# Command and Control Overview C2 is the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander of assigned and attached forces. Command includes both the authority and responsibility for effectively using available resources to accomplish missions. To control is to regulate forces and functions to execute the commander's intent. *** ## **Command** Command at all levels is the art of motivating and directing people and organizations to accomplish missions. Command requires visualizing the current state of friendly and enemy forces, future state of those forces existing to accomplish the mission, and formulating concepts of operations to achieve success. The commander influences the outcome of operations by: * Defining his intent. * Assigning missions. * Designating priority efforts. * Prioritizing and allocating combat support and sustainment. * Deciding what level of risk to accept. * Placing reserves. * Assessing needs of subordinates and seniors. * Changing task organization. * Changing allocation of combat support. * Changing priority of sustainment. * Changing boundaries. * Allocating time. * Guiding and motivating the organization toward the desired end. *** ## **Control** Control of forces and functions helps commanders and staffs compute requirements, allocate means, and integrate efforts. Control is necessary to determine status of organizational effectiveness, identify variance from set standards, and correct deviations from these standards. Control permits commanders to acquire and apply means to accomplish their intent and develop specific instructions from general guidance. Ultimately, it provides commanders a means to measure, report, and correct performance. Control allows commanders freedom to operate, delegate authority, place themselves in the best position to lead, and synchronize actions throughout the operational area. While C2 may be discussed separately for understanding, in practice, it is an entity. The commander cannot command effectively without control, and cannot exercise control without command. The commander uses C2 to make effective decisions, manage uncertainty of combat, employ forces efficiently, and direct successful execution of military operations. The goal of C2 is mission accomplishment, while the object of C2 is force effectiveness. The staff is the commander's most important resource to exercise C2 when he is unable to exercise it by himself. Commanders exercise authority and direction through and with assistance of a C2 system. *** ## **Command and Control Systems** The C2 system is defined as the facilities, equipment, communications, procedures, and personnel essential to a commander for planning, directing, and controlling operations of assigned forces. The Army battle command system (ABCS) provides unit commanders with electronic architecture to build SA. Signal planning increases the commander's options by providing the requisite signal support systems for varying operational tempos. These systems pass critical information at decisive times; thus, they leverage and exploit tactical success and make future operations easier. FM 3-04.111 has additional information on ABCS. The three levels of ABCS are: * Global Command and Control System-Army. * Army Tactical Command and Control System (ATCCS). * Force XXI battle command—brigade and below (FBCB2). C2 for the ARB is simplified by the capabilities of their advanced aircraft. Multiple frequency modulated (FM) radios, improved data modem (IDM), satellite communication (SATCOM)/high frequency (HF) (excluding OH-58D) capability, if so equipped, simplify communication and information reporting. As battalions field emerging SA digital systems, the C2 and subsequent responsiveness and lethality of the force will multiply. *** ## **Communications** Fundamental to combat operations is combat information reporting and exploiting that information. This information and the opportunities it presents are of interest to other maneuver units and higher headquarters’ staffs. Combat information reporting requires wide and rapid dissemination. Battalion elements frequently operate over long distances, wide fronts, and extended depths from their controlling headquarters. Communications must be redundant and long range to meet internal and external requirements. Long-range communications can be augmented through signal support. The answer is to have the systems in place before they are needed. Operations at extended distances beyond friendly lines may require cellular, HF, tactical satellite, or retransmission (RETRANS) to maintain communications. UH-60 airborne C2 aircraft should be operational control (OPCON) to the battalion for all battalion-level and long-range operations. The aviation mission planning system (AMPS) provides a means of transferring information between echelons within the battalion and with the CAB. Brigade aviation elements (BAEs) are also AMPS and tactical airspace integration system airspace workstation-equipped to permit supported ground unit input. ### **Communication Responsibilities** All levels of command gain and maintain communications with necessary headquarters and personnel. Communications methods and procedures should be established in unit standing operating procedures (SOPs) and practiced during battle drills and flight operations. Regardless of establishment responsibility, all units must take prompt action to establish or restore lost communications. Methods of restoring communications should be established in the unit SOP and practiced during battle drills and daily flight operations. ### **Communication Disruption** Communications, particularly electromagnetic, are subject to disruption in even the best conditions. Disruption may result from unintentional friendly interference, intentional enemy action, equipment failure, atmospheric conditions, electromagnetic pulse, or terrain interference. To compensate for intermittent communications, the commander should: * Provide for redundancy in means of communication. * Ensure subordinates understand commander's intent so they know what to do during communications interruptions. * Avoid overloading communications systems. * Minimize use of radio. * Ensure personnel follow signal and communications security (COMSEC) practices. ### Operations Security Operations security (OPSEC) includes measures taken to deny the enemy information about friendly forces and operations. OPSEC consists of physical security, information security, signal security, deception, and countersurveillance. Because these categories are interrelated, the commander normally chooses to employ multiple techniques to counter a threat. Commanders analyze hostile intelligence efforts and vulnerabilities, execute OPSEC countermeasures, and survey the effectiveness of countermeasures. Commanders can then counter specific hostile intelligence efforts. *** ## **Battalion Communication Nets** ### **Battalion Internal Radio Nets** The battalion establishes the following internal radio nets to organize and control information passed via each net: * Command net: An FM secure command net, controlled by the operations staff officer (S-3), is used for battalion C2. As a rule only commanders, XOs, or S-3s communicate on the net. The command net is used by commanders for sending and receiving critical information on current operations. * Operations and intelligence net: The intelligence staff officer (S-2) controls the operations and intelligence (O\&I) net. Routine operations and intelligence reports (INTREPs) are sent on this net; it functions as a surveillance net when required. Brigade or subordinate commanders do not normally monitor O\&I. This net is used for details and discussion leading to analysis. That analysis, when completed, is relayed to the appropriate commander. The unit XO, operating in the main CP, ensures analysis is done and relayed in a timely manner by appropriate means. When used, the rear CP monitors the O\&I net allowing anticipation of critical support requirements and problems. * Administrative and logistics net: This net is controlled by the personnel staff officer (S-1) and logistics staff officer (S-4) and is used for administrative and logistics (A\&L) traffic. Battalion or subordinate commanders do not normally monitor the A\&L net. The battalion commander communicates with his company commanders on the battalion command net, which is FM secure. Very high frequency (VHF) and ultra high frequency (UHF) secure radios may be used as backups for the FM secure radio. The main CP may use the FM secure radio to communicate with the battalion trains and forward arming and refueling point (FARP) elements through the battalion A\&L net. Battalion elements may also communicate with the FARP on the command net; at a minimum, FARPs should monitor the command net. If the A\&L net is not active, the O\&I network is an alternative to communicate A\&L requirements. Table 2-1, page 2-4, illustrates typical internal radio nets.
### **Battalion External Radio Nets** The battalion main CP is responsible for maintaining communications with higher, adjacent, and subordinate units. When deployed, the battalion tactical command post (TAC CP) may communicate directly with these units. If the situation or terrain prohibits direct contact by the TAC CP, the main CP may act as a communications relay. When airborne, the battalion commander may communicate directly with higher headquarters, adjacent units, and subordinate elements via FM secure radio. The main CP and TAC CP, if deployed, operate the battalion command and O\&I nets. These elements also maintain communication with higher headquarters on their command O\&I, and A\&L nets. Because of distance factors involved, HF radios or SATCOM are often used to maintain contact with higher headquarters. Other external radio nets may be established through supporting elements such as the field artillery (FA) tactical fire direction system (TACFIRE), A2C2, and forces participating in JAAT operations. Table 2-2 illustrates typical external radio networks for the battalion.
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