INTRODUCTION TO OPERATIONAL ART By DR. M. VEGO JMO DEPARTMENT, U.S. NAVAL WAR COLLEGE, NEWPORT, RI.
“WAR IS NOT AN AFFAIR OF CHANCE. A GREAT DEAL OF KNOWLEDGE, STUDY AND MEDITATION IS NECESSARY TO CONDUCT IT WELL.” FREDERICK THE GREAT, 1747
TERMS USED • • • •
GRAND TACTICS OPERATIONS (OPERATIONS) OPERATIONAL ART (OPERATIONSKUNST) OPERATIONAL ART (OPERATIVNOYE ISKUSSTVO) • OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP (OPERATIONSFUEHRUNG; OPERATIVE FUEHRUNG) • OPERATIONAL WARFARE • OPERATIONAL WARFIGHTING
HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF COMPONENTS OF MILITARY ART
STRATEGY
OPERATIONS (Operational Art)
TACTICS
PPT-98-VEG0-38A (PFR)
ON OPERATIONAL ART •
AN INTERMEDIATE FIELD OF STUDY AND PRACTICE BETWEEN STRATEGY AND TACTICS
• IT IS APPLIED ACROSS THE ENTIRE “OPERATIONAL CONTINUUM” • IT DEALS WITH THEORY AND PRACTICE OF PLANNING, PREPARING, CONDUCTING, AND SUSTAINING MAJOR OPERATIONS AND CAMPAIGNS AIMED AT ACCOMPLISHING OPERATIONAL OR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN A THEATER.
“THE
NATION THAT WILL INSIST ON DRAWING A BROAD LINE BETWEEN THE FIGHTING MAN AND THE THINKING MAN IS LIABLE TO FIND ITS FIGHTING DONE BY FOOLS AND ITS THINKING DONE BY COWARDS.” SIR WILLIAM FRANCIS BUTLER
MILITARY SCIENCE AND MILITARY ART
MILITARY SCIENCE MILITARY ART
STRATEGY
TACTICS
OPERATIONS (OPERATIONAL ART)
PPT-98-VEG0-10A (PFR)
IMPORTANCE • TACTICS ALONE CANNOT ACCOMPLISH STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN A THEATER OR WIN THE WAR; RESULTS OF TACTICAL ACTIONS ARE USEFUL ONLY WHEN LINKED TOGETHER AS A PART OF SOME LARGER DESIGN FRAMED BY STRATEGY AND ORCEHSTRATED BY OPERATIONAL ART • THE GAP BETWEEN STRATEGY AND TACTICS IS TOO LARGE TO BE BRIDGED WITHOUT AN INTERMEDIATE FIELD OF STUDY AND PRACTICE -- OPERATIONAL ART
• OPERATIONAL ART SEQUENCES AND SYNCHRONIZES SERIES OF TACTICAL ACTIONS TO ACCOMPLISH OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES THROUGH THE CONDUCT OF MAJOR OPERATIONS; STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN A THEATER ARE NORMALLY ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH SERIES OF MAJOR OPERATIONS • OPERATIONAL ART ALLOWS A SMALLER, BUT BETTER TRAINED AND SKILLFULLY LED FORCE GUIDED BY SOUND STRATEGY TO DEFEAT QUICKLY AND DECISIVELY A MUCH STRONGER FORCE.
• OPERATIONAL ART HELPS TO AVOID MORE COSTLY AND TIME-CONSUMING ATTRITIONAL WARFARE AT THE OPERATIONAL AND STRATEGIC LEVELS • IT PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK AND KEY INPUTS FOR WRITING SERVICE AND JOINT/COMBINED DOCTRINE • IT REINFORCES THE NEED FOR THE CLOSEST COOPERATION AMONG THE SERVICES -JOINTNESS.
CHARACTERISTICS • MOVEMENTS OF LARGE MULTI-SERVICE OR MULTI-NATIONAL FORCES OVER LARGE PART OF THE THEATER • THE DEPLOYMENT FORMS THE VERY BASIS OF A PLAN FOR CAMPAIGN OR MAJOR OPERATION • SEQUENCED AND SYNCHRONIZED EMPLOYMENT OF MILITARY AND NON-MILITARY SOURCES OF POWER
PREREQUISITES • A SUFFICIENT PHYSICAL SPACE FOR MOVEMENTS OF LARGE FORMATIONS • FULL MASTERY OF TACTICS • THE COMMANDERS MUST HAVE THAT RARE ABILITY TO THINK BEYOND THE REALM OF PHYSICAL COMBAT • THE EXISTENCE OF THE THEATER-WIDE STRUCTURE (C2; C2W; INTELLIGENCE; FIRES; LOGISTICS; AND PROTECTION).
COMPONENTS
MILITARY ART COMPONENTS COMPONENT
LEVEL OF WAR THEORY AND PRACTICE NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY OR ALLIANCE/COALITION STRATEGY)
STRATEGY
CONFLICT/WAR TERMINATION ISSUING STRATEGIC GUIDANCE DETERMINATION OF PRIMARY ALLOCATION OF MILITARY RESOURCES AND SECONDARY AMONG THEATERS THEATERS BUILDING ALLIANCE/COALITION ENHANCING COUNTRY’S GEOSTRATEGIC POSITION NATIONAL MILITARY STRATEGY
STRATEGIC • NATIONALSTRATEGIC • THEATERSTRATEGIC
THEORY AND PRACTICE
OPERATIONAL ART (OPERATIONS)
TACTICS
PPT-99-VEGO-40 (PFR)
OPERATIONAL-STRATEGIC AL INPUT TO CONFLICT/ OPERA N O I T T F I A WAR TERMINATION UNT ONA O RS OPER ION L FACT S O P L ER A A OPERATIONAL ART N O I PLA TION RATRSHIP (OPERATIONS) P OPEA E R D INC NNINGAL F O OPERATIONAL LE S O PER IPLE ENTONAL OPERATIONAL M S E A EL RATI E WAR TION OF TRAINING FAR A L OPE ARFAR METHODS OF COMBAT E W FORCE EMPLOYMENT CO THEORY AND PRACTICE F CS OS METHODS OF TACTICALARMS MBAT OPERATIONAL-TACTICAL I T C TA C TA A N C H E T EMPLOYMENT BR T AC I C S TIC TACTICS I CAL WEA G N TA C T PLA POSNOF I N N A TAC TFOR S PL F T O Y TACTICAL S PE OTICS O MS C D I T C TYPES OF AI R F S H F TA M BI N E CRA IPS/ SHIPS / AIRCRAFT C O R MS FT A TACTICAL FUNCTIONS
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPONENTS OF MILITARY ART AND THE LEVELS OF WAR
OPERATIONAL ART
STRATEGY
COMPONENTS OF MILITARY ART
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
LEVEL OF WAR
COMMAND ECHELON
GLOBAL
NATIONAL-STRATEGIC LEVEL
NATIONAL-STRATEGIC
THEATER OF WAR
THEATER-STRATEGIC LEVEL
THEATER-STRATEGIC
THEATER OF OPERATIONS
OPERATIONAL
OPERATIONAL
OPERATIONAL-TACTICAL LEVEL
OPERATIONAL-TACTICAL
TACTICAL LEVEL
TACTICAL
(LAND, MARITIME)
AREA OF OPERATIONS TACTICS
(LAND, MARITIME, AIR)
COMBAT ZONE (SECTOR) (LAND, MARITIME, AIR)
PPT-97VEG024A (PFR)
OPERATIONAL FACTORS
OPERATIONAL FACTORS
OPERATIONAL FACTORS
OBJECTIVE
SPACE- FORCE
SPACE
TIME TIME-SPACE
FORCE TIME-FORCE
BAL ANC ING SPA E CE - TIME - FORC
INFORMATION PPT-96VEG040B
THE FACTOR OF SPACE
GEOSTRATEGIC POSITIONS
DISTANCES
MILITARY ORGANIZATION OF SPACE
FACTOR SPACE
SHAPE
ELEMENTS OF THE THEATER DYNAMICS OF SPACE
PPT-97VEG022
02/13/14
SIZE
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
THE FACTOR OF TIME DECISION CYCLE PLANNING
COLLECTING, PROCESSING AND EVALUATING INFORMATION
DURATION OF WAR OPENING HOSTILITIES
MANEUVER/COUNTERMANEUVER
WARNING TIME BETWEEN CONSECUTIVE MAJOR OPERATIONS/ CAMPAIGNS
REACTION
MOBILIZATION
ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE MISSION
DEPLOYMENT
TRANSIT
TIME FOR:
COMMITMENT OF RESERVES
REDEPLOYMENT
TIMING
REGENERATION OF COMBAT POWER
PREPARATION MASTERING NEW WEAPONS/ EQUIPMENT
BRINGING UP REINFORCEMENTS
ETC.
FOR WAR FORCE RECONSTITUTION
FOR A MAJOR OPERATION/CAMPAIGN CONCENTRATION/COUNTERCONCENTRATION
PPT-96VEG032A (PFR)
COMBAT POTENTIAL vs. COMBAT POWER
PEACETIME
HOSTILITIES
NON-COMBAT
COMBAT DESIGNED
COMBAT POTENTIAL
ACTIVATION OF COMBAT POWER
AVAILABLE
PPT-00-VEGO-38 (PFR)
COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS
ENEMY COMBAT POWER
COMBAT POWER
RELATIVE COMBAT POWER
COMBAT POWER PEACETIME NON-COMBAT
HOSTILITIES COMBAT
FORCE TIME AVAILABLE COMBAT POTENTIAL
PPT-00-VEGO-36 (PFR)
PLUS
INFLUENCES OF:
SPACE
COMBAT POWER
SURPRISE DECEPTION FATIGUE CHANCE / LUCK
ETC.
FOG OF WAR DOCTRINE INTELLIGENCE DECISIONS MADE
FRICTION FREEDOM OF ACTION / INITIATIVE LOGISTICAL SUSTAINMENT
THE THEATER
THEATER STRUCTURE AND LEVELS OF WAR LEVELS OF WAR
ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE THEATER (OF WAR)
NATIONAL OR ALLIANCE/COALITION STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
THEATER-STRATEGIC
OPERATIONAL
THEATER OF OPERATIONS
THEATER OF OPERATIONS
THEATER-STRATEGIC (OR MILITARY THEATER OF STRATEGIC) OPERATIONS OBJECTIVE
AREAS OF OPERATIONS
OPERATIONAL-TACTICAL AIR (SPACE)
MARITIME
LAND
JOINT
OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE OR MAJOR TACTICAL
COMBAT ZONES/SECTORS
TACTICAL OBJECTIVE
TACTICAL AIR (SPACE)
PPT-97VEG035
MARITIME
LAND
THEATER GEOEMETRY INTERIOR EXTERIOR
LONG
EXTERIOR PPT-96VEG08
EXTERIOR
CONVERGING TACTICAL OPERATIONAL STRATEGIC
DIVERGING
THEATER GEOMETRY
SHORT LONG
DECISIVE POINTS
AIR (ALOC)
PHYSICAL OBJECTIVES TACTICAL
LAND (LLOC) SEA (SLOC)
MAIN INTERMEDIATE
BASE OF OPERATIONS
SINGLE DOUBLE MULTIPLE
LINE OF COMMUNICATIONS (LOC) CENTRAL (INTERIOR)
POSITIONS
PARALLEL
LINE OF OPERATIONS (LOO) SHORT
CENTRAL (INTERIOR)
OCEANIC COASTAL
MINOR MAJOR
GEOGRAPHIC-ORIENTED FORCE-ORIENTED CYBER-ORIENTED
OPERATIONAL STRATEGIC
THEATER GEOMETRY
NEW
BASE OF OPERATIONS
C ALO
LOO
LOO
DECISIVE POINTS GEOGRAPHIC-ORIENTED FORCE=ORIENTED
97-VEG032.PPT
LOO S
INTERMEDIATE BASE OPERATIONS
LOO
LLOC
ENEMY CENTER OF GRAVITY
LOO
SLO C
LO NEW
OS
PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE
OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS
OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS (IN GENERIC TERMS)
COMMAND AND CONTROL (C2) COMMAND & CONTROL WARFARE (C2W)
OPERATIONAL FIRES
SU P
PPT-96VEG07
C2
N CTIO N U F
OPERATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
OPERATIONAL LOGISTICS
P O RT
OPERATIONAL PROTECTION
OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS
CE EN IG LL TE IN
COMMAND, CONTROL, COMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTERS (C3)
SCALE OF INTELLIGENCE EFFORT LEVELS OF COMMAND
LEVEL OF WAR
STRATEGIC
OPERATIONAL
TACTICAL
PPT-96VEG03A (PFR)
STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE
OPERATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
TACTICAL INTELLIGENCE
IN SUPPORT OF
NATIONAL-STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
NATIONAL ALLIANCE AND/OR COALITION POLICY & STRATEGY
THEATER-STRATEGIC COMMANDER
THEATER CAMPAIGNS & LOW-INTENSITY CONFLICT
THEATER OF OPERATIONS COMMANDER
A SINGLE CAMPAIGN
OPERATIONAL – TACTICAL COMMANDER
A SINGLE MAJOR OPERATION
TACTICAL COMMANDER
TACTICAL ACTIONS (BATTLES, ENGAGEMENTS, STRIKES, ATTACKS, ETC.)
C2W COMPONENTS INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT
INFORMATION WARFARE (IW)
OPERATIONS SECURITY (OPSEC) ELECTRONIC WARFARE (EW) EW SUPPORT ELECTRONIC ATTACK (EA) ELECTRONIC PROTECTION (EP)
PPT-96VEG02
C2W
PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS (PSYOPS) MILITARY DECEPTION (MILDEC)
PHYSICAL DESTRUCTION
TYPE OF OPERATIONAL FIRES
OPERATIONAL FIRES LETHAL AIRBASED SEABASED GROUNDBASED
PPT-96VEG011
NON-LETHAL CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS
ELECTRONIC WEAPONS OF WARFARE (EW) MASS DESTRUCTION (WMD) SPECIAL NUCLEAR FORCES ELECTRONIC CHEMICAL ATTACK (EA) BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS (PSYOP)
SCALE OF LOGISTICAL SUPPORT THE COMMUNICATIONS ZONE THEATER OF WAR
THEATER OF WAR COMBAT ZONE (SECTOR)
HOME BASE
INTER-THEATER LOCs
THEATER SUSTAINMENT BASE
INTRA-THEATER LOCs
THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC LOGISTICS
OPERATIONAL LOGISTICS TACTICAL LOGISTICS
PPT-97VEG020 (PFR)
OPERATIONAL PROTECTION (IN GENERIC TERMS) AIR DEFENSE AND AIRSPACE CONTROL
COLLECTION OF INTELLIGENCE FOR INDICATORS & WARNING (I&W)
PROTECTION OF INFORMATION
AIR BASE GROUND DEFENSE (ABGD)
FORCE PROTECTION
COMPONENTS REAR AREA DEFENSE
DEFENSE AGAINST WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (WMD) PPT-99-VEG0-61 (PFR)
MARITIME SECURITY OF PORTS / HARBORS PROTECTION OF LOGISTICS INFRASTRUCTURE
STAGES OF COMBAT FORCE EMPLOYMENT
STAGES AND ELEMENTS OF COMBAT FORCE EMPLOYMENT MILITARY DECISION-MAKING AND PLANNING MAJOR STAGES DEPLOYMENT PEACETIME
MOBILIZATION
PREDEPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES
STRATEGIC
COMBAT CONFLICT/ OPERATIONAL EMPLOYMENT WAR & / TERMINATION SUSTAINMENT TACTICAL
OFFENSE
OR
CRITICAL FACTORS CONCENTRATION/ COUNTER CONCENTRATION
POSTHOSTILITIES ACTIONS
REDEPLOYMENT DEMOBILIZATION
PEACETIME
DEFENSE
PURSUIT/ COUNTER-PURSUIT
CENTERS OF GRAVITY COMBAT SUCCESS CULMINATING POINT
REGENERATION OF COMBAT POWER
MANEUVER / COUNTER MANEUVER CONSOLIDATION OF COMBAT SUCCESS
ELEMENTS OF COMBAT FORCE EMPLOYMENT
PPT-98-VEGO-8 (PFR)
RECONSTITUTION
PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF WAR
ELEMENTS OF OPERATIONAL WARFARE
CONCEPT OF CRITICAL FACTORS CRITICAL FACTORS “CONCRETE” (TANGIBLE)
CRITICAL STRENGTHS
CRITICAL WEAKNESSES IF O PEN
TO A TTAC K
CRITICAL VULNERABILITIES (CVs)
OBJECTIVE(S) CENTER OF GRAVITY (COG) 97-VEG033.PPT
“ABSTRACT” (INTANGIBLE)
CRITICAL FACTORS “PHYSICAL” (TANGIBLE)
CRITICAL FACTORS
GEOGRAPHIC GEOSTRATEGIC POSITION GEOPOLITICAL POSITION POSITIONS NON-MILITARY BASE OF OPERATIONS STATE ORGANIZATION LINES OF OPERATIONS ECONOMY LINES OF COMMUNICATIONS MINERAL RESOURCES ETC. AGRICULTURE MILITARY ARMED FORCES FINANCES INDIVIDUAL SERVICES (ARMY, NAVY, AIR BANKING FORCE) ENERGY RESOURCES THEATER ARMY, FLEET, AIR FORCE ETC. NUMBERED ARMY, FLEET, AIR FORCE MAJOR FORCE ELEMENTS (AIR CORPS, NAVAL TASK FORCES, AIR TASK FORCES) TACTICAL UNITS (DIVISIONS, BRIGADES, REGIMENTS, NAVAL SQUADRONS / GROUPS, AIR DIVISIONS / REGIMENTS / SQUADRONS) INTELLIGENCE C3I NODES LOGISTICAL SUPPORT AND SUSTAINMENT BATTLEFIELD SURVEILLANCE INTELLIGENCE AND WARNING (I&W) ETC. 97-VEG030.PPT
“ABSTRACT” (INTANGIBLE) POLITICAL DIPLOMATIC PSYCHOLOGICAL WILL TO FIGHT LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE/COALITION COHESION ALLIANCE / COALITION’S COMMUNITY OF INTERESTS PUBLIC SUPPORT UNITY OF COMMAND SERVICE / JOINT DOCTRINE MORALE DISCIPLINE COMBAT TRAINING COMBAT READINESS ETC.
CENTER OF GRAVITY (IN GENERIC TERMS)
“IS A SOURCE OF ‘MASSED STRENGTH’ --PHYSICAL OR MORAL OR A SOURCE OF LEVERAGE WHOSE SERIOUS DEGRADATION, DISLOCATION, NEUTRALIZATION, OR DESTRUCTION WILL HAVE THE MOST DECISIVE IMPACT ON THE ENEMY’S OR ONE’S OWN ABILITY TO ACCOMPLISH A GIVEN MILITARY OBJECTIVE.”
CENTER OF GRAVITY’S COMPOSITION OUTER CORE N O I AT S R EG EN T T I N L EM E
PROTECTION
INTA NGI BLE
LE B I G TAN
FIREPOWER
LEADERSHIP MANEUVER
INFORMATION INFORMATIO
INNER CORE
SUPPORT
PPT-98-VEG0-4 (PFR)
N
OPERATIONAL MANEUVER
MANEUVER FORCES SCALE GROUND AIR/ SPACE NAVAL
MANEUVER
TACTICAL OPERATIONAL STRATEGIC
ENCIRCLEMENT
FORM DOUBLE
MEDIUM
SINGLE COMBINED
PENETRATION COMBINED WITH THE ONE-SIDED ENVELOPMENT
PENETRATION ENVELOPMENT
PENETRATION COMBINED WITH THE ECCENTRIC (OR CONCENTRIC) MOVEMENT PPT-96VEG042
LAND SEA AIR/SPACE ONE-SIDED
TWO-SIDED (DOUBLE) WIDE ENVELOPMENT (TURNING MOVEMENT)
OPERATIONAL MANEUVER, PART 1 O NE-SIDE D E NV E L OP MENT MANEUV ER
PENETRATION MANEUVER
SH OUL DER ENE M Y ’S
SHOULDER
SUP POR
CO G E NEM Y F OR C E
TING ATT ACK
MAIN A TTA CK
TAC K TING AT SUP P O R
M O BI L E F OR C E
RE SERVE FI X I NG F O RCE
TWO-SIDED(DOUBLE) ENVELOPMENT MAIN ENEMY FORCE
FIXINGFORCE MOBILEFORCE CD-98-V EGO-6 (JR N)
MOBILEFORCE
OPERATIONALMANEUVER, PART2 TURNINGMANEUVER(WIDEMOVEMENT)
ENCIRCLEMENT
R E
FR
ON
T
ENCIRC LED FOR CE
ENEMY’S OPERATIONAL COG MOBILEFORCE
SUPPORTINGATTACK OR FIXINGFORCE
DOUBLE ENCIRCLEMENT NT FRO R RONT TE RF OU INNE NT FRO R TE OU INNER FRON T
CD-98-VEGO-7(JRN)
NT FR O
ENEMY SUPPLY LINES
IL T A R P O ’S Y M N E
H T P E D
IN N
ER UT O
ESCAPE R OUT E
THEORY OF CULMINATING POINT
ATTACK ER COMBA T POWE R
EQUILIBRIUM OF RELATIVE COMBAT POWER
CULMINATING POINT
DEFENDER’S OBJECTIVE
AREA OF UNCERTAINTY
R POWE T A B COM DER N E F E D
FACTOR OF TIME PPT-00-VEG0-22 (PFR)
ATTACKER’S OBJECTIVE
FACTOR OF FORCE
RELATIVE COMBAT POWER
FACTOR OF FORCE
FACTOR OF SPACE
ATTACKER’S CULMINATION START OF OFFENSIVE
OFFENSIVE STALLED
FACTOR OF SPACE SPACE GAINED CANNOT BE HELD
CULMINATING POINT OF OFFENSIVE (ATTACK)
ER
LINES OF SUPPLIES
ATTACKER’S OBJECTIVE
T OF
FACTOR OF TIME
ED OS
TH RENG T S ING INCREAS
ER ND E F DE HE
L EC
RELATIVE COMBAT POWER
AC K
R FO
PPT-00-VEG0-24 (PFR)
TH EA TT
SS CE
START OF ATTACK
OF
C SU
FACTOR OF FORCE
DIMINIS HING S T RE NGT H
STALEMATE
ATTACK STALLED
DEFENDER’S CULMINATION
START OF DEFENSIVE
FACTOR OF SPACE SPACE LOST TO THE ATTACKER
RELATIVE COMBAT POWER
FACTOR OF FORCE
DIMINIS HING S T RE NGT H
OF
DEFENDER’S TACTICAL OFFENSIVE OBJECTIVE
START OF DEFENSE PPT-00-VEG0-23 (PFR)
TH EA TT
CULMINATING POINT OF AC K
ER
COUNTER-ATTACKS
TH RENG T S ING INCREAS
T OF
COUNTER-OFFENSIVE
ER ND E F DE HE
COUNTER-ATTACK COUNTER-OFFENSIVE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY OF SHIFTING TO
COUNTER-ATTACK
FACTOR OF TIME
CULMINATING POINT AND THE LEVELS OF WAR LEVEL OF WAR
NATIONAL-STRATEGIC
THEATER-STRATEGIC
FACTOR OF SPACE WAR AS A WHOLE CULMINATING POINT OF VICTORY (OR DEFEAT)
CAMPAIGNS AND MAJOR OPERATIONS CULMINATING POINT OF OFFENSIVE (OR DEFENSIVE)
OPERATIONAL
OPERATIONALTACTICAL
TACTICAL
A MAJOR OPERATION
CULMINATING POINT OF ATTACK (OR DEFENSE)
A MAJOR BATTLE OR AN ENGAGEMENT PPT-00-VEG0-25 (PFR)
FACTOR OF TIME
OCCURRENCE
IT OCCURS ONLY ONCE IN A WAR
IT COULD OCCUR SEVERAL TIMES DURING A CAMPAIGN AND ONLY ONCE IN A MAJOR OPERATION IT COULD OCCUR ONLY ONCE
IT OCCURS ONLY ONCE IN A MAJOR BATTLE OR AN ENGAGEMENT
REGENERATION OF COMBAT POWER
ELEMENTS TASKORIENTED TRAINING
LARGE-SCALE REPLACEMENT OF PERSONNEL
REESTABLISHMENT OF COMMAND AND CONTROL
REST & RECREATION OF PERSONNEL PPT-98-VEG0-46 (PFR)
REPAIR & REPLACEMENT OF WEAPONS & EQUIPMENT
REPLENISHMENT OF SUPPLIES
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATIONAL WARFARE
“THERE HAVE EXISTED IN ALL TIMES FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES ON WHICH DEPEND GOOD RESULTS IN WARFARE…. THE PRINCIPLES ARE UNCHANGING, INDEPENDENT OF THE KIND OF WEAPONS, OF HISTORICAL TIME AND OF PLACE.” BARON ANTOINE HENRI DE JOMINI
PRINCIPLES OF WAR (GENERIC)
PRINCIPLES OF WAR
SURPRISE
MASS OFFENSIVE
SECURITY
MANEUVER
UNITY OF EFFORT
PPT-96VEG041
TACTICAL OPERATIONAL STRATEGIC
OBJECTIVE
SIMPLICITY
COOPERATION
PURPOSE
UNITY OF COMMAND
ECONOMY OF FORCE
METHODS OF COMBAT FORCE EMPLOYMENT
LEVELS OF WAR AND COMBAT FORCES’ EMPLOYMENT
CA M MA PAIGNS J “ M OR OP E R IL A OT ITARY O TIONS P H ER THAN ERATION S WAR ” (MO OTW )
N N AIG RATIO P M C A R OP E A AJO M THEATER STRATEGIC LEVEL
S
OPERATIONAL LEVEL
TACTICAL LEVEL
TACTICAL ACTIONS PPT-98VEG049 (PFR)
BATTLE ENGAGEMENT STRIKE ATTACK ENCOUNTER DUEL
SKIRMISH AMBUSH RAID HARASSMENT INFILTRATION PATROL
SEARCH SURVEILLANCE OBSERVATION SCOUTING RECONNAISSANCE ETC.
LEVELS OF COMMAND AND AND METHODS OF COMBAT FORCE EMPLOYMENT LEVEL OF WAR
METHOD
LEVEL OF COMMAND OBJECTIVES NATIONAL* (OR ALLIANCE/ COALITION) LEVEL
NATIONAL STRATEGIC
MILITARY ART
A SINGLE OR SEVERAL NATIONAL-STRATEGIC
CAMPAIGNS MAJOR OPERATIONS
THEATER CDR
A SINGLE OR SEVERAL THEATER-STRATEGIC
OPERATIONALSTRATEGIC
OPERATIONAL
OPERATIONALTACTICAL
A SINGLE CAMPAIGN MAJOR OPERATIONS
• • •
A MAJOR JOINT OPERATION TACTICAL ACTIONS NEO OPERATIONS
•
MAJOR TACTICAL ACTIONS (BATTLES, ENGAGEMENTS, STRIKES)
•
MINOR TACTICAL ACTIONS
TACTICAL
PPT-96VEG09A
TO CDR**
• •
* NATIONAL COMMAND AUTHORITY
COMJTF ***
A SINGLE THEATERSTRATEGIC
OPERATIONAL MAJOR-TACTICAL
TACTICAL COMMANDER
** THEATER OF OPERATIONS CINC
MINOR TACTICAL
*** COMMANDER JOINT TASK FORCE
TACTICS
• •
OPERATIONAL ART
THEATERSTRATEGIC
STRATEGY
NATIONAL-STRATEGIC
MAJOR OPERATIONS
MAJOR OPERATION (IN GENERIC TERMS)
A MAJOR OPERATION CONSISTS OF A SERIES OF BATTLES, ENGAGEMENTS, STRIKES, AND OTHER TACTICAL ACTIONS SEQUENCED AND SYNCHRONIZED IN TERMS OF SPACE AND TIME TO ACCOMPLISH AN OPERATIONAL (AND SOMETIMES STRATEGIC) OBJECTIVE IN A GIVEN PART OF THE THEATER.
SCHEME OF A MAJOR OPERATION MAJOR STAGES BASE OF OPERATIONS
OPERATIONAL DEPLOYMENT & CONCENTRATION
X
X
COMBAT EMPLOYMENT AND SUSTAINMENT OPERATIONAL MANEUVER
XX
CONSOLIDATION OF OPERATIONAL REDEPLOYMENT SUCCESS
X
X
FORCE ALFA ENGAGEMENT BATTLE BA TT
OPERATION RESERVE
A CE R FO
LE
FORCE BRAVO BATTLE
FORCE CHARLIE ENGAGEMENT
FORCE DELTA ENGAGEMENT
1ST PHASE LEGEND DECISIVE POINT MINOR TACTICAL OBJECTIVE MAJOR TACTICAL OBJECTIVE PPT-99-VEGO-15 (PFR)
X
OPERATIONAL OF STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
ENGAGEMEN
T
X
FORCE B
FORC E NT ME E G GA EN
TT BA
LE
2ND PHASE…ETC OPERATIONAL PAUSE REGENERATION OF COMBAT POWER
FOR
C
CE D
MAJOR OPERATIONS PRELIMINARY INITIAL
SEQUENCE CONSECUTIVE (SUCCESSIVE)
MAJOR OPERATIONS
PURPOSE
MEDIUM/ SERVICE LAND
OFFENSIVE
(GROUND)
DEFENSIVE PRINCIPAL (MAIN) SUPPORTING (ANCILLARY)
NAVAL (MARITIME)
DEGREE OF SERVICE PARTICIPATION
AIR (SPACE)
INDEPENDENT JOINT (MULTI-SERVICE) COMBINED (MULTI-NATIONAL) PPT-97VEG027
CAMPAIGNS
CAMPAIGN
(IN GENERIC TERMS) A CAMPAIGN CONSISTS OF A SERIES OF MAJOR OPERATIONS SEQUENCED AND SYNCHRONIZED IN TERMS OF SPACE AND TIME AND AIMED TO ACCOMPLISH A STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE IN A GIVEN THEATER OF OPERATIONS.
SCHEME OF A CAMPAIGN MAJOR STAGES
MOBILIZATION
DEPLOYMENT STRATEGIC INTRA-THEATER
X
X
X
X
BASE OF OPERATIONS
MAJOR NAVAL OPERATION
THEATER STRATEGIC RESERVE
REDEPLOYMENT FOR A NEW CAMPAIGN OR DEMOBILIZATION
CONSOLIDATION OF STRATEGIC SUCCESS COMBAT EMPLOYMENT AND SUSTAINMENT
X
X X
JOINT / COMBINED
MAJOR LAND (GROUND) OPERATION
X X
X
X
X
X
X
DESIRED END STATE
X
“INDEPENDENT”
MAJOR AIR (SPACE) OPERATION
X X
STRATEGIC PHASE I CONCENTRATION
LEGEND STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE PPT-99-VEGO-16 (PFR)
X
OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE
X
PHASE II
PHASE III…...ETC.
OPERATIONAL PAUSES
WAR/CONFLICT TERMINATION OR A DISTINCT PHASE OF WAR
POST-HOSTILITIES ACTIVITIES RECONSTITUTION
CAMPAIGNS TIMING
CAMPAIGNS
SEQUENTIAL (CONSECUTIVE) SIMULTANEOUS (CONCURRENT)
DEFENSIVE THEATER STRATEGIC
UNPLANNED PLANNED
NATIONAL OR ALLIANCE/COALITION MILITARY STRATEGIC
SERVICE PARTICIPATION
OPERATIONAL CONTINUUM WAR
GLOBAL (GENERAL)
REGIONAL (LOCAL)
* Denotes predominant features of the medium in which a campaign in conducted ** MOOTW in U.S. terms PPT-97VEG028
OFFENSIVE
OBJECTIVE
PLANNING
LOW INTENSITY CONFLICT**
PURPOSE
COMBINED (MULTI-NATIONAL) JOINT (MULTISERVICE)
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT(MEDIUM) LAND MARITIME
OPERATIONAL PLANNING
DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGY (IN GENERIC TERMS) MEANS
NATIONAL POLICY
ENDS
•PHYSICAL SECURITY AND SURVIVAL • POLITICAL AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY • ECONOMIC STABILITY AND WELL BEING • DOMESTIC PEACE AND STABILITY
NATIONAL ALLIANCE OR COALITION POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
VITAL
*
NATIONAL (GRAND) STRATEGY
INTERESTS
UNLIMITED
NATIONAL SOURCES OF POWER
NATIONAL OBJECTIVE
POLITICAL OBJECTIVE
LIMITED ANNIHILATION EROSION (ATTRITION)
STRATEGIC GUIDANCE
MILITARY STRATEGY
SUPPORTING STRATEGIES
TRADITIONAL NATIONAL INTERESTS
NATIONAL GOALS/AIMS
•POLITICAL •DIPLOMATIC •ECONOMIC •MILITARY •INFORMATIONAL •SCIENTIFIC •TECHNOLOGICAL •OTHER
MILITARY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
THEATER STRATEGY AND THEATER-STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE
**
SYMMETRIC OR ASYMMETRIC
STRATEGIC ESTIMATE
COURSES OF ACTION (COAs) STRATEGIC SITUATION STRATEGIC CONCEPTS
* **
NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY IN U.S. TERMS WHEN MULTIPLE THEATERS EXIST
DECISIONS
REVISED/UPDATED MILITARY OR THEATER STRATEGY
EMPLOYMENT OF MILITARY AND NON-MILITARY SOURCES OF POWER
TYPE OF PLANNING OPERATIONAL PLANNING (MAJOR OPERATIONS OR CAMPAIGNS) INTERMEDIATE MILITARY OBJECTIVES INVERSE (REGRESSIVE) PLANNING
HERE AND NOW
ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE
PROGRESSIVE PLANNING NEAR TASK
PPT-97VEG047 (PFR)
FUTURE TASK
(BATTLES / ENGAGEMENTS, ETC.) TACTICAL PLANNING
CAMPAIGN PLAN DEVELOPMENT COMMAND ECHELON • MILITARY-STRATEGIC • THEATER-STRATEGIC COMMANDER (CINC) • THEATER OF OPERATIONS COMMANDER (CINC)
STRATEGIC GUIDANCE
STRATEGIC ESTIMATE STRATEGIC VISION
STAFF ESTIMATES
COMMANDER’S ESTIMATE OF THE STRATEGIC SITUATION
THE DECISION
•OPERATIONAL • ORGANIZATIONAL • • DEPLOYMENT • LOGISTICS •OTHER
PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
• THE DECISION STATEMENT • OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME) • COMMANDER’S INTENT
CAMPAIGN PLANS
WAR
PPT-99-VEGO-04 (PFR)
CONCEPTS
LOW INTENSITY CONFLICT (LIC)
MAJOR OPERATION PLAN DEVELOPMENT HIGHER COMMAND AUTHORITY
DOCUMENTS •CAMPAIGN PLAN •OPORD
OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE
COMMANDER
COMMAND ECHELON •SERVICE COMPONENT •JOINT/COMBINED TASK FORCE •ARMY GROUP •ARMY •ARMY CORPS •NUMBERED AIR FORCE •NUMBERED FLEET
OPERATIONAL VISION
STAFF ESTIMATES
COMMANDER’S ESTIMATE OF THE OPERATIONAL SITUATION
THE DECISION •THE DECISION STATEMENT •OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME) •COMMANDER’S INTENT PPT-97VEGO15 (PFR)
PLAN FOR A MAJOR OPERATION (LAND, NAVAL, AIR/SPACE)
OPERATIONAL DESIGN
GUIDANCE • STRATEGIC • OPERATIONAL
OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME)
OBJECTIVE
DESIRED END STATE
OPERATIONAL DESIGN DIRECTION/AXIS
IDENTIFICATION OF THE ENEMY’S CRITICAL FACTORS
98-PPT-VEGO-03( es)
OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME)
OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME)
OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME) MAJOR OPERATION
CAMPAIGN
OPERATIONAL IDEA
MAJOR LAND OPERATION
MAJOR NAVAL OPERATION
MAJOR AIR (SPACE) OPERATION
PPT-96VEG017 (PFR)
TACTICAL CONCEPTS
MARITIME ELEMENTS
GROUND ELEMENTS
AIR (SPACE) ELEMENTS
SPECIAL FORCES ELEMENTS
OPERATIONAL IDEA FEATURES FULL USE OF DECEPTION
SPEED IN EXECUTION
CREATIVE AND NOVEL
OPERATIONAL IDEA
MULTIPLE OPTIONS
PPT-96VEG021
NO DISCERNIBLE PATTERNS
FULL USE OF AMBIGUITY
OPERATIONAL DESIGN FOR A CAMPAIGN (IN GENERIC TERMS) INTERIOR VS. EXTERIOR GEOSTRATEGIC POSITION
DESIRED END STATE *
OPERATIONAL DESIGN
REQUIRED FORCES AND ASSETS
OPERATIONA L FACTORS
•ULTIMATE (STRATEGIC) OBJECTIVE •INTERMEDIATE (OPERATIONAL) OBJECTIVES
METHODS FOR DEFEATING THE ENEMY
STRATEGIC OR OPERATIONAL DIRECTION / AXIS
COORDINATION
IDENTIFICATION OF THE ENEMY’S CRITICAL FACTORS AND STRATEGIC CENTER OF GRAVITY
RECONSTITUTION
SELECTED PRINCIPLES OF WAR
BRANCHES AND SEQUELS OPERATIONAL PHASING
APPLICATION OF MILITARY AND NON-MILITARY SOURCES OF POWER
OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME)
ANTICIPATING ONE’S OWN STRATEGIC CULMINATION POINT
SECTOR OF MAIN EFFORT (THRUST) CONCENTRATION IN THE SECTOR OF MAIN EFFORT (THRUST) POINT OF MAIN ATTACK (DEFENSE)
OPERATIONAL PAUSE
OPERATIONAL TEMPO STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL DECEPTION OPERATIONAL MANEUVER **
* FOR A CAMPAIGN THAT ENDS HOSTILITIES ** FOR EACH MAJOR OPERATION IN A CAMPAIGN
PROTECTION OF ONE’S OWN STRATEGIC COG
OPERATIONAL MOMENTUM STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL RESERVES STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL SUSTAINMENT
OPERATIONAL DESIGN FOR A MAJOR OPERATION INTERIOR VS.EXTERIOR LINES
DESIRED END STATE *
OPERATIONAL DESIGN
REQUIRED FORCES AND ASSETS
OPERATIONA L FACTORS METHODS OF DEFEATING THE ENEMY’S OPERATIONAL COG
•ULTIMATE (OPERATIONAL) OBJECTIVE •INTERMEDIATE (MAJOR TACTICAL) OBJECTIVES
OPERATIONAL OR TACTICAL DIRECTION / AXIS
COORDINATION *
REGENERATION OF COMBAT POTENTIAL BRANCHES AND SEQUELS
SELECTED PRINCIPLES OF WAR
OPERATIONAL PHASING
APPLICATION OF AVAILABLE COMBAT POTENTIAL
OPERATIONAL IDEA (SCHEME)
OPERATIONAL PAUSE ANTICIPATING ONE’S OWN CULMINATION POINT
SECTOR OF MAIN EFFORT (THRUST)
OPERATIONAL TEMPO
CONCENTRATION AT SECTOR OF MAIN EFFORT (THRUST)
POINT OF MAIN ATTACK (DEFENSE)
IDENTIFICATION OF THE ENEMY’S CRITICAL FACTORS AND OPERATIONAL CENTER OFGRAVITY
OPERATIONAL DECEPTION OPERATIONAL MANEUVER
PROTECTION OF ONE’S OWN OPERATIONAL COG
* FOR A MAJOR OPERATION PLANNED TO ACCOMPLISH A STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE.
OPERATIONAL MOMENTUM
OPERATIONAL RESERVE
OPERATIONAL SUSTAINMENT
OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP
OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP ARMY CORPS ?? COMMANDERS THEATERSTRATEGIC COMMANDERS
OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP
THEATER/ NUMBERED AIR FORCE COMMANDERS
THEATER OF OPERATIONS COMMANDERS
THEATER/ NUMBERED ARMY COMMANDERS
SERVICE COMPONNENT COMMANDERS MILITARY/NAVAL DISTRICT COMMANDERS
THEATER/ NUMBERED FLEET COMMANDERS JOINT TASK FORCE COMMANDERS
PPT-97VEGO53
OPERATIONAL COMMANDER’S REQUIREMENTS PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE OPERATIONAL THINKING INITIATIVE
DECISIVENESS
HONESTY
STEADFASTNESS OF PURPOSE MORAL COURAGE LEADING BY PERSONAL EXAMPLE
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS
SOUND JUDGMENT TOUGHNESS
CREATIVENESS
BOLDNESS
PERSISTENCE
PPT-97VEGO54B
MENTAL AGILITY
HIGH INTELLECT ABILITY TO PROVIDE MOTIVATION AND INSTILL PURPOSE
TENETS OF OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP INDIRECT APPROACH
ABSOLUTE PRIMACY OF POLICY & STRATEGY
UNWAVERING FOCUS ON THE OBJECTIVE
APPLICATION OF OVERWHELMING FORCE BALANCING THE ENDS, MEANS, AND WAYS
CONCENTRATION AT THE “WEIGHT OF EFFORT”
SELECTION OF THE PROPER “WEIGHT OF EFFORT”
TENETS (CARDINAL RULES)
OBTAINING AND MAINTAINING FREEDOM OF ACTION
INITIATIVE JOINTNESS EMPLOYMENT OF ALL AVAILABLE MILITARY AND NON-MILITARY SOURCES OF POWER
WILLINGNESS TO TAKE HIGH RISKS ACTING IN AN UNPREDICTABLE MANNER
PPT-97VEGO41 (PFR)
OBTAINING AND MAINTAINING FREEDOM OF ACTION
INITIATIVE
FACTORS AFFECTING FREEDOM OF ACTION • ASSIGNED OBJECTIVES/TASKS • COMBAT POWER OF ONE’S OWN / FRIENDLY FORCES • ENEMY’S COMBAT POWER • ENEMY’S DECISIONS AND ACTIONS • COMMAND & CONTROL STRUCTURE • COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS
VI
EN
SP
AC
E
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• • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • •
S CE OR -F
I P L O M A TI C - E C O L - D NO A M IC ITIC L PO
OPERATIONAL COMMANDER
G IV EN
E
PPT-97VEGO42 (PR)
AL
T IM
RO
NM
LE G L TA N E
O R E X E R C IS IN G F R E E D O M O F K R F O M E W N S T R A I N T S + R E S TR A I N T S = L IM I T A T I O A C T I O N A R F NS C O
TASK-ORIENTED ORDERS MENTAL AGILITY FORCES’ MOBILITY SURPRISE OFFENSIVE ANTICIPATION ABILITY TO DEPLOY OPERATIONAL RESERVES ETC.
DECISION CYCLE INTELLIGENCE GIVEN SPACE TIME AVAILABLE FORCES AVAILABLE FORCES BECOMING AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONAL LOGISTICS AND SUSTAINMENT • OPERATIONAL PROTECTION • OPERATIONAL RESERVE
TYPE OF DECISIONS OPERATIONAL COMMANDER
ORGANIZATIONAL
INFORMATIONAL
OPERATIONAL
PPT-97VEGO52
THE FUTURE
• WARS WILL BE WON OR LOST AT THE OPERATIONAL AND STRATEGIC LEVEL; HENCE, THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF OPERATIONAL ART WILL NOT BE REDUCED • INFORMATION WILL INCREASINGLY AFFECT THE FACTORS OF SPACE, TIME AND FORCE • NEW TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES WILL COMPRESS SPACE AND TIME SEPARATING LEVELS OF WAR • HOWEVER, THE NEED FOR THE OPERATIONAL LEVELS OF COMMAND WILL REMAIN.
• NEW METHODS OF COMBAT FORCE EMPLOYMENT WILL EMERGE • STRIKES WILL REPLACE BATTLES AND ENGAGEMENTS, WHILE MAJOR OPERATIONS WILL BECOME THE MAIN METHOD OF COMBAT EMPLOYMENT TO ACCOMPLISH NOT ONLY OPERATIONAL BUT ALSO STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN A GIVEN PART OF THE THEATER.
References
• Vego, M. (n.d.). Introduction to Operational Art [Power Point Presentation]. Retrieved from: http://indianstrategicknowledgeonline.com/web/o