Terrain

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Tasks and Counter Moves

Factor: Brief description of environment

Overall terrain, road networks, and major obstacles

Consideration: General movement restrictions, initial thoughts on obstacles

Deduction: Mounted or dismounted, possible grouping of engineers

Enemy and own point of view

Size and shape

Lay of the land

Dominant features

Major obstacles

Going

Cover

Major communication networks

Example Terrain Deductions

Force ratio and composition considerations

Strength and composition of protective elements

Mobility and Counter-mobility tasks

Key terrain

Positions of fire and observation

Vital Ground

What actions are necessary?

Form of manoeuvre

Movement

Method, speed, approaches

Service support locations

Nodes or links between levels

Security

SENSE tasks, camouflage, digging, dispersion

Command and Control

Communications, location of headquarters

Electronic Warfare

Air Defence

Possible requests for information or points for clarification

COA Comparison Criteria

FLOCARK

Used for advance/tactical movement or large AOs

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Considerations and Deductions

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Frontages

Features

Lanes

Objectives

Consider defining phases by objectives

Canalizing Terrain

Avenues of Approach

Ratings of Avenues of Approach

Key Terrain / Vital Ground

COPPED

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COPPED

Used for rapid terrain analysis

Optional, depending on terrain

COPPED typically used for objective areas

E/G/ left/center/right approaches

Meteorology

Weather

Temperature and humidity

Light conditions

Hours of daylight, hours of darkness, phase of moon

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Meteorology Deductions

Human Terrain

Local Population

Residents, refugees, evacuees and internally displaced persons (IDPs)

Location and movements of pers

Culture

Religious/Ethnic Groups

Public Support to Military

Political Will

How can I influence the leaders and the people?

Influence Activities Plan/messaging

Civil-Military Cooperation

CIMIC

Psychological Operations

PSYOPS: Posture, Profile and Presence

Public Affairs Operations

Rules of Engagement

Esp. as relates to collateral damage

Humanitarian assistance

Detainee considerations

Displaced persons, refugee and evacuees

Routes, waiting areas, IA considerations, liaison with NGOs

Frontage

Fire Plan

Fire Support Coordination Measures

Electronic Warfare

Communications

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Time and Space

Morale

Service Support

Groupings and Tasks

Control Measures

Operational Security Measures

SENSE tasks

Form of manoeuvre

Air Defence