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

Chapter IV
special operations, and airlift aircraft that directly support the offensive aircraft or other
forces capable of OCA operations.
c. UA. UA can be used for attacks, surveillance, reconnaissance, deception, jamming,
and decoy of enemy forces and AD systems. UA are preprogrammed or remotely piloted
and often provide intelligence to friendly forces while providing confusing and erroneous
information to the enemy. Some UA are night-capable and carry precision guided weapons.
UA may cause the enemy to expend weapons and other AD resources to evaluate or attack
them. Airspace control can be a problem when mixing UA and manned aircraft in close
proximity.
d. Missiles. Missiles that may be used for OCA include surface-to-surface, air-tosurface,
and air-to-air guided missiles as well as air-, land-, and sea-launched cruise missiles
(SLCMs). CMs provide the capability to attack very heavily defended targets when the risk
to aircrews is not acceptable.
e. SOF. SOF conduct direct action, provide terminal guidance, observe attacks, and
collect intelligence through special reconnaissance. SOF may strike enemy targets that are
normally beyond the capability of other conventional munitions. Examples include targets
concealed by difficult terrain, underground facilities, or “safe haven” targets. SOF may also
be used to locate, positively identify, and designate targets for other forces. Coordination
with the SOLE at the JAOC is critical to synchronize/deconflict operations and avoid
fratricide for SOF working behind the lines and/or in the land/maritime AO.
f. Surface Fire Support. Artillery and naval surface fire support may be used during
OCA operations if enemy targets are within range. Surface fire may provide the safest and
fastest method of attacking targets.
g. Antisubmarine Warfare Forces. Sea- and land-based antisubmarine capabilities
may be employed against some enemy CM and BM submarines, based on approved ROE.
Employment is dependent upon whether the enemy presents an operational threat and the
commander’s desires regarding conflict escalation.
h. Armed Helicopters. When apportioned by the JFC and made available for tasking,
these assets may be placed in direct support of the JFACC with mission-type orders for
attack operations. Army attack helicopters are considered maneuver units for the land forces.
i. C2 Systems. C2 support for OCA includes early warning and surveillance systems,
radars, ID/CID systems, communications systems, and other surface-, air-, and space-based
sensors. These systems provide indications and warning, intelligence, targeting data, and
C2. C2 systems are vital to counterair.
j. IO. IO can generate nonlethal effects that have proven to be essential to OCA
operations. The employment of information-related capabilities can save valuable aircraft
sorties during a high-tempo air war. Many OCA targets, such as C2 nodes, missiles, and
support infrastructure, and airfields/operating bases can be affected by various IO actions
that include computer network operations and EW. Some information-related capabilities
afford the JFACC access to targets that may be inaccessible by other means.
IV-6 JP 3-01