1. Concept of Joint Air Operations Development

Planning for joint air operations begins with understanding the joint force mission. The JFC's strategic appreciation of the political, economic, military, and social forces affecting the AOR/JOA and articulation of the strategic and operational objectives needed to accomplish the mission form the basis for determining components' objectives. The JFACC/JFC staff uses the mission, the JFC strategic appreciation and objectives, and the components' objectives to devise an air estimate of the situation. This estimate follows a systematic series of steps to formulate a course of action (COA). When the JFACC's course of action is approved by the JFC, it becomes the basic concept of the joint air operations--stating "what" will be done. The "how" part is stated in the joint air operations plan and supporting plans. The JFACC's daily guidance ensures that joint air operations effectively support the joint force objectives while retaining enough flexibility to adjust to the dynamics of the range of military operations. Figure E-l describes the concept of how joint air operations are developed.

2. Joint Air Operations Plan

Joint air operations constitute an integral part of the JFC's operation or campaign plan. The JFACC is normally assigned responsibility for joint air operations, planning and develops a joint air operations plan for employing that portion of the air effort made available to the JFACC to accomplish the objectives assigned by the JFC.The joint air operation plan documents the JFACC's plan for integrating and coordinating joint air operations. The joint air operation plan encompasses operations of capabilities/forces from joint force components. The staff assigned to develop the plan should include representation from all components providing capabilities/ forces. A carefully selected staff of planners and weapon systems experts from each component enables consideration and understanding of all component capabilities/forces. Potential expertise requirements may include but are not limited to:

- Reconnaissance/surveillance experts - Combat search and rescue specialists - Special operations experts - Electronic warfare specialists - Weapons system specialists - Targeteers/mission planners - Doctrine/strategy experts - Politico-military affairs specialists - Intelligence analysts Deception planners - Logistics/munitions experts Air mobility (airlift and air refueling) planners - Theater meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) specialists - Modeling/operations researchers Public affairs experts - Judge advocate general personnel Administrative support experts - Space support teams - Communications-computer systems specialists - Aeromedical evacuation/medical personnel - Liaison officers from supporting and supported commands, other joint force components, and allied forces.

3. Joint Air Operations Planning Process

Normally, there are five phases in the joint air operations planning process, and each phase produces a desired product. While presented in a sequential order, the phases are not all required to be completed in order. Work on the various phases may be concurrent or sequential. However, at some point, phases must be integrated and the products of each phase must be checked and verified for coherence. Figure III-2 illustrates the five phases.

1. Phase 1: Operational Environment Research. The product of this phase is primarily the intelligence preparation of the battlespace and gathering an in depth knowledge of the operational environment. This phase is focused on gaining information about friendly and adversary capabilities and intentions, doctrine, and the environment in which the operations will take place. The goal of this phase is to gain an understanding of the theater of operations, the adversary, and friendly forces available to accomplish the JFC's objectives.
   - Available forces, command relationships (US and multinational), ROE, applicable treaties and agreements, base-use rights, and overflight rights are examples of information in this phase. Treaties and agreements should be on file. Individual country rights and obligations can be identified through the chain of command from the Department of State and the appropriate US Embassy.

   - Appropriate logistic information concerning what is available in theater, and what can be provided through existing ports, depots, war reserve materiel (WRM), or other logistic pipelines.

   - Intelligence data is gathered and analyzed. Data may include (as an example) indications and warning, current intelligence, general military intelligence, target intelligence, and scientific and technical intelligence. (See Joint Pub 2-0, "Joint Doctrine for Intelligence Support to Operations.")

   - For both friendly and adversary forces. the full range of operational intelligence concerning forces, capabilities, sustainment, disposition, as well as relative combat strengths, analyses of alternatives, target systems analysis, and probable courses of action are examined.

2. Phase 2: Objective Determination. The products of this phase are clearly defined and quantifiable objectives that will contribute to the accomplishment of the JFC's operation or campaign objectives.
   - Source of planning objectives is usually documented in the JFC's initial planning guidance, and the operation or campaign plan.

   - Joint air objectives are derived from the JFC's and components' objectives.

   - Airpower, in conjunction with the exploitation of space-based systems can impact all three levels of war (strategic, operational, and tactical) and can perform independent, integrated, and supporting operations sequentially or simultaneously.

   - Joint air objectives and supporting objectives must be identified by listing those objectives at each level (strategic, operational, and tactical). The objectives of each level must support the objectives of the higher level to ensure unity of effort.

3. Phase 3: Strategy Identification. The product of this phase is a clearly defined joint air strategy statement. The operation or campaign plan communicates the JFC's strategy. The joint air strategy states how the JFACC plans to exploit joint air capabilities/forces to support the JFC's objectives. The joint air operations plan is how the JFACC communicates, promulgates, and articulates this strategy.

   "Airpower has become predominant, both as a deterrent to war, and -in the eventuality of war- as the devastating force to destroy an enemy's potential and fatally undermine his will to wage war." General Omar Bradley

4. Phase 4: Center(s) of Gravity (COG) Identification. The product of this phase is the identification of those COGs that could be defeated to satisfy the JFC's strategic, operational, and tactical objectives and those friendly (including multinational partners) COGs to defend. Clausewitz describes a COG as "the hub of all power and movement, on which everything depends." Joint doctrine defines COGs as "those characteristics, capabilities, or localities from which a military force, nation, or alliance derives its freedom of action, physical strength, or will to fight." COG describes the central feature(s) of power that if defeated may have the most decisive result. Airpower may have the ability to attack centers of gravity throughout the AOR/JOA to engage sets of targets associated with each and engage these targets simultaneously rather than sequentially. It is important to remember that the type of COG and method of attack may vary widely throughout the range of military operations. For example, in a MOOTW environment, the COG could be starvation. In this case, the "target" may be a drop zone that is "engaged" by air dropping pallets of food and supplies to help "attack" the starvation COG. The objectives and strategy must be clearly understood, and the operational environment carefully analyzed, to help the JFC identify COGs. The greatest barrier in selection of a COG lies in not considering all possibilities of the adversary's power and friendly forces. A thorough understanding of the AOR/JOA and the adversary facilitates identification of the correct COG.
   - COGs may be attacked both directly or indirectly. The method of attack (direct or indirect) chosen by the commander is based on sound military judgment, the nature of the adversary, and objectives. Attacks may be restricted by political considerations, military risk, laws of armed conflict (LOAC), and ROE. Direct attack is defined as physically attacking a COG itself Indirect attack is defined as causing the downfall of the COG by attacking its supporting elements. The indirect approach is characterized by attacking targets that expose a new COG vulnerability. This involves, for example, forcing reliance on a single line of communication (LOC) or source of supply and then, after reliance is at its maximum, destroying this element of the COG. Examples of pertinent questions to consider when deciding how to attack an identified COG include: Will disruption of activity at this target satisfy a military objective? Is air the most appropriate and efficient way to strike this target? Ate the expected results commensurate with the military risk? What will be the impact on US public opinion? World opinion? Consistent with LOAC and ROE, can we minimize collateral damage? Do the risks and levels of anticipated collateral damage exceed the military advantage to be gained?

   - A COG may be represented by a single target, a target system, or multiple, interrelated target systems. In order to expose COGs to attack, it may be required to first identify and attack decisive points and/or progressively defeat enemy measures used to protect their COGs. Actions to extend offensive efforts throughout the theater, including deep penetrations of enemy territory, can increase the vulnerability of enemy centers of gravity.

   

   - The centers of gravity should be carefully selected for attack. When attacking COGs, they should be attacked as a target system. Air and spacepower are unique in that they can focus on a COG ranging from leadership all the way to enemy combat forces. If petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) is the element of the COG being considered, it can be attacked from its point of origin to the distribution system. For economy of force, there may be a critical node in a target set which should be attacked first. Additional targets within that set could be attacked to stress the whole system. Target systems should be attacked with sufficient force needed to meet the JFC's military objectives, consistent with the LOAC and associated restraints and limitations.

   - The same process for identifying COGs should be applied to friendly forces from the enemy's perspective. After the JFC defines friendly COGs and deployment and employment plans, the air defense section of the joint air operations plan can be developed. Friendly centers of gravity should normally be defended in-depth.

5. Phase 5: The Joint Air Operations Plan Development. The product of this phase is the joint air operations plan that details how joint air operations will support the JFC's operation or campaign plan. Based on the JFC's guidance, the JFACC develops the joint air operations plan. The joint air operations plan developed during this process should:
   - Integrate the efforts of joint air capabilities/forces in achieving JFC objectives.

   - Identify objectives and targets by priority order, describing in what order they should be attacked or dealt with, the desired results, and the weight of effort required to achieve the desired results in support of the JFC's objectives. (Targets prioritized by significance do not necessarily indicate order to be attacked.)

   - Account for current and potential adversary offensive and defensive threats.

   - Conduct target development system analysis to identify those specific targets that should be reattacked to achieve the objectives.

   - Indicate the phasing of joint air operations in relation to the JFC's operation or campaign plan phasing and in relation to each other.

   - The First phase objective will normally be to attain and maintain air superiority in the time and place necessary for the joint force to conduct operations. This is accomplished by destroying, neutralizing, or reducing the enemy air and missile threat to an acceptable level. If the enemy presents any air offensive threat, a self-defense capability is needed upon entering the theater of operations. The air defense system, to include all defensive measures designed to destroy attacking enemy aircraft or missiles or to reduce the effectiveness of such attacks should be defined in the air defense- section of the joint air operations plan.

   - The joint air operations plan supports, as well as is supported by, the operations conducted by other components in support of the JFC's mission objectives. Competing requirements for joint air operations including strategic attack, air interdiction, and close air support will be resolved by the JFC, normally by the air apportionment decision.

   - Indicate what capabilities/forces will be required to achieve joint air operations objectives.
   - Once the total force posture is known, force availability, deployment timing, beddown availability, and sustainment requirements can be matched with logistic and planning requirements.

   - With this information, the JFC and components can analyze the pint forces' ability to support the mission assigned to the JFACC, while ensuring air capable components retain sufficient organic capabilities/forces to accomplish their missions. Shortfalls require the JFC to reprioritize or restructure the missions/plans or seek additional resources

   - include a comprehensive sustainability assessment for the joint a operations plan.
   - Normally, sustainment requirements for joint air operations are fulfilled by Service components. However, common, joint, or cross-servicing agreements, or directives by the combatant commander may significantly alter responsibilities for key aspects of logistic support.

   - The joint air operations plan must clearly delineate any changes to logistic support practices effected by such agreements or directives. (See Joint Pub 4-0, "Doctrine for Logistic Support of Joint Operations," for an in-depth explanation of pertinent logistic considerations.)

   - Include procedures for allocating, tasking, and exercising command and control of joint air capabilities/forces made available.

10-30-1996; 16:34:04