Special operations (SO) differ from conventional operations in degree of physical and political risk, operational techniques, modes of employment, and dependence on detailed operational intelligence and indigenous assets. SO are conducted in all environments, but are particularly well suited for denied and politically sensitive environments. SO can be tailored to achieve not only military objectives through application of special operations forces (SOF) capabilities for which there are no broad conventional force requirements, but also to support the application of the diplomatic,...

Joint urban operations (JUOs) are joint operations planned and conducted on, or against objectives within, a topographical complex and its adjacent natural terrain, where man-made construction or the density of population are the dominant features. Commanders and their staffs should consider the complex and dynamic interactions and relationships of the population with the physical terrain and infrastructure. Urban areas present a complex environment for military operations. This complexity is derived from numerous factors such as location, history, economic development, climate, available...

The Department of Defense (DOD) has learned through the difficult experiences of both Iraq and Afghanistan that success is not only defined in military terms; it also involves rebuilding infrastructure, supporting economic development, establishing the rule of law, building accountable governance, establishing essential services, and building a capable host nation (HN) military responsible to civilian authority. The Department of State (DOS) is charged with responsibility for leading a whole-of-government approach to stabilization that includes the array of US Government (USG) departments and...

This publication provides information to guide interorganizational coordination during joint operations among engaged stakeholders. These stakeholders are inclusive of the Armed Forces of the United States; United States Government (USG) departments and agencies; state, territorial, local, and tribal government agencies; foreign military forces and government agencies, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and entities of the private sector. Further, the term interagency coordination is limited to the interaction between USG departments and agencies....

This publication provides fundamental principles and guidance for planning, coordinating, and executing joint fire support across the range of military operations. It sets forth joint doctrine to govern the activities and performance of the Armed Forces of the United States in joint operations and provides the doctrinal basis for interagency coordination and for US military involvement in multinational operations. The foundations of joint fire support are based on the elements of combat power, the principles of joint operations, and joint functions. The elements of combat power are combined...

The security environment requires that deployed military units, forward-based activities, and forward operating bases protect themselves against threats designed to interrupt, interfere, or impair the effectiveness of joint operations. Base and lines of communications (LOCs) security must be properly planned, prepared, executed, and assessed to prevent or mitigate hostile actions against US personnel, resources, facilities, equipment, and information. Joint security areas (JSAs) are increasingly vulnerable to enemy forces with sophisticated surveillance devices, accurate weapon systems, and...

The threatened or actual employment of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) material, including toxic industrial materials (TIMs), can seriously challenge US military operations. The deadly, destructive, and disruptive effects of these weapons and materials merit continuous consideration by the joint force commander (JFC) and supporting commanders. The worldwide availability of advanced military and commercial technologies and information (including dual use and emerging nontraditional threats), combined with commonly available transportation and delivery means, may allow...

The instruments of national power (diplomatic, informational, military, and economic) provide leaders in the US with the means and ways of dealing with crises around the world. Employing these means in the information environment requires the ability to securely transmit, receive, store, and process information in near real time. The nation's state and non-state adversaries are equally aware of the significance of this new technology, and will use information-related capabilities (IRCs) to gain advantages in the information environment, just as they would use more traditional military...

Space capabilities have proven to be significant force multipliers when integrated into military operations. Space capabilities provide global communications; positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT); services; environmental monitoring; space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); and warning services to combatant commanders (CCDRs), Services, and agencies. To facilitate effective integration, joint force commanders (JFCs) and their staffs should have a common and clear understanding of how space forces contribute to joint operations and how military space operations...

Joint forces should be prepared to encounter barriers, obstacles (including improvised explosive devices IEDs], mines, and other unexploded explosive ordnance UXO]) and to conduct mine warfare (MW), employing mines on land and sea across the range of military operations. Employing and countering obstacles differ on land and at sea. For example, while obstacles on land are primarily employed and countered by combat engineers, this is not the case at sea, where ships, aircraft, and underwater elements deploy and/or counter obstacles, naval mines, and IEDs.