ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
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Preparing 07 December 2020 ATP 5-0.2-1 127 INITIATE NETWORK PREPARATION 3-13. During preparation, the information network is tailored and engineered to meet the specific needs of each operation. This includes not only communications, but also how the commander expects information to move between, and be available for, leaders and units within an area of operations (AO). 3-14. During preparation, commanders and staffs prepare and rehearse the information network to support the plan in the following areas: Management of available bandwidth. Availability and location of data and information. Positioning and structure of network assets. Tracking status of key network systems. Arraying sensors, weapons, and the information network to support the concept of the operation. MANAGE TERRAIN 3-15. Terrain management is the process of allocating terrain by establishing areas of operations, designating assembly areas, and specifying locations for units and activities to deconflict activities that might interfere with each other (ADP 3-90). Terrain management is an important activity during preparation as units reposition and stage prior to execution. Commanders who are assigned an AO are responsible for managing terrain within their boundaries. Through terrain management, commanders identify and locate units in the area. The operations officer, with support from others in the staff, can then deconflict operations, control movements, and deter fratricide as units get in position to execute planned missions. Commanders also consider unified action partners located in their AO and coordinate with them for the use of terrain. PREPARE TERRAIN 3-16. Terrain preparation starts with a situational understanding of terrain through proper terrain analysis. It involves shaping the terrain to gain an advantage, such as improving cover, concealment and observation, fields of fire, new obstacle effects through reinforcing obstacles, or mobility operations for initial positioning of forces. It can make the difference between an operation’s success and failure. Commanders must understand the terrain and the infrastructure of their AO as early as possible to identify potential for improvement, establish priorities of work, and begin preparing the area. CONDUCT CONFIRMATION BRIEFS 3-17. The confirmation brief is a key part of preparation. Subordinate leaders give a confirmation brief to the commander immediately after receiving the OPORD. A confirmation brief ensures the commander that subordinate leaders understand— The commander’s intent, mission, and concept of operations. Their unit’s tasks and associated purposes. The relationship between their unit’s mission and those of other units in the operation. Ideally, the commander conducts confirmation briefs in person with selected staff members of the higher headquarters present. REVISE AND REFINE THE PLAN 3-18. Revising and refining the plan is a key activity of preparation. The commander's situational understanding may change over the course of operations, enemy actions may require revision of the plan, or unforeseen opportunities may arise. During preparation, assumptions made during planning may be proven true or false. Intelligence analysis may confirm or deny enemy actions or show changed conditions in the AO because of SOs. The status of friendly forces may change as the situation changes. In any of these cases, commanders identify the changed conditions and assess how the changes might affect the upcoming operation. Significant new information requires commanders to make one of three assessments regarding the plan—