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The age of jointness is upon us. Marines must know not only the key elements of their own airspace command and control system, but also those of sister and allied Services as well. What follows is a brief overview of the Army and Air Force systems.
The Tactical Air Control System (TACS) and the Army Air-Ground System (AAGS) are the independent airspace command and control systems of the Air Force and Army. Marines responsible for command and control (C^sup 2^ ) of airspace need to understand how the TAGS and AAGS function. Why? Because the days of single-Service combat operations are past In the future, Marine air-ground task forces (MAGTFs) are going to participate as part of a joint force. As such, Marines will be working with Air Force and Army units during amphibious operations and extended operations ashore.
To achieve an acceptable level of interoperability, defined by JCS Pub 1 as "The ability of forces to provide services to and accept services from other forces to enable them to operate effectively together." Marines in the Marine Air Command and Control System (MACCS) need to know where their operational counterparts are within the Air Force and Army airspace command and control systems. Armed with this knowledge, Marine airspace elements can link with Air Force and Army airspace C^sup 2^ elements, via communications and liaison personnel, to form a combat zone airspace C^sup 2^ system that will allow for maximum combat effectiveness through the safe, efficient, and flexible use of combat airspace.
For purposes of this article, assume that a MAGTF is part of a joint force consisting of Army, Navy, and Air Force units. The joint force is organized on an area vice functional basis, as defined in Chapter 3 of JCS Pub 2, Unified Action Armed Forces.
The following paragraphs discuss the primary Air Force and Army airspace C^sup 2^ units Marines need to be familiar with during joint operations. The TACS and AAGS perform many of the same functions as the MACCS. As I discuss the key TACS and AAGS elements, therefore, I will equate them to their corresponding elements within MACCS.
The TACS, AAGS, and MACCS operate on the principles of centralized control for optimum employment of air assets and...