Cyberspace Integration within the Air Operations Center
Abstract
The Air and Space Operations Center (AOC) is the United States Air Force's operational command and control (C2) platform for the planning and execution of Air, Space, and Cyber operations. Operational C2 of cyber forces is a significant challenge that impacts the planning and integration of cyber operations at the AOC. The Joint Staff's Transitional Cyberspace C2 Concept of Operations, released in March 2012, provides a cyber C2 framework at the Geographical and Functional Combatant Command level, but it is not clear yet how Air Force AOCs will work together to meet the requirements of the CONOPS or conduct cyber planning to support the needs of the Joint Force Air Component Commander. This paper summarizes the results of a mission analysis to identify the roles and responsibilities for cyber operations within the AOC, separating them from traditional J6/A6 responsibilities. Additionally, the Joint Staff CONOPS calls for significant "reach back" for planning, expertise, and potential execution of cyber capabilities; as such, the paper provides a discussion on how to facilitate globally linked, interoperable AOCs for cyber planning and execution.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA587482
Entities
People
- Bradley A. Rueter
- Jonathan W. Butts
- Robert F. Mills
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology