Part B – Chapter 2 – Annex B – Appendix 2
APPENDIX 2
CTF BATTLE / OPERATIONAL RHYTHM
1. Overview. Effective CTF operations require the synchronization of strategic, operational, and tactical processes, to ensure mission planning, preparation, and execution are coordinated. This process is called Battle Rhythm or Operational Rhythm. It is essentially a schedule of important events that should be synchronized with other levels of the Command.
Note. The terms used for this planning factor can have different meaning in multinational channels and can have unintended perceptions if not thoroughly acknowledged. It is more than being “politically correct” to say that in MOOTW operations (especially Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief and Peacekeeping operations) the use of the term “battle” may connote meanings not intended. Military planners need to acknowledge this factor and use judgment accordingly in describing this rhythm (use of Operational Rhythm may be more appropriate)..
2. Definition. Battle / Operational Rhythm is a deliberate daily cycle of command, staff, and unit activities intended to synchronize current and future operations. Activities at each echelon must incorporate higher headquarters guidance, commander’s intent, and subordinate units’ requirements for mission planning, preparation, and execution.
3. Process. The CCTF in coordination with the Supported Strategic Commander and CTF Component Commanders should establish the Battle / Operational rhythm. CTF staffs will normally create a Staff Planning Rhythm to support the Battle Rhythm. See paragraph 5.5.
3.1. This is a Commander’s planning action that requires deliberate action to ensure the significant scheduled events are mutually supportive of higher and subordinate headquarters.
3.2. The Chief of Staff (COS) is responsible for supervising and managing the CTF Battle / Operational Rhythm.
3.2.1. The C3 should be responsible for the detailed monitoring and refinement of the Battle / Operational Rhythm.
3.2.2. The Battle / Operational Rhythm is flexible and can be changed when required. However, it is important that such changes be thoroughly coordinated with higher and lower headquarters.
4. CTF Battle / Operational Rhythm Template Essential Factors
4.1. Look-Down / Support-Down Concept. The Supported Strategic Commander should plan his respective Battle / Operational Rhythm to support the CCTF mission requirements and maximize support to the CTF Components.
4.1.1. Creating the conditions for success for the tactical units to accomplish the tactical mission must be a command priority to maximize success.
4.1.2. The Supported Strategic Commander plays a critical part in shielding the CTF from negative impact due to higher headquarters Battle / Operational Rhythms. Similarly the CCTF shields the CTF Components.
4.1.3. This principle can greatly assist the CTF headquarters and CTF Component commands in their planning actions. Being attuned to the requirements in the CTF AO greatly assists the operating environment present in the crisis.
4.2. Higher Headquarters Planning Requirements. Battle / Operational Rhythms are normally used at the Military Theater Strategic levels and below. Figure B-2-B-2.1 shows the various levels of Battle / Operational Rhythm in a multinational command.
Figure B-2-B-2.1: Battle / Operational Rhythm Levels (Strategic / Operational / Tactical)
4.3. Critical Guidance / Planning Cycle. At the broad level of guidance and planning, the following events generally constitute the Battle / Operational Rhythm at the operational command level. These will support the Commander’s Decision Cycle.
4.3.1. CCTF meetings with Supported Strategic Commander
4.3.2. CCTF meetings with CTF Component Commanders
4.3.3. Coalition Planning Group (CPG) C5 PLANS meetings
4.3.4. Operational Planning Team (OPT) C3 FOPS meetings
4.3.5. Coalition Collection Management Board (CCMB) C2 meetings
4.3.6. Coalition Targeting and Coordination Board (CTCB)
4.3.7. Other major events impacting the operation
4.3.8. Special events impacting the operation
4.4. Information Exchanges. In terms of CTF Battle / Operational Rhythm, the key for information exchanges outside the CTF-HQ is stay factual, flexible, responsive, and maintain commander involvement. The CCTF must be attuned to the requirements of the host nation representatives, IHC, and media, as well as respective Lead Nation’s requirements.
4.5. Identification of Key Times. Battle / Operational Rhythms identify key time zones to assist planning and coordination. They may display all of these times to aid conversions between levels of command located in other time zones. Some time considerations.
4.5.1. Zulu Time Zone: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) same as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
4.5.2. Time Zone for Lead Nation
4.5.3. Time Zone for Supported Strategic Commander
4.5.4. Time Zone for Operational Area
4.5.5. C-Day/L-hour (Day/Time deployment commences) or D-Day/H-hour (Day/Time operation commences), for example, could be included on the Battle Rhythm chart; however, since those times would normally only occur once, they may be deleted after initial phases to avoid clutter.
5. Building a CTF Battle / Operational Rhythm. Figure B-2-B-2.2 shows a sample Battle / Operational Rhythm for the CTF. The steps that follow were used to create the chart. The CTF Battle / Operational Rhythm is situationally and CCTF driven and should use the essential factors outlined in paragraph 4, CTF Battle / Operational Rhythm Template Essential Factors.
5.1. Time Zones. Begin with a 24-hour time line based on Zulu time. Orders and directives are usually published based on Zulu time. It should always be included on the battle rhythm. Then add the necessary conversion rulers; for example, the AO (the operational level), Lead Nation, higher HQs (the strategic level).
5.2. External Factors. Add all external commitments for the CCTF, including higher HQ-directed and information exchange requirements. These are usually displayed on the top half of the Battle / Operational Rhythm diagram.
5.3. Internal Factors. Add all key internal events requiring CCTF participation. These relate to CTF staff and the CTF Components. These are usually displayed on the bottom half of the Battle / Operational Rhythm diagram.
5.4. CTF HQs Guidance and Planning Cycle. With the critical timing and CCTF’s meetings synchronized; the CTF HQ’s guidance and planning cycles can be finalized to establish the base framework for the detailed Planning Rhythm. The guidance and planning events are planned and coordinated to support the CCTF and the CTF command as a whole. The news media events are also planned. Figure B-2-B-2.2 shows a sample CCTF Battle / Operational Rhythm.
CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE
B 2 B 2-7
Part B – Chapter 2 – Annex B – Appendix 2
Figure B-2-B-2.2: Sample CCTF Battle / Operational Rhythm
B 2 B 2-7
Part B – Chapter 2 – Annex B – Appendix 2
5.5. CTF Staff Planning Rhythms. The Battle / Operational Rhythm foundation acts as a unifying factor in the CTF command. With the Battle / Operational Rhythm foundation established, the CTF staff can establish their respective planning rhythms to support the CTF Battle Rhythm and the CCTF decision making cycles.
5.5.1. When properly designed and synchronized, the CTF Battle / Operational Rhythm and Staff Planning Rhythms allow the CCTF, CTF headquarters, and the CTF Component commands to potentially act faster than an adversary by increasing the CTF’s ability to plan various elements of an operation in parallel and collaboratively rather than in a sequential and hierarchical manner. This supports the Commander’s Decision Cycle.
5.5.2.
Figure B-2-B-2.3 shows a sample CTF C2 staff planning rhythm aligned and synchronized with the CTF Battle / Operational Rhythm foundation. The space above the local time line shows parts of the CTF Battle / Operational Rhythm which involve, or are important to, the C2 staff. Items below the time line are specific C2 events that support the Commander’s rhythm. More or fewer events can be added to either side of the time line as desired.
Figure B-2-B-2.3.: Sample Staff Planning Rhythm
5.6. Battle /Operational Rhythm or Planning Rhythm – Alternative Presentation. The Figure B-2-B-2.4 shows a Battle / Operational or planning rhythm in a circular pattern. It mimics the adjustable bezel ring of a scuba diver’s watch and is useful for frequent changes to time zones. Its advantage is that is shows time as continuous instead of the stop and start of the linear version. Each hour is always adjacent to its preceding and following hours.
Figure B-2-B-2.4: Alternative Battle / Operational Rhythm Display Method
5.7. Time Zone References. The first step of identifying of critical times relationships is a very important one and can be confusing. Time zone identification is not complex but is critical. It should be done carefully and double-checked to ensure accuracy. Listed below are some references found on the world wide web which may assist in the identification of critical times.
5.7.1. Greenwich Mean Time Zone Website: http://www.greenwichmeantime.com/
5.7.2. Time Zone Maps (Military Standard and Nonstandard): Both of these times must be used in your time planning. Nonstandard time zones usually are indicated by an asterisk as shown in Figure B-2-B-2.5.
http://www.greenwichmeantime.com/info/timezonemap.htm
5.7.3. Detailed Chart with all types of time zones to include nonstandard zones:
http://www.greenwichmeantime.com/info/timezone.htm
5.7.4. Nation-by-Nation listing (very helpful site):
http://www.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/index.htm
5.7.5. Current World Clock Times: Good for checking your computations on time differences and determining countries and cities that may be on daylight savings time.
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
5.7.6. Time Zone Planning Menu (List of Tools for planning and working with time):
http://www.timeanddate.com/time/
5.7.7. Time Zone and Calendar Search and Build Tools:
http://www.timeanddate.com/
======
Note: On the following page at Figure B-2-B-2.5 is a World Map of Time Zones.
B 2 B 2-7
Part B – Chapter 2 – Annex B – Appendix 2
Figure B-2-B-2.5: World Map of Time Zones
B 2 B 2-7