4-83. Freedom of movement is essential to a successful defense. During large-scale combat operations, most friendly forces will not initially operate under the protection of air superiority. The joint force commander normally seeks to gain and maintain air superiority as quickly as possible to allow all friendly forces, not just ground forces, to operate without prohibitive interference from enemy air and missile threats. This counterair mission integrates both offensive operations and defensive operations by all joint force components. In an environment where air and missile threats exist, a defending ground force operates within a joint counterair operation designed to attain the degree of air superiority required by the joint force commander to accomplish the mission.

4-216. Before employment in DSCA, all Soldiers require training on the appropriate RUF. Training focuses upon the particular RUF in the operation plan issued by the gaining joint force commander, but in the absence of the plan commanders should train according to the SRUF. Commanders should include a staff judge advocate to assist with leader training. SRUF cards should be issued to each person during training and personnel should not deploy until they are trained in SRUF. Supported combatant commanders submit a request for mission specific RUF to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for approval by the Secretary of Defense. Unit commanders may further restrict mission specific RUF approved by the Secretary of Defense, but they may not make them more permissive. Unit commanders notify their chain of command up through the Secretary of Defense of any additional restrictions (at all levels) they place on approved RUF. In time critical situations, notification to the Secretary of Defense occurs concurrently with notification to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

8-45. The search and attack plan places the finishing force, as the decisive operation, where it can best maneuver to destroy enemy forces or essential facilities once located by reconnaissance assets. Typically, the finishing force occupies a central location in the AO. However, the mission variables may allow the commander to position the finishing force outside the search and attack area. Commanders weight the decisive operation or main effort by using priority of fires and assigning priorities of support to available combat multipliers, such as engineer elements and helicopter lift support. Commanders establish control measures as necessary to consolidate units and concentrate the combat power of their forces before the attack. Once the reconnaissance force locates the enemy, the fixing and finishing forces can fix and destroy it. Commanders also develop contingency plans in the event that the reconnaissance force is compromised.

3-23. An advanced operations base is a small, temporary base established near or within a joint operations area to command, control, and support special operations training or tactical operations (ADP 3-05). The capabilities of the headquarters section/operational detachment–bravo of a Special Forces company provides the core element from which to configure an advanced operations base. Facilities are normally austere, and the base may be ashore or afloat. If ashore, the base may include an airfield or unimproved airstrip, a pier, or an anchorage. The advanced operations base is temporary but normally in a fixed location. Analysis of the operational environment and the mission will drive the need and readiness to displace the base. The Special Forces operational detachment–bravo exercises command of its organic Special Forces operational detachments–alpha as well as those additional Army special operations and conventional forces attached to the commander to support the mission.

5-61. Route reconnaissance is a directed effort to obtain detailed information of a specified route and all terrain from which the enemy could influence movement along that route (ADRP 3-90). That route may be a cross country mobility corridor. Route reconnaissance provides new or updated information on route conditions, such as obstacles and bridge classifications, and enemy, adversary, and civilian activity along the route. Commanders normally assign this mission when wanting to use a specific route for friendly movement.

8-6. During the conduct of large-scale combat operations, the size of consolidation areas generally increase over time, as does the echelon of command responsible for those areas. For example, a division may initially assign a BCT responsibility for the division’s consolidation area. However, conditions could require the commitment of additional forces to conduct consolidate gains activities in multiple division consolidation areas. As division boundaries shift to better enable success in the deep and close areas, a corps may establish a corps consolidation area. Corps would then assign a division the responsibility for consolidating gains in the corps’ consolidation area. Eventually, most Army units can expect to conduct consolidate gains activities when large-scale combat operations are complete. Operations to consolidate gains represent a significant transition in focus for the echelon of command tasked with the mission.

1-21. The manner is the perceived legitimacy of the way in which those exercising a mandate conduct themselves, both individually and collectively. The credible manner in which intervening forces conduct themselves and their operations builds legitimacy as the operation progresses. Highly professional forces are disciplined, trained, and culturally aware. They carry with them an innate perception of legitimacy further strengthened by consistent performance conforming to the standards of national and international law. For military forces, a clearly defined commander’s intent and mission statement establish the initial focus that drives the long-term legitimacy of their mission. American Soldiers, Department of the Army Civilians, and supporting contractors must demonstrate to the host nation and international community their character, competence, and commitment in actions that adhere to and uphold the Army Ethic. Military forces also make every effort to minimize harm to civilians. When harm to civilians does occur, they address it in a culturally appropriate way. (See ATP 3-07.6 for additional information on civilian casualty mitigation.)

4-26. A BSI is a Service or DOD agency installation within the homeland tasked to serve as a base for military forces engaged in DSCA or homeland defense. The Secretary of Defense may direct the Service secretaries to place selected installations in a support relationship to the combatant command. In the USNORTHCOM AOR, the Commander, USNORTHCOM, will designate an installation as a BSI, with owning Service concurrence and approval of the Secretary of Defense (or designee). A BSI provides common user logistic support and assists a joint task force with JRSOI of responding DOD forces. A BSI generally is located near an airfield and suitable support facilities close to an incident. The BSI may also become the aerial port of debarkation and JRSOI facility for federal military forces. In addition to JRSOI, the BSI may become a training facility and principal supporting base for the federal government (nonmilitary) relief efforts. If a suitable DOD installation is not nearby, USNORTHCOM will go to General Services Administration for a potential installation. Commanders and staffs conduct mission analysis to plan for logistic requirements.

1-23. Commanders consider five basic operational mission criteria when determining whether Army special operations forces are the appropriate force for their operational requirement:

1-30. Commanders use the METT-TC mission variables to describe the OE, including threats that may impact protection. In most cases, they can draw the relevant information from an ongoing analysis of the OE by using the PMESII-PT operational variables.

1-11. Command and control is the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission (JP 1). Command and control is fundamental to all operations. By itself, however, command and control will not secure an objective, destroy an enemy target, or deliver supplies. Yet none of these activities could be coordinated towards a common objective, or synchronized to achieve maximum effect, without effective command and control. It is through command and control that the countless activities a military force must perform gain purpose and direction. The goal of command and control is effective mission accomplishment.

1-5. While every domestic support mission is unique, four defining characteristics shape the actions of commanders and leaders in any mission. These characteristics are that—

5-58. Leaders often must use negotiation skills to obtain the cooperation and support necessary to accomplish a mission beyond the traditional chain of command. During complex operations, different unified action partners might operate under constraints of their national or organizational chains. This can result in important negotiations and conflict resolution versus a simpler process of issuing binding orders.

2-75. Planning determines the sequence of actions—including the phases and transitions—that best accomplishes the mission. Ideally, commanders plan to accomplish a mission with simultaneous actions throughout the AO. However, operational reach, resource constraints, and the size of the friendly force limits what units can do at one time. In these cases, commanders phase operations. Phasing provides a way to view and conduct operations in manageable parts.

1-168. Part of the art of planning is determining the sequence of actions that best accomplishes the mission. Ideally, commanders plan to accomplish a mission with simultaneous actions throughout an AO. However, operational reach, resource constraints, and the size of the friendly force may limit a commander’s ability to do this. In these cases, commanders phase operations. Phasing is a way to view and conduct operations in manageable parts.

3-27. USNORTHCOM and USPACOM maintain several standing joint task forces that have primary missions associated with DSCA. The command organizations differ due to mission, responsible areas of operations, and standing forces available.

6-176. When a commander directs a mobile defense, subordinate units conduct either an area defense or a delay to shape the penetration of the enemy attack as part of the fixing force. Operational-level commanders do not assign the mission of a mobile defense to subordinate units smaller than a division because of their lack of resources. Dynamic movement from battle position to battle position characterizes a mobile defense. A commander may direct a BCT to conduct a delay as part of the division mobile defense.

8-47. Once the reconnaissance force finds the enemy force, the fixing force develops the situation and executes one of two options based on the commander’s guidance and the mission variables. The first option is to block identified routes that the detected enemy can use to escape or interdict with reinforcements. The fixing force maintains contact with the enemy and positions its forces to isolate and fix enemy forces before the finishing force attacks. The second option is to conduct an attack to fix enemy forces in their current positions until the finishing force arrives. The fixing force attacks, if attacking meets the commander’s intent and if it can generate sufficient combat power against the detected enemy. Depending on the enemy’s mobility and the likelihood of the reconnaissance force being compromised, commanders may need to position the fixing force before the reconnaissance force enters the AO. (See FM 3-90-1 for more information on the performance of the search and attack task.)

2-11. Staff officers exercise individual initiative. They anticipate requirements rather than waiting for instructions. They anticipate what the commander needs to accomplish the mission and prepare answers to potential questions before they are asked.

integration – (DOD) 1. In force protection, the synchronized transfer of units into an operational commander's force prior to mission execution. Referenced in FM 6-05. 2, ATP 3-01.7, ATP 3-92. 2. The arrangement of military forces and their actions to create a force that operates by engaging as a whole. Referenced in FM 3-07, FM 3-96, FM 6-05, ATP 3-01.7, ATP 3-21.10, ATP 3-21.20. 3. In photography, a process by which the average radar picture seen on several scans of the time base may be obtained on a print, or the process by which several photographic images are combined into a single image. (JP 1) Referenced in FM 6-05, ATP 3-01.7. (Army) Combining all of the sustainment elements within operations assuring unity of command and effort. (ADP 4-0)