KOCOA: Terrain Analysis for Home Defense

Summary

This video delves into terrain analysis, a crucial aspect of military operations planning. It simplifies the complex doctrine from joint pub 2-03 and introduces the 'COCO' acronym from the US Marine Corps for practical terrain analysis. The video guides viewers through identifying key terrain, observation and fields of fire, cover and concealment, obstacles, and avenues of approach, emphasizing their significance in home defense during civil unrest. It also stresses the importance of considering weather and time of day, and the need for adaptable planning in dynamic situations.

Takeaways

• 📚 Terrain analysis is defined as the collection, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of geographic information to predict the effect of terrain on military operations.
• 🔍 It is part of a larger doctrine known as METT-TC, which is crucial for mission planning and understanding the operational environment.
• 🏠 The script uses the acronym COCO to outline the steps of terrain analysis, which includes identifying Key Terrain, Observation and Fields of Fire, Cover and Concealment, and Obstacles.
• 🏞️ Key Terrain refers to areas that provide a significant advantage if controlled, such as airports, bridges, and public buildings.
• 👀 Observation and fields of fire are crucial in urban environments where visibility and weapon ranges are often restricted.
• 🛡️ Cover and concealment are important for protection and hiding from adversaries, with cover providing a physical barrier and concealment relying on camouflage.
• 🚧 Obstacles are anything that restricts movement, and in urban defense planning, this can include barricades or other impediments set up by rioters.
• 🚗 Avenues of approach are paths that adversaries or friendly forces might use to move towards a location, which can be high-speed like major roads or low-speed like footpaths.
• ⏱️ Weather and time of day are critical factors that can significantly alter the effectiveness of terrain analysis and must be considered in planning.
• ⚔️ Despite thorough planning, adaptability is key as no plan survives first contact with the enemy, and plans may need to be adjusted on the fly.

Q & A

What is terrain analysis in the context of military operations?

Terrain analysis is the collection, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of geographic information on the natural and man-made features of the terrain, combined with other relevant factors to predict the effect of the terrain on military operations.

What is the acronym METT-TC and how does it relate to terrain analysis?

METT-TC is a widely used acronym for understanding the mission planning process, which stands for Mission, Enemy, Terrain, Troops, Time, Civilians, and Weather. Terrain analysis is a crucial step within this framework, as it helps in planning operations by understanding how the terrain will affect military actions.

What does the acronym COCO stand for in the context of terrain analysis?

COCO is an acronym from the US Marine Corps publication 12-10 B.1 and stands for Key Terrain, Observation and Fields of Fire, Cover and Concealment, and Obstacles. It outlines the steps for conducting terrain analysis.

What is meant by 'Key Terrain' in terrain analysis?

Key Terrain refers to identifiable characteristics whose seizure or retention affords a marked advantage to either combatant. It includes features like airports, bridges, and public buildings, which can significantly influence military operations.

How does 'Decisive Terrain' differ from 'Key Terrain'?

Decisive Terrain is a type of Key Terrain that must be conquered for an engagement to be decisive. It is terrain that, if captured, would lead to a decisive engagement or is essential for mission success.

What factors does 'Observation and Fields of Fire' consider in terrain analysis?

Observation and Fields of Fire consider the visibility and range limitations in an urban landscape, which affect the ability to see and engage targets. It involves sketching sectors of fire from defensive positions to identify blind spots and areas of vulnerability.

What is the role of 'Cover and Concealment' in the COCO process?

Cover and Concealment in the COCO process involve identifying physical barriers that protect from enemy fire (cover) and elements that hide one's location from the enemy (concealment). It's crucial for both defense and understanding potential enemy positions.

Why are 'Obstacles' important in terrain analysis?

Obstacles are important because they restrict movement, either for people or vehicles. In the context of home defense, obstacles can be used to slow down or prevent the approach of adversaries, while also considering the potential for adversaries to use obstacles against the defender.

What are 'Avenues of Approach' and how do they figure in terrain analysis?

Avenues of Approach are routes that can be used to enter or exit an area quickly. In terrain analysis, they are crucial for understanding how fast an adversarial force can reach a location, which can influence defensive planning and emergency egress strategies.

How can weather and time of day impact the effectiveness of terrain analysis?

Weather and time of day can significantly impact terrain analysis by altering visibility, creating new obstacles, or changing the effectiveness of cover and concealment. They can also affect the feasibility of certain routes and the overall tactical situation.

Why is it important to plan for terrain analysis even if the enemy also has a say in how the battle goes?

Planning for terrain analysis is important because it provides a foundational understanding of the operational environment. While the enemy's actions can change the dynamics, having a pre-planned analysis allows for quicker adaptation and decision-making during dynamic situations.