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Framing The Operational Environment

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When we discuss the operational environment, all factors tie in to each other in some way. The physical environment and infrastructure, while intertwined, can sometimes leave items off the table when planning for the operational environment. As we see in our Lesson 2, Framing the Operational Environment1, culture is listed in every critical variable. Items of cultural interest can include tribal boundaries, religious burial grounds, and historically significant areas. These may not fall into the infrastructure category, but must be respected and taken into account when planning. Planners must take care to map out these culturally sensitive places to avoid potential conflict. The physical environment includes terrain analysis in order to avoid danger areas that could impede ingress and egress, choke points and defilades, climate and weather to name a few. …show more content…

The list in FM 6-0, Appendix A, table A-12 gives examples of sub variables and each one can affect the mission or campaign in significant ways. With regards to infrastructure, we spoke about the need to preserve existing water supplies, electrical grids and sewage removal/treatment plants. We talked about the repair of these items if we were to damage them. Repair parts and technical expertise to repair or replace affected systems can be a challenge we don’t need to face. Great care to avoid urbanized areas will have to factor in as these are outside of traditional combat planning. After ten plus years of war in the Middle East, we have learned to avoid these areas as they are very dangerous and difficult to patrol, clear and conduct

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