Force Protection Through Security of the Ground Lines of Communication (GLOC).

Abstract

This monograph discusses the importance of understanding the impact that a failure to provide for security of the Ground Lines of Communication (GLOC) can have on the successful execution of tactical operations. The problem facing military planners is a lack of knowledge and guidance to provide for deliberately establishing conditions to protect against threat actions upon the GLOC and enable the service support forces to provide continuous support. There is no single reference in the common professional soldier's library that addresses and analyzes methods of conducting defensive techniques to protect the ground, and specifically highway, lines of communication during times of conflict. This monograph first identifies the theoretical applications of GLOC security as presented by the early military theorists, then provides analysis of the occurrences and outcomes of pertinent events in past conflicts, analyzing the relevance of ensured sustainment support. It further addresses GLOC security operations in the US Army Force XXI concept and during more contemporary Operations Other Than War (OOTW) deployments. This monograph concludes by identifying what US Army doctrine states relative to GLOC security guidance and operations, what history demonstrates as true, what is lacking between the two, and recommendations on how to bring the doctrinal base and historical knowledge in line in an attempt to provide appropriate planing guidance for the operation and security of ground lines of communication during military operations. The study recommends changes or improvements in the following areas: countermine and survivability doctrine, and the tactical concept of operations required to maintain unity of effort over GLOC security. The primary element is to provide tactical planning guidance that includes techniques for developing an integrated plan for providing tactical

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 14, 1995
Accession Number
ADA309692

Entities

People

  • David J. Kolleda

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Armored Personnel Carriers
  • Civil War
  • Combat Forces
  • Combat Operations
  • Command And Control
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Control Systems
  • Deployment
  • Employment
  • First World War
  • Lessons Learned
  • Military History
  • Military Operations
  • Military Science
  • Personnel Management
  • Second World War
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Critical Infrastructure Protection in CBRN and WMD Threats.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.