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

Counterair Planning
(2) When developing the ACP, combine familiarity with the basic OPLAN or
operation order, knowledge of host and multinational constraints and restraints, capabilities
and procedures of HN civil and military airspace management systems, and general locations
of friendly and enemy forces.
(3) The ACP needs to support an orderly transition between peacetime and combat
operations. Such a transition could occur during a period of increasing tensions or suddenly
without warning.
(4) The ACP specifies ACMs to be used in the operational area and how these
measures will be distributed and implemented. The ACP should provide guidance on what
FSCMs will be placed on the ACO. The ACP also should provide guidance on componentunique
ACMs, terms, or graphics that may be included in the ACO.
(5) The ACP provides procedures to fully integrate the resources of military ATC
facilities responsible for terminal area airspace control or en route ATC. ATC facilities
should be interfaced and linked with ACS communications to form a system that ensures the
safe and efficient flow of air traffic.
(6) The ACP should include processes for establishing procedural ACMs, including
activating/deactivating weapon engagement zones (WEZs) and minimum-risk routes
(MRRs) and procedures for AD and air control operations in a degraded communications
environment. Detailed engagement procedures and decentralized weapons control
procedures (as applied to AD) are key to counterair operations in a degraded environment.
The geographic placement of weapons, the location of specific AD operations, and specific
procedures for ID of aircraft and missiles are critical factors to include in the ACP.
(7) The ACP and AADP must be distributed to all joint force components,
applicable HN, MNF, and interagency partners, as well as those commands providing direct
delivery (intertheater) and/or intratheater support to the theater/JOA. Not understanding or
following the ACP and AADP may result in hazardous air traffic situations, cause
confusion between aircraft and control agencies, and increase the risk of fratricide.
d. Some specific counterair requirements that must be accounted for in the ACP or
through ACMs include:
(1) General orbit locations for DCA combat air patrols (CAPs), airborne warning
and control, C2, surveillance, reconnaissance, air refueling (AR), and EW platforms.
(2) Coordinating authorities for controlled airspace and their responsibilities and
coverage areas, including the RADCs/SADCs and other C2 nodes.
(3) WEZs and their activation procedures.
(4) Procedures for positive and procedural airspace controls.
(5) Positive ID and procedural ID criteria and procedures.
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