4-31 COA Dev ???

COA DEVELOPMENT

ACTIVITIES

Narrator: Here's an example of how initial COAs can be developed. First, determine “WHAT MUST BE DONE?” This question can be answered by focusing on the Mission Statement and Essential Tasks. Next, determine “HOW DO WE DO WHAT MUST BE DONE?” The answer here is derived from the Commanders Intent and guidance. Finally, step back and consider “WHY DO IT THAT WAY?” The answer should be because the COA attacks an enemy center of gravity via a critical vulnerability while taking advantage of good force ratios.

COA Development

COA 2

Here's a COA 2 example:

What to do?

II MEF defeats and expels enemy forces in zone then prepares to perform stability ops (Mission Statement + Essential Tasks)

How to do it?

Conduct offensive ops to defeat and expel Libyan forces from Tunisia. Fix the 2nd Echelon through air and amphibious ops. Use information warfare against WOG C2 and civil affairs to maintain Tunisian population support (Commander's Intent + Guidance)

Why do it that way?

An isolated 1st Echelon will be vulnerable. WOG C2 nodes necessary to conduct combined arms operations are vulnerable. Disinformation is US vulnerability (COG Analysis + Relative Combat Power Assessment)