Combat Commanders Revised Mission Statement

Combat Commanders Revised Mission Statement

Based upon the accompanying INTSUM, OPREP-3, and Warning Order for the Bangladesh scenario provide a Combatant Commander's revised mission statement. Ensure that this statement includes the elements of "who, what, when, where, and why."

The crisis in Bangladesh requires that combat commanders must be prepared for a humanitarian mission. This will be accomplished using U.S. naval, air and land forces in conjunction with each other. These events will occur within hours of the cyclone moving out of the area. This will take place using U.S. based aircraft carriers off the cost. (Warning Order)

At the same time, existing military bases (in Bangladesh) will be used as a staging area for all operations. The combination of these factors will work together, to provide effective humanitarian relief. After the situation has stabilized, is when the mission objectives will be successful. (Warning Order)

The commander's intent identifies the purpose of the campaign and the end state. Based upon the INTSUM, OPREP-3 and Warning Order provide the Combatant Commander's intent.

The combat commander is focused on addressing the humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of the cyclone. This means that supplies must be delivered to those areas with tremendous amounts of damage. At the same time, surveillance of these regions and security will be provided during the operation. Once the local government has been able to stabilize everything, is when the mission will be successful. This requires all U.S. military personnel to limit their involvement by working in conjunction with: government officials, military commanders, different NGOs and nonprofits. (Warning Order)

Based upon readings and lectures in this course (especially the Campaign Planning Primer: AY07 by the U.S. Army War College and Center of Gravity, What Clausewitz Really Meant by Joseph L. Strange and Richard Iron), identify the strategic and operational centers of gravity for both the opposition and the friendly coalition. Explain your choices.

The centers for the friendly coalition are: the government / local military, NGOs, nonprofits, international military forces and communities that are impacted by the disaster. The opposition includes: criminals / armed gangs (who are seeking to exploit the disaster), frustrated communities and different terrorist groups operating in remote locations. These areas are illustrating the potential support and threats that must be taken into account during the operation. (Air War College Distant Learning 61 -- 129) (Warning Order)

In the case of the friendly coalition, the different parties were selected based upon the support that they can provide to the operation. As each one of these stakeholders has something they are contributing in achieving the overall mission objectives. The communities impacted by the disaster were selected, because they can provide intelligence about the area and possible issues affecting others. This is the point that additional resources can be utilized to most deal with a host of challenges. (Air War College Distant Learning 61 -- 129) (Warning Order)

The opposition is those individuals and groups, who are seeking to exploit the disaster for their own personal gain. This means that there will more than likely be a power / security vacuum in remote and affected areas. The different criminals, armed gangs and terrorist groups will be utilizing this as a way to take advantage of the situation. While at the same time, hostile communities are susceptible to looting and the mobbing various relief vehicles. This is illustrating the underlying security challenges that must be taken into account when conducting any kind of operations. (Air War College Distant Learning 61 -- 129) (Warning Order)

Describe how you would employ and integrate the capabilities of land power, sea power, airpower, space power, cyber power, and/or special operations in the development of one friendly course of action (COA). Ensure that your COA summary is adequate, feasible, acceptable and complete.

The use of land, sea, air, space, cyber power and special operations will work in conjunction with each other. This will be accomplished by using space power (via satellite imagery) to identify areas that need the most assistance. At the same time, this will provide continuous updates about the security situation and possible activities on the ground. When this happens, commanders will identify key objectives and can provide resources for addressing these issues. (Air War College Distant Learning 61 -- 359) (Warning Order)

In the case of land, sea and air power; these resources will be used to deliver materials directly to the most impacted regions. This will be accomplished by working with local military forces, NGOs and nonprofits to deliver supplies / personnel to these areas. During the process, their objectives will be to locate survivors and bring necessary materials into the region. (Air War College Distant Learning 61 -- 359) (Warning Order)

To prevent armed gangs from taking control of specific areas, there will be a series of forward operating bases established. This is where key military personnel, relief workers and other individuals will provide direct support to communities. At the same time, the land and air power will go after groups that are threatening the success of the mission. This means that there will be a large security contingent provided for all operations. While, air power will prevent any kind of enemy ambushes and provide support for ground forces. These resources will offer added tools that will improve security and allow for supplies to be delivered to critical areas. (Air War College Distant Learning 61 -- 359) (Warning Order)

Cyber power will be utilized to win the hearts and minds of everyone. This will be accomplished by showing how relief efforts are addressing issues impacting specific regions. Moreover, this will target and neutralize any kind of Islamist groups / criminal gangs that are seeking to benefit from the disaster. This will occur, by directly attacking and destroying any kind of web sites that encourages the population to interfere with relief operations. (Air War College Distant Learning 61 -- 359) (Warning Order)

Special operations forces will be sent into the communities. Their jobs are to provide medical assistance and support to these areas. At the same time, they have the training to call in additional resources or directly engage opposition forces. This will prevent these groups from being able to control communities and limit the amount of supplies delivered to an area. When this happens, the civilian population will be more willing to work with personnel, in dealing with critical challenges. (Air War College Distant Learning 61 -- 359) (Warning Order)

For example, the use of land, sea, air, space, cyber power and Special Forces will achieve the different operational objectives. This means that the space and cyber power will provide units with critical intelligence (about: the locations of hostile forces in addition to where relief supplies are need the most). (Air War College Distant Learning 61 -- 359) (Warning Order)

In the event that there is a security situation, commanders will have access to land, sea and air resources that are used in conjunction with real time space / cyber power. This will provide actionable information for quickly dealing with possible security threats and identifying critical regions requiring assistance. It is at this point that some kind of operation will be implemented that has a high probability of success. In the event that uncertainties begin to unfold, is when these and additional resources can be used to rectify the situation. This will ensure that all assistance is provided to everyone in a timely manner (which is taking into account the changing situation on the ground). (Air War College Distant Learning 61 -- 359) (Warning Order)

If this can occur, there will be reduced threats from hostile forces by showing overwhelming superiority and responsiveness. Moreover, this will ensure that potential secondary disasters are avoided in the aftermath of cyclone. The most notable is an atmosphere of lawlessness that is coupled with people having a lack of access to: food, water, medical assistance and shelter. This can make the underlying situation worse, by not providing a safe environment for receiving assistance. Therefore, the strategy will ensure that there are limited amounts of bureaucracy associated with: delivering supplies and the ability to protect aid workers / critical personnel. (Air War College Distant Learning 61 -- 359) (Warning Order)

Describe the organizational command structure that you will use for this operation, including any coalition forces utilized. In your answer, also provide your recommendation for which service component should be the joint force commander. Fully explain the rationale behind each of your choices.

The basic command structure will be to have the U.S. serve a behind the scenes role. This means that local military and government officials will take the lead. As they will make, the primary decisions where personnel and resources are deployed. This will serve as the highest level of command surrounding any missions. In the future, this will work in accordance with the government's desire to limit foreign military forces that are utilized. (Warning Order) ("Navy Warfare Development Command")

Next, a theater of operations commander will direct all relief efforts. This will occur by having a special forces general, serving in this role. Their job is: to ensure that all regions are receiving the proper amount of support, to prevent opposition forces from taking advantage of the situation and to communicate with local government / military officials / NGOs / nonprofit organizations. This will streamline decision making and ensure that there is effective collaboration among personnel. Moreover, this individual has experience in working with disasters and other security operations. (Warning Order) ("Navy Warfare Development Command")

The lower levels of command will be subdivided among various battalions, companies / air wings and platoons / flights. These individuals will be responsible for achieving the different mission objectives that are provided by the theater of operations commander. This will ensure that there are reduced levels of bureaucracy and effective procedures for addressing any kind of potential challenges. (Warning Order) ("Navy Warfare Development Command")

As a result, there will be a combination of land, air, sea and Special Forces that are utilized during the operation. These units will quickly respond to any kind of issues and provide the flexibility to adjust to changes in the mission. When this happens, everyone will be more effective in addressing a number of different challenges. (Warning Order) ("Navy Warfare Development Command")

The below table is illustrating a rough outline as to the command structure for operational performance.

Operational Command Structure

Bangladesh Government / Military

Theater of Operations Command

Battalions

Company / Wing

Platoon / Flight (Warning Order) ("Navy Warfare Development Command")

This kind of structure will steam line decision making. At the same time, it is utilizing flexibility to address potential security and logistical challenges. When this happens, there is an effective tool for providing aid to most impacted areas and safeguarding personnel during the process. (Warning Order) ("Navy Warfare Development Command")

This course began with a discussion of the challenges involved in planning for the full range of military operations. In recent years there has been significant discussion on how to balance the need to "win" the current war(s) with the need to be prepared for the next war. Using the concepts presented throughout this course, describe the key air, space and cyber capabilities required to support/execute the full range of military operations now and in the future. Explain in which capability area(s) the Air Force can best accept risk.