products, including our seven fighting products: task organization, mission, Commander’s intent and key tasks, enemy situation template (acetate overlay), In- formation Collection Matrix, EXMAT or EXCHECK, Decision Support Matrix (DSM), and OPS graphics (acetate overlay).
Next, we practiced our SOP. Following XCTC, each training event focused on Staff establishing the CP nodes, jumping CPs frequently, establishing communi- cation between nodes, and conducting MDMP under challenging conditions and constrained time limits. It became repe- titive and we began to build muscle mem- ory. As a result, during NTC Rotation, 25 -09, the 53 IBCT Brigade MAIN CP received little to no contact throughout force-on- force. Feedback from OC/Ts revealed that Blackhorse (11 Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR)) initially had situational awareness of the MAIN CP while it was in the start- ing Tactical Assembly Area (TAA) but lost that awareness throughout the rest of the rotation. The OC/T feedback included their observations that were keys to the Bri- gade MAIN CP success in remaining hidden from the OPFOR: maintaining mo- bility (jump every 48hrs min); maintaining separation between the MAIN, PLANS, BISE, ALOC, Signal Team, and TAC; use
of terrain to mask from indirect fire (IDF); and maintaining robust protection mea- sures including, its small size, extensive camo netting, reduced EM signatures, electronic decoys and active and passive air defense measures.
Maintaining MAIN Mobility (jump every 48hrs min.)
First, what kind of structure did the 53 IBCT utilize for the CP? Currently, there is no standard for a brigade or battalion CP. Each unit is unique based on what they have or their preference. Some units use trailers while others use expando- vans. The 53 IBCT chose to use the UTS® Systems, large (19ft x 30ft) and medium- sized tents (19’ x 20’) for use by the MAIN and other sections. The MAIN used a large tent with four support legs on either side of the tent while the TAC and other command nodes used a medium-sized tent with three support legs of either side. The support legs are relatively easy to erect and teams at each leg pull up and secure the tent with ropes attached to the top, center of the tent. The tent takes about 30-45 minutes to set up with a min- imum of eight Soldiers and approximately an hour to set up mission command sys- tems to include TAIS, AMDWS, JBC-P, SIPR and NIPR laptops, and routers.
Staff followed the SOP on how to erect the tent and arrange all systems. Addi- tionally, they rehearsed it several times prior to NTC to include set-up during limited visibility. The first time Staff set up the MAIN was chaotic but after sev- eral rehearsals and updates to the SOP, the task became more efficient, and the staff became proficient. Eventually, Staff reduced set-up times from more than three hours to less than two.
Maintaining Separation Between the MAIN, BISE, ALOC, Plans, Signal Team, and TAC After the starting TAA, the MAIN and TAC separated for much of force-on-force phase. The TAC would move forward and establish the next MAIN location. Once the MAIN arrived and established, the TAC jumped to the next location. The MAIN didn’t always use the TAC location; on multiple occasions, the MAIN remained in a separate location. This confused Blackhorse; they were not able to discern the MAIN CP from many other camou- flaged tents and vehicles scattered across the battlefield. In addition, the MAIN CP and TAC jumped every other day and were never in the same place for more than 48 hours.
MG Richard F. Johnson, Deputy Commanding General Army National Guard, US Forces Command, MG Robert Carruthers, Commander Florida Army National Guard, and COL John “Sam” Sargeant discuss current operations inside Brigade MAIN Command Post. (Photo credit SSG Justin Martin, Florida National Guard)
Spring 2026 CAVALRY & ARMOR JOURNAL 25
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