At which stage of MDMP are FSTs (Fire Support Tasks) being developed?

The development of Fire Support Tasks (FSTs) occurs during the Course of Action (COA) Development phase of the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP). This stage focuses on generating potential strategies to achieve the mission objectives outlined in the mission analysis phase. During COA Development, planners outline how fire support will be coordinated and integrated to enhance combat capabilities. FSTs are integral to those plans, ensuring that fire support assets are effectively employed to support the overall operation.

In this phase, detailed planning takes place, including identification of specific tasks for fire support, the timing and coordination with other elements of the force, and how these tasks will contribute to the overall mission. This collaborative effort ensures that fire support is not an afterthought but is rather a core component of the planned operations, directly reflecting the intent of the commander.

The mission analysis phase focuses more on understanding the problem and gathering information rather than developing specific tasks. Commander's Intent provides overarching guidance but does not delve into the specifics of tasks. The Planning Review phase offers a chance to evaluate and refine plans already developed, rather than creating new courses of action or fire support tasks. Thus, the phase of COA Development is vital for the systematic formulation of FSTs within the framework