Doni Wong
Introduction
In small wars and large-scale combat operations (LSCO), command posts require not only trained personnel, but mutually supportive physical infrastructure to properly execute the six functions of a command post per ATP 3-90.5, 2-5. During 1st Armored Division’s (1AD) most recent Warfighter Exercise (WFX), which focused on LSCO against a peer competitor in the European region, the Division further refined its own command post operations. The intention of this field report is to share key findings from that exercise, WFX 23-4, with the reader. The key findings from the exercise include: (1) a mutually supportive command post system, (2) acknowledgement of limitations of even the most ideal system, and (3) the need for iterative training with the appropriate focus and rigor to identify shortcomings.
During WFX 23-4, 1AD created a resilient and robust command post system through a deliberate training progression. The train-up, starting in the deserts of Fort Irwin’s National Training Center (NTC), and culminating with Warfighter (WFX) 23-4, 1AD Staff proved its capability through constant tests, mission-generated friction, and relentless contention with the opposing forces (OPFOR). Throughout these challenges 1AD’s headquarters maintained their full range of capabilities and it experienced no loss of tempo from inefficient systems and processes. 1AD used a framework known as the Iron Triangle to build a mutually supportive network of command posts, covering the inherent weaknesses of any single or desynchronized command post.
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