Planning combat outposts to maximize population security

Abstract

Combat outposts (COPs) are small, well-protected bases from which soldiers reside and conduct operations from. Used extensively during the "Surge" in Iraq, COPs are usually established in populated areas and are prevalent in the counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan in 2010. This research models population security to determine combat outpost locations in a battalion area of operation. Population security is measured by level of violence, level of insurgent activity, and effectiveness of host nation security forces. The area of operation is represented as a graphical network of nodes and arcs. Operational inputs include pertinent information about each node. The model allows the commander to set various weights that reflect his understanding of the situation, mission, and local people. Based on trade-offs in patrolling and self-protection, the deterministic model recommends the size and locations for emplacing combat outposts and conducting patrols. We use piecewise linear approximation to solve the problem as a mixed-integer linear program. Results are based on two representative scenarios and show the impact of an area of operation's characteristics and commander's weights on COP size and locations.