The joint air operations plan format uses the same format as the JFC campaign plan but from an airpower point of view. Each air operations plan will differ with the AOR/JOA, situation, and capabilities of the joint force. A sample format follows:

                                                          Copy No
                                             Issuing Headquarters
                                                   Place of Issue
                                     Date/Time Group of Signature


JOINT AIR OPERATIONS PLAN: (Number or Code Name)

References:  Maps, charts, and other relevant documents.

COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS. Briefly describe the command organization (composition and relationships) for the JFC's campaign and the air operations envisioned. Detailed information may be included in the command relationships annex. Cover component commanders, AADC, and ACA identities, and others as required.

1. Situation. Briefly describe the situation that the plan addresses (see JFC's estimate). The related CONPLAN or OPLAN should be identified as appropriate.

1. Guidance. Provide a summary of directives, letters of instructions, memorandums, treaties, and strategic plans, including any campaign/operation plans received from higher authority, that apply to the plan.
   (1) Relate the strategic direction to the JFC's requirements.

   (2) List the strategic objectives and tasks assigned to the command.

   (3) Constraints--list actions that are prohibited or required by higher authority (ROE, and others as appropriate).

2. Adversary Forces. Provide a summary of pertinent intelligence data including information on the following:
   (1) Composition, location, disposition, movements, and strengths of major adversary forces that can influence action in the AOR/JOA.

   (2) Strategic concept (if known), should include adversary's perception of friendly vulnerabilities and adversary's intentions regarding those vulnerabilities.

   (3) Major objectives (strategic and operational).

   (4) Adversary commander's idiosyncrasies and doctrinal patterns.

   (5) Operational and sustainment capabilities.

   (6) Vulnerabilities.

   (7) Centers of gravity and decisive points.

   NOTE: Assumed information should be identified as such. Reference may be made to the intelligence annex for more detailed information.

3. Friendly Forces. State here information on friendly forces not assigned that may directly affect the command.
   (1) Intent of higher, adjacent, and supporting US commands (e.g., USTRANSCOM, USSTRATCOM, USSOCOM, USSPACECOM).

   (2) Intent of higher, adjacent, and supporting allied or other coalition forces (e.g., NATO, Spain, Italy, Egypt).

4. Assumptions. State here assumptions applicable to the plan as a whole. Include both specified and implied assumptions.

3. Air Operations

1. Strategic or Operational Concept. (Based on the relevant major elements of JFC strategy.) State the broad concept for the deployment, employment, and sustainment of major air capable joint forces including the concepts of deception and psychological operations during the operation or campaign as a whole. (This section is a summary of details found in annexes.)
   (1) Joint force air organization.

   (2) Joint force air objectives.

   (3) Beddown overview.

   (4) Operational missions.

   (5) Phases of joint air operations in relation to JFC operation or campaign plan.

   (6) Timing and duration of phases.

2. Phase I. Provide a phase directive for each phase.
   (1) Operational Concept. Include operational objectives, plan of attack, and timing.

   (2) General missions and guidance to subordinates and components' supporting and supported requirements. Ensure that missions are complementary.

   (3) Capabilities/forces required by role or capability. Should consider land, sea, air, space, special operations, and multinational.

   (4) Tasks of subordinate commands and components.

   (5) Reserve Forces. Location and composition. State "be prepared" missions. Include guidance on surge sorties if used as reserve capability.

   (6) Mobility. Consider transportation, ports, lines of communication, transit and overflight rights, reinforcement, reception and onward movement, and host-nation support arrangements.

   (7) Deception.

   (8) Psychological Operations. Ensure joint air operations support established psychological operations.

3. Phases II-XX (last). Cite information as stated in subparagraph 3b above for each subsequent phase. Provide a separate phase for each step in the operation at the end of which a major reorganization of forces may be required and another significant action initiated.

4. Coordinating Instructions. If desired, instructions applicable to two or more phases or multiple elements of the command may be placed here.

1. Assumptions (including coalition requirements).

2. Supply aspects.

3. Maintenance and modifications.

4. Medical service.

5. Transportation.

6. Base development.

7. Personnel.

8. Foreign military assistance

9. Administrative management.

10. Line(s) of communication.

11. Reconstitution of forces.

12. Joint and multinational responsibilities.

13. Sustainment priorities and resources.

14. Inter-Service responsibilities.

15. Host-nation considerations.