contiguous area of operation

Definition/Scope: (FM 3-90) A commander has a contiguous AO when all of his subordinate forces' areas of operations share one or more common boundaries. The intervening area between noncontiguous AOs remains the responsibility of the higher headquarters. The commander can choose to organize his AO so that his subordinates have contiguous or noncontiguous areas of operations.

Used For:

Mission command WFF
Movement and Maneuver WFF
Protection WFF

Acronym:

contiguous AO

Broader Terms:

area defense
Area of Operations
decisive terrain
key terrain
operational environment

Narrower Terms:

METT-TC
security

Related Terms:

assembly area
boundary
find, fix, finish, exploit, analyze
noncontiguous area of operation
responsibility
unassigned area