The JAOC (Figure II-4) is the joint air operations command and control center that plans, directs, and executes joint air operations in support of the JFC's operation or campaign plan. Dependent on theater and contingency and whether the mission involves war or MOOTW, the composition, organization, and functions of the JAOC may need to be tailored. However, the basic framework still applies. Though the use of the word "combat" is used in the title of some of the divisions and branches, the activities in supporting joint air operations may span the range of military operations. These activities may just as well involve planning to accomplish noncombat objectives in a MOOTW scenario. A brief description of divisions and branches within the JAOC follows.

2. Combat Plans Division (CPD)

The CPD is responsible for planning "future joint air operations." CPD normally develops the joint air operations strategy, air apportionment recommendation, and produces the joint ATO. In support of the joint ATO development process, CPD coordinates with the combat intelligence division on the adversary's current and future force structure, capabilities, and intentions. CPD may be divided into several branches/cells dependent on the AOR/JOA requirements.

1. Air Strategy. Air Strategy planners develop and plan the strategic direction for joint air operations. Strategy planners work with the JFACC/JFC staff to develop the overarching strategy and guidance for joint air operations which is developed in concert with the JFC's operation or campaign plan. Air strategy involves a continuous planning process that may revise air strategy based on intelligence inputs, combat assessment, and analysis of centers of gravity.

2. Airspace/Command and Control. Develops, coordinates, and publishes plans, concepts of operations, and detailed procedures for the combined interoperability and integration of command and control systems. This includes airspace management, area air defense, air support, and communications support. If the JFACC is not appointed as ACA and/or AADC, this branch provides the JFACC/JFC staff input and coordination to whoever has responsibility for those functions.
   - Airspace Management and Air Defense. Develops, coordinates, and publishes plans, concept of operations, and procedures to synchronize planning requirements of airspace management and area air defense. This includes synchronization of friendly air operations from component operations and air defense procedures for C2 of an integrated air defense system. Development of airspace control measures include such items as air refueling routes, missile engagement zones, minimum risk routes, and others as appropriate, which are developed, coordinated, and published in the ACP. Area air defense planners develop specific procedures for detection, interrogation, and engagement of airborne threats. Air defense planners work closely with airspace managers to develop safe passage and minimum risk procedures for friendly forces.

   - Air Support. Air support planners are responsible for C2 procedures to ground combat forces. These procedures are published in the joint ATO SPINS. Responsibilities normally include:

   -- developing concept of operations for joint air support.

   -- developing procedures for requesting, targeting, and controlling of joint air support.

   -- aiding in developing communication plans for air support units.

   -- working with combat airspace managers to ensure land forces airspace control needs are met.

   - Communications Planning. Communication planners will, in coordination with the joint force J-6:
   -- develop, coordinate, and promulgate the daily air communication plan.

   -- compile, coordinate, and monitor air frequency allocations, call signs, frequency code assignments, nets.

   -- develop procedures for air surveillance and reporting and for aircraft control and flight following.

   -- coordinate with other C2 branches to ensure all communications requirements are identified and met, with special attention on integration and interoperability with other components.

3. Joint ATO Development/ Production. This branch is staffed by system and weapons experts who may be tasked or employed in joint air operations and is responsible to produce a timely and executable joint ATO. The-branch:
   - develops the MAAP and daily joint air tasking for specific weapon systems.

   - coordinates weapon package elements with duty officers to deconflict simultaneous missions of other weapon systems types.

   - confirms tasking of combat support systems.

   - plans, coordinates, and tasks specialized combat support missions (e.g., air refueling, electronic warfare, combat search and rescue).

   - is responsible for the technical production and distribution of the joint ATO.

   - ensures joint ATO distribution is both complete and timely, using the best transmission medium possible..

The COD is responsible for monitoring and executing "current joint air operations." Actions and decisions that apply to the current ATO period are executed through the COD. COD normally assumes responsibility for the joint ATO as soon as it is released.

1. Current Operations. This branch consists of a cadre of joint personnel such as fighter, reconnaissance, surveillance, combat support, tanker, bomber, and airlift experienced in battle management, ROE, and force application/employment. Within current operations, this branch may be further divided into offensive and defensive cells. Offensive and defensive duty officers bring a broad base knowledge of operations of weapons capabilities and limitations that are required to monitor, and if required, adjust joint air operations. Defensive operations normally include specific air defense/airspace control duties to coordinate all air defense and/or airspace activities. This branch may also be responsible for airspace management activities to ensure flying activities are compatible with mission requirements and coordination with host nations agencies and components. If the JFACC is not the ACA and/or AADC, this branch provides JFACC/JFC staff coordination with whoever has that responsibility.

2. Weather Support. The weather support branch provides forecasts tailored for the various requirements; reports significant weather with emphasis on target weather, refueling tracks and recovery bases; and inputs weather data in CTAPS (if required).

3. Operations Support. Support operations may include airlift, air refueling, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation missions. Mission experts track the flow of assets and status of missions dedicated to each operation. Rapid coordination may be required to meet time sensitive demands to support ongoing joint air operations.

4. Joint Search and Rescue Center (JSRC). The JFC normally designates one of the components' rescue coordination centers to assume the additional responsibility of the JSRC. When the JFACC is designated, the JSRC is normally located within the JAOC to ensure timely integration of rescue operations with the overall joint air effort. The JSRC is staffed by members of all participating components to coordinate joint CSAR The JSRC is responsible for disseminating the JFC's CSAR concept of operation to all components. The JSRC establishes C4I and reporting procedures for component search and rescue centers, operating centers, coordinates component CSAR plans to resolve actual or projected shortfall in assets and capabilities, and monitors all CSAR incidents and missions. Additional information is contained in Joint Pubs 3-50.2, "Doctrine for Joint Combat Search and Rescue," and 3-50.21, "JTTP for Combat Search and Rescue."

The CID is responsible for all intelligence activities in the JAOC. Normally, the CID provides the following cells to work within the Combat Plans and Combat Operations divisions:

1. Plans Intelligence. In conjunction with the CPD, Plans Intelligence supports the planning and development of the ATO. Normally collection management, intelligence production, and target intelligence are three functions provided to the CPD by plans intelligence cell. The collection manager is responsible for processing and validating all requests for intelligence information. The collection manager is responsible for levying valid requirements on appropriate collection resources or forwarding them to the higher echelon commander for satisfaction by theater or national level sources. The JAOC will rely on the joint force J-2 and JIC for operational and theater-level intelligence support. The personnel performing intelligence production evaluate the threat and determine adversary abilities/vulnerabilities through the evaluation and correlation of all source intelligence. They also prepare and disseminate intelligence to joint force agencies and other component headquarters, as applicable. Target intelligence is responsible for target development and analysis, weaponeering, BDA, and the attack/reattack nomination process.

2. Operations Intelligence. Operations intelligence supports the execution of the joint ATO, monitors ongoing missions, and responds to the fluid battlefield situation by providing near-real-time intelligence from all sources. The operations intelligence cell is normally collocated within the COD in the JAOC. The operations intelligence cell provides indications, warning, and situation intelligence to designated users throughout the range of military operations. The operations intelligence cell reviews each preplanned joint ATO target prior to the time-on-target to ensure it is still a valid target.

10-31-1996; 12:03:29