Posted: June 29th, 2015

Section 4:Mission Command Essay. (20 Points)

Mission command essay

THE SITUATION—30 minutes ago

You are the commander of the 1/8 ABCT, which is the lead element of the main body in the 8th Infantry Division’s attack to seize OBJ BRAVO, a city 80 kilometers west of BRIDGEPORT. 1/8 ABCT as the division’s decisive operation was to seize OBJ BRAVO NLT H+12 in order to protect the II Corps’ main effort. The division’s advance guard, 1/24 ABCT (attached to 8 ID), passed BRIDGEPORT without incident approximately two hours ago. In the period between 1/24’s departure from BRIDGEPORT and 1/8’s approach, the enemy quickly emplaced several obstacles (overturned vehicles and building materials) on ROUTE ORANGE south of BRIDGEPORTto cause friendly forces to deploy assets early and disrupt movement. As lead elements of 1/8 ABCT approached BRIDGEPORT, they received consistent and accurate mortar and RPG fire from the city. The intensity of these fires increased as the brigade approached the outskirts of town.

THE CURRENT SITUATION—H+4

The remainder of the division’s main body is approximately two hours behind your trail unit and will use ROUTE ORANGE as well.  The lead company of 1/8 ABCT took up hasty defensive positions near the bridge over the CENTER RIVER on ROUTE ORANGEwhile the brigade developed the situation around BRIDGEPORT.As your S3 reports enemy contact to the Division Main CP, the Division G2 reports that a Redland maneuver brigade with two maneuver battalions (one armor with about 30T80 tanks and one mechanized with about 36 BMP-3s) and one artillery battalion (18 2S1 self-propelled 122mm howitzers) have moved south of MARYSVILLE and occupied assembly areas approximately 40km north of BRIDGEPORT in the last four hours. The G2 assesses that this enemy brigade will attack the 8thInfantry Division’s main body when it passes through the area along ROUTE ORANGE. Additionally, the G2 estimates a company-sized irregular force (100-120 personnel) within the city of BRIDGEPORTequipped with light weapons (AK47 and RPK) and some RPG7V and 82mm mortars. The G2 believes this irregular force might coordinate actions with the Redland brigade to the north. The CG considers these developments a significant threat to the division’s northern flank and the corps’ future line of communication.

The CG contacts you with the following verbal directive: “I am concerned about the division’s northern flank and the situation around BRIDGEPORT. Your new mission isdefeatthe enemy on our northern flank to protect the division’s main body. I’m not sure how long this mission will take, but I want you back with us as soon as possible; be prepared for follow on operations.  1/24 ABCT will continue as the division’s advance guard, and 4/8 ABCT (currently approximately 30km behind your unit) will conduct your previous mission as the division’s decisive operation.”

*****
Note: Citing doctrine is NOT enough to get credit for this assignment.  You must read the situation carefully, and then apply principles of doctrine.  After you have analyzed the situation, write a meaningful response for each exam question.

*****
The C423 Exam Scenario Sketch for this situation is available to you in a separate document.  Use the C423 Exam Scenario Sketch to answers the questions below.

Section 1:  Analyze and develop a doctrinal solution to a tactical problem. (30 Points)

FOR THIS SECTION OF THE EXAM, YOU ARE THE 1/8 ABCT COMMANDER.

1.  Based on the situation and sketch, write the 1/8 ABCT’smission statement. (5 Points).  [Remember to address the who, what, when, where, and why in your answer.]

1/8 ABCT secures Route Orange south of Bridgeport not later than H+6 to allow 8th Infantry Division’s main body to pass through.  On order H+6, 1/8 ABCT attacks Redland maneuver brigade in order to protect the northern flank of the division’s main body.

2.  Write the 1/8 ABCTCommander’s intent for this mission.Your answer MUSTinclude expanded purpose, key tasks, and end state (10 Points).  [Your answer should be approximately one-half of a typed page. For a review of commander’s intent, refer to page 2-19 in ADRP 5-0.]

Intent:  The purpose of defeatthe Redland maneuver brigade is to protect the northern flank of the 8th Infantry Division’s main effort from engagement in order to achieve its decisive operation. (OBJ BRAVO seizure)

Key tasks are:
–    Destroy enemy irregular force positioned near the bridge over the Center River on Route Orange.
–    Conduct a route reconnaissance along Route Orange to gather new or updated information on route conditions.
–    Conduct an area reconnaissance to obtain detailed information about the terrain or Redland maneuver brigade activity.
–    Defeat Redland maneuver brigade.

At end state, the division’s northern flank is secured and protected.  Enemy forces around Bridgeport are defeated and unable to attack the division’s main body.  The division’s main effort is prepared to seize OBJ BRAVE.  Minimal damage to civilian infrastructure.

3.  Identify the ABCT’s primary offensive task and the form of maneuver,OR defensivetaskand form of defense. (5 points).  [Write one to five sentences; you may write more if you like.]

The ABCT’s primary offensive task to be used initially in this operation is a movement to contact. But once contact is made with the main body of Redland maneuver brigade, then their primary offensive task will be changed to an attack.  A form of maneuver for the attack is a double envelopment since enemy can deliver maximum firepower to the front.

4.  Identify and explain the ABCT’s decisive operation. (5 points).[Write one to five sentences; you may write more if you like.]

The ABCT’s decisive operation is to defeat Redland maneuver brigade.  Defeating Redland maneuver brigade is required to protect the northern flank of 8th Infantry Division’s main effort from engagement in order to seize OBJ BRAVO NLT H+12.

5.  Identify and explain the ABCT’s shaping operations. (5 points).[Write one to five sentences; you may write more if you like.]

1/8 ABCT must seize and secure the areas along Route Orange for the 8th Infantry Division’s main body to pass through.  Then, the ABCT conducts extensive reconnaissance to detect enemy activity and to determine the exact location of Redland maneuver brigade position.  Another shaping operation is to protect the northern flank of the 8th Infantry Division since 8th Infantry Division must seize OBJ BRAVO NLT H+12 in order to protect the II Corps’ main effort.

Section 2:  Sketch and Explanation (30 Points)

6.  You must address each of the following items listed below.  The answers you provided for exam questions 3, 4, and 5 will help you with items a through i below.

For parts a, c, e, g, and h, you will depict your answers on the exam sketch.
On the sketch, depict your visualization of the 1/8 ABCT’s operation for solving the tactical problem.You may use PowerPoint to make and place the symbols on the sketch, or you may hand-draw the symbols and then scan the sketch to make it a PDF.  For this assignment, a PDF is allowed for the sketch.

For parts b, d, f, and i, you will state or explain your answers.  Write one to five sentences for each part; you may write more if you like.

When you submit your assignment for grading, be sure to include both parts of the exam: (1) your typed answers for the exam questions and (2) your answers depicted on the sketch.

a.    Depict the location of the cavalry squadron on the sketch. (2 points)

b.    Statethe task and purpose of the cavalry squadron.  (2 points)

The task of cavalry squadron is to prepare for tactical operation by conducting a movement to contact and zone reconnaissance.  The purpose of the cavalry squadron is to perform reconnaissance and to attack an enemy’s vulnerability, such as flanks, rear, line of communication, and service support capability.

c.    Depict the location of EACH combined arms battalion on the sketch. (5 points)

d.    Statethe task and purpose of EACHcombined arms battalion.  (5 points)

There are three combined arms battalions in 1/8 ABCT.  The first and second combined arms battalions’ purpose is to attack and destroy the enemy.  The last one is to engage in close counterattack operation and security measures.  The task for the first and second ones is to conduct an attack and the last one is to prepare to conduct area security.

e.    Depict the location of the fires battalion on the sketch.  (2 points)

f.    Statethe task and purpose of the fires battalion.  (2 points)

The purpose of the fires battalion is to provide precision strikes and proactive counterstrike operation to support the 1/8 ABCT.  The tasks for the fires battalion are to execute precision strike operation with the area of operation and to provide reinforcing fires.

g.    Depict the boundaries of the combined arms battalions’ and the armed reconnaissance squadron’s area of operations on the sketch.  (4 points)

h.    Depict the locations for the main command post and the tactical command post on the sketch.  (4 points)

i.    Explain your decisionfor locating the main command post and the tactical command post.  (4 points)

Section 3:  Sustainment (20 Points)

FOR THIS SECTION OF THE EXAM, YOU ARE THE BSB COMMANDER of the 1/8 ABCT.

Given that you are still in the early phase of planning, address each of the following listed below.

7. Provide your vision for how the BSB will logistically support the ABCT’s change of mission. Your answer MUSTinclude a discussion of the planning considerations for Class III, Class V, Medical and Maintenance (35MM). (10 points) [Your answer should be approximately one-half of a typed page.]

The vision for the BSB supporting the ABCT’s change of mission is to provide distributive logistics and replenishments of essential supplies including Class III, Class V, maintenance, and medical service support for continuing the momentum of the operation during the synchronization of offensive operations.  The logistical support operations must be in place since there will be increased fuel and ammunition consumption as well as casualty rates increased. Initially, the BSB must be tailored to support 1/8 ABCT units to meet each maneuver unit’s shaping operation.  In response to the ABCT’s offensive operation, the BSB must plan and execute these logistical coordination for the ABCTto attack and defeat a Redland maneuver brigade located around south of Marysville.  These logistical supports must be fully integrated with the ABCT battle rhythm through establishing and synchronizing LRPs (Logistical Release Point) in the AO (Area of Operation).

The BSB willestablish BSA (Brigade Support Area) to provide forward logistical support to the brigade. For the field level maintenance, the FMC (Field Maintenance Company) must operate within the BSA to provide on-site repair service immediately.  For the medical support, the BSMC (Brigade Support Medical Company must establish its treatment facility in the BSA.  The BSMC must focus on the early evacuations out of battlefield and the stabilization for wounded and injured personnel. Through coordination of the BSB, the Distribution companies will provide the fuels and ATHP(Ammunition Transfer and Holding Point) that will replenish ammunitions for the ABCT. For the fuels, BSB must establish the ROM (Refuel On The Move) in addition to the BSB to replenish the fuels to the FSCs (Forward Support Company)as they required.   Aerial delivery must be established and available for emergency supply.

8. Depict on the sketch where you would locate the BSA, andexplain why.(5 points).  [Write one to five sentences; you may write more if you like.]

9. Out of the eight principles of sustainment, identify the TWO principles you think are the most important for this mission, and explain why.(5 points).  [Write one to five sentences; you may write more if you like.]

Responsiveness and integration are the two most important sustainment priniciples for this mission.  For responsiveness, ADRP 4-0 states that responsiveness involves identifying, accumulating, and maintaining sufficient resources, capabilities, and information necessary to meet rapidly changing requirement.    1/8 ABCT mission from the division’s decisive operation to defeating the enemy rapidly requires the ability to react to the brigade requirements to meet the needs for the operation.  Responsiveness will keep pace with the changed circumstances to execute the right support in the right place at the right time.  For integration, 1/8 ABCT needs to combine all of the sustainment elements within operations for the unity of command and effort since they must attack the enemy on short notice. This will maximize the use of resources effectively and efficiently in order to sustain with the current operation.

Section 4:Mission Command Essay.  (20 Points)

10. Referring to your operations as the 1/8 ABCT Commander, write a one-to-two page essaydescribing your applicationofMission Command in your tactical solution.  Your answer MUSTinclude a discussion ofhow the principlesof Mission Command relate to your brigade in this scenario.  Your essay maynot exceed two typed pages.

You may refer to ST 22-2 to review the components of an essay and the citations of sources.  This is an informative essay, not an argumentative essay.  However, your essay must have an introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs with topic sentences and clear details, and a conclusion that summarizes the main points and reiterates the thesis.