TACTICS: Control Measures - Areas & Boundaries

Maneuver Control Measures are used at all echelons. Some apply to all operations, and some only to offensive, defensive or enabling operations. Today we explore some commons measures commanders use to limit chaos on a battlefield. This is a selective, incomplete list. We could turn this into a Daily Dose of Control Measures if we aren’t careful, and who wants that when there are regulations about evaluations we can review?

As always, italics added for our emphasis, and […] indicates we cut out stuff we thought was fluff. And, as always: you’re smarter reading the reg yourself to be exactly sure

The major takeaways:

• Maneuver Control Measures are used at all echelons. Some apply to all operations, and some only to offensive, defensive or enabling operations.

• Lots of doctrine about control measures from joint doctrine, like Joint Publication 3-0.

• An area of operations is always enclosed by a boundary. That boundary may be a single contiguous line (a circle) or a set of crossing lines.

• The details about symbols for graphics

Assembly area

• An area a unit occupies to prepare for an operation.

• Units of all types and echelons can be assigned assembly areas.

A tactical assembly area

• An area that is generally out of the reach of light artillery and the location where units make final preparations (precombat checks and inspections) and rest, prior to moving to the line of departure

• Tactical assembly areas are where enemy contact is likely and the commitment of a unit into combat is possible or anticipated

• Some site selection considerations:

  • Cover from direct fire.

  • Good drainage and soil conditions that can sustain unit vehicles

  • Terrain masking of electromagnetic signatures.

  • Terrain allowing observation of ground and air avenues into the assembly area.

  • Beyond enemy medium artillery range

A boundary

• A line that delineates surface areas for the purpose of facilitating coordination and deconfliction of operations between adjacent units, formations, or areas (JP 3-0).

• Normally drawn along identifiable terrain features and are used to delineate responsibility between adjacent units and between higher and lower echelon headquarters.

• Should not split responsibilities for key or decisive terrain, roads, rivers, or railways.

• Direct fire may be placed across boundaries on clearly identified enemy targets without prior coordination, provided friendly forces are not endangered.

• Indirect fire also may be used after prior coordination with the adjacent unit.

• Commanders adjust boundaries as necessary in response to the evolving tactical situation.

• The forward boundary is the farthest limit in the direction of the enemy, of an organization’s responsibility.

• A lateral boundary is a boundary defining the left or right limit of a unit’s assigned area.

• A rear boundary is a boundary that delineates the rearward limits of a unit’s assigned area. The rear boundary also defines the start of the next echelon’s rear area.

Diving deep in the doctrinal details:

MOVEMENT AND MANEUVER CONTROL MEASURES

A-5. Maneuver control measures are used by maneuver forces and headquarters at all echelons to control the movement and maneuver of forces. […]

COMMON CONTROL MEASURES

A-6. Many graphical control measures are applicable to offensive, defensive, and enabling operations. The following are control measures discussed throughout FM 3-90. However, this list is not inclusive of all control measures. For a comprehensive listing of all approved control measures see FM 1-02.2

Area of Operations

A-7. An area of operations is an operational area defined by a commander for land and maritime forces that should be large enough to accomplish their missions and protect their forces (JP 3-0). An area of operations (AO) is always completed enclosed by boundaries. An AO could consist of a singular boundary. An AO can also be enclosed with forward, rear, and lateral boundaries as shown in figure A-1. Figure A-2 depicts a division AO with subordinate BCT assigned areas. See paragraph 1-56 for more information on an AO.

Assembly Areas

A-8. An assembly area is an area a unit occupies to prepare for an operation. Units of all types and echelons can be assigned assembly areas. In figure A-3 on page A-4, are examples of multiple units occupying one assembly area is a graphical shortcut taken when the map scale makes depiction of multiple assembly areas unreadable. In reality, the higher echelon commander would subdivide ASSEMBLY AREA THOMAS into two smaller assembly areas, one for each unit. A unit assembly area is normally within the assigned area of a higher headquarters and are typically noncontiguous. This means that a unit has the same responsibilities within its assigned assembly area as it has for any other assigned area.

A-9. A tactical assembly area is an area that is generally out of the reach of light artillery and the location where units make final preparations (precombat checks and inspections) and rest, prior to moving to the line of departure (JP 3-35). Tactical assembly areas are where enemy contact is likely and the commitment of a unit into combat is possible or anticipated. Examples of tactical assembly areas include locations occupied by units designated as tactical reserves, by units after completing a rearward passage of lines, temporarily by units during tactical movement, and by units during reconstitution. Units in tactical assembly areas are typically preparing to move forward to execute a forward passage of lines followed by offensive operations or have been assigned a reserve mission by their higher commander.

A-10. Planning for, occupying, and departing an assembly area is difficult and time consuming and requires careful consideration. Ideally, an assembly area provides—

• Concealment from air and ground observation.

• Adequate entrances, exits, and internal routes.

• Space for dispersion (Enough distance from other areas and units to p

reclude mutual interference).

• Cover from direct fire.

• Good drainage and soil conditions that can sustain unit vehicles and individual Soldi

er movements

• Terrain masking of electromagnetic signatures.

• Terrain allowing observation of ground and air avenues into the assembly area.

• A location beyond enemy medium artillery range

[…]

Boundaries

A-16. A boundary is a line that delineates surface areas for the purpose of facilitating coordination and deconfliction of operations between adjacent units, formations, or areas (JP 3-0). Boundaries are normally drawn along identifiable terrain features and are used to delineate responsibility between adjacent units and between higher and lower echelon headquarters. Boundaries should not split responsibilities for key or decisive terrain, roads, rivers, or railways. Within their assigned areas, units may maneuver within the overall plan without close coordination with neighboring units unless otherwise restricted. Direct fire may be placed across boundaries on clearly identified enemy targets without prior coordination, provided friendly forces are not endangered. Indirect fire also may be used after prior coordination with the adjacent unit. Commanders adjust boundaries as necessary in response to the evolving tactical situation.

A-17 Boundaries by themselves or with other control can be used to define a unit’s assigned area: area of operations, zone, or sector. A forward boundary is a boundary that delineates the forward edge of a unit’s area of operation. A lateral boundary is a boundary defining the left or right limit of a unit’s assigned area. A rear boundary is a boundary that delineates the rearward

limits of a unit’s assigned area. The forward boundary is the farthest limit in the direction of the enemy, of an organization’s responsibility. The rear boundary also defines the start of the next echelon’s rear area. Figure A-1 on page A-2 depicts an AO with forward, rear, and lateral boundaries.

Want to expand the boundaries of your knowledge of tactical control measures? Take A Doctrine Deep Dive with a read of FM 3-90 by clicking here.