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

Command and Control
(a) The Air Force air and space operations center is the senior air operations
element of the TACS with the primary function of planning, directing, coordinating, and
controlling air operations. It is capable of operating as a JAOC for the JFACC.
(b) The CRC, as a worldwide deployable airspace control and battle
management platform, is employed at the tactical level to support air operations planning and
execution across the entire range of operations. The CRC operates independently or in
combination with other tactical C2 elements (e.g., Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar
System [JSTARS], the air support operations center [ASOC], and AWACS). It supports
horizontal integration with tactical resources and vertical integration with the Air Force air
and space operations center. A CRC is capable of being a regional/sector AD center.
(c) The ASOC plans, coordinates, and directs air support for land forces,
normally at corps level and below. It is directly subordinate to the Air Force air and space
operations center and is responsible for the integration of air operations within its assigned
corps sector to include CAS, air interdiction, air surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting,
SEAD, theater airlift, and personnel recovery.
(d) JSTARS E-8C aircraft provide NRT surveillance and targeting information
on moving and stationary ground targets, slow-moving rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, and
rotating antennae. These surveillance platforms also provide attack support to friendly
offensive air elements in all ambient light and weather conditions. Based on the JFC’s
objectives, JSTARS supports the JFLCC’s scheme of maneuver as well as the JFACC.
JSTARS is a battle management, ISR, and C2 platform and is considered an HVAA.
(e) AWACS E-3B/C aircraft is a C2 platform with organic sensors that
provides battle management and air surveillance functions, including airspace management,
identifying and tracking friendly aircraft; detecting, identifying, and tracking enemy air
threats for early warning and AD purposes; and it supports execution of the ATO. AWACS
works directly with other Services’ AD aircraft and SAM units supporting the joint defense
against air breathing and to a limited extent, BM threats. An AWACS may be designated as
a SADC if a CRC or other ground-based C2 node is not in the JOA/AOR. This is usually a
short-term solution until a CRC deploys into theater, or if an operation is of limited scope or
a short duration. AWACS is considered an HVAA.
(2) Army C2 Assets. The Army air-ground system (AAGS) is the control system
for synchronizing, coordinating, and integrating air operations with an Army land force
commander’s scheme of maneuver. The AAGS initiates, receives, processes, and executes
requests for air support and disseminates information and intelligence produced by aerial
assets. Although some elements within AAGS (such as the tactical air control party
[TACP]) belong to different Services or other nations, they function as a single entity in
planning, coordinating, deconflicting, and integrating air support operations with ground
operations. The Army elements of the AAGS consist of operations, fire support, AD,
mission command, and coordination/liaison elements. The Army uses fires cells at all
echelons to plan, coordinate, and execute joint fires and fire support within the
Army/JFLCC’s AO. These elements can support OCA operations by advising the Army
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