JP 3-01 Countering Air and Missile Threats - Defense Innovation ...

Executive Summary
Command and Control
The growing capabilities
of air and missile threats
(speed, range, accuracy,
stealth, lethality) and their
proliferation require joint
forces to be responsive,
flexible, and integrated to
effectively counter those
threats.
Command Relationships
The JFC determines the
most appropriate
command relationships
for the component
forces/capabilities made
available for counterair.
Support Relationships
JFC
The JFC normally tailors forces to the specific tasks to
enable effective spans of control, responsiveness, tactical
flexibility, and protection. Because counterair is a joint
mission and can involve all components of the joint force,
clear command relationships and properly assigned
responsibilities are essential for effective and efficient
operations.
In operations of limited scope or duration, the JFC may
organize and conduct counterair operations using the joint
force staff (e.g., the operations directorate of a joint staff).
If the JFC designates a joint force air component
commander (JFACC), the JFC may designate the JFACC
as the supported commander for strategic attack, air
interdiction, and airborne intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance (among other missions). As a joint mission
area, counterair is conducted by all components with the
necessary capabilities, with the JFC/JFACC ensuring unity
of command (or unity of effort), centralized planning and
direction, and decentralized execution. When the JFC
organizes the joint force, in addition to a JFACC, the JFC
also normally designates an area air defense commander
(AADC) (for DCA) and an airspace control authority
(ACA) (for joint airspace control). Normally, the JFC
designates the JFACC as the AADC and ACA, because the
three functions are so integral to one another. If the
situation dictates, the JFC may designate an AADC and/or
ACA separate from the JFACC.
For counterair operations, support relationships are
particularly useful for forces made available for tasking and
those shared for conducting other joint operations. An
establishing directive normally is issued to specify the
purpose of the support relationship.
Some of the primary responsibilities of the JFC as they
apply to joint counterair include the following:
• Develop and maintain a command and control (C2)
system to unify the employment of subordinate forces in
carrying out assigned counterair missions
xi