NATO UNCLASSIFIED Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF SUPREME HEADQUARTERS ALLIED POWER EUROPE BELGIUM 17 Dec 10 ALLIED COMMAND OPERATIONS COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS PLANNING DIRECTIVE COPD INTERIM V1.0 17 DECEMBER 2010 Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF NATO UNCLASSIFIED NATO UNCLASSIFIED Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF This page is intentionally left blank. Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF NATO UNCLASSIFIED NATO UNCLASSIFIED Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF COPD V1.0 PREFACE 1. Allied Command Operations Comprehensive Operations Planning Directive (COPD) Interim Version 1.0 (V 1.0) is a complete rewrite of, and supersedes, ACO COPD trial version issued on 25 February 2010. It is issued cognisant of the fact that there is much on-going work which will have an influence on the COPD, such as: NATO’s Strategic Concept; NATO Crisis Response System Manual; NATO’s Contribution to a Comprehensive Approach; policy on operations planning with the rewrite of MC 133/3 Operational Planning System (MC133/4); MC guidance on the use of effects in operations; and harmonisation of definitions. 2. While recognising that the COPD is not fully mature, there is a requirement for planners to have access to up-to-date processes from which to train and work to meet current and future operations planning needs. For example, the recent update of the ISAF OPLAN and planning for NATO support to flood relief efforts in Pakistan used the most current version of the COPD for their planning and gained NAC approval. 3. This version of the COPD contains significant improvements from its predecessor, such as: better alignment with the 6 phase NATO Crisis Management Process; updated document templates (OPLAN/CONOPS/SPD); increased terminology standardization, inclusion of more detail on the role of StratCom; updated figures to better reflect refined processes; more explanation of mission command, to include assigned mission and objectives to subordinate commands; and updates to the Mission Analysis Brief to reflect changes in the process. The COPD has been restructured to meet the requirements of an ACO Directive and the chapter on Operational Art has been moved to an Annex with the intention of removing it completely once relevant doctrine has been promulgated. 4. The COPD is Unclassified - Releasable to EU/PfP/ISAF so that it can be used across the NATO international military community to provide common understanding, principles and approach to operations planning and training. The COPD may also be useful to other actors, subject to approval, within NATO’s contribution to a comprehensive approach for the promotion of a common set of procedures for operations planning.(cid:1)(cid:1)Although an interim version, it is to be used during operations, exercises and training, such as the Operational Planning Course. This approach will further validate processes and allow improvements to be identified. 5. A final version of the COPD, as an ACO Directive, will be published once policy has been finalized, and doctrine and process better harmonised. 1 Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF NATO UNCLASSIFIED NATO UNCLASSIFIED Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF COPD V1.0 This page is intentionally left blank. 2 Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF NATO UNCLASSIFIED NATO UNCLASSIFIED Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF COPD V1.0 TABLE OF CONTENTS SUBJECT PAGE(S) PARA. Record of changes ix CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION Background 1-1 1-1 NATO’s Contribution to Comprehensive Approach 1-2 1-2 Purpose 1-3 1-3 Application 1-4 1-4 Overview of Crisis Response Planning 1-4 1-5 The COPD 1-4 1-6 Other Planning Development in COPD 1-5 1-7 CHAPTER 2 - SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT Introduction 2-1 2-1 Knowledge Development Organisation 2-3 2-2 External Coordination 2-5 2-3 The Knowledge Development Process 2-6 2-4 Knowledge Development Impact on Planning 2-13 2-5 CHAPTER 3 - STRATEGIC LEVEL Introduction 3-1 3-1 Organisation for Strategic Planning Direction 3-3 3-2 Strategic Process and Products 3-3 3-3 PHASE 1 - SITUATION AWARENESS Section 1 - General Introduction 3-5 3-4 Section 2 - Process Maintain Global Strategic Awareness and Determine 3-10 3-5 SACEUR’s Strategic Areas of Interest Develop System Perspective of the Area of Interest 3-11 3-6 Determine Information and Knowledge Requirements for 3-12 3-7 Area of Interest Develop and Maintain Information and Knowledge About 3-13 3-8 the Area of Interest Analyse Systems in the Area of Interest 3-14 3-9 i Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF NATO UNCLASSIFIED NATO UNCLASSIFIED Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF COPD V1.0 SUBJECT PAGE(S) PARA. Establish and Maintain Common Situation Awareness 3-15 3-10 Assess Indications and Warnings 3-16 3-11 PHASE 2 - STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT Section 1 - General Introduction 3-17 3-12 Section 2 - Process Initiate SACEUR’s Strategic Assessment 3-21 3-13 Develop a Strategic Appreciation of the Crisis 3-24 3-14 Analyse the Principal Actors and Their Role in the Crisis 3-25 3-15 Assess International Interests and Engagement in the 3-28 3-16 Crisis Assess Potential Risks and Threats 3-31 3-17 Develop Necessary Assumptions 3-31 3-18 Assess the NATO End State and NATO Strategic 3-31 3-19 Objectives, and Determine Strategic Effects Assess Alternatives for Strategic Engagement 3-32 3-20 Develop and Submit SACEUR’s Strategic Assessment 3-36 3-21 of the Crisis PHASE 3 - DEVELOP MILITARY RESPONSE OPTIONS Section 1 - General Introduction 3-37 3-22 Section 2 - Process Review Political Guidance and Direction 3-39 3-23 Develop Possible MROs 3-39 3-24 Analyse, Evaluate and Compare MROs 3-44 3-25 Coordinate SACEUR’s MROs 3-46 3-26 Submit MROs 3-46 3-27 PHASE 4A - STRATEGIC CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS (CONOPS) DEVELOPMENT Section 1 - General Introduction 3-48 3-28 Section 2a - Process - Strategic Planning Directive Initiate Strategic Planning 3-51 3-29 Develop SACEUR’s Initial Strategic Intent and Guidance 3-52 3-30 Review Strategic Design 3-54 3-31 Contribute to the Implementation NATO’s StratCom 3-55 3-32 ii Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF NATO UNCLASSIFIED NATO UNCLASSIFIED Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF COPD V1.0 SUBJECT PAGE(S) PARA. Strategy Develop and Issue SPD 3-56 3-33 Section 2b - Process - Strategic CONOPS Initiate Development of the Strategic CONOPS 3-58 3-34 Coordinate Operational Requirements 3-59 3-35 Develop the Strategic Logistic Support Concept 3-61 3-36 Develop the Concept of Command and Control 3-62 3-37 Coordinate and Submit Strategic CONOPS 3-63 3-38 PHASE 4B - STRATEGIC OPLAN DEVELOPMENT AND FORCE GENERATION Introduction 3-65 3-39 Review Force Requirements, Force Availability and 3-68 3-40 Possible Contributions Coordinate NATO CRMs 3-69 3-41 Initiate Force Activation 3-69 3-42 Coordinate National Offers and Request Forces 3-70 3-43 Activate Enabling Forces for Pre-Deployment 3-71 3-44 Assess Force Contribution and Balance the Force 3-72 3-45 Package Coordinate Integration of Non-NATO Forces 3-73 3-46 Integrate Forces with OPLAN Development 3-74 3-47 Activate Forces for Deployment 3-75 3-48 PHASE 4B (Continued) - STRATEGIC OPLAN DEVELOPMENT Introduction 3-76 3-49 Initiate OPLAN Development 3-79 3-50 Develop International Legal Arrangements 3-82 3-51 Synchronise Military and non-Military Activities within a 3-83 3-52 Comprehensive Approach Plan the Employment of Strategic Resources 3-83 3-53 Plan StratCom 3-85 3-54 Plan for Command and Control 3-87 3-55 Plan Force Preparation and Sustainment 3-89 3-56 Plan for Force Deployment 3-91 3-57 Plan Force Protection 3-93 3-58 Coordinate OPLAN for the Approval and Handover 3-95 3-59 iii Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF NATO UNCLASSIFIED NATO UNCLASSIFIED Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF COPD V1.0 SUBJECT PAGE(S) PARA. PHASE 5 - EXECUTION/OPERATIONS ASSESSMENT AT THE STRATEGIC LEVEL/OPLAN REVIEW Handover of the OPLAN 3-96 3-60 PHASE 6 - TRANSITION Introduction 3-97 3-61 CHAPTER 4 - OPERATIONAL LEVEL Introduction 4-1 4-1 Operational Process and Products 4-3 4-2 Organisation for Operational Planning and Execution 4-4 4-3 PHASE 1 - SITUATION AWARENESS Section 1 - General Purpose 4-8 4-4 Section 2 - Process Develop a System Perspective of the Designated Area 4-11 4-5 Develop Information/Knowledge Requirements 4-14 4-6 PHASE 2 - OPERATIONAL APPRECIATION OF SACEUR’S STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF MILITARY RESPONSE OPTIONS Section 1 - General Introduction 4-15 4-7 Section 2 - Process Step 1. Appreciation of SACEUR’s Strategic Assessment Initiate an Operational Level Appreciation of the Crisis 4-18 4-8 Appreciation of the Strategic Context of the Crisis 4-20 4-9 Appreciate the Level and Scope of International 4-22 4-10 Engagement Understand the Desired End State, Strategic and Military Strategic Objectives 4-24 4-11 Step 2. Assessment of Military Response Options Analyse Military Response Options 4-25 4-12 Provide Operational Advise 4-29 4-13 iv Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF NATO UNCLASSIFIED NATO UNCLASSIFIED Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF COPD V1.0 SUBJECT PAGE(S) PARA. PHASE 3 - OPERATIONAL ORIENTATION Section 1 - General Introduction 4-30 4-14 Section 2 - Process Initiate Operational Orientation 4-33 4-15 Review the Strategic Concept 4-34 4-16 Understand the Operational Environment and the Main 4-35 4-17 Actors Analyse the Mission 4-37 4-18 Analyse Centres of Gravity 4-42 4-19 Analyse Operational Objectives and Determine Criteria 4-44 4-20 for Success and Operational Effects Develop the Operational Design 4-45 4-21 Estimate Initial Force/Capability and C2 Requirements 4-47 4-22 Conduct Theatre Reconnaissance and Coordination 4-48 4-23 Conduct MAB, Issue the Commander’s Planning Guidance for COA Developments, Issue Operational 4-49 4-24 Planning Directive and Submit Requests to SHAPE PHASE 4A - OPERATIONAL CONOPS DEVELOPMENT Section 1 - General Introduction 4-51 4-25 Section 2 - Process Prepare for Operational CONOPS Development 4-53 4-26 Analyse Opposing COAs and Factors Influencing COA 4-54 4-27 Development Develop own Courses of Actions 4-56 4-28 Analyse COAs 4-58 4-29 Compare COAs and Select a COA for Concept 4-62 4-30 Development Produce the CONOPS 4-64 4-31 Develop Force/Capability Requirements 4-68 4-32 Forward the CONOPS and Requirements to SACEUR 4-69 4-33 PHASE 4B - OPERATIONAL OPLAN DEVELOPMENT Section 1 - General Introduction 4-70 4-34 v Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF NATO UNCLASSIFIED NATO UNCLASSIFIED Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF COPD V1.0 SUBJECT PAGE(S) PARA. Section 2 - Process Initiate Plan Development 4-73 4-35 Plan for the Employment of Joint Forces 4-75 4-36 Plan for Command and Control 4-77 4-37 Plan for Force Preparation and Sustainment 4-79 4-38 Plan for Force Deployment 4-80 4-39 Plan for the Protection of the Force 4-83 4-40 Coordinate Plan for Approval and Handover 4-84 4-41 PHASE 5 - EXECUTION, CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, OPLAN REVIEW Introduction 4-86 4-42 PHASE 6 - TRANSITION Introduction 4-89 4-43 CHAPTER 5 – OPERATIONS ASSESSMENT Introduction 5-1 5-1 Definitions and Use of Terms 5-1 5-2 Overview of Operations Assessment in Military 5-3 5-3 Operations The Operations Assessment Process 5-4 5-4 Operations Assessment at the Strategic Level 5-5 5-5 Organisations, Roles and Responsibilities at the 5-5 5-6 Strategic Level Characteristics of the Operations Assessment at the 5-6 5-7 Strategic Level Summary - Assessment at the Strategic Level 5-9 5-8 Assessment at the Operational and Tactical Level 5-10 5-9 Organisation, Roles and Responsibilities at the 5-10 5-10 Operational Level Operations Assessment Process at the Operational and 5-11 5-11 Tactical Level Summary - Assessment at the Operational and Tactical 5-12 5-12 Level Interrelations Between Levels of Command 5-13 5-13 Operations Assessment Design and Support to Planning 5-15 5-14 Measures of Effectiveness 5-16 5-15 Developing MOE 5-17 5-16 Measures of Performance 5-17 5-17 Developing Data Collection Plan 5-18 5-18 Causality; A Cautionary Note 5-19 5-19 vi Releasable to PfP/EU/ISAF NATO UNCLASSIFIED