OS-510 -- Command and Control

LESSON OBJECTIVES

510.1 Comprehend how command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems apply at all levels of war [I.5(b)].

510.11 Explain the concept of "command and control."

Command: the authority that a commander in the military service lawfully exercises over subordinates by virtueof rank or assignment. (JP1-02)

Control: feedback info about friendly units and the current situation that a commander uses to assess the status and progress of own forces and to make necessary adjustments. (F. Synder "Cmd & Control")

Command and Control: the procedure or process used by a commander in planning, directing, coordinating, and controlling forces in the accomplishment of the mission. (JP1-02)

Command & Control & Communications and Computer System (C4I): an arrangement of personnel, equipment, communications, facilities, & procedures employed by a commander for planning, directing, & controlling ops of assigned forces pursuant to the mission assigned. (JP1-02)

1. Command: Function to be performed.
2. Control: Adjustments the commander makes as needed.
3. C4: the supporting system.
4. Command & Control: the process that commander employ as they exercise command authority and direction over assigned forces.

Describe the different types of command authority.

Combatant Command (COCOM): authority to perform those functions of command over assigned forces involving, organizing, and employing commands and forces, assigned tasks, designating objectives, and giving authoritative direction over all aspects of military operations, joint training, and logistics. (JP1-02) (Unified or Specified Commander i.e. CINC or JTFCC)

Operational Control (OPCON): transferable command authority, which may be exercised by commanders at any echelon at or below the level of combatant command. (JP1-02)

• OPCON is inherent in COCOM
• Exercised by functional component commanders over assigned and attached forces and others as established by the JFCs.

Tactical Control (TACON): The detailed and usually local direction and control of movements or maneuver necessary to accomplish mission/tasks.

• Exercised by functional component commanders over military capability forces. (JP1-02)

510.13 Explain the concept of using a JFACC in the employment of air power.

The JFACC concept of today is the product of our experiences in theater command and control of air forces.

WWI: Mitchell was the pioneer of centralized control of air power.

WWII: Command of Allied Air Forces before, during and after invasion of Normandy.

Korea: Centralized Control.

• Beginning: Independent Airforce gained control.
• Mid July 1950: delegate control to 5th AF in Korea.
  • Accommodations with the Navy
  • Control of theater-level air targeting

Vietnam: Centralized Control.

• Rolling Thunder initially set-up route packages. Separate AF and Navy air wars.

• MACV ran AIROPS in S. Vietnam
• CINCPAC in charge of N. Vietnam air war
• President involved in C2 process

1987- JCS Dictionary of Military & Associated Terms includes definition of JFACC.

1988- JCS test pub lists responsibilities of JFACC only as coordinating & deconflicting the joint air interdiction effort.

1990s- different views by each of the services

JFACC's function: develops a concept of ops & organizes forces based on that concept to include the designation of a JFACC if deemed necessary. JFC considers the following when utilizing a JFACC:

Create synergy, avoid duplication, synchronize forces (in time, space, & purpose), flexibility, responsiveness, unity of effort, allow for centralized planning and decentralized execution.

510.14 Recognize when a land- or sea-based JFACC may be required.

• JFACC Ashore: more desirable in large scale joint air ops when enhanced logisitics, comm, and facility capacities are on land.
• JFACC Afloat: occurs during one of the following:
  • Maritime forces provide the preponderance of air capability
  • Land based facilities or sufficient infrastructure doesn't exist
  • A secure land base is not available
  • Ground support forces are forced to withdraw
    

510.15 Summarize the roles and relationships of the various agencies involved in C4I systems development and testing.

Unsure how to answer this obj. I believe what they are getting at is the move to get everyone tied into GCCS. The third reading, as well as the power point slides, covers the development of GCCS and how it should get timely and accurate information to our warriors!

510.16 Describe the C2 systems available for use by an air component commander.

There are many systems available to the ACC. Some include: EC-130 (comm jamming), EF-111A (noncom jamming), F-4G (supress enemy threat targets using ARM), RC-135, and U2. Keep in mind that " C2W is currently very confusing and hazy to the majority of the AF. In the Ops community, C2W as an employable strategy does not exist." Therefore, I believe the main point here is that all of the platforms must work together in an overall C2W rather than operating independently. (2nd reading: Hutcherson)

510.17 Explain Command and Control Warfare (C2W).

Command and Control Warfare is the military strategy that implements info warfare on the battlefield. Its objective is to attack the C2 decision making capabilities of an adversary while protecting the friendly C2. C2W's focus is to disrupt the flow of info between the enemy's combat forces and their associated decision making cmd elements. Ideally, through info dominance, friendly commanders will be able to work inside the enemy commander's decision making cycle forcing him to be reactive and thus cede the initiative and advantage to friendly forces.

The offensive arm of C2W: counter-C2. (Separate Cmdr from associated forces.)

The defensive arm of C2W: C2 protection. (Maintain effective C2 of friendly forces by negating or turning to advantage the counter-C2 efforts of the adversary)

(Hutcherson reading)

510.2 Analyze an enemy's operational command within a theater of operations using systems analysis techniques [SAE 9].

510.21 Analyze the critical nodes and links commonly associated with operational command.

The three critical types of information transfer which I believe this objective is driving at are:

1. Command transaction: info passed from commander to commander
2. Housekeeping: storing the massive amounts of info such as intel data, weather, logisitics, clarification, ect.
3. Targeting transactions: getting info to the shooters destroying or damaging any one of these links would greatly hinder a commander. (Hutcherson)

510.22 Distinguish key characteristics of critical nodes and links which assist the planner in determining how to exploit the leadership ring.

The key characteristics are based on the five pillars of C2W:

1. Operations Security (OPSEC)
2. Electronic Warfare (EW)
3. Psychological Operations (PSYOP)
4. Military Deception
5. Physical Destruction
   

510.23 Given a scenario, deduce the COGs and critical nodes of an operational command system.

On page 5 of the Hutcherson a scenario is given with follow-on illustrations that outline critical nodes and COG.

510.24 Discuss why it is essential to protect our C2 capabilities, across the spectrum of conflict, while exploiting those of the enemy.

C2W focuses on attacking the mind and decision-making capability capabilities of an adversary commander while seeking to protect friendly command and control. In theory, this integrated attack across the spectrum of conflict from competitive peace to general war has the potential to deliver a decisive blow even before actual armed conflict breaks out. The capability to have a decisive impact at the strategic level of war makes C2W and its integrated approach revolutionary and lethal.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. Comprehend the capabilities and limitations of US military forces across the range of military operations, to include command relationships, force development and organization, and the concepts of deployment, employment, sustainment, and redeployment (OPMEP Learning Area 1).

2. Comprehend the systems and understand the processes supporting 21st century battlespace and how they are integrated to achieve operational-level joint force missions (OPMEP Learning Area 5).

Analyze military forces using a systems approach.

READING RATIONALE

The Executive Summary of JP 3-13.1 provides a brief synopsis of Command and Control Warfare. The Hutcherson reading on C2W is an essential explanation of what C2W is and is not. It describes the evolution of C2W into a war fighting strategy and provides numerous historical examples.

Main Point I: C2W integrates the use of psychological operations (PSYOP), military deception, operations security (OPSEC), electronic warfare (EW), and physical destruction, mutually supported by intelligence, to deny information to, influence, degrade, or destroy adversary C2 capabilities while protecting friendly C2 capabilities against such actions.

Main Point II: The JCS initiative of C4I for the Warrior has the overall goal of creating a seamless environment to provide accurate, timely, and relevant information to the warfighter in all types of military operations. The Global Command and Control System (GCCS) provides the warfighting CINCs with a fused, near real-time air, land, and sea picture of the battlespace for war planning.

Main Point III: A systems approach using the five-ring and nodal analysis models can aid in identifying the centers of gravity and critical nodes of enemy forces.

The command and control process occurs in any operation involving military forces, from peacekeeping to nuclear war. This lesson introduces the command and control process and systems for the employment in joint air operations. The lesson also applies the principles of nodal and five-ring analysis to a viable enemy command and control system, thus showing the applicability to a real world scenario. This concept will be examined further and applied in the Air Campaign Course and Joint Warrior, where the students get into the specific functions and workings of the TACS and the AOC.