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

Chapter IV
SECTION B. OFFENSIVE COUNTERAIR OPERATIONS
6. General
a. The preferred counterair employment strategy is to execute OCA operations prior to
the launch of air and missile threats and as close to their source as possible. Prior planning
and accurate and timely intelligence are keys to locating and attacking OCA targets as well
as their supporting elements. Under decentralized execution, units tasked for OCA
operations should have the latitude to plan, coordinate, and execute their operations. OCA
operations may be conducted by any component of the joint force with the requisite
capability using aircraft, missiles, SOF, surface fires, C2 systems, or ground forces.
b. OCA operations can be preemptive or reactive, and may be planned using deliberate
or dynamic targeting. Missions using deliberate targeting are scheduled or on-call targets
and included in the ATO and rely on continuous and accurate intelligence to identify them at
particular locations and times. Missions using dynamic targeting are unanticipated/unplanned
targets, such as mobile TSTs, that fall outside the ATO cycle and require immediate action.
Minutes often define the timeline when these targets are vulnerable to attack. Those targets
requiring immediate action cannot be effectively attacked unless responsiveness and
flexibility is built into the targeting process and the ATO. OCA may require provisions for
ground/airborne alert aircraft, on-call surface fire support, and diverting aircraft with suitable
weapons for the target/target system.
c. To ensure unity of effort, conservation of force, and fratricide prevention, attacks
within a designated surface AO require coordination with that supported component
commander, as designated by the JFC. For a land AO, the land force commander normally
establishes a fire support coordination line (FSCL) as a permissive FSCM. Attacks short of
the FSCL are controlled by the land force commander. Beyond the FSCL, coordination and
restrictive measures are used to avoid conflicting or redundant operations. Forces attacking
targets beyond the FSCL must coordinate with all affected commanders to allow necessary
reaction and avoid fratricide, both in the air and on the ground. Generally, the ATO process
provides sufficient coordination for scheduled and on-call targets beyond the FSCL. If
permitted by specific JFC guidance, ROE, and preplanned procedures,
unanticipated/unplanned targets may be attacked quickly using whatever information and
coordination that can be provided through the C2 system. Liaison elements can be very
useful for coordination of operations against unanticipated/unplanned targets. Under
exceptional circumstances, if approved by the JFC, the inability to perform coordination may
not preclude attacking the target, with the commander of the attacking force assuming the
increased risk of fratricide. Therefore, the component commanders must plan and coordinate
procedures for operations against unanticipated/unplanned targets, especially those in the
land or maritime component AOs. OCA operations include attack operations, SEAD, fighter
escort, and fighter sweep, shown in Figure IV-2.
IV-8 JP 3-01