Figure II-3. Communications
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II-54. Tactical communications in the AO are phased in and established as specified in the OPLAN and/or OPORD being supported/executed.
II-55. Technical guidance and procedures contained in CJCS instructions and manuals; allied communications publications; Joint Army, Navy, Air Force publications; and DOD directives will apply. In the case where individual Service doctrine conflicts with joint doctrine, joint procedures are followed.
COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS
II-56. The JFLCC exercises OPCON of all forces assigned for the accomplishment of the mission on an exception basis. Communication hardware is a Service component responsibility and only those communication issues affecting the conduct of the operational mission are of concern to the JFLCC J-6.
ROLE OF THE JFLCC J-6
II-57. The JFLCC J-6 provides critical functional expertise to the JFLCC in the C4 areas. These primary staff officers focus on key C4 issues that may have an adverse affect on the land portion of the joint campaign. Generally, they manage by exception only. Routine C4 management is the responsibility of the JFC and the subordinate Service component commands. Appendix G
has more information regarding the organization and responsibilities of the J-6
staff.
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Chapter III
Responsibilities, Roles,
and Functions
JFLCC RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLES
III-1. The JFLCC’s overall responsibilities and roles are to organize, plan, and direct execution of land operations based upon the JFC’s concept of operations and designation of command relationships. The responsibilities of the JFLCC include, but are not limited to:
• Advising the JFC on the proper employment of all assigned and attached forces.
• Developing a land OPLAN/OPORD that supports the operational objectives of the JFC and optimizes the operations of task-organized land forces. The JFLCC issues planning guidance to all subordinate and supporting elements and analyzes proposed COAs. The intent is to concentrate the effects of combat power at critical times and places to accomplish operational or strategic goals.
• Directing the execution of the land OPLAN/OPORD as specified by the JFC, which includes making timely adjustments to the tasking of assigned/attached forces. The JFLCC coordinates changes with
effected component commanders as appropriate.
• Coordinating the planning and execution of land operations with the other component, JTF commanders, and other supporting agencies.
• Evaluating the results of land operations to include the effectiveness of interdiction operations and forwarding these results to the JFC to support the combat assessment (CA) effort.
• Synchronizing and integrating movement and maneuver, firepower, CAS, and interdiction in support of the land operations. As a member of the JTCB, the JFLCC designates the target priorities, effects, and timing within his AO.
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• Supporting the JFACC for counterair operations, strategic attack, theater airborne reconnaissance and surveillance, and theater- and/or JOA-wide interdiction effort. Once the JFC designates a land AO, the land force commander is supported by other components within his AO.
• Providing the deputy area air defense commander (DAADC) for land-based air and missile defense or joint theater missile defense (JTMD) as determined by the JFC .
• Supporting the JFC IO by developing the IO requirements that support land-control operations and synchronizing the land force IO assets when directed.
• Establishing combat identification standing operating procedures and other directives based on JFC guidance.
JFLCC FUNCTIONS
III-2. The JFLCC and his staff perform, or contribute to, a number of core functions that are critical for successfully conducting land operations. These functions apply in varying degrees across the range of military operations including those involving multinational forces. These functions are—
• Movement and maneuver.
• Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR).
• Firepower.
• Logistics and personnel support.
• C2.
• Force protection.
These functions are performed through the execution of operational tasks that form a comprehensive rationalization of how the JFLCC conducts operations at the operational level. The six operational functions are listed below in Figure III-1. See CJCS Memorandum 3500.04B for details.
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Movement and Maneuver
Intelligence, Surveillance,
Reconnaissance
JFLCC
Firepower
Operational
Level
Functions
Logistics and Personnel
Support
(limited functions only)
Command and Control
Force Protection
Figure III-1. JFLCC Operational Functions
MOVEMENT AND MANEUVER
III-3. The JFLCC is responsible for land component operational movement and maneuver necessary to contribute to the success of the JFC’s campaign.
He directs the land force in performance of operational tasks and influences lateral and higher headquarters in terms of either supporting the land force or assigning further operational tasks. The JFLCC makes recommendations to the JFC on the employment and support of land forces. This includes the following:
• Force structure.
• Integration and employment of multinational land forces.
• Land force scheme of maneuver and fire support.
• Priorities of effort for land forces.
• Designating the fire support coordination measures (FSCMs) and JFLCC boundaries with his AO.
• Intelligence collection priorities.
• Joint fire support for the land forces.
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• Joint fires to support other components.
• Space support to the land force.
• Input on the airspace control measures in the airspace within the JFLCC AO boundaries
INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE,
RECONNAISSANCE
III-4. The JFLCC states operational requirements and provides continuous feedback to ensure optimum intelligence support to operations. This interface is essential to the following purposes of intelligence:
• To support the commander.
• To identify, define, and nominate objectives.
• To support operational planning and execution.
• To avoid surprise.
• To assist friendly deception efforts.
• To evaluate the effects of operations.
At the operational level, all major tactical combat formations share in access to the joint intelligence architecture. The JFLCC may prioritize land force subordinate requests for information (RFI) including the identification and location of enemy center(s) of gravity (COGs) that could be successfully attacked by land forces. (See Appendix A.)
FIREPOWER
III-5.
The JFLCC is responsible for the planning and employment of
operational firepower both in terms of developing an integrated multidimensional/multimedium attack on the adversary’s COG and in terms of shaping the land forces’ future battlefield. The JFLCC should provide guidance for the employment of operational firepower, including lethal and nonlethal means, to shape the battlespace and influence conditions for future operations. (See Appendix D.)
LOGISTICS AND PERSONNEL SUPPORT
III-6. Each Service is responsible for the logistics support of its own forces, except when logistics support is otherwise provided for by agreement with national agencies, multinational partners, or by assignments to common, joint, III-4
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or cross servicing. The supported COCOM may determine that common servicing would be beneficial within the theater or designated area. The JFLCC would make recommendations concerning the distribution of materiel and services commensurate with priorities developed for land force operations. (See Appendix C.)
COMMAND AND CONTROL
III-7. The JFLCC has significant responsibility for operational C2 in that he becomes the single focal point for integrated and synchronized land force operations for the JFC. Upon approval of the land force plan, the JFLCC
exercises specified authority and direction over the land forces in the accomplishment of the land force mission. JFLCC responsibility is to C2 land operations to ensure they accomplish campaign and major operations objectives. A JFLCC staff is established either through liaison, augmentation, or through the development of a dedicated staff with representation that is ideally proportional to the mix of forces. The JFLCC must maintain liaison and representation on JTF boards, groups, and cells. These include IO cell, JTCB, JPG, CMOC, among others. Representation is essential to ensuring that land force operations are coordinated and achieve unity of effort for the JFC.
Additionally, JFLCC assists the JFC in long-range or future planning, preparation of campaign and joint operation plans, and associated estimates of the situation. JFLCC tasks include the following:
• Preparing and coordinating required land component OPLANs or OPORDs in support of assigned JFC missions.
• Coordinating land component planning efforts with higher, lower, adjacent, and multinational headquarters as required.
• Developing land component COAs within the framework of the JFC-assigned objective or mission, forces available, and the commander’s intent. Determining land component forces required and available and coordinating force projection planning in support of the selected COAs.
III-8. The JFLCC is responsible for developing and integrating the land component C4 architecture and plans that support the JFC’s operational requirements. Additionally, JFLCC establishes the policy and guidance for land component implementation and integration of interoperable C4 systems to exercise command in the execution of the land component mission. The JFLCC provides standardized direction and guidance on C4 matters to the joint command and any other communications supporting elements. The III-5
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JFLCC may delegate responsibility for the accomplishment of joint C4 tasks that are under his OPCON. In situations where the establishment of a JFLCC
staff is on short notice, the participating Services will be challenged to provide communications resources necessary for standing up the C4 architecture. The Service component designated as the command will primarily be responsible for C4 resources.
FORCE PROTECTION
III-9. The JFLCC significantly influences the JFC force protection plans and priorities—particularly land component operations. The JFLCC is responsible to the JFC for all land force protection operations. Force protection includes the following elements:
• Defensive counterair (DCA) (air defense and JTMD).
• Nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) defense.
• Combating terrorism to include antiterrorism (AT) programs.
• Defensive IO.
• Security for operational forces and means.
• Physical security.
• OPSEC.
A listing and description of these operational functions are at Appendix E.
MULTINATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
III-10. Effectively planned and executed multinational operations should, in addition to achieving common objectives, facilitate unity of effort without diminishing freedom of action and preserve unit integrity and uninterrupted support. Each multinational operation is unique, and key considerations involved in planning and conducting multinational operations vary with the international situation and perspectives, motives, and values of the organization’s members.
III-11. The following key considerations for multinational operations are addressed in JP 3-16 and Appendix G:
• Mission analysis and assignment of tasks.
• Political and military considerations.
• Intelligence and information.
• Logistics and host-nation support.
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• Language, culture, and sovereignty.
• Health service support.
• Termination and transition.
• Communications.
• Force protection.
• International law.
• Law of armed conflict.
• Rules of engagement (ROE).
• Doctrine, training, and resources.
• Media.
• Religious ministry support.
• Meteorology and oceanography.
• Environmental considerations.
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Chapter IV
Considerations for Forming
a JFLC Command
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY
IV-1. A JFC has the authority to organize forces to best accomplish the assigned mission based on the CONOPS. The JFC establishes subordinate commands, assigns responsibilities, establishes or delegates appropriate command and support relationships, and establishes coordinating instructions for the component commanders. Sound organization provides for unity of effort, centralized planning, and decentralized execution. Unity of effort is necessary for effectiveness and efficiency. Centralized planning is essential for controlling and coordinating the efforts of the forces. When organizing joint forces with multinational forces, simplicity and clarity are critical.
IV-2. JP 3-0 states that “functional commands are established to provide centralized direction and control of certain functions and types of operations”.
The JFC can establish functional component commands and define the authority and responsibilities of the functional component commanders based upon the CONOPS and may alter this authority during the course of an operation. Normally, this authority does not include forming subordinate functional commands or reorganizing forces that have been assigned or made available.
IV-3. The designation of a JFLCC may occur when major land forces of more than one Service component participate in a land operation, and the JFC
ascertains that doing this will achieve unity of command and effort among land forces.
DEFINING THE AREA OF OPERATIONS
IV-4. An AO is an operational area defined for the JFLCC by the JFC. The AO is most likely outside an AOA. See JPs 3-0 and 3-02 for additional guidance on AOAs.
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IV-5. AOs do not typically encompass the entire JOA. However, the AO
should be large enough for the JFLCC to accomplish his mission and protect the force. He establishes an operational framework for the AO that assigns battlespace responsibilities to subordinate land commanders. Battlespace is the environment, factors, and conditions that must be understood to successfully apply combat power, protect the force, or complete the mission.
Within the AO, battlespace includes—
• Land.
• Air.
• Sea.
• Space.
• Adversary.
• Friendly forces.
• Facilities.
• Weather.
• Terrain.
• Areas of interest (AOI).
• Portion of the information environment that affects the operation.
• Intermediate support bases (ISBs) or other force projection bases.
• Unit home stations.
IV-6. This battlespace geometry should maximize the operational capabilities of all subordinate elements. Figure IV-1 depicts this framework. When considering geometry, the MARFOR has a requirement for more battlespace than would be expected for the land force involved. This is due to the fixed-wing aviation assets that are organic to the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF).
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Area of
Operations
Force
Projection
Base
Area of
Interest
Area of
Information
Influence
Environment
Home
Station
Figure IV-1. Battlespace Geometry
IV-7. The JFLCC may subdivide some or all of the assigned AOs by assigning subordinate unit AOs. These subordinate unit AOs may be contiguous or noncontiguous. When JFLC command forces are contiguous, a shared boundary separates the tactical units. In a noncontiguous environment, the tactical units of the land force do not share a common boundary.
Operation JUST CAUSE is an excellent example of an operation with noncontiguous AO. The intervening area between forces remains the responsibility of the JFLCC. Figure IV-2 illustrates contiguous and noncontiguous AOs.
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Contiguous
Noncontiguous
Areas of Operations
Areas of Operations
Adjacent, subordinate unit AOs
Subordinate units receive AOs
share boundaries. In this case, the
that do not share boundaries. The
higher headquarters has assigned
higher headquarters retains
all of its AO to subordinate units.
responsibility for the unassigned
portion of its AO.
Figure IV-2. Contiguous and Noncontiguous AOs
ORGANIZING
IV-8. Several options are available for organizing a joint land force. The manner in which JFCs organize their forces directly affects the responsiveness and versatility of joint force operations. As such, joint force organizational design is heavily influenced by METT-T factors. JFCs organize all forces assigned to accomplish the mission based on the JFC’s vision and CONOPS.
As previously mentioned unity of effort, centralized planning, and decentralized execution are key considerations. JFCs may elect to centralize selected functions within the joint force but should strive to avoid reducing the versatility, responsiveness, and initiative of subordinate forces. JFCs can conduct operations through sub-unified commands, JTFs, Service components, functional components, or a combination of Service and functional components.
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IV-9. There are four primary options available to the JFC for organizing land forces from two or more components. The four options are—
• Functional JTF.
• One Service component TACON to another.
• Maintain Service componency.
• Formation of a JFLC command.
IV-10. Each option has advantages and disadvantages which the JFC and staff must consider prior to a decision to organize under a particular option. The following advantages and disadvantages are not all-inclusive but highlight some of the more important issues.
FUNCTIONAL JTF
IV-11. The advantages are—
• Unity of command and effort.
• Joint staff.
• Authority of a JFC including the authority to organize subordinate functional components.
IV-12. The disadvantages are—
• Separate JTF commander/staff required.
• Lead time required to establish headquarters before execution.
ONE SERVICE COMPONENT TACON
TO ANOTHER
IV-13. The advantages are—
• Simplified C2.
• Efficient staff action
IV-14. The disadvantages are—
• Staff not integrated (LNO only).
• Potential for ineffective use of assigned forces.
MAINTAIN SERVICE
COMPONENT ORGANIZATION
IV-15. The advantages are—
• Requires no change in structure.
• JFC directly integrates land control operations with other operations.
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IV-16. The disadvantages are—
• JFC must focus on the land battle.
• Potential for JFC to lose focus on the operational-to-strategic interface.
• No single focus for land forces.
• No effective relationship between land forces and joint force component.
JFLC COMMAND STRUCTURE
IV-17. The advantages are—
• Unity of effort.
• Integrated staff.
• Single voice for land forces (consolidated picture of land force capabilities to the JFC, staff, and boards).
• Single battle concept and focus of effort for land operations (an aspect of the plan rather than a function of coordination either horizontally or vertically).
• Synchronized/integrated land force planning and execution
(prioritization therefore deconfliction of competing land force requirements).
IV-18. The disadvantages are—
• JFLCC generally retains Service component responsibilities to the JFC
(requires split focus of the staff).
• Challenge of integrating staffs.
• Lead time required to establish headquarters before execution.
• Sourcing the staffs.
EMPLOYING
IV-19. Considerations for employing a JFLCC are summarized as follows:
• Mission. The mission requires the unique capabilities and functions of more than one Service be directed toward closely related land objectives where unity of effort is a primary concern. Land forces are competing for limited joint force assets. The JFLCC contributes to the prioritization and control of joint force assets, as the situation requires.
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• Scope. When the scope of land operations is large, the JFC needs to divide attention between major operations or phases of operations that are functionally dominated and synchronize those operations. It may be useful, therefore, to establish functionally oriented commanders responsible for the major operations.
Scope of forces. A JFLCC may be established anytime that the
land forces of two Services are employed. A JFLCC is normally established for major theater operations where multiple
corps/MEFs are employed. In some situations involving smaller forces that require Army/Marine Corps integration, the
interrelationship is covered by the information provided in ALSA publication Army and Marine Corps Integration in Joint
Operations (AMCI), FM 90-31, MCRP 3-3.8, May 1996.
Scope of the AOs. Geographically concentrated land control
operations may require direction by a JFLCC. Dispersed
objectives, different lines of operation, and support might better be addressed by other organizational options.
• Level of operations. When the scope of the operation requires an operational level command to directly link land control operations to campaign or strategic objectives, a JFLCC can provide the linkage.
• Planning. The formation of a JFLCC integrates planning, beneath the level of the JFC, for land control operations. While this integrated planning is focused on employment, the JFLCC may also integrate planning of deployment, transition, and redeployment.
• Duration. Duration of operations must be long enough to warrant the establishment of a single land force commander. The duration of operations must be worth the costs in terms of lead time, personnel and staff training, C4 architecture, and impact on flexibility.
• Experience. Formation of a JFLCC may enhance the detailed planning, coordination, and execution of operations required by the joint force headquarters.
• Span of control. The multiple complex tasks confronting the JFC may exceed the JFC’s span of control. Having a JFLCC allows resolution of joint issues at the functional component level. The JFC has other responsibilities in the joint operating area that may require greater focus.
• Multinational operations. In multinational operations, land forces may be provided by a variety of national components. When proper
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authority grants organizing subordinate multinational units, the formation of a multinational force land component commander is subject to the same considerations as in US Joint Force operations.
TIMING
IV-20. The timing of the decision to designate a JFLCC is determined by the JFC. A JFC establishes a JTF to provide the requisite C2 of the operation, or he may elect to have the components report directly to the combatant commander. Components, such as JFLCC, should be designated as early as possible. The decision to establish and designate a JFLCC ideally is during concept development of the campaign plan.
IV-21. Subordinate commanders should report to the JFLCC for planning during concept development. Subordinate commanders report to the JFLCC in