Col. Michael Coss (former G3, 10th Inf. Div. (Mountain) and CJ3 for CJTF-76) provides an overview of Operation Mountain Lion. This operation was undertaken in the early spring of 2006, shortly after 10th Mountain had assumed command of CJTF-76.
This was the same period in which British, Dutch, Canadian, and Danish forces were beginning operations in the south. As such, with all that's been bandied back n' forth about American and allied operations and performance, this article illuminates the care with which CJ3 assured integration of non-kinetic assets, airpower, and the ANA into a comprehensively successful operation at a time when eastern Afghanistan, like the south, was experiencing a significant influx of Taliban/Al Qaeda forces.
OPERATION MOUNTAIN LION- CJTF 76 In Afghanistan (MILITARY REVIEW)
These operations, to include the Korengal Valley, centered on a concept of "Clear, hold, build, and engage" throughout the affected A.Os. Airpower was present as critical mobility, ISR, and fire support assets-
"This new cohesion grew in part from plans that took advantage of lessons learned from the poorly coordinated use of airpower during early phases of OEF.2 One of those lessons was that airpower was most effective when ground forces employed and then exploited it. Through careful coordination among command and control (C2) structures, joint air forces were able to support ground troops at the required times and locations and with the right mix of assets. A responsive coalition air operations center (CAOC) in Qatar made this possible. The CAOC coordinated air operations with direct representation inside the CJTF headquarters, where an air coordination control element (ACCE) responds to the commander’s priorities. It integrated the ACCE directly into all operations to meet the commander’s priorities for air power. From ships in the Arabian Sea and bases in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, Diego Garcia, and the continental United States, joint air assets provided close air support, electronic warfare, and ISR to Soldiers and Marines on the ground."
Something for the U.S.A.F. to consider when they get around to writing their version of AirCOIN.
This was the same period in which British, Dutch, Canadian, and Danish forces were beginning operations in the south. As such, with all that's been bandied back n' forth about American and allied operations and performance, this article illuminates the care with which CJ3 assured integration of non-kinetic assets, airpower, and the ANA into a comprehensively successful operation at a time when eastern Afghanistan, like the south, was experiencing a significant influx of Taliban/Al Qaeda forces.
OPERATION MOUNTAIN LION- CJTF 76 In Afghanistan (MILITARY REVIEW)
These operations, to include the Korengal Valley, centered on a concept of "Clear, hold, build, and engage" throughout the affected A.Os. Airpower was present as critical mobility, ISR, and fire support assets-
"This new cohesion grew in part from plans that took advantage of lessons learned from the poorly coordinated use of airpower during early phases of OEF.2 One of those lessons was that airpower was most effective when ground forces employed and then exploited it. Through careful coordination among command and control (C2) structures, joint air forces were able to support ground troops at the required times and locations and with the right mix of assets. A responsive coalition air operations center (CAOC) in Qatar made this possible. The CAOC coordinated air operations with direct representation inside the CJTF headquarters, where an air coordination control element (ACCE) responds to the commander’s priorities. It integrated the ACCE directly into all operations to meet the commander’s priorities for air power. From ships in the Arabian Sea and bases in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, Diego Garcia, and the continental United States, joint air assets provided close air support, electronic warfare, and ISR to Soldiers and Marines on the ground."
Something for the U.S.A.F. to consider when they get around to writing their version of AirCOIN.
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