(O Heading) Copy ## of ## copies

Issuing headquarters

Place of issue

Date-time group of signature

Message reference number

(Note) Include the full heading if attachment is distributed separately from the base order or higher-level attachment.

(Annex Title) ANNEX C (OPERATIONS) TO OPERATION PLAN/ORDER [number] [(codename)]—[issuing headquarters] [(classification of title)]

(References) References: List documents essential to understanding the attachment

List maps and charts first. Map entries include series number, country, sheet names or numbers, edition, and scale.

List other references in subparagraphs labeled as shown.

Doctrinal references for this annex are ADRP 3-0, ADRP 5-0, ADRP 6-0, and FM 6-0.

Time Zone Used Throughout the Order: Write the time zone established in the base plan or order.

(U Mil para) Situation. Include information affecting operations that paragraph 1 of the OPLAN or OPORD does not cover or that needs expansion. If there is no new information from what is contained in the base order then indicate this by stating “See base order.”

Area of Interest. Describe the area of interest as it relates to operations. Reference the digital overlay(s) within systems such as command post of the future. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required..

Area of Operations. Refer to Appendix 2 (Operation Overlay) to Annex C (Operations).

Terrain. Describe the aspects of terrain that impact operations. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

Weather. Describe the aspects of weather that impact operations. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

Enemy Forces. Identify and reference enemy overlays. First, list known and templated locations and activities of enemy units for two echelons down. For example, a U.S. division would address enemy battalions; a U.S. battalion would address enemy platoons. Second, list enemy maneuver and other capabilities that will impact friendly operations. Third, state the enemy most likely and most dangerous courses of action and employment of enemy assets. A staff more easily understands these enemy courses of action when they are depicted in sketches. Fourth, include an assessment of terrorist or criminal activities directed against U.S. government interests in the area of operations. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) and other sources as required.

(Note) Note: If conducting operations focused on stability or defense support of civil authorities, change the title of this subparagraph to “Terrorist/Criminal Threats.”)

Friendly Forces. Subparagraphs outline the mission, commander’s intent, and concept of operations for headquarters one and two command echelons above the unit. Subparagraphs also provide the missions and concept of operations of flank units, supported units, supporting units, and other units and organizations, such as special operations forces, whose actions have a significant effect on the issuing headquarters or require coordination. This subparagraph uses the same format as the base order and can be shortened by using the phrase “See Base Order” if there is no change.

Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Nongovernmental Organizations. Identify and describe other organizations in the area of operations that may impact the conduct of the unit’s operations or require support not identified in the base order. Also identify nongovernmental organizations in the area of operations that want nothing to do with the U.S. military and are not identified in the base order. Refer to Annex V (Interagency Coordination) as required.

Civil Considerations. List all critical civil considerations that impact on the unit’s operations, such as cultural or religious sensitivities to male Soldiers searching female civilians, searching civilian homes at night, or resolving injury or damage claims not established in the base order. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) and Annex K (Civil Affairs Operations) as required.

Attachments and Detachments. List units attached or detached only as necessary to clarify task organization. Do not repeat information already listed under Task Organization in the base order or in Annex A (Task Organization). Try to put all information in the task organization annex and state “See Annex A (Task Organization).” Otherwise, list units that are attached or detached to the issuing headquarters. State when attachment or detachment is effective, if different from the effective time of the operation plan or order, such as on-order, or commitment of reserve forces. Use the term “remains attached” when units will be or have been attached for some time. Refer to Annex A (Task Organization) as required.

Assumptions. List any operations-specific assumptions that support the annex development.

Mission. Enter the unit’s restated mission only if this annex is distributed separately from the base order. It should contain a short description of the who, what (task), when, where, and why (purpose) that clearly indicates the action to be taken and the reason for doing so. A mission statement contains no subparagraphs. The mission statement covers on-order missions, otherwise state “See base order.”

Execution. Describe how the commander intends to accomplish the mission in terms of the commander’s intent, an overarching concept of operations, scheme of employing maneuver, assessment, specified tasks to subordinate units, and key coordinating instructions in the subparagraphs below only if this annex is distributed separately from the base order.

Commanders ensure that their scheme of maneuver is consistent with their intent and that of the next two higher echelon commanders. This paragraph and the operation overlay are complementary, each adding clarity to, rather than duplicating, the other. Do not duplicate information in unit subparagraphs and coordinating instructions contained in the base order. Provide the primary tasks of maneuver units conducting the decisive operation and the purpose of each. Next, state the primary tasks of maneuver units conducting shaping operations, including security operations, and the purpose of each. For offensive-focused operations, identify the form of maneuver. For defensive-focused operations, identify the type of defense. For stability-focused operations, describe the role of maneuver units by primary stability tasks. For defense support of civil authorities-focused operations, describe the role of maneuver units by primary defense support of civil authorities support tasks. If the operation is phased, identify the main effort by phase. Identify and include priorities for the reserves. Refer to attached appendixes as required.

Scheme of Movement and Maneuver. State the scheme of movement and maneuver by describing the employment of maneuver units, such as divisions, brigade combat teams, and combat aviation brigades in accordance with the concept of operations. Ensure that this paragraph is consistent with the operation overlay in Appendix 2 (Operation Overlay) to Annex C (Operations). Describe how the actions of subordinate maneuver units fit together to accomplish the mission. The scheme of maneuver expands the commander’s selected course of action and expresses how each maneuver element of the force will cooperate. As the commander’s intent focuses on the end state, the scheme of maneuver focuses on the maneuver tactics and techniques employed during the operation as well as synchronizes the actions of each maneuver element.

Scheme of Mobility/Countermobility. State the scheme of mobility/countermobility including priorities by unit or area. Refer to Annex G (Engineer) as required.

Scheme of Battlefield Obscuration. State the scheme of battlefield obscuration, including priorities by unit or area. Refer to Appendix 9 (Battlefield Obscuration) to Annex C (Operations) as required.

Scheme of Information Collection. Describe how the commander intends to use information collection to support the concept of operations. Include the primary objectives. Refer to Annex L (Information Collection) as required.

Assessment. Describe the priorities for assessment and identify the measures of performance and effectiveness used to assess end state conditions and objectives. Refer to Annex M (Assessment) as required.

Tasks to Subordinate Units. List movement and maneuver tasks assigned to specific subordinate units not contained in the base order. Each task must include who (the subordinate unit assigned the task), what (the task itself), when, where, and why (purpose). Use a separate subparagraph for each unit. List units in sequence of task organization. Place tasks that affect two or more units in paragraph 3d of this annex.

Coordinating Instructions. List only instructions applicable to two or more subordinate units not covered in the base plan or order.

Sustainment. Describe priorities of sustainment by unit or area. Highlight subordinate allocations of command-regulated classes of supply that impact movement and maneuver, such as controlled supply rates. Include instructions for deployment or redeployment. Identify priorities of sustainment for operations key tasks and specify additional instructions as required. Refer to Annex F (Sustainment) as required.

Logistics. Use subparagraphs to identify priorities and specific instructions for logistics support. Refer to Annex F (Sustainment) and Annex P (Host-Nation Support) as required.

Personnel. Use subparagraphs to identify priorities and specific instructions for human resources support, financial management, legal support, and religious support. Refer to Annex F (Sustainment) as required.

Health Service Support. Identify availability, priorities, and instructions for medical care. Refer to Annex F (Sustainment) as required

Command and Signal. List information in this paragraph and its subparagraphs only if annex distributed separately from base order, otherwise state “Same as base order.”

Command.

Location of Commander and Key Leaders. State the location of the commander and key leaders.

Succession of Command. State the succession of command if not covered in the unit’s SOPs.

Liaison Requirements. State the liaison requirements not covered in the base order.

Control.

Command Posts. Describe the employment of command posts (CPs), including the location of each CP and its time of opening and closing.

Reports. List reports not covered in standard operating procedures (SOPs). Refer to Annex R (Reports) as required.

Signal. Address any communications requirements. Refer to Annex H (Signal) as required.

(Acknowledge) ACKNOWLEDGE: Include only if attachment is distributed separately from the base order.

(Sig Block) [Commander’s last name]

[Commander’s rank]

(Note) The commander or authorized representative signs the original copy of the attachment. If the representative signs the original, add the phrase “For the Commander.” The signed copy is the historical copy and remains in the headquarters’ files.

(Official) OFFICIAL:

(Sig Block) [Authenticator’s name]

[Authenticator’s position]

(Note) Use only if the commander does not sign the original attachment. If the commander signs the original, no further authentication is required. If the commander does not sign, the signature of the preparing staff officer requires authentication and only the last name and rank of the commander appear in the signature block.

(Attachments) ATTACHMENTS: List lower-level attachment (appendixes, tabs, and exhibits).

(Appendix Listings) Appendix 1–Army Design Methodology Products

Appendix 2–Operation Overlay

Appendix 3–Decision Support Products

Appendix 4–Gap Crossing Operations

Appendix 5–Air Assault Operations

Appendix 6–Airborne Operations

Appendix 7–Amphibious Operations

Appendix 8–Special Operations

Appendix 9–Battlefield Obscuration

Appendix 10 –Airspace Control

Appendix 11 –Rules of Engagement

Appendix 12–Cyber Electromagnetic Activities

Appendix 13–Military Information Support Operations

Appendix 14–Military Deception

Appendix 15–Information Operations

(Distribution) DISTRIBUTION: Show only if distributed separately from the base order or higher-level attachments.

(Distro List) HQ XYZ Command

HQ ABC Command