4. Service Support

Forward area refuel/rearm point (FARP)

Class I, III, V (specific)

5. Command and Signal

Chain of command

Signal:

Air/ground call signs and frequencies; Air/ground emergency code; Passwords/number combinations; Code words; Fire net/quick fire net; Time zone/time hack

Aerial Resupply Annex

1. Situation

Enemy forces (include weather)

Friendly forces

Attachments and detachments

2. Mission

Who; What (task); Where; When; Why (purpose)

3. Execution

Concept of the operation:

Maneuver; Fires

Tasks to combat units:

Command and control; Security; Marking; Recovery/transport

Tasks to combat support units

Coordinating instructions:

Flight route:

General; Checkpoints; Communication checkpoint (grid); Marking of communication checkpoint; Report time

Landing/drop zone:

Location (grid); Primary/alternate; Marking (near/far)

Drop information:

Date/time of resupply and alternatives; Code letter on DZ/LZ; Length of DZ; Dimensions of LZ; Procedures for turning off DZ/LZ; Formation, altitude, and air speed (En route and at DZ/LZ); Actions on enemy contact during resupply; Abort criteria at DZ/LZ; Actions at DZ/LZ (rehearsals and contingencies)

4. Service Support

5. Command and Signal

Command:

Location of patrol leader; Location of assistant patrol leader; Locations of members not involved in resupply

Signal:

Air to ground call signs and frequencies (primary/alternate/plain); Long-range visual signals; Short-range visual signals; Emergency procedures and signals; Air drop communication procedures; Code words

Truck Annex

1. Situation

Enemy forces

Friendly forces

Attachments and detachments

2. Mission

Who; What (task); Where; When; Why (purpose)

3. Execution

Concept of the operation:

Maneuver; Fires

Tasks to combat units

Tasks to combat support units

Coordinating instructions:

Time of departure/return; Loading plan and duties; Order of movement; Route (primary/alternate); Air support (route clearing, fire support, etc.); Actions on enemy contact during loading, unloading, and movement; Actions at the de-trucking point (vehicle drop-off—VDO); Rehearsals; Vehicle speed, separation, and recovery plan; Down vehicle (mechanical or otherwise) plan; Bump plan

4. Service Support

5. Command and Signal

Command location (PL and PSG)

Signal:

Radio call signs and frequencies; Code words; Visual signals

Patrol Base Annex

1. Situation

Enemy forces

Friendly forces

Attachments and detachments

2. Mission

Who; What (task); Where; When; Why (purpose)

3. Execution

Concept of the operation:

Maneuver; Fires

Tasks to combat units:

Teams (squads)

Security

Reconnaissance

Listening post (LP)

Observation post (OP)

Individuals (six priorities of work):

Security (situational awareness at all times); Maintenance (weapons and equipment clean and working); Water; Hygiene (hands and body clean, adherence to latrine plan); Mess (food is energy); Rest (fatigue clouds judgment; rest when appropriate)

Tasks to combat support units

Coordinating instructions:

Occupation plan (based off terrain to gain advantage)

Operations plan (patrol base needs to support operations)

Security plan (100 percent, 50 percent, or less?)

Alert plan (early warning devices, radio, and verbal)

Priorities of work (enforced by team leaders)

Evacuation plan (predesignated rally point that is defendable)

Alternate patrol base (primary, unsuitable, or compromised)

4. Service Support

Water plan (resupply)

Maintenance plan (ongoing with inspections)

Hygiene plan (medic supervises slit trench trash, checks soldiers)

Chow plan (security not compromised)

Rest plan (where, when, and how long)

5. Command and Signal

Command:

Location of patrol command post (CP); Location of patrol leader (PL); Location of assistant patrol leader (APL); Location of radio operator (RTO)

Signal:

Call signs and frequencies; Code words and passwords; Emergency signals

Linkup Annex

1. Situation

Enemy forces (recent activity in the vicinity of linkup)

Friendly forces

Attachments and detachments

2. Mission

Who; What (task); Where; When; Why (purpose)

3. Execution

Concept of the operation:

Maneuver; Fires

Tasks to combat units:

Security teams; Surveillance teams (AFO/low vis); Linkup element

Tasks to combat support units

Coordinating instructions:

Time of linkup; Location of linkup site (primary and alternate); Rally points; Actions upon enemy contact; Actions at the linkup site; Actions following linkup; Rehearsals; Restrictive fire lines; Time schedule

4. Service Support

Liaison officer to facilitate passage of lines

Emergency resupply if needed

5. Command and Signal

Command:

Location of patrol leader (PL) and assistant patrol leader (APL); Location of patrol headquarters

Signal:

Call signs and frequencies; Spares and code words (Far recognition signal, Near recognition signal, Linkup complete signal)

Posting authentication (verbal)

Brevity code

Identification of friendly forces (IFF)

Emergency signals

Abort criteria

OVERLAYS

An operation overlay is a tracing of graphic control measures on a map. It shows boundaries, phase lines, unit positions, routes, objectives, and other control measures and helps to clarify and control the battlespace. Higher headquarters use the overlay to de-conflict battlespace during ongoing operations. It is a fratricide reduction measure that must take place and is an essential part of the coordination checklist.

FRAGMENTARY ORDERS

A fragmentary order (FRAGO) is a short operations order that can be issued to update the existing OPORD, thus saving time by not having to brief the entire order.

The field FRAGO is issued after an OPORD to change, modify, or re-focus that order or to execute a branch or sequel, such as “Follow on targets.” It should take no longer than forty minutes to issue, with the focus (approximately thirty minutes) of actions on the objective.

Below is a general planning guide to follow:

Paragraph 1 (Situation) and 2 (Mission)—five minutes

Paragraph 3 (Execution)—twenty–thirty minutes (focus of the FRAGO)

Paragraph 4 (Service Support) and Paragraph 5 (Command and Signal)—five minutes

The FRAGO should focus on the actions on the objective. The platoon leader should use subordinate leaders to prepare Paragraphs 1, 4, and 5 in addition to the routes and the fire support coordination plan. Subordinates should brief the portions of the FRAGO that they were responsible for in order to cut down on preparation time and to clarify any specific issues that arise.

It is critical that leaders use maps, imagery, sketches, and a terrain model to allow for rapid understanding of the operation or FRAGO.

The key to success of any operation is rehearsal, particularly with the constrained planning model of the field FRAGO. Rehearsals used in conjunction with the FRAGO reduce preparation time and allow the platoon leaders more time for movement and reconnaissance.