1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Shows the time zones used throughout the world.

13. ROLLING THUNDER Task OrganizationX 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.

14. 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.

15. 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 TNOVXX 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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