CHAPTER 1: OPFOR Structure and Task Organization Principles

1-3 TACTICAL Principles.

In OPFOR doctrine, tactics are subordinate to operational art. Success at the operational level is considered the key to victory. OPFOR principles of operational art and tactics are similar. OPFOR tactical principles include:

a. Combat Readiness.

• The capability to enter battle and successfully perform assigned missions at any time, in an organized manner, within prescribed time periods.

• Highly intense, quality training under combat-like conditions is critical to OPFOR combat success.

b. Aggressiveness.

• At the tactical level, this principle determines the OPFOR preference for the offense.

c. Decisiveness.

• Determining the methods, operations, and missions that permit maximum results in the shortest time, with the least losses ensures decisiveness.

• Requires initiative and aggressive determined actions by commanders with bold use of unexpected tactics.

d. Coordinated Efforts.

• Commanders combine unit strengths, ensuring efforts are directed to the same objectives and coordinate their missions, axes, deployment lines and timings.

e. Surprise.

• A surprise attack can allow success without an overwhelming superiority of forces.

f. CCD.

• Includes camouflage, concealment, and general deception techniques.

g. Concentration of Main Effort.

• Concentration is not just physically massing troops on the main axis.

• The goal is to concentrate at the decisive point for the shortest possible time.

h. Maneuver.

• Envelopment is the most preferred form of maneuver.

• Maneuver is the swift, organized displacement of troops to important axes and sectors to create a more favorable ratio of forces.

• Maneuver permits seizing and holding the initiative, disrupting the BLUFOR concept, and successfully conducting battle in the changed situation.

• Maneuver by fire is even faster than maneuver by forces. The range and effectiveness of modern weapons make this increasingly more important.

I. Comprehensive Support.

• Combat support includes reconnaissance, defense against weapons of mass destruction and high-precision weapons, camouflage, concealment and deception (CCD), engineer support, chemical support and security.

• Combat service support includes the supply and maintenance of all types of combat systems, equipment, and ammunition

j. Maintaining Combat Capability.

• The ability to maintain combat capability and to restore it quickly, when required, can mean the difference between success and failure.

k. Command and Control.

• Command and Control must be firm and continuous.

• Effective command and control defines the goal of battle and establishes and maintains effective communications.