Commander’s Intent and Planning Guidance Assessment
MAJ Joe Snuffy
Date 04/14/2013

Movement and Maneuver
Initial Commanders intent
The Purpose of this operation is to defeat the enemy attack in order to protect the JTF’s SPOD/APOD at LANIER. To ensure success, we must force the enemy to deploy from the march as far south as possible; disrupt armor formations, prevent the enemy forces from re-enforcing and taking the Bridge, key terrain (ridgelines & cities), and from cutting the Dawson Rail line. At the conclusion of this operation, the 2/33 HBCT will have defeated the enemy and prevented them from disrupting the JTF’s offensive operations to the north without undue damage to infrastructure or harm to civilians.
Course of Action Development Guidance
1. Using CAS to disrupt enemy formations
2. Civilian Infrastructure kept to a minimum with no destruction to the Bridges, cities, Wadi or the Railroad.
3. Defeat enemy attacking order to protect JTF’s SPOD/APOD.
4. Keep DAWSON Railroad line open
5. Enemy forces to deploy as far south as possible
6. Deny enemy key terrain
7. Stop movement of armor into cities
Number of courses of action to consider or not consider (2)
1. Using CAS to disrupt armor formations The HBCT occupies the key terrain (ridge line) south of Lanier. Establishes a combat outpost southwest of Webster to engage any enemy reconnaissance and force deployment of the enemy as it crosses the bridge or river. Indirect fires neutralize enemy in the south. The main effort, in the southeast defends Webster to defeat the enemy coming from the south.

2. The HBCT occupies terrain West of Webster. Establishes a combat outpost south of Webster along the ridge line to engage any enemy reconnaissance and force deployment of the enemy as they move north. Indirect fires neutralize enemy in the south. The main effort defends Webster and the bridge to defeat the enemy coming from the south or crossing the bridge. A combined arms battalion in the west to defend Buchanan, Stram, the DAWSON Railroad and avenue of approach to Dawson, and to flank the enemy. Using CAS to disrupt armor formations

Critical Events
1. Enemy occupation and destruction of Bridges
2. Enemy occupation of Key terrain (ridge lines, cities)
3. Enemy cuts the DAWSON rail line
4. The enemy goes north west
5. Enemy uses NBC
Task and purpose of subordinate units
1. CAS to disrupt enemy formations as far south as possible
2. RSTA deploy south of Webster to assist in disrupting enemy formations and provide recon of enemy positions
3. Armor establish a outpost southwest of Webster to engage any enemy reconnaissance and force deployment of the enemy as it comes from the south or crosses the bridge or river.
4. Engineers assist in the assault of fortified positions, emplace obstacles to protect friendly forces, construct or enhance survivability positions, conduct route reconnaissance, and clear improvised explosive devices.
5. A combined arms battalion in the west to defend Buchanan, Stram, the DAWSON Railroad and avenue of approach to Dawson, and to flank the enemy.
Risk to friendly forces
1. Reach too far to the south over extending fire support
2. Enemy goes north and flanks the HBCT
3. Enemy takes over cities
4. Enemy destroys bridges and moves north to Dawson
5. Fratricide
6. NBC
Collateral damage or civilian causalities
1. No undue damage to Infrastructure
2. No harm to civilians
Any condition that effects achievement of end state
1. Weather-windstorms