The Division Cross-Domain Task Force Re-imagining Division Reconnaissance & Security for 2030

Fall 2023 The Division Cross-Domain Task Force Re-imagining Division Reconnaissance & Security for 2030 By MG John B. Richardson IV and MAJ John T. Pelham IV The division cross-domain task force (D-CDTF), a division reconnaissance and security formation, is the pivotal formation translating convergence at the operational level of war into mass at the tactical level by enabling ar mored divisions to seek, sense, shape and secure. It is a division-level, cross-domain maneuver element that com bines arms in the division close area under the division commander’s com mand and control. The D-CDTF devel ops the situation, providing reaction time and maneuver space, while main taining constant pressure on the ene my across four domains simultaneous ly. This allows the division to seize the initiative and unleash the brigade combat teams (BCTs) at maximum combat potential at the decisive point. Anchored on, and commanded by, the armored division cavalry squadron (ADCS), the CDTF integrates the capa bilities of the ADCS, intelligence and electronic warfare (IEW) battalion, and air cavalry squadron (ACS), allowing division commanders to make enemy contact with the smallest friendly ele ment possible, presenting the enemy multiple simultaneous dilemmas, ap plying constant pressure in multiple domains, and facilitating transitions. In doing so, the Commander is better able to see the organization, see the enemy, and understand the operating environment in accordance with the imperatives of multidomain opera tions (MDO). In May of 2022, Head quarters, Department of the Army published Execution Order 148-22, di recting U.S. Army Forces Command to “conduct limited implementation of armored division cavalry designs” within a designated division “to assess and refine organizations,” commonly known as the Division Cavalry Pilot.1 Specifically, Execution Order 148-22 sought organizational refinement ad dressing the key capability gap created by lack of designated reconnaissance and security (R&S) formations within divisions, the U.S. Army’s primary “By 2035, the Army will transform the way we fight in order to: Sustain the Fight, Expand the Battlespace, Strike in Depth Across Domains, Gain and Maintain Decision Dominance, Create Overmatch, and Prevail in Large-Scale Combat at speed and scale.” GEN James C. McConville, 40th Chief of Staff, U.S. Army tactical unit of action (Combined Arms Center’s (CAC’s) large-scale combat operations (LSCO) Gap 9). The habit ual relationship of a standing task force also enhances the effective syn chronization of air, ground, EW assets to produce a cross- domain effect maintaining constant pressure and presenting the enemy with multiple dilemmas. As the Army transitions to the division as the decisive tactical echelon during LSCO, it must be re sourced as such. What problem does D-CDTF solve? As previously stated, during CAC’s LSCO gap analysis, the Army identified a significant capability gap in the lack of designated reconnaissance and se curity (R&S) formations at corps and division echelons informed by multiple warfighter exercises (WFX) and CAC assessments between 2012 and 2022. During that period, multiple exercise after action reviews and modeling de noted that the lack of designated R&S capability forced corps and divisions to either task subordinate units to an swer higher headquarters (HHQ) pri ority intelligence requirements (PIR) in addition to their previously assigned tasks or reduce the capability of sub ordinate units by detaching combat power to form ad hoc R&S formations. Both approaches traded one problem for another; tasking subordinate units to answer HHQ PIR and provide secu rity for the division exceeded their col lection capabilities and detaching combat power from subordinate units to create ad hoc R&S formations de graded subordinate abilities to accom plish their assigned missions. In either case, the lack of designated security forces to provide reaction time and maneuver space degraded corps and division performance in (simulated) combat. The R&S Pilot has already shaped the division’s new operating concept. The division integrates the D-CDTF early in military decision-making process, and then deploys it to answer PIR and shape the operating environment. As discussed, IEW battalions can provide critical intelligence and warning, but they cannot provide security. The divi sion augments the D-CDTF with attack aviation support (Grey Eagle, Shad ows, and AH-64s) and artillery to en able the D-CDTF’s fight through the disruption zone and into the battle zone. Finally, if the Army Collection Enterprise intends to continue em ploying a “seek, sense, destroy” meth odology in the future operating envi ronment, then recent WFX experimen tation suggests that ADCS is comple mentary to the intelligence and elec tronic warfare battalion (IEW) battal ion vice diametrically opposed or an evolutionary ancestor: also charged with providing the commander with situational awareness and under standing. IEW battalions of the future will pos sess a single comprehensive sensor package, the Terrestrial Layer System (TLS). What they will lack in organic sensors, they will make up for with ac cess to Joint data and direct feeds from national sensors (space layer). With that said, the type of data being collected in support of MDO is not weather restricted. The IEW battalion is rich with sensors, but cannot hold terrain, fight for information, or typi cally operate in adverse weather, which was a major lesson learned dur ing the employment of the battlefield surveillance brigades a decade ago.

Fall 2023 The ADCS’ primary reconnaissance and security assets are its Troopers and vehicles, which are ground-do main centric, but have limited range because of the limitations of terrain and line-of-sight optics, which is miti gated by the ACS and IEW battalion ca pabilities. The synergistic effect of having the ADCS, ACS, and the IEW battalion working in concert paints the picture for the commander and en ables him to shape the battlefield with less risk or signature than leading with the chin and employing an ABCT out front to make first direct fire contact. The complementary effects of the D- CDTF allow the division to shape deep with fires, while protecting and pre serving the combat power of the BCTs. In essence, the D-CDTF allows the commanding general to seize the ini tiative at the decisive point, then un leash the full potential of the BCTs to penetrate, exploit, pursue and win. Capabilities How does the D-CDTF solve the prob lem? By integrating the capabilities of the ADCS, IEW battalion, and ACS, sup ported by the combat aviation brigade (CAB) and division artillery (DIVARTY), the D-CDTF allows division command ers to combine arms in the reconnais sance and security fight to seek tar gets, sense targets, shape targets, and enable their destruction while securing the division throughout the entire depth of the battlefield frame work. The D-CDTF accomplishes this by task organizing and integrating the follow ing formations:

1. Armored division cavalry squadron: The ADCS provides all-weather reconnaissance and security capability (sense/shape/secure) in the division close area and enables the commander’s visualization of the battlefield to support tactical decision making. The squadron preserves division combat power by developing the situation without committing a BCT or other resource. The ADCS gives division commanders the ability to fight for information in the division close area, secure key terrain, and protect the division main body to allow the division to mass at the decisive point with the maximum combat potential of the BCTs.

2. Intelligence and electronic warfare (IEW) battalion: Provides seeking and sensing capability in the division close area and beyond. By employing organic TLS and leveraging data from both Joint and National sensors, provides the commander with enhanced situational awareness and understanding along with timely and accurate targeting support. Current equipment fielding includes the Tactical Ground Station Lot F that receives Moving Target Indicator data from Joint Sensors through the Global Broadcast Service. National Data is ingested via the Embedded National Tactical Receiver over the national Integrated Broadcast Service. Army of 2030 will utilize the Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN) that will provide enhanced data from the space layer.

3. Air cavalry squadron (ACS): Provides rotary wing reconnaissance (seek/ sense/shape/secure) and security capability in the division close area. With the ability to seek, sense, and shape targets across the entire division battlefield framework, the ACS eliminates enemy sanctuary areas in the battlefield framework, and exponentially increases the amount of reaction time and maneuver space available to the division via security operations. The ACS’s organic Shadow unmanned aerial systems (UASs) allow the D-CDTF to position sensors and conduct reconnaissance forward of ground elements for long periods of time, weather permitting. This significantly decreases the amount of time and level of coordination required to get timely and accurate reports to the ADCS. The organic AH- 64Es employed in an air cavalry role enhance the ground force commander’s understanding of the enemy and environment, while simultaneously providing responsive and highly mobile attack aviation support to increase the relative lethality of the ADCS. Employment of the Shadows together with AH- 64E helicopters as a team significantly increases aircraft survivability in a rapidly evolving threat environment.

4. DIVARTY and the CAB’s attack aviation battalion: Provide shaping capability via long-range massed and precision fires in the division deep area; by massing joint fires against targets sought and sensed by the IEW battalion, DIVARTY and attacks out of contact by attack aviation enable the degradation of enemy targets to favorable force ratios with which the division can close with and complete their destruction in the close fight with the BCTs. Figure 1: Visual Depiction to describe how massing effects within the D-CDTF is integrated. (U.S. Army graphic)

Fall 2023 Enabling operational level convergence As echelons above division (EAD) achieve convergence creating win dows of opportunity for divisions via the cross-domain task force (CDTF) and corps fires at the operational lev el, the D-CDTF enables seizure of ini tiative, penetration, exploitation, and pursuit within such windows via the ADCS cross-domain troop and other D- CDTF assets at the tactical level. The combination of the three ele ments (ADCS, ACS and IEW battalion), supported by attack aviation and DIVARTY, can seek, sense, shape and secure across multiple domains. This formation reduces risk for the commander by creating the best pos sible understanding of the operational environment in air, ground, electro magnetic and cyber domain/environ ments. By enabling exploitation of op erational level windows of opportuni ty, the D-CDTF achieves cross-domain effects at the tactical level allowing EAD to achieve continued convergence and retain the initiative. The cross-domain effects achieved by the D-CDTF at the tactical level create a “feedback loop” enabling continued creation of windows of opportunity at the operational level, contributing to the achievement of operational objec tives and ultimately strategic ends. Security The D-CDTF enables the division to ex ploit windows of opportunity created by convergence at the Operational Level first by rapidly developing the situation during reconnaissance oper ations, but primarily by providing re action time and maneuver space to the division through security opera tions. Security provided by the D-CDTF miti gates and diversifies risk for the divi sion across the entire battlefield framework and generates options for the division commander. The D-CDTF accomplishes this by:

1. Enabling the division to seek, sense, shape and secure through cross-domain effects.

2. Contact layering:

• ADCS develops the situation by fighting across four domains in the division close area, setting conditions for the enemy’s destruction by BCTs; the ADCS can seek, sense, shape, and secure the division continuously in the division close area, but is limited in the division deep area beyond the coordinated firing Line. The ACS and IEW battalion set conditions for the ADCS to expand its footprint and enable the division to “spring load artillery and sustainment” into sector.

• IEW battalion seeks and senses in the division close area and beyond to identify targets in accordance with the high-payoff target/high-value target lists; the IEW battalion can seek and sense targets in the close area and division deep area to facilitate deep fires but cannot secure the division.

• ACS develops the situation while shaping targets in the division close area and provides periodic in contact attacks in support to the ADCS. The ACS cannot seek or sense targets comprehensively, nor can it provide continuous security for the division, b u t i t i s re i nfo rc i n g a n d complementary to the ADCS. Like the IEW battalion, its capabilities can be limited during inclement weather.

• DIVARTY and attack aviation shape targets in the division deep area, but cannot seek or sense targets comprehensively, nor can they secure the division. Way forward/conclusion The D-CDTF is designed around a prob lem that is equipment agnostic, so as new materiel solutions come online, they can fit into this structure with rel ative ease (unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), air launched effects, etc.). By continuing with this pilot, the divi sion maintains a task organized unit and “landing spot” for future technol ogy where these planned and unique technologies have a place to be field ed, employed, and assessed. Further more, this equipment-agnostic quality emphasizes the D-CDTF’s adaptability and resiliency, demonstrating that this formation will avoid obsolescence and remain not only relevant, but vital into the future. As we modernize to fight the Army of 2030/2040 concepts most effectively, IEW battalions will possess their full suite of sensors to include TITAN. The ADCS will field robotically combat ve hicles and other robotics in its scout and tank platoons, as well as the cross-domain troop’s full suite of sen sors and UAS. These developments, in conjunction with DIVARTY’s fielding of Extended Range Cannon Artillery further dem onstrate the increasing capability of an already robust formation, a forma tion capable of conducting reconnais sance and security out to operational-level ranges in the future. These ca pabilities diversify risk not only for di vision commanders, but also for oper ational commanders, and the joint and coalition force. The D-CDTF is agile, adaptable and postured to evolve continuously to wards Aimpoint 2035. MG John Richardson served in combat with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regi ment, the 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, and the 1st Cavalry Division. He was the 74th Colonel of the 3rd Cav alry Regiment and commanded the 1st Cavalry Division. His professional edu cation includes the Armor Officer Ba sic and Advanced Courses, Command and General Staff College and the Joint and Combined Warfighting School. He attended the Senior Service College Fellowship at the Harvard University, Kennedy School for Government with a concentration in Leadership and Management. In addition to a bache lor’s degree in history from West Point, he also holds a master’s degree in Leader Development and Counseling from Long Island University. MAJ John Pelham is the operations of ficer for the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Com bat Team (ABCT), 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Cavazos, TX. His previous assign ments include deputy G-5, 1st Cavalry Division; team leader, Combat Advisor Team 1, Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB); commander, Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd SFAB; commander, Head quarters and Headquarters Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division; commander,

Fall 2023 Company A, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd ABCT, 1st Cavalry Divi sion; and platoon leader, Reconnais sance, Surveillance and Target Acqui sition Platoon, Troop B, 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st SBCT, 25th In fantry Division. MAJ Pelham’s military schools include the Advanced Military Studies Program (School of Advanced Military Studies), Command and Gen eral Staff Officers’ Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape School; Pathfinder School; Combat Adviser Training Academy; Cavalry Leader’s Course (CLC); Air-Assault School; MCCC; Cold Weather Leader’s Course; Army Reconnaissance Course; Armor Basic Officer Leader Course; and Air borne School. MAJ Pelham has a Acronym Quick-Scan Bachelor’s of Arts degree in history from Tennessee Technological Univer sity; a Master’s of Science degree in organizational leadership from Colum bus State University; a Master’s of Mil itary Arts and Science degree from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC), Art of War Scholar; and a Master’s of Arts degree in Mili tary Operations from CGSC (School of Advanced Military Studies). MAJ Pel ham’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters. Notes 1 Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA), Execution Order 148-22, (Wash ington, D.C.: HQDA), 2022. ACS – air cavalry squadron ADCS – armored division cavalry squadron BCT – brigade combat team CAB – combat aviation brigade CAC – Combined Arms Center D-CDTF – division cross-domain task force DIVARTY – division artillery EAD – echelons above division HHQ – higher headquarters LSCO – large-scale combat operations MDO – multidomain operations PIR – priority intelligence requirements R&S – reconnaissance and security TITAN – Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node TLS – Terrestrial Layer System UAS – unmanned aerial system WFX – warfighter exercise Figure 2: D-CDTF Task Organization