Combat operations area - process is undertaken by

armed forces A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...

during

military campaign A military campaign is large-scale long-duration significant military strategy plan incorporating a series of interrelated military operations or battles forming a distinct part of a larger conflict often called a war. The term derives from the ...

s, major operations, battles, and

engagement An engagement or betrothal is the period of time between the declaration of acceptance of a marriage proposal and the marriage itself (which is typically but not always commenced with a wedding). During this period, a couple is said to be ''fi ...

s to facilitate the setting of objectives, direction of combat, and assessment of the operation plan's success. The basic model of the combat operations area process includes five phases that seek to acquire targets and objectives, allocate and orient appropriate forces for successful

of the enemy, make decisions about doctrinal approach to the engagement, execute the plan by engaging in

combat Combat ( French for ''fight'') is a purposeful violent conflict meant to physically harm or kill the opposition. Combat may be armed (using weapons) or unarmed ( not using weapons). Combat is sometimes resorted to as a method of self-defense, or ...

, and conduct post-combat intelligence assessment of the success or failure of the operation's plan.

References

Military operations Military science Military theory {{mil-stub