Operational Command and Control for Information Operations
Abstract
Information Operations (IO) has been a topic of great debate. Much of the discussion has stemmed from the fact no individual commander owns or controls the entire discipline. There have been several reasons for the lack of ownership such as IO supports all warfare areas, its application is an all-hands effort and there have been too few capabilities to command. Over the years, models have been proposed on how to command and control the discipline. Current joint doctrine provides a framework that has IO embedded in the J-3 organization. The doctrine offers a representative IO cell that is led by a J-39 cell chief who resides below the directorate level of authority. Unfortunately current doctrine does not provide adequate guidance for commanding and controlling this discipline. As the demand for IO increases and new capabilities come online, IO needs to be commanded vice coordinated. The traditional component commanders-by-physical domain (e.g., air, land, sea) breaks down in the information age and a new construct to deal with IO and information as weapons should be considered. This paper suggests the responsibility for IO during normal operations should be assigned to a Theater Information Operations Command (TIOC) who is OPCON to the combatant commander. Once a requirement for a Joint Task Force (JTF) has been established, the TIOC is OPCON as the Joint Force Information Operations Component Commander (JFIOCC) to the Commander, JTF.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 17, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA463534
Entities
People
- John M. Myers
Organizations
- Naval War College