OPORD Exploitation OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER This class is designed to help your understand why OPORDs are issued and how they are used. We will use OPORD ROLLING THUNDER as the basis for this class. Reference: FM 5-0, Army Planning and Orders Production, January 2005

Fundamentals OPORDs are produced in Step Seven of Military Decision Making Process Receipt of Mission Mission Analysis COA development COA Analysis (Wargame) COA Comparison COA Approval Orders Production OPORDS are produced in the final step of the Military Decision Making Process and are a result of the preceding six steps. Orders represent the final product of the MDMP process.

OPORDs Plans and orders are the means by which commanders express their visualization, intent and decisions. They focus on results the commander expects to achieve. Provides the “what” and “why” of a mission OPORDS are instructions to the staff elements and subordinates and also identifies resources needs to conduct the mission.

OPORD Defined A directive issued by a commander to subordinate commanders for the purpose of effecting the coordinated execution of an operation. Has 5 paragraphs and descriptions of the following: Task organization Situation Mission Execution Administrative and logistical support Command and signal for the specified operation Command and Control Procedures Tasks to subordinate units OPORDs always specify an execution date and time A directive issued by a commander to subordinate commanders for the purpose of effecting the coordinated execution of an operation. Has 5 paragraphs and descriptions of the following: Task organization Situation Mission Execution Administrative and logistical support Command and signal for the specified operation Command and Control Procedures Tasks to subordinate units OPORDs always specify an execution date and time

Terms Commander’s Intent A clear, concise statement of what the force must do and the conditions the force must meet to succeed with respect to the enemy, terrain, and desired end state. Contains three components. End State: Consists of those conditions, that when achieved, accomplish the mission. Key Tasks: Tasks that the force must perform as a whole or the conditions that the force must meet to achieve the end state. Purpose: Does not restate why, addresses the broader operational context of the mission. Commander’s Intent A clear, concise statement of what the force must do and the conditions the force must meet to succeed with respect to the enemy, terrain, and desired end state. Contains three components. End State: Consists of those conditions, that when achieved, accomplish the mission. Key Tasks: Tasks that the force must perform as a whole or the conditions that the force must meet to achieve the end state. Purpose: Does not restate why, addresses the broader operational context of the mission.

Terms Concept of the operation Describes how commanders see the actions of subordinate units fitting together to accomplish the mission (integration and synchronization). At a minimum it includes the scheme of maneuver and concept of fires. Scheme of maneuver Addresses decisive, shaping, and sustaining operations, including security operations. Decisive operations: operations that directly accomplish the task assigned by the higher headquarters. Shaping operations: operations that create and preserve conditions for the success of the decisive operation. Sustaining operations: operations that enable shaping and decisive operations by providing combat service support, rear area and base security, movement control, terrain management, and infrastructure development. Concept of the operation Describes how commanders see the actions of subordinate units fitting together to accomplish the mission (integration and synchronization). At a minimum it includes the scheme of maneuver and concept of fires. Scheme of maneuver Addresses decisive, shaping, and sustaining operations, including security operations. Decisive operations: operations that directly accomplish the task assigned by the higher headquarters. Shaping operations: operations that create and preserve conditions for the success of the decisive operation. Sustaining operations: operations that enable shaping and decisive operations by providing combat service support, rear area and base security, movement control, terrain management, and infrastructure development.

Battle Command and Decision Making The exercise of command in operations against a hostile, thinking opponent. Decision making and leadership are two aspects of battle command. Decision making Requires commanders to judge the quality of information received. It also requires the to focus subordinates and staff on information they consider important. Battle Command The exercise of command in operations against a hostile, thinking opponent. Decision making and leadership are two aspects of battle command. Decision making Requires commanders to judge the quality of information received. It also requires the to focus subordinates and staff on information they consider important. FM 6-0, Mission Command August 2003

Commander’s Critical Information Requirements (CCIRs) Elements of information required by commander’s that directly affect decision making and dictate the successful execution of military operations. CCIRs belong to the commander alone. They are not static; commanders add, delete, adjust and update them throughout the operation. Elements of information required by commander’s that directly affect decision making and dictate the successful execution of military operations. CCIRs belong to the commander alone. They are not static; commanders add, delete, adjust and update them throughout the operation.

Friendly Forces Information Requirements Information the commander and staff need about the forces available for the operation. Normally contained within the Commander’s Situation Report Friendly Forces Information Requirements Information the commander and staff need about the forces available for the operation. They are normally contained within the Commander’s Situation Report FM 6-0, Mission Command August 2003

Priority Information Requirements PIRs are those intelligence requirements for which a commander has an anticipated and stated priority in his task of planning and decision-making. PIRs are associated with a decision based on action or inaction or the battlespace that will affect the overall success of the commander’s mission. Answers to the PIRs help produce intelligence essential to the commander’s situational understanding and decisionmaking. PIRs are those intelligence requirements for which a commander has an anticipated and stated priority in his task of planning and decision-making. PIRs are associated with a decision based on action or inaction or the battlespace that will affect the overall success of the commander’s mission. Answers to the PIRs help produce intelligence essential to the commander’s situational understanding and decision making. FM 2-0 May 2004

OPORD Format OPERATION PLAN/ORDER (number) (code name) References list the maps, charts, datum, or other related documents the unit needs to understand the OPLAN/OPORD. DO NOT LIST SOPs. Time Zone used Throughout the OPLAN/OPORD Time Zone applicable to the operation. Operations across several times zones use ZULU time. DO NOT USE LOCAL. Task Organization Describes the allocation of forces to support the concept of the operation Review and make sure it matches through the base order and annexes. ROLLING THUNDER: See Annex A OPERATION PLAN/ORDER (number) (code name) References list the maps, charts, datum, or other related documents the unit needs to understand the OPLAN/OPORD. DO NOT LIST SOPs. Time Zone used Throughout the OPLAN/OPORD Time Zone applicable to the operation. Operations across several times zones use ZULU time. DO NOT USE LOCAL. Task Organization Describes the allocation of forces to support the concept of the operation Review and make sure it matches through the base order and annexes.

Shows the time zones used throughout the world.

ROLLING THUNDER Task Organization X MI E 1-17 2-1 4-23 4-14 4-11 A/52 SPT 172 562 572 21 3 x PROPHETS 3 x PPS-5B 3 x TAC HUMINT TMS 3 x Shadow UAV An example of Task Organization chart.

Paragraph 1: Situation Enemy Forces. Describe 2 echelons below yours (BCTs address platoons) At a minimum 2 COAs (ML and MD) COA Sketches go into annex B (intelligence) Friendly forces. List the mission, commander’s intent, and concept of the operation for one level up and two levels down. (BCT to UE(x)/Division and Company and Plt) Environment (Not used for ROLLING THUNDER; issued in annex) Terrain Weather Civil Considerations Attachments and detachments (do not repeat Task Organization) when does task organization go into effect. Enemy Forces. Describe 2 echelons below yours (BCTs address platoons) At a minimum 2 COAs (ML and MD) COA Sketches go into annex B (intelligence) Friendly forces. List the mission, commander’s intent, and concept of the operation for one level up and two levels down. (BCT to UE(x)/Division and Company and Plt) Environment Terrain Weather Civil Considerations Attachments and detachments (do not repeat Task Organization) when does task organization go into effect.

Paragraph 2: Mission Mission statement with any on-order or be prepared to (BPT) Missions but no subparagraphs MISSION. 172nd Brigade attacks in zone from PL SUN to PL ASTEROID at 131000TNOVXX to secure OBJ UTAH and OBJ OMAHA in order to destroy enemy in zone and control east/west mobility corridors along the San Pedro River. Continue the attack east to secure OBJ ARIZONA and OBJ KANSAS to complete the destruction of enemy forces. Be prepared to conduct peace enforcement operations. Mission statement with any on-order or be prepared to (BPT) Missions but no subparagraphs. Also shown is an example mission statement.

Paragraph 3: Execution Concept of the operation Maneuver Fires Air Support FA Support Naval Gunfire ISR (reconnaissance objectives) Intelligence Engineer Air and Missile Defense Information Operations (Not used in ROLLING THUNDER) NBC support (Not used in ROLLING THUNDER) Military Police Operations (Not used in ROLLING THUNDER) Civil-Military Operations (Not used in ROLLING THUNDER) Concept of the operation Maneuver Fires Air Support FA Support Naval Gunfire ISR (reconnaissance objectives) Intelligence Engineer Air and Missile Defense Information Operations NBC support Military Police Operations Civil-Military Operations

Paragraph 3: Execution (cont) Tasks to maneuver units. Missions and tasks assigned to each maneuver unit listed in task organization sequence. Tasks to other combat and combat support units Coordinating instructions Time or condition when the order becomes effective CCIRS Risk reduction control measures ROE Environmental considerations (Not Used for ROLLING THUNDER) 6. Force Protection 7. Any additional coordinating instructions (Not Used for ROLLING THUNDER) Tasks to maneuver units. Missions and tasks assigned to each maneuver unit listed in task organization sequence. Tasks to other combat and combat support units Coordinating instructions Time or condition when the order becomes effective CCIRS Risk reduction control measures ROE Environmental considerations 6. Force Protection 7. Any additional coordinating instructions

Paragraph 4: Service Support Support Concept Materiel and services Health service support Personnel service support (Not Used for ROLLING THUNDER) Support Concept Materiel and services Health service support Personnel service support

Paragraph 5: Command and Signal Coordinates for CP locations and at least one future location for each CP. Identify the CoC if not addressed in unit SOPs Signal. List signal instructions not specified in unit SOPs. ID the specific signal operating instructions edition in effect. Slide 59: Paragraph 5: Command and Signal Command. Coordinates for CP locations and at least one future location for each CP. Identify the CoC if not addressed in unit SOPs Signal. List signal instructions not specified in unit SOPs. ID the specific signal operating instructions edition in effect.

Annexes Only annexes A and C are used in ROLLING THUNDER. Task Organization Intelligence Appendix 1 Intelligence Estimate Appendix 2 ISR Plan Appendix 3 Counterintelligence Appendix 4 Weather Appendix 5 IPB Products Operations Overlay Fire Support Appendix 1 Air Support Appendix 2 Field Artillery Support Appendix 3 Naval Gunfire Support Rules of Engagement Appendix 1 (ROE Card) Engineer Appendix 1 Obstacle Overlay Appendix 2 Environmental Consideration Appendix 3 Terrain Appendix 4 Mobility/countermobility/survivability execution matrix and timeline Appendix 5 EOD Only annexes A and C are used in ROLLING THUNDER. Task Organization Intelligence Appendix 1 Intelligence Estimate Appendix 2 ISR Plan Appendix 3 Counterintelligence Appendix 4 Weather Appendix 5 IPB Products Operations Overlay Fire Support Appendix 1 Air Support Appendix 2 Field Artillery Support Appendix 3 Naval Gunfire Support Rules of Engagement Appendix 1 (ROE Card) Engineer Appendix 1 Obstacle Overlay Appendix 2 Environmental Consideration Appendix 3 Terrain Appendix 4 Mobility/countermobility/survivability execution matrix and timeline Appendix 5 EOD

Annexes Air and Missile Defense Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Operations Service Support Appendix 1 Service Support Matrix Appendix 2 Service Support Overlay Appendix 3 Traffic Circulation and Control Tab A Traffic Circulation Overlay Tab B Road Movement Table Tab C Highway Regulation Appendix 4 Personnel Appendix 5 Legal Appendix 6 Religious Support Appendix 7 Foreign and Host Nation Support Appendix 8 Contracting Support Appendix 9 Reports NBC Provost Marshall Service Support Appendix 1 Service Support Matrix Appendix 2 Service Support Overlay Appendix 3 Traffic Circulation and Control Tab A Traffic Circulation Overlay Tab B Road Movement Table Tab C Highway Regulation Appendix 4 Personnel Appendix 5 Legal Appendix 6 Religious Support Appendix 7 Foreign and Host Nation Support Appendix 8 Contracting Support Appendix 9 Reports NBC Provost Marshall

Annexes ISR Operations Appendix 1 ISR Tasking Plan/Matrix Appendix 2 ISR Overlay Rear area and base security Space Army Airspace Command and Control (A2C2) Information Operations Appendix 1 OPSEC Appendix 2 PSYOP Appendix 3 Military Deception Appendix 4 Electronic Warfare Appendix 5 IO Execution Matrix Civil Military Operations Public Affairs ISR Operations Appendix 1 ISR Tasking Plan/Matrix Appendix 2 ISR Overlay Rear area and base security Space Army Airspace Command and Control (A2C2) Information Operations Appendix 1 OPSEC Appendix 2 PSYOP Appendix 3 Military Deception Appendix 4 Electronic Warfare Appendix 5 IO Execution Matrix Civil Military Operations Public Affairs