US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Understanding the Operational Environment in COIN
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 The Operational Environment 2 Physical Terrain Human Terrain Physical Terrain Human Terrain Observation/fields of fire Avenues of approach Key terrain Obstacles Cover & concealment Civilian considerations Areas Structures Capabilities Organizations People Events REF: FM 3-24, Appendix B, B1-B10
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Religious boundaries Political boundaries Social enclaves Criminal enclaves Agricultural, mining, labor regions Trade routes Government centers Police centers Military Centers Temporary settlements for IDPs Areas 3 Address terrain analysis from a civilian perspective. Where do people live, work, play, meet, or worship?
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Legend Assassination Looting SAF IED Attack IED $ Extortion IED $ RPG IED RPG
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Legend Assassination Looting SAF IED Attack IED $ Extortion Tribal Areas Areas Tribe C Tribe A Tribe B Tribe D IED $ RPG IED RPG
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Legend Assassination Looting SAF IED Attack IED $ Extortion Religious Boundaries Areas Sunni Shi’a IED $ RPG IED RPG
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Legend Assassination Looting SAF IED Attack IED $ Extortion Social Enclaves Areas Sunni Shi’a Poor Rich Ex Regime Poor IED $ RPG IED RPG
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Legend Assassination Looting SAF IED Attack IED $ Extortion Economic Districts Areas Sunni Shi’a Poor Rich Ex Regime Middle Merchants Middle Merchants Middle Merchants IED $ RPG IED RPG
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Structures 9 Why are structures in the area important?
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Legend Assassination Looting SAF IED Attack IED $ Extortion Structures M M M M IED $ RPG IED RPG M M M M
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Capabilities Capabilities: the ability of local authorities to provide key functions and services. 11 Who in the community is capable of providing for the people?
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Legend Assassination Looting SAF IED Attack IED $ Extortion Capability M M M Gov. Council Member P P P P Tribal Leader Tribal Leader M Doctor G G G G TL IED $ RPG IED RPG Police Chief P Tribal Leader Tribal Leader Imam Gov. Council Member Gov. Council Member M M M M
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Organizations Tribes Political Wings of Insurgent Groups PRT Non-government organizations (NGO) Private Sector (Companies, Contractors) International Red Cross Other Government Agencies (OGA) Media (TV, Radio, Newspapers, periodicals) Criminal organizations 13 Who are the relevant groups of people in the area? Consider all nonmilitary groups or institutions in the AO (Political, Cultural, Social, Religious)
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Legend Assassination Looting SAF IED Attack IED $ Extortion Organization M M M M Poor Middle Merchants P P P P P G G G G TL IED $ RPG IED RPG Middle Merchants Middle Merchants Rich Ex Regime M M M M
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 People City council leaders Imams/clerics Professionals Displaced persons or “squatters” Sources Sheikhs, tribal Leaders 15 All nonmilitary personnel that military forces encounter in the AO… whose actions, opinions, or political influence can affect the mission How do the people communicate/interact?
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Legend Assassination Looting SAF IED Attack IED $ Extortion People M M M M TTTT T G GG G GGGG P P P P P G G G G TL IED $ RPG IED RPG Graffiti Tea Shops Tea Shops Tea Shops G M M M M Squatters
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Events National Elections Anniversaries (independence, etc.) Carnival/Ramadan (religious) Funerals Political Rallies 17 When are things occurring? Events are routine, cyclical, planned, or spontaneous activities that significantly affect organizations, people, or military operations.
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Events Wedding brings members of the tribe with rifles for celebratory fire. (Important to know if wedding same day as raid on target) Potential I/O issue especially if wedding party fires on raiding party. Friday prayer coincides with sectarian violence Spring brings seasonal fighters from surrounding nations 18 Insurgents use events to advance their cause.
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Legend Assassination Looting SAF IED Attack IED $ Extortion M TTTT T GG GG G GGGG P P P P P G G G G TL IED $ RPG IED RPG M M M M
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Legend Assassination Looting SAF IED Attack IED $ Extortion Events M M M TTTT T GG GG G GGGG M G Voting ? P P P P P G G G G TL IED $ RPG IED RPG
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Legend Assassination Looting SAF IED Attack IED $ Extortion Environment T T T T T G G G G G G G G G G Middle Merchants IED $ RPG IED RPG Tribe C Poor Middle Merchants Middle Merchants Rich Ex Regime Tribe A Tribe B Tribe D
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Legend Assassination Looting SAF IED Attack IED $ Extortion Environment T T T T T G AG G G G G G G G Tribe C Poor Middle Merchants Middle Merchants Rich Ex Regime Tribe A Tribe B Tribe D InsurgencySectarian Violence Insurgents attack Tribe A’s economic rivals to secure their support IED $ RPG IED RPG Middle Merchants M M M M
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Questions?
US Army Combined Arms Center UNCLASSIFIEDAs of 13 FEB 09 Understanding the Operational Environment ASCOPE – human terrain Area Structures Capabilities Organizations People Events OAKOC-C – physical terrain Observation/ Fields of Fire Avenues of Approach Key Terrain Obstacles Cover/ Concealment Civilian Considerations REF: FM 3-24, Appendix B, B1-B10 24