Tactical Air Operations Center Handbook - GlobalSecurity.org

Chapter 3
Planning
Planning responsibilities for providing air defense to an assigned
sector and for the TAOC’s employment are generally divided between
the sector antiair warfare coordinator (SAAWC) staff and
TAOC crew members. However, because these functions closely
parallel one another, efforts are usually combined. MCO
3501.9B, MCCRES, outlines specific planning requirements for
these two agencies. Although the planning phases outlined below
may occur in sequence, most steps will be conducted concurrently.
INITIAL PLANNING
After receipt of an initiating directive from the MAGTF commander
(in situations involving amphibious operations) or after
receiving an operation plan’s (OPLAN’s) initiating order, the
SAAWC and TAOC staffs will begin the initial planning phase.
Considerations for the initial planning phase include—
Establishing early liaison and initiating coordination efforts
with amphibious task force (ATF) and joint force planners
and coordinating with adjacent and subordinate units for operational
execution.
Identifying communications requirements to subordinate, adjacent,
and higher level circuits with the ACE/MAGTF communications
planners. These requirements should include