Joint Airspace Control (Joint Publication 3-52)

This publication provides doctrine for the planning, execution, and assessment of airspace control during joint operations across the full range of military operations. It also discusses airspace control across the phases of military operations, emphasizing transitions from, and back to, civilian controlled airspace. This joint publication prescribes doctrine for joint airspace control in the operational area. The prescribed doctrine is broadly stated to fit a wide range of situations requiring military control of airspace. It outlines fundamental principles, relationships, and broad operational-level guidelines, and is intended to provide the basic framework upon which to build an airspace control system (ACS) for an operational area. The joint force commander (JFC) normally designates a joint force air component commander (JFACC) as commander for joint air operations. The JFC also normally designates an area air defense commander (AADC) and an airspace control authority (ACA). When the JFC designates a JFACC, the JFC also normally designates the JFACC as the AADC and ACA. The ACA plans, coordinates, and develops airspace control procedures and operates the ACS. The JFC may designate a separate ACA and/or AADC, in which case, close coordination is essential for unity of effort. The ACA develops a specific airspace control plan (ACP) that is approved by the JFC. The ACP should be closely integrated with the JFC-approved area air defense plan (AADP) developed by the AADC. Joint airspace control increases combat effectiveness by promoting the safe, efficient, and flexible use of airspace with minimum restraint upon airspace users, and includes coordinating, integrating, and regulating airspace to increase operational effectiveness. Effective airspace control reduces the risk of fratricide, enhances air defense, and permits flexibility. Airspace control operations may begin prior to (and continue after) combat operations and may transition through degrees of civil and military authority. The JFC defines the relationship between the ACA and component commanders. Airspace control is essential to operational effectiveness in accomplishing JFC objectives across the range of military operations. Airspace is a crucial part of the operational environment used by all components. A high concentration of friendly surface, subsurface, and airlaunched weapon systems must share this airspace without unnecessarily hindering the application of combat power. The primary goal of airspace control is to enhance effectiveness of the joint force and increase the safety of joint air operations. This publication has been prepared under the direction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS). It sets forth doctrine to govern the joint activities and performance of the Armed Forces of the United States in joint operations and provides the doctrinal basis for interagency coordination and 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 doctrine for joint operations and training. It provides military guidance for use by the Armed Forces in preparing their appropriate plans. It is not the intent of this publication to restrict the authority of the JFC from organizing the force and executing the mission in a manner the JFC deems most appropriate to ensure unity of effort in the accomplishment of the overall mission. Doctrine and guidance established in this publication apply to the commanders of combatant commands, subunified commands, joint task forces, and subordinate components of these commands. These principles and guidance also may apply when significant forces of one Service are attached to forces of another Service or when significant forces of one Service support forces of another Service.