David Wessner

Joint Air Operations Center: C4i Structure Study David Wessner

In July 1994, the Joint Staff Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) Directorate (J6) initiated a Statement of Work (SOW) to explore the feasibility of a joint Air Operations Center (AOC) concept. The impetus for this examination is the proliferation and worldwide installation of Contingency Theater Air Control System (TACS) Automated Planning System (CTAPS) terminals being installed worldwide and the number of commands/services/units purporting an AOC capability. "This study will look at the pros and cons of this proliferation and determine if AOCs can, and should, be consolidated into Joint AOCs." This report starts with a clean slate and examines the possibilities of a standardized, truly joint C4I structure for the Joint Air Operations Center (JAOC) to support the appointed Joint Force Air Component Commander (JFACC). Our intent is to provide a single source document containing both historical examples and some recommendations for optimizing the employment of joint and combined air power assets in a variety of future scenarios. Why is this important? As highlighted in the 1994 RAND/Project Air Force research report A League of Airmen: US Air Power in the Gulf War, "Significant progress was made in improving jointness during Desert Storm.