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

Introduction
Counterair Framework
Counterair
Offensive Counterair
• Attack operations
Attacks on missile sites, airfields,
command and control, infrastructure
•
Suppression of enemy air defenses
•
Fighter escort
• Fighter sweep
Defensive Counterair
• Active air and missile defense
Air defense
Ballistic missile defense
•
Passive air and missile defense
Detection and warning
Chemical, biological, radiological,
and nuclear defenses
Camouflage, concealment,
and deception
Hardening
Reconstitution
Dispersion
Redundancy
Mobility
Counterair operations are subject to JFC-approved weapons control procedures and airspace
coordinating measures. The counterair framework is based on integrating offensive and
defensive operations against both aircraft and missile threats.
a. Offensive Counterair
Figure I-1. Counterair Framework
(1) OCA is offensive operations to destroy, disrupt, or neutralize enemy aircraft,
missiles, launch platforms, and their supporting structures and systems both before and after
launch, and as close to their source as possible. The goal of OCA operations is to prevent the
launch of enemy aircraft and missiles by destroying them and their overall supporting
infrastructure prior to employment.
(2) OCA operations are the preferred method of countering air and missile threats
because they reduce the level of the threat that defensive forces must face. OCA operations
generally are conducted at the initiative of friendly forces, and normally are a high priority as
long as an enemy has the air and missile capability to threaten friendly forces and regions
and conduct aerial surveillance and reconnaissance in friendly airspace. OCA operations
also include targeting those assets that directly or indirectly enable enemy airpower, such as
petroleum, oils and lubricants, airfield facilities, missile reload and storage facilities, aircraft
repair structures, and command and control (C2) facilities. OCA includes the four
operations briefly described as follows:
(a) Attack Operations. OCA attack operations include targeting enemy air
and missile forces on the surface and the infrastructure and systems that contribute to their
capabilities. Some Services refer to these as “strike” operations.
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