to a force projection
operation--
- Mobilization (if necessary)
- Predeployment activities.
- Deployment.
- Entry operations.
- Operations.
- Postconflict or postcrisis
operations.
- Redeployment.
- Demobilization.
Mobilization
In this phase, the active
component is augmented by the reserve component. The amount and
type of reserve forces mobilized depends on the crisis. A significant
portion of the Chemical Corps force structure is maintained in
the reserve component.
Chemical Units
Reserve component chemical
units may be mobilized as part of the deploying force. Active
component chemical units may be assigned the responsibility of
assisting mobilized units prepare for deployment. This includes
assisting in the organizing of personnel, material, and supplies
and certifying the proficiency of individuals and units.
Chemical Staff Considerations
- Determine training requirements.
- Identify equipment and personnel
shortages.
Predeployment Activities
During this phase, military
forces are selected and a force is tailored for deployment to meet the needs
of the crisis. The type of crisis will dictate if
chemical staffs and units are involved. Intelligence concerning
the threat's capability to employ NBC or the type of commercial
chemical hazards in the area of operations is critical to properly
tailor the force.
Chemical Units
Selected chemical units are
alerted. Units recall and assemble personnel, then upload equipment
and prepare for movement to the marshaling area. The amount of
time the unit has available may be limited. Thus, premobilization
training and preparation is critical. Units must review their
load plans and deployment plans to ensure that all mission-essential
equipment deploys with the unit. Review mission essential task
list (METL) and develop a training program to correct identified
deficiencies as time permits.
Chemical Staff Considerations
- Determine possible NBC threat
to include nonstandard hazards (commercial chemical and nuclear
facilities).
- Identify chemical units needed
to support the operation.
- Determine NBC defense training
requirements.
- Plan early deployment of chemical
command and control elements into the area of operations.
- Determine required CDE/NBC
equipment.
Deployment
During this phase of the operation
the force actually deploys to the area of operations. During peacetime,
deployment will normally be to the host nation directly by air
or sea movement. In operations conducted during hostilities operations
other than war, or war, occupation and expansion of the lodgement
areas may require a forced entry and immediate combat operations.
If the threat has the capability of employing NBC weapons, the
use of these weapons during this phase may provide him with the
greatest payoff against US forces. Combat forces and supporting
forces will be sequenced into the area of operations to gain and
sustain the initiative while protecting the force.
Chemical Units
A tailored chemical force
consisting of smoke/decon and NBC reconnaissance elements should
be considered for early deployment if the threat warrants. If
the threat has no offensive NBC capability, smoke/decon units
could deploy without their decon equipment to minimize transportation
requirements.
Chemical Staff Considerations
- Determine host nation capabilities
and coordinate for support.
- Monitor deployment of chemical
units.
- Monitor deployment of NBC
defense equipment.
- Monitor NBC situation and
recommend changes to the plan as necessary.
Entry Operations
The requirements for entry
operations following deployment will vary with each operation.
Whenever possible, unopposed entry is favored. Here deploying
units flow through air or sea ports into lodgement areas. Typically
entry operations during operations other than war will be unopposed.
An opposed entry requires combat to land the deploying forces
in the theater. The vulnerability of entry forces to weapons of
mass destruction are acute during the initial entry stage. Force
protection is critical. Chemical staffs and units will play a
key role in providing force protection.
The objective during this
phase is to rapidly build the capability of the force in the area
of operations. Proper sequencing of forces into the area will
contribute to the stabilization of the situation and allow the
commander to conduct decisive operations as early as possible.
Combat may or may not occur. In either case the emphasis is on
developing the preconditions for executing decisive operations,
Principal tasks during this
phase include--establishing a forward operating base, closing
the force, expanding the lodgement, linking up with other forces,
securing the lodgement by expanding the security area, and striking
out to engage enemy forces in offensive operations. If the enemy
has NBC weapons, a minimal decon capability needs to be available.
Smoke elements provide force protection with large-area smoke.
Chemical Units
Protection of the force is
the primary mission. Smoke units can provide large area screens
over vital areas or as part of a deception operation. NBC recon
units are positioned to react to any report of NBC hazards or
attacks. Decon units are prepared to rapidly decontaminate contaminated
units or facilities. terrain decon of vital areas, such as ports
or air field may be necessary.
Chemical Staff Considerations
- Determine host nation capabilities
and coordinate for support.
- Monitor deployment of chemical
units,
- Monitor deployment of NBC
defense equipment.
- Monitor NBC situation and
recommend changes to the plan as necessary.
Operations
During this phase, the commander
synchronizes elements of power to successfully conclude the contingency.
In operations involving combat, chemical units and staffs will
perform their normal combat support roles. In peacetime engagement,
the force completes its mission. If the enemy has an offensive
NBC capability, it will likely be used during this phase.
Chapters 7 and 8 discuss support during offensive and defensive operations
in detail, while chapter 6 discusses operations other than war.
Chemical Units
During this phase chemical
units establish themselves in the theater. Early deployed chemical
elements will support combat forces with smoke, decon, NBC staff,
and NBC recon support as necessary. Decon sites will be identified
and prepared. If time permits, conduct training to correct any
deficiencies. Chemical units will provide support to the force
as required.
Chemical Staff Considerations
- Identify the NBC threat.
- Determine if current chemical
force is sufficient.
- Monitor the status of NBC
defense equipment in the theater.
- Monitor the status of NBC
preparedness in the force.
- Develop training plans to
correct NBC defense training deficiencies.
- Develop chemical support plans
to support current operations.
- Develop NBC defense plans
to protect the force.
- Monitor the NBC situation.
- Monitor the status of chemical
units.
- Recommend changes to the plan
based on NBC situation.
- Coordinate with host nation
for support as necessary.
Postconflict/Postcrisis
Operations
The objective in this phase
is to identify post-crisis and post-conflict requirements as early
as possible. Units and assets no longer required are redeployed.
Depending on the NBC situation, chemical units may be required
to remain in the area of operations longer than other forces.
Chemical Units
Chemical units may remain
in the area of operations to identify areas of contamination,
locate NBC weapon storage sites, provide decon support, or perform
other tasks and missions. A command and control element needs
to be present until all chemical units have redeployed. Once the
units have redeployed, they must quickly prepare for possible
future missions.
Chemical Staff Considerations
- Assist the commander in determining
post-crisis and post-conflict chemical support requirements.
- Provide technical advice on
the handling and disposal of captured NBC munitions.
- Gather NBC technical intelligence.
- Coordinate chemical support
requirements and recommend support priorities to the commander.
- Coordinate with host nation
for support.
- Monitor the redeployment of
chemical units.
Redeployment
During this stage, units that
are no longer required are redeployed. Chemical assets may be
required to remain in the area of operations to provide support.
Captured NBC weapons and NBC defense equipment must be properly
handled and disposed of. Decon units may be required to perform
thorough decon operations to allow for the retrograde of equipment
that was contaminated during operations. Peacetime and wartime
acceptable exposure levels vary and federal laws must be followed.
Demobilization
Reserve component units are
transferred from active status to reserve status. The demobilization
of NBC Logistical material and supplies is also part of this operation.
During this phase, units must conduct after action reviews and
prepare written summaries of their observations. By documenting
what went right and what went wrong, lessons learned can be developed.
DURATION
The type of crisis will determine
the duration of the operation. Chemical units and staffs must
be prepared for sustained operations. Supply and maintenance support
requirements must be included in the initial planning stages.
FORCE TAILORING
Force tailoring configures
forces for the mission. The force must be appropriate and based
on METT-T, lift capability, pre-positioned assets, and host nation
support. Contingency operations require forces tailored for the
specific crisis. The type of force and the NBC threat will dictate
the required chemical support. Chemical command and control elements
are allocated based on the number and type of subordinate elements.
A chemical company headquarters is allocated if two or more chemical
platoons deploy. A chemical battalion HHD deploys if there are
two or more nondivisional chemical companies in the force. A brigade
chemical HHC deploys if there are two or more chemical battalions
in the force.
TASK ORGANIZATION
Task organization is the process
of forming task forces. The composition is determined by the situation
and the available transportation assets. Chemical company teams
may be formed to provide the necessary chemical support with a
controlling headquarters.
INTELLIGENCE
Accurate, timely, and detailed
intelligence is critical during contingency operations. Chemical
staffs must determine the enemy's offensive NBC capability. Additionally,
potential commercial NBC hazards should be assessed.
LOGISTICS
NBC defense equipment places
a great burden on the logistics system. Chemical staff officers
must advise the commander when to initiate MOPP along with a risk
assessment. Coordinate logistics support for the chemical units
in the area of operations.
BATTLE COMMAND
Chemical command and control
elements deploy early during the operation. They can lessen the
burden on the chemical staffs.
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