text: Mission Command
  (cid:122) How can subordinate units’nest with the plan when they develop their own plan?
  4-348. Accurate PACE plans are crucial to the commander’s situational awareness. A subordinate unit
  (considerations include those for host nation or multinational forces) that is untrained on a particular
  communication system or lacks all of the subcomponents to make the system mission capable, does not
  ensure continuity of command and controlby including the communication system in the PACE plan. The
  commander’s ability to exercise command and control during an operation can suffer due to communications
  systems that are in transitor otherwise unavailable. If the BCT or a subordinate unit does not have four viable
  methods of communications,it is appropriate to issue a PACE plan that may only have two or three systems
  listed. If the unit cannot execute the full PACE plan to its higher command, it must inform the issuing
  headquarters with an assessment of shortfalls,gaps,and possible mitigations as part of the mission analysis
  process during the MDMP. During COA development, the S-6 nests the subordinate unit’s plan with the
  BCT’s plan whenever practical. This aids in maintaining continuity of effort. (See FM 6-02 for additional
  information.)
  Terrain Analysis
  4-349. The BCT S-6 analyzes the terrain and determines the method(s) to make the geometry of the
  operations work support the commander’s plan. Adhering rigidly to standard CP deployment makes it easier
  for the enemy to use the direction finder and aim jamming equipment. Deploying units and communications
  systems perpendicular to the forward line of own troops enhance the enemy’s ability to intercept
  communication by aiming transmissions in the enemy’s direction. When possible, install terrestrial
  line-of-sight communications parallel to the forward line of own troops. This supports keeping the primary
  strength of U.S. transmissions in friendly terrain.
  4-350. Single-channel tactical satellite systems reduce friendly CP vulnerability to enemy direction efforts.
  Tactical satellite communication (see ATP 6-02.54) systems are relieved of this constraint because of their
  inherent resistance to enemy direction finder efforts. When possible,utilize terrain features to mask friendly
  communication from enemy positions. This may require moving headquarters elements farther forward and
  using more jump or TACsto ensure the commander can continue to direct units effectively.
  4-351. Location of CPs requires carefully planning as CP locations generally determine antenna locations.
  The proper installation and positioning of antennas around CPs is critical. Disperse and position antennas
  and emitters at the maximum remote distance and terrain dependent from the CP to ensure that not all of a
  unit’s transmissions are coming from one central location system design.
  4-352. Establish alternate routes of communication when designing communications systems. This involves
  establishing sufficient communications paths to ensure that the loss of one or more routes does not seriously
  degrade the overall system. The commander establishes the priorities of critical communications links.
  Provide high priority links with the greatest number of alternate routes. Alternate routes enable friendly units
  to continue to communicate despite the enemy’s efforts to deny them the use of their communications
  systems. Alternate routes can also be used to transmit false messages and orders on the route that is
  experiencing electromagnetic interference,while they transmit actual messages and orders through another
  route or means. A positive benefit of continuing to operate in a degraded system is that the problematic
  degraded system causesthe enemy to waste assets used to impair friendly communication elsewhere. Three
  routing concepts,or some permutation of them,can be used in communications as follows:
  (cid:122) Straight-line system. Provides no alternate routes of communications.
  (cid:122) Circular system. Provides one alternate route of communications.
  (cid:122) Grid system. Provides as many alternate routes of communications as can be practically planned.
  4-353. Avoid establishing a pattern of communication. Enemy intelligence analysts may be able to extract
  information from the pattern,and the text,of friendly transmissions. If easily identifiable patterns of friendly
  communication are established,the enemy can gain valuable information.
  4-354. The number of friendly transmissions tends to increase or decrease according to the type of tactical
  operation being executed. Execute this deceptive communication traffic by using false peaks, or traffic
  leveling. Utilize false peaks to prevent the enemy from connecting an increase of communications with a
  tactical operation. Transmission increases on a random schedule create false peaks. Tactically accomplish
  traffic leveling by designing messages to transmit when there is a decrease in transmission traffic. Traffic