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

Global Ballistic Missile Defense Synchronization
direction, and when engagement authority has been delegated to subordinate commanders,
decentralized execution.
(1) Unity of Command. GCCs are supported commanders for all BMD in their
respective AORs. Due to speed, range, and the potential for cross-AOR missile threats,
GCCs may simultaneously be supported and supporting for BMD. Changes in command
relationships do not affect unity of command. For example, forces assigned to Commander,
United States Central Command (CDRUSCENTCOM), supporting BMD operations in
United States European Command’s AOR, normally would remain under the command of
CDRUSCENTCOM.
(2) Unity of Effort. BMD can be conducted simultaneously at theater, regional,
AOR, and cross-AOR levels and require intratheater and intertheater integration and
coordination of capabilities to optimize engagement opportunities. Integrating a full array of
offensive options with active and passive missile defense measures is essential to
establishing and sustaining a deterrence and defense against BM attack of the homeland,
forward deployed troops, allies, and friends. Integration of multinational BMD capabilities
into GBMD requires coordination of effort to support both passive air and active ADs.
While, at times, a GCC may control all elements in an engagement, the processes linking
sensors to decision makers to fire control nodes may cross AOR boundaries and will require
coordination between neighboring GCCs to enable multiple engagement opportunities. A
GCC must coordinate BMD with other combatant commands and multinational partners to
ensure unity of effort.
(3) Centralized Planning. GCCs are responsible for planning all assigned missions
within their AOR, including regional BMD, and support to HD. In addition, GCCs are
responsible for coordinating and integrating cross-AOR activities with adjacent and other
supporting CCDRs. Planning will reflect the differences in how BMD operations will be
conducted based on threats of various missile classes, launch points, impact points, and
projected numbers. Because BMs can rapidly cross AOR boundaries, the joint force must
integrate layered BMD forces and resources across multiple commands to establish an
effective defense in depth. Global collaborative planning enables the coordination and
integration of all BMD capabilities. USSTRATCOM will lead collaborative centralized
GBMD planning efforts to ensure gaps and vulnerabilities are mitigated in cross-AOR
planning. Support relationships must be well-defined during planning to ensure clarity
during mission execution and minimize operational gaps. Planning for BMD will factor in
the multi-mission capabilities of BMD resources, cross-AOR attack operations, and the
ability to have supporting fires and coordinated engagements among BMD forces. Planned
responses and pre-coordinated engagement criteria between GCCs support the prompt,
decisive engagement of BM threats. While it is the goal to provide warfighters the planning
tools to conduct planning in the forward AORs at the strategic, operational, and tactical
levels, certain threat prototype systems and other circumstances may require higher fidelity
reachback planning from Service sponsors or acquisition authorities. Service specific
reachback planning shall be coordinated through the applicable AOR Service component.
(4) Decentralized Execution. BMD forces and resources are under the control of
the JFC to whom they are assigned or attached. Tasking and engagement authority will be
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