PREFACE

1. Purpose 
   1. This publication establishes communications tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) for tactical command and control (TAC C2) to manage air operations and to control airspace and aircraft. It also establishes TTP for force packaging and direct air support coordination, air-to-air (A/A) communication, A/A intercept, threat A/A warning, threat surface-to-air warning, and air-to-surface communication.
      
2. Scope
   1. This publication provides for the control and coordination of air operations in TAC C2 managed areas of responsibility (AORs).
      
3. Applicability
   
   1. This publication applies to all TAC C2 airspace control elements and warfighters that conduct air operations in AORs managed by the joint force commander (JFC) and overseen by the airspace control authority in accordance with the JFC signed airspace control plan (ACP) and airspace control order (ACO). Operational planners and exercise planners can use this publication to inform the ACP, ACO, the special instructions, the area air defense plan, and rules of engagement. This publication addresses an avenue for the units to tap into the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) constellation. It provides TTPs to leverage current intelligence from platforms like RQ-4H; RC-135; E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS); U-2; unmanned aircraft systems (UASs); space; and cyberspace by contacting the TAC C2. For example, a ground force commander ordered an Apache to conduct armed reconnaissance in US Army-controlled airspace. The primary targets are enemy air defense and artillery batteries. Unit intelligence briefed the known threat and target locations before departing for a mission, but the Apache has no organic ISR for updates to those locations. During the mission, the Apache would contact TAC C2 for ISR personnel’s updated intelligence on threat and target locations. This information would enhance situational awareness and mission effectiveness. After attacking multiple targets, the aircrew were out of ordnance, but their targets remained. The aircrew would leverage the TAC C2, again, for support. Passing grid locations to TAC C2 enhanced the battlespace picture and enabled re-tasking other assets to strike the targets and support the ground force commander’s objective.