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Center for Army Lessons Learn (CALL)

News from the Front (NFTF)

COMBINED JOINT TASK FORCE – OPERATION

INHERENT RESOLVE

Future Operations Synchronization Board

(FOSB)

MAJ EDWARD O. ZIEMBINSKI

CALL LNO to ARCENT Forward

December 2015
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FOSB Process

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) conducts the Future

Operations Synchronization Board (FOSB) weekly in order to develop the weight of effort for CJTFOIR future operations. The function of the FOSB is to allow the CJTF-OIR CJ3 (Combined-Joint

Operations Officer) to synchronize operations and support to operations throughout the Combined

Joint Operations Area (CJOA) for the short-medium timeframe. Conducted weekly on Wednesdays,

the FOSB meeting focuses on the six-week period, beginning 10 days after the FOSB meeting. The

chair of the FOSB is the CJTF-OIR CJ3.

Purpose of the FOSC is to outline, synchronize, allocate, and de-conflict the CJTF-OIR weight of 

effort (WoE) for all operations, activities, and actions (OAAs) within the CJOA for the short-medium 

timeframe (6 weeks).

Key Tasks:

 Confirm any changes to CJOA Battlefield Geometry

 Discuss upcoming OAAs (Operations, Actions, Activities)

 Determine CJTF weight of effort

 Discuss CAOC asset availability

 Discuss ISR & fires asset availability

 Synchronize lethal and non-lethal effects

The desired End-state that the WoE for all CJTF-OIR OOAs within the CJOA have been sufficiently 

outlined, allocated, synchronized, and de-conflicted for the short-medium timeframe.

CJTF-OIR FOSB:

 CJTF-OIR FOSB Chair; Brigadier General

 CJTF-OIR FOSB POC; Major

 CJTF-OIR Orders POC: Sergeant First Class 

Phase I: Preparation

The CJTF WoE directly informs the planning and allocation of CJTF assets, specifically ISR and

fires. The weekly FOSB, which generates the approved CJTF WoE, is completed through a threephase weekly cycle. The first phase of the FOSB is the preparation phase, which is executed weekly

between Friday and the following Tuesday. The publication of the previous week’s approved FOSB

WoE is also the trigger to commence the preparation phase of the FOSB process.

The first step in the preparation phase is the receipt of command guidance, by the CJTF-OIR FOSB

POC, regarding specific focus areas for the next FOSB. Phase I of the CJTF-OIR FOSB meeting 

process necessitates that on the Friday prior to the FOSB, the CJTF-OIR FOSB POC sends any 

changes to requirements and focus areas for data collection to the supporting units. On the Saturday 

prior to the FOSB, all units submit their draft slides to the board lead planner and the CJTF-OIR

FOSB POC sends the assembled draft product to the CJ34, CAOC, and ISRD. The draft product

assists in the development of the fires, air support, and ISR collection plans, which are discussed at

the FOSB.
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On the Monday before the FOSB, the FOSB inputs synchronization meeting is conducted to assess

and evaluate unit inputs and generate the initial draft of the WoE matrix. Additionally on Monday,

the CJ34, CAOC, and ISRD submit their products to the CJTF-OIR FOSB POC. The final action in 

the FOSB preparation process, which occurs on Tuesday prior to the FOSB, is when the board lead

planner emails the read-ahead slides to the action officers, including the draft WoE matrix that was

created from the FOSB inputs synchronization meeting.

Phase II: Execution

The execution phase of the FOSB includes both the weekly meeting and the immediate actions 

resulting from the meeting. Prior to commencing the FOSB, the supporting units confirm their

communication status and notify the FOSB lead planner of any last-minute changes. Print outs of

the FOSB meeting slides are also generated and distributed to CJTF-OIR senior leaders before the

conference begins. The FOSB meeting generally lasts one hour and the draft WoE matrix is

adjusted based on discussion and direction from the CJ3. Following the conclusion of the FOSB, an

updated draft WoE matrix is distributed to the action officers via email and SharePoint. The

updated draft of the WoE matrix remains in a draft status until approved by the Deputy Commander

Operations and Intelligence (DCOM-O&I) and the Commanding General (CG).

Phase III: Approval and Dissemination

The approval process commences on the day following the weekly FOSB meeting, and concludes

upon publication of the approved CJTF-OIR WoE matrix. On the day following the FOSB meeting, 

the CJ35 briefs the DCOM-O&I on the six week FOSB WoE matrix and other concerns discussed

during the weekly FOSB. The DCOM-O&I provides his or her guidance for modifications to the

FOSB WoE matrix prior to presentation to the CG.

Based on the feedback and guidance from the DCOM-O&I, the FOSB lead planner notifies the

action officers of any significant modifications to the WoE matrix. Once all modifications and

refinements to the WoE matrix are complete, the CJ35 conducts a briefing to the CG covering the

proposed WoE matrix, specifically the first two weeks. The CG will then approve, disapprove, or

provide guidance for additional modifications to the WoE matrix. Once the the CG approves the 
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WoE matrix, the CJTF-OIR CJ33 publishes the WoE matrix through the official orders process.

Copies of the approved WoE matrix are also published to the CJTF-OIR SharePoint portal.

Supporting Activities

The success of the weekly FOSB process depends on receiving lists of commander’s priorities, all

OAAs requiring CJTF-OIR support, and the recommended rank within CJTF-OIR WoE from

CJFLCC-I, SOJTF-I, and CJIATF-S. The success of the FOSB inputs synchronization meeting

relies upon having LNOs from CJFLCC-I, SOJTF-I, and CJIATF-S present to answer RFIs

regarding operational timelines and resource requirements. The presence of these LNOs is also

critical to the success of the FOSB DCOM-O&I out-brief following each Wednesday’s FOSB.

The CJTF-OIR CJ2 will provide an assessment of DA’ISH prioritized CJOA efforts, an assessment

of activities conducted by CJOA actors that influence the operational environment, and anticipated

operational effects of weather. The CJTF-OIR CJ34 will brief lethal and non-lethal targeting 

efforts, as well as resource constraints or other factors that may affect ability to support proposed

CJTF WoE. The CJTF-OIR ISRD will brief proposed planned ISR effectiveness to support

collection requirements.

A CFACC representative will attend the FOSB and provide an overview of air asset availability for

the first two weeks discussed in the FOSB, as well as constraints or other limiting factors due to air

asset availability and planned sequencing of operations.

Best Practices / Lessons Learned

1. Integrating the FOSB into Theater Level Planning: The adoption and integration of the 

FOSB into theater level planning for the CJOA has been essential to the success of CJTFOIR. The concepts of current operations and plans have been well established in the Army,

and working groups and boards to support these planning horizons already exist. Future 

operations, however, has not historically received the same amount of attention, and for good

reason. Current operations are clearly defined as operations that are currently occurring and

are dynamic. Plans occur in the distant future and are less susceptible to immediate

influence. Future operations incorporates a degree of both plans and current operations,

which makes this planning horizon uncomfortable to work in. The FOSB allows the CJTFOIR staff to incorporate to current events in the CJOA with the future plans for the next

six-week planning horizon, but in a brief synchronization meeting that prevents becoming

overly-involved in a planning working group.

2. The FOSB is Brief and Focuses on Synchronization: The best practice of the CJTF-OIR

FOSB is that it strictly is for synchronization. The entire three-phase FOSB process is

designed to occur rapidly and repeatedly, week after week. The FOSB meeting itself is

limited to a one-hour period, and is strictly dedicated to synchronizing efforts. The changes

that are a product of the FOSB relate to the WoE, so as to allow the flexibility to adapt, but

not so much as to making substantial changes. The FOSB process that CJTF-OIR developed

has found the “sweet-spot” in relation to future operations planning.
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Conclusion

Overall, the FOSB is an extremely valuable process that can be beneficial to all operational/theater 

level planners.