COMBAT OPERATIONS CENTER (COC) The COC is established to provide the battalion commander centralized command and control facilities for all combat tactical and operational operations conducted under his or her command. It is the focal point for the battalion and the terminating point for all tactical and nontactical radio nets.

The primary purpose of the COC is to monitor and record the tactical and nontactical operations of the battalion continually. The specific composition and functions of the COC will vary with the desires of the individual commander. Normal COC functions include the following:

Receiving and recording operational reports from subordinate elements and companies

Maintaining current plots of the friendly and enemy situations and displaying this information within the COC

Preparing and submitting operational reports to higher headquarters

Providing dedicated communication channels for tactical and operational reporting

Transmitting orders and tactical decisions of the battalion commander to companies subordinate elements, and higher headquarter as required

Monitoring the progress of the battalion's tactical operations and expeditiously reporting significant events or incidents to the S-3 or the commander

Advising the fire support coordination center (FSCC) and interested staff sections of events or infomation of immediate concern to them

Serving as the principal point of contact for liaison personnel from subordinate, supporting, or adjacent tactical elements

The COC controls the battalion's tactical nets established by higher headquarters. A COC normally has direct sole-user telephone circuits (hot lines) to major subordinate tactical units and to the COC of higher headquarters. Besides voice radio nets and telephones, the battalion's COC normally maintains direct teletype links with major subordinate elements and with the COC of higher headquarters.

The operations officer (S-3) exercises staff supervision over the COC in coordination with the training (S-7) and intelligence officer (S-2).

LOCATION OF THE COMBAT OPERATIONS CENTER (COC) When establishing a COC, you should give special consideration to location. The location of the COC must be hard to detect by enemy forces, easy to defend, and be established in a centralized location that is easily accessible to battalion personnel. Other factors to consider are centralized communications and vehicle traffic.

Centralized Communications The main COC is centrally located to each company's command post to ensure positive control by the battalion commander.

Vehicle Traffic As previously stated, the COC is the principal point of contact for liaison personnel from subordinate, supporting, or adjacent tactical elements. Strict traffic control measures are essential when these supporting elements visit the COC. These include the following:

At least two dismount and two entry points are used to reduce traffic concentrations.

Passenger dismount points are concealed from direct observation.

Vehicles are parked and camouflaged in one or more parking areas within the local security perimeter of the COC.

Construction of new roads into or by the COC is normally prohibited. To lessen the chance of detection by the enemy, you can use existing roads.

Vehicles entering or departing the area of the COC are required to use exits that are concealed by are cover or camouflage.

COMMUNICATIONS Superior communication is critical to COC operations. The location of the COC is one of the factors that determines the communication assets required when establishing a communication plan. Also affected by the location of the COC is the location of the "Antenna Farm" discussed later in this chapter.

DEFENSE AND SECURITY To protect the COC from a direct attack or enemy infiltration, you must consider vital defense and security measures, such as the following:

1. Security force: A well-trained and organized security force assigned to the COC.

2. Terrain that enhances security: An area of irregular, well-forested ground hampers aerial observation and, if it includes high brush and low trees as well, it makes enemy ground observation more difficult. Full use is made of natural cover, concealment, and supplementary camouflage measures. Individual camouflage discipline is rigidly enforced.

3. Location: Located near a unit that can assist in furnishing security.

4. Entanglements: Barbed and tactical wire entanglements.

5. Night noise and light discipline: Ensure the generator supplying power to the COC is located a good distance from the COC and is sandbagged to muffle the sound of the generator. Also, ensure the tent used for the COC maintains light discipline.

ALTERNATE COC In case the COC is destroyed, an alternate COC is established. All the consideration for a COC am duplicated in the alternate COC. Location of the alternate COC is away from the main COC and security is similar to the main COC. In the event the main COC is destroyed, operations are expediently assumed in the alternate COC.

ORGANIZATION OF THE COMBAT OPERATION CENTER The internal organization of the COC may vary with each battalion commander or contingency operations. Written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) are established to avoid any confusion (fig. 1-8). Personnel duties, maps, and various boards are usually standard within any COC organization.