JP 3-33, Joint Task Force Headquarters - Defense Innovation ...

Joint Task Force Operations
(3) Early JOC establishment may assist in the flow of information, since it provides
a centralized point for the handling, tracking, and recording of information. The JOC (or
current operations cell) establishes a formal process to communicate and gain guidance from
the CJTF through the battle update assessment brief.
(4) The JOC should be organized to perform and interface with each of the basic
JTF HQ functions to support the commander’s decision cycle (see Figure IV-1) described in
Chapter IV, “Joint Task Force Command and Control.” The related functions are described
below:
(a) Monitor
1. Monitors the current status of assigned or attached forces and resources
and provides information to aid in allocating and moving forces and materiel.
2. Monitors the ongoing situation of JTF forces and continuously reviews
their progress in relationship to the current plan being executed.
(b) Assess
1. Monitors the execution of OPORDs to measure progress in meeting
CJTF’s objectives and end states. Mechanisms must be established, and personnel must be
dedicated to development of assessments. Based on this, the JOC leadership determines
whether the plan needs to be adjusted (resources applied or adjusted) within the JOC’s
planning horizon. If the window is beyond this horizon or it is a complex planning problem,
it is referred to future operations for action.
2. Evaluates actions to identify operational deficiencies and develops
methods to improve joint effectiveness.
(c) Plan. The JOC assists in the preparation of current OPLANs and orders.
The JOC also must have the capability to conduct planning within its event horizon; this
requires staff expertise to quickly develop plans that integrate all of the JTF staff.
(d) Direct. Facilitates CJTF direction to JTF component commanders and
takes other necessary actions within the authority delegated to the JOC by the CJTF. During
current operations this requires the drafting, gaining approval for, and issuing of fragmentary
orders.
(5) The JOC executes these functions with a current operations element and an IM
element.
(a) The current operations element is staffed by J-3 air, land, maritime, and
SO watch officers. This group is responsible for monitoring situational awareness of the
operational environment, maintaining operational status, assessing the impact of current
operations on future plans and operations, and preparing and transmitting orders and reports.
Assisting the J-3 watch officers are a cadre of watch officers from other JTF staff sections
and various cells and centers within the JTF staff as well as JTF component LNOs. In
VII-3