Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Command and Control for Joint Air Operations (Joint Publication 3-30) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

This publication provides joint doctrine for the command and control (C2) of joint air operations across the range of military operations and discusses responsibilities of a joint force air component commander (JFACC). It sets forth joint doctrine to govern the activities and performance of the Armed Forces of the United States in joint operations and provides the doctrinal basis for interagency coordination and for US military involvement in multinational operations. C2 is established through command relationships as described in Joint Publication (JP) 1, Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States and JP 3-0, Joint Operations. The air domain is described as the atmosphere, beginning at the Earth?s surface, extending to the altitude where its effects upon operations become negligible. The degree of control over the air domain can range from no control, to a parity (neutral) situation, to local air superiority in a specific area, to air supremacy over the entire operational area. Joint force commanders (JFCs) organize forces to accomplish the mission based on their vision and concept of operations and provide direction and guidance on command relationships. The JFC?s air component should be organized for coordinated action (through unity of command) using joint force air capabilities. Centralized control and decentralized execution are key considerations. There are three basic organizational options; in each a key task is organizing the staff, C2 system, and subordinate forces. The options are: (1) JFC designates a functional component commander as JFACC; (2) JFC designates a Service component commander; or (3) JFC chooses a staff option. Joint air operations are performed by forces made available for joint air tasking and do not include air operations a component conducts as an integral part of its own operations. They normally are conducted using centralized control and decentralized execution. The framework and process for C2 of joint air operations are consistent across the range of military operations. This publication has been prepared under the direction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It sets forth joint doctrine to govern the activities and performance of the Armed Forces of the United States in joint operations and provides the doctrinal basis for interagency coordination and for US military involvement in multinational operations. It provides military guidance for the exercise of authority by combatant commanders and other joint force commanders (JFCs) and prescribes joint doctrine for operations, education, and training. It provides military guidance for use by the Armed Forces in preparing their appropriate plans.