USSOUTHCOM J35 Organization and Functions SCJ35 Future Operations Division Operational Planning Group

Objectives Understand organization and composition of the USSOUTHCOM Crisis Action Battlestaff Operations Familiarize with OPG planning techniques, procedures, and products used during crisis action planning (CAP) at the operational level

SOUTHCOM Mission USSOUTHCOM conducts military operations and security cooperation activities in support of the War on Terrorism to assure our allies and friends, dissuade our adversaries, deter any aggression or coercion, and if necessary, decisively defeat any adversary in order to protect and promote U.S. national interests and objectives.

USSOUTHCOM Regulation 10-3 Crisis Action Battlestaff Operations

Definition of a Crisis An incident or situation involving a threat to the United States, it’s citizens, military forces, and possessions or vital interests that develops rapidly and creates a condition of such diplomatic, economic, political, or military importance that the commitment of U.S. Military Forces and resources and resources is contemplated to achieve National Objectives.

USSOUTHCOM Reg 10-3 Definitions and Terms Joint Operations and Intelligence Center (JOIC) Conducts 24-hour operations and is manned by rotating, seven-person watch teams. Responsible for Theater-wide Indications and Warning; monitoring daily operations within AOR; and maintaining communications with deployed forces, component and subordinate commands and the National Military Command Center. Crisis Action Team (CAT) Staff elements assigned to conduct planning and coordinate operations in support of crisis resolution. The SCJ35 is designated as the CAT Director. The elements of the CAT are: SCJ33’s Current Operations Group (COG), SCJ35’s Operational Planning Group (OPG), SCJ4’s Logistic Readiness Center (LRC) and Joint Movement Center (JMC) and SCJ6’s Theater C4 Coordination Center (TCCC).

USSOUTHCOM Reg 10-3 Definitions and Terms (Con’t) Current Operations Group (COG) Trained and functionally qualified J33 personnel assigned to the CAT focused on planning and executing crisis response. The COG receives plans developed by the OPG planners and executes them in accordance with the Combatant Commander’s guidance. Operational Planning Group (OPG) Task organized planners assigned to SCJ35. This planning cell can operate independently or be integrated into the CAT. The OPG analyzes information, prepares short range (24-120 hours out/next phase), and submits recommendations to CDRUSSOUTHCOM to support crisis/conflict resolutions. The OPG conducts mission analysis and course of action development in support of the Commander’s Estimate.

Organizing the OPS Planning Group (OPG) Staff Coordination J2 J3 Core Planners Component Planners DJTFAC Reps as required Planning Cell J1 J2 Rep J3 Rep J4 J1 Rep J4 Rep OPG JTF Comp Comp LNOs J5 J5 Rep Med Rep J6 Rep Med SJA Rep PA Rep J6 Staff Coordination SJA PA

Operational Concept Development Steady-State and Crisis Activities Operations Monitoring Colombia Response Cell In CAP: Activities < 24 hrs Current Ops Group (COG) DJTFAC FRAGOs Theater Security Cooperation FUNCPLAN-CONPLANs In CAP: Activities > 120 hrs Sequels Operational Concept Development In CAP: Activities 24-120hrs out Crisis Action Team Chief CDR’s Assessment WARNORD/PLANORD CDR’s Estimate EXORD/Branches

J35/OPG

J35 Mission During crisis, form core of the Operational Planning Group (OPG) in order to conduct crisis action planning to rapidly resolve situations/events occurring within the Area of Responsibility (AOR) During deliberate planning, develop the Operations Annex / Appendices for all J5-maintained CONPLANs and FUNCPLANs in order to meet JSCP-directed Regional Taskings In steady state, develop operational concepts and perform tasks that fall outside J5 and J33 purview in order to ensure effective coordination, planning, and execution of operations and staff activities

J35 Manning Chief Future Ops Division 0350 001 Vacant Deputy Chief Developing Chief Ops Planning Grp 0351 001 LTC Murray Amphibious Ops Officer 0351 002 LtCol Jeffries Naval Ops Officer 0351 003 LCDR Savageaux Ground Ops Officer 0351 004 MAJ(P) Mundell Transport Planner 0351 005 LtCol(S) Rosenquist Ops Officer 0351 006 MAJ Padilla Air Ops Officer 0351 007 Vacant Intel Targeting Officer 0351 008 IO Targeting Officer Mr. Sprengle

J35/OPG Crisis Action Planning

Plan Development: OPORD Evolution Planning TPFDD (Deployment) TRANSCOM Planning Input Mission Analysis COA Development Requirement Build COA Development Cdr’s Guidance COA Development Rough Feasibility COA Analysis Sequencing Deployment Estimate COA Comparison Force Refinement Sequencing COA Selection Validate TPFDD OPORD

JTF Planning CAP Documents CC JTF CJCS Warning Order Planning or Situation Development II Crisis Assessment III COA Development IV COA Selection V Execution Planning VI Execution CJCS Warning Order Planning or Alert Order Deploy or Execute Order CDR’s Assessment CC Warning Order Estimate Plan / Alert Deploy Order or Execute CJCS CC JTF JTF Planning Cdr’s Estimate OPORD

CAP Processes Step 1 Mission analysis (The most critical step) Define and analyze the operational environment A composite of all the conditions, circumstances, and influences that affect the employment of military forces and bear on the decisions of the unit commander. IN SHORT: The factors and variables that affect where soldiers will live, work, and fight. Must be an integrated effort across all functional areas Imperative during HA/DR type operations

CAP Processes Step 1 Mission analysis (The most critical step) Define and analyze the operational environment Enemy Demographics Infrastructure Terrain Political influences Local regional policies, charters, resolutions IO/NGO considerations

CAP Processes Step 1 Mission analysis (The most critical step) Specified/Implied/Essential Tasks (By functional area) Assets available (Not just military) Facts, assumptions, Constraints Risk (Operational, Environmental) Restated mission Receive Commander’s guidance

CAP Processes Step 2 Course of action development (Tenants) Centers of gravity Capabilities, Requirements, Vulnerabilites Define ways, ends, ways, means Objectives, Methods, Requirements (forces) Define C2 structure (JTF, CJTF, Components) Operational phasing Basing option and plan Forces required

CAP Processes Step 3 Course of action analysis Determine evaluative criteria up front Cdr’s guidance/intent, principles of war, other Advantages and disadvantages Wargame Critical events by phase Box, belt techniques Record results synchronization matrix

JTF Planning CAP Documents CDR JTF CJCS Planning Order CJCS Deploy or Situation Development II Crisis Assessment III COA Development IV COA Selection V Execution Planning VI Execution CJCS Planning Order 080138Z Feb 03 CJCS Deploy or Execute Order CJCS CDR JTF CJCS Warning Order 212350Z Feb 03 CDR’s Assessment 140259Z Feb 03 CDR’s Warning Order #2 231804Z Feb 03 CDR’s CONOPS 141843Z Mar 03 CDR’s Estimate 221358Z Feb 03 CDR Deploy Order or Execute Order CDR’s Warning Order #1 140233Z Feb 03 1313335Z Feb 03 CDR’s CONOPS 282103Z Feb 03 JTF Planning OPORD

Transition from Planning to Execution Develop Plans / Orders Operations Develop TPFDD Modify Plans / Orders Issue / Synchronize JTF Plans / Orders Prepare / Conduct JTF Rehearsals Cross-walks Backbriefs Execute JTF Operations Full Force Partial Force Cdrs & Staff Staff only

And Finally… Think Ahead Refer to Doctrine, but don’t die by it Look around – someone probably knows something Moderate the “Good Idea Generators” Keep your cool

Useful References CJCSM 3500.05, “Joint Task Force Headquarters Master Training Guide,” March 2000 Joint Pub 3-0, “Doctrine for Joint Operations,” 1 February 1995 Joint Pub 3-07.5, “Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Noncombatant Evacuation Operations,” 30 September 1997 Joint Pub 5-0, “Doctrine for Planning Joint Operations,” 13 April 1995 http://isp.socom.smil.mil/; USSOCOM Integrated Survey Program USSOUTHCOM CONPLAN 6150

Questions? DSN 567-3503/4/5 SCJ35 Future Operations Division Operational Planning Group