Joint Operating Concept (JOC) - GlobalSecurity.org

4.e. Executing IW
“I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that the internet and global
communications have changed this form of conflict [IW] as much as the
machine gun and quick-firing artillery changed land warfare in 1914-
1918. I think we are in an analogous position to those WWI
commanders, knowing that our traditional approach is not working but
still struggling to find a new tactical and technical formula that works.”
Lt. Col. (Dr.) David J. Kilcullen, 14 September 2006
The joint force will execute IW operations in support of friendly states; against
hostile states; and against non-state adversaries operating within non-belligerent
states. Recognizing that every IW situation will have unique characteristics, the
following are representative activities that will take place:
• Shaping operations will begin early. These operations will include IPE and
OPE as described in 4b above.
• As the campaign progresses, the JFC and strategic partners will employ
numerous types of forces and capabilities. SOF, GPF, and elements of
OGAs, partner nation security forces, and indigenous forces may all
contribute to the accomplishment of campaign objectives. Because of the
protracted nature of an IW campaign, synchronization of these forces as
they flow into and out of the operational area is key.
• JFCs will employ integrated joint expeditionary force packages that fuse
military operations and intelligence activities at the tactical level. When
conducting IW, JFCs will frequently conduct military operations to
generate their own actionable intelligence and targeting data using
human, technical, forensic, and cultural intelligence to illuminate the
adversaries’ networks, support activities, and personalities. Intelligencedriven
operations will require long-term investments to develop the
relationships necessary to gain the insights of the operational
environment, personalities, and the populace. For example, the joint force
may establish new joint “combined arms” teams in which military
intelligence and law enforcement forces join combat forces at the core of
the team to accomplish this operations-intelligence fusion.
• Operations will focus on enhancing or destabilizing the relationships
between a political authority and the relevant populations. Operations in
support of enhancing relationships include humanitarian assistance, civic
action projects, promoting effective governance, COIN, CT, SSTRO, and
FID. Operations in support of destabilizing relationships include UW,
training insurgent forces, and providing combat and combat service
support to partners.
• Throughout the campaign, the JFC and strategic partners will
continuously update the strategic communications plan based on the
reactions of all relevant parties to ongoing operations.
• After the security situation stabilizes in favor of the United States and its
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