FM-3-81 Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Download
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Chapter 3 3-2 FM 3-81 09 November 2021 CONTIGUOUS AREA OF OPERATIONS 3-4. In most operations, corps and divisions employ contiguous areas of operations. Contiguous area of operations is where all of a commander’s subordinate forces’ areas of operations share one or more common boundaries (FM 3-90.1). This allows the command and control for the majority of the AO by using subordinate organizations while avoiding gaps and seams in responsibility. Contiguous areas of operations may provide additional security for maneuver units, headquarters, and support areas by limiting the gaps between units. Figure 3-1 provides an example of a contiguous corps AO with established support areas that include ground LOC. Legend: CSA corps support area DSA division support area SUST sustainment FSCL fire support coordination line Figure 3-1. Corps contiguous AO NONCONTIGUOUS AREA OF OPERATIONS 3-5. A noncontiguous area of operations is where one or more of the commander’s subordinate force’s areas of operation do not share a common boundary (FM 3-90.1). The reasons for using a noncontiguous area vary but begin with geographical separation of important terrain from the remainder of the areas of operations. The commander’s decision deploys the force into a noncontiguous AO, regardless of command echelon, derived from the mission variables of METT-TC analysis. In particular, the commander evaluates the threat and ability of the enemy to mass combat power sufficient to threaten friendly forces in noncontiguous AOs. Second, the commander evaluates the enemy’s ability to sever ground LOCs between noncontiguous AOs. 3-6. When conducting operations in a noncontiguous AO, commanders should take a holistic approach to countering threats. Commanders and staffs must expect the enemy to operate between the noncontiguous AOs using sophisticated surveillance devices, improvised explosive devices, mortars, rockets, missiles, unmanned aircraft systems, space and cyberspace operations, and information warfare, making support areas increasingly vulnerable. Area security may be the predominant method of protecting support areas that are