Figure 1-4. AirLand Operations
(3) Stage 3: The third stage is conducting the actions to achieve the desired end result.
Decisive operations necessary for the success of major operations and campaigns are planned. Once
appropriate conditions have been established for U.S. and allied forces to defeat the enemy and achieve
victory, ideally with minimal casualties, maneuver forces are committed to decisively overwhelm the
enemy and exploit the advantage of initiative. Early application of overwhelming combat power is
critical to operational success. Massed fires and synchronized maneuver (both air and ground) am
applied early to critical targets to achieve dramatic effect on the operational outcome. The
determination of when the conditions have been achieved for successful maneuver is a critical decision
for the operational commander. The window may open and then close, requiring the commander to
reestablish the condition prior to execution. Figure 1-5 illustrates decisive operations conducted during
stage tree.
SS0117
1-14
Previous Page
