What does consolidating gains refer to in a military operation?

Consolidating gains in a military operation refers to actions taken to ensure that temporary successes are transformed into enduring advantages for the mission. This concept is crucial because initial victories on the battlefield must be solidified in order to establish a stable environment, sustain progress, and prevent setbacks. It involves measures such as securing areas, building relationships with local populations, establishing governance structures, and reinforcing the presence of military and support forces to maintain order and legitimacy. By focusing on making these gains last beyond the immediate operational success, military leadership can enhance the effectiveness of the operations and contribute to long-term objectives.

While activities focused on mission preparation, unit training and development, and engagement with international coalitions are all important facets of military strategy and operations, they do not specifically address the need to make initial successes sustainable, which is the core of consolidating gains.