Terrain
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
Considerations and Deductions
Frontages
Features
Lanes
Objectives
Consider defining phases by objectives
Canalizing Terrain
Avenues of Approach
Ratings of Avenues of Approach
Key Terrain / Vital Ground
COPPED
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
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