Coordination Operations
A. Basic Definitions
a. “P8 Poseidon is a force multiplier” [From the Cord Ops Maritime Manual]
b. OPCON (Operational Control) – is the authority to perform functions of command over subordinate
forces involving organizing and employing commands and forces, assigning tasks, designating
objectives, and giving authoritative direction to accomplish the mission. [NWP 3-56]
c. TACON (Tactical Control) – Is inherent with OPCON however the commander may delegate TACON in
order to retain the board authorities contained within OPCON
i. TACON provides sufficient authority for controlling and directing the application of force or
tactical use of combat support assets.
ii. OPCON nor TACON can be divided to multiple commanders
d. NFC (Numbered Fleet Commanders) – C7F “7th fleet Commander” (Vice Admiral Thomas) and is an
operational level commander.
e. JFMCC (Joint Force Maritime Component Commander) – operational level commander.
i. NFCs or JFMCCs typically only delegate once when they are confident their subordinate Navy
Commanders, task forces (CTFs) understand the operational commander’s intent and the
tasking requires the broad authorities OPCON contains.
ii. CTF 72 has the OPCON & TACON for MPRA. [Wing 1/CPRW 1 – Captain Toraason
“Commodore”]
f. OTC (Officer in Tactical Command) – Senior Officer eligible to assume command or the officer to
whom the senior officer has delegated tactical command. [C7F – Vice Admiral Thomas is the OTC of
CTF 72 in a CWC structure.]
g. CWC (Composite Warfare Commander) – An officer to whom the OTC of a Naval task organization
may delegate authority to conduct some or all of the offensive and defensive functions of the force.
i. The OTC and CWC may be the same person but they hold separate responsibilities.
B. CSG & ESG Airspace Terms [NWP 3 – 56]
a. ESG (Expeditionary Strike Group) – An amphibious ready group/Marine expeditionary unit, supported
by other forces, and led by an embarked Navy Flag Officer or Marine Corps General Officer and an
associated command element staff.
i. ESG provides a greater range of amphibious and/or expeditionary warfare planning
capabilities to support a variety of missions in the operational environment.
b. CSG (Carrier Strike Group) – A standing naval task group consisting of a carrier, embarked air wing,
surface combatants, and submarines as assigned in direct support, operating in mutual support with
the task of destroying hostile submarine, surface, & air forces within the group’s assigned operational
area and striking at targets at hostile shorelines or protecting power inland.
c. Entry & Egress Points – Are specified from DIMS, SPINS, or SOF. Set up to be away from the Marshal
Radial from the CSG (Especially during Case II and Case III approaches)
d. [Notes] CVOA (Carrier Operating Area) - Predesigned area for CSG and inorganic assets
e. [MM pg 21] CCA (Carrier Control Area) - 50nm radius around the CVN.
f. [Notes] CCZ (Carrier Control Zone) – Area within 5nm of CVN from the surface to an 2,500ft (or HVA)
where comms will be established with the Marshall.
g. [NWP 3 – 56] MEZ (Missiles Engagement Zone – Airspace of defined dimensions within which
responsibility for engagement of air threats normally rests with Surface-to-Air missile systems.
(“Inner Ring” as delineated by Message Traffic)
h.
[MM pg. 21] JEZ (Joint Engagement Zone – Airspace of defined dimensions within which multiple air
defense systems (SAMs & Aircraft) are simultaneously employed to engage air threats. (“middle
ring”)
i. FEZ (Fighter Engagement Zone) – Airspace of defined dimensions within which the responsibility for
engagement of air threats rest with solely the fighter aircraft. (“Outer Ring”)
i. Zone radius based on the capabilities of the individual systems
j. [MM pg. 23] Marshal Radial – Bearing line extended from approach end of the ship +/- 30˚ to Landing
aircraft inbound transit; used when support consists of 1+ aircraft; for landing and stacking; Stair
stepped at 1k ft. (Typically used for Case II and Case III recoveries)
i. [MM pg 23-24] Case I: 3000’/5nm (Inst. Conditions not encountered on recovery)
ii. Case II: 1000’/5nm (Inst. Conditions MAY be encountered on recovery)
iii. Case III: Mins. Below Case II
C. CSG Operating Environment [NWP 3 – 56]
a. SA (Surveillance Area) – In SUW, the operational environment that extends out to a range = force’s
ability to conduct systematic observation of a surface area using all available & practical means to
detect any vessel of possible military concern.
b. CIEA (Classification Identification & Engagement Area) – The area within the SA and surrounding the
Vital Area(s) in which all objects detected must be classified, identified, and monitored; with
capability maintained to escort, cover, or engage.
c. VA (Vital Area) – Designated area/installation to be defended by air defense units. Va typically
extends from the center of a defended asset to a distance =/+ than the expected threat’s weapons
release range.
d. [Notes] TDZ (Torpedo Danger Zone) – The threat zone in which an enemy submarine has the
capability to attack a HVA with a Torpedo. (Based on the weapon’s specific range/capability)
e. MDZ (Missile Danger Zone) – The threat zone in which an enemy surface/air asset has the capability
to attack a HVA with a Missile. (Based on the weapon’s specific range/capability)
D. [MM pg. 12] Direct Support – TACON shifts to other authority (CSG) however OPCON remains with original
authority (CTF 72)
E. [MM pg. 14] Associated Support – TACON remains with original authority however tasking can come from the
supported asset (CSG). This tasking must be approved by TACON (CTF 72)
F. Joint Units
a. ACU (Air Control Unit) – (Cruiser/Destroyer, etc.) Maintains Situational Awareness of all air units
within the vicinity of CSG & ESG and Provides Tasking
i. Turnover procedures/Check in Procedures for ACU’s listed in the [TPG].
b. HVU (High Valued Unit) – Typically the carrier or asset at the center of the CSG or ESG.
c. SAC (Scene of Action Commander) – Taking control of ASW assets (Plans Black/Red in TPG)
d. RTF (Return to Forces) – Procedures listed in the Card of the Day or Joining procedures listed in the
SPINS used to ensure separation of aircraft when returning to the CVOA
e. [TPG – Unclass] QQ – Center of the front of the Main Body or convoy when not in a circular
formation.
f. ZZ – The center of the force.
g. TT – Originator’s Present Position.
h. XX – The std. position established by the OTC on which a search, enemy reporting and so forth is to
be based. [“…25nm bearing 230 from X-ray X-ray”]
i. Whenever possible, XX should be coincidental with the DLRP (Data Link reference point –
only applicable to Link 11/A REQUIREMENT FOR LINK 11)
i. YY – Addressee’s Present Position.
j. Bullseye – Pre-established point that can be used as a reference (Typically a Lat/Long and given a
specific Name)
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i. Bearing and Distance from Bullseye. (Degrees in True and distance in nm or yards if helos are
present.)
ii. Card of the Day lists the bullseye.
G. [TPG] lists specified maneuvers required for entry into the CCA if the incoming aircraft will not receive a
“Sweet, Sweet” from “Mother” (Mode 2 AND Mode 5 identification checks) once on IFFI radar sensors.
H. [Notes] Operational Instructions and Tasking Messages
a. OPGEN (Operational General Message) – general operation messages released by the OTC/fleet
commander stating general command and control policy, information and instruction in regards to
all warfare areas in the AOR and can be found on CAS. They may include ROE (Rules of Engagement),
EMCON (A-D), CCOIs(Critical Contacts of Interest), and Weapons/Warning status.
i. They will delineate the CoC to include the CWC structure.
ii. Found on CAS (Collaboration at Sea) website – C7F/OTC C2 Policy
b. OPTASK (Operational Tasking Message) – standardized messages that contain specific information
about comms, datalink, and warfare areas. However, more specific information concerning the
construction of the network will be delineated in the NDD (network design document).
i. OPTASK COMMS provides communication procedures, iff procedures, necessary crypto,
comm plans and frequencies currently in use.
ii. OPTASK LINKs provide link parameters such as PU/JUs, NCS/NTR, JNL/PFs, and crypto
required.
iii. OPTASK VI – Gives standardized procedures and required reports (timing/information) for
VIs as well as responses.
iv. OPTASK Message traffic can be found in the CAS website (TOC should include important
message traffic on the MISSION BINDER)
c. ATO (Air Tasking Order) – Provides a generalized view of the coordinated air activity.
i. Contains callsigns, mission types, and tasking for a 24 hour period.
d. ACO (Airspace Control Order) – Can be published as a part of the ATO or separate document, released
by airspace controlling authority.
i. Includes airspace control plan to include control sectors and their use
ii. “ATO is what we are tasked to do and the ACO is how we go about doing that”
e. SPINS (Special Instructions) – AOR specific for theater guidance like lost comm procedures, air
defense & joining procedures, special reporting formats, any other special pertinent info;
i. Other important info consists of: minimum risk routes (MRR), orbits, military operations
areas (MOA) and restricted areas; procedures for emergency and no radio (NORDO) aircraft.
ii. Entry/Egress Information
f. DIMS (Daily Intent Message) – Put out by the CSG Commander listing overall commander’s intent
updated to reflect current operations.
i. Used to pass short changes in W/W status and EMCON
ii. Pushed out every 24hrs but valid for 72hrs (CCOIs; W/W)
g. PRE-EX (Pre-exercise) & LOI (Letter of Intent) Messages – Provides specific info on an oncoming
exercise. LOI is published by the CDR of the exercise and explains goals.
h. CSG Card of the Day – Contains mission specific brevity and quick reference to pertinent comms and
link parameters.
i. RTF Procedures
ii. Bullseye
iii. RAMROD (10 letter word without repeated letters used for reporting)
i. WSM Message (Water Space Message) – Released by SUBOPAUTH and delineates water space,
date/times, and activation/expiration. Provides rapid engagement of enemy subs and avoiding
friendlies.
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j.
I.
J.
K.
L.
Rainform messages – standardized across the Navy, formatted using USMTF. We predominantly deal
with greens (mission description and tasking) and purple (post-mission information provided in the
PMATT)
Tactical Reporting [TPG]
a. ID procedures [pg. 11]
b. Joining Report [pg. 7]
c. Helicopter Join Report [pg. 10]
d. ASW turnover (SOF) [pg. 31]
e. Plans Red and Black [pg. 35]
f. Raid
i. Flash – Report contacts which may be an immediate threat
ii. Initial – Not immediate
iii. Amplifying – Update to previous report
g. Racket and EM Racket – Intercepted an electronic emission which has been assigned a number in the
track block.
h. Rent – Report of characteristic of intercepted signal
i. Dogbox – area within which units may interfere with or be endangered by ASW torpedos
j. TACREPS [166]
k. 9 Line [169]
Waterspace Management [In Red Notebook]
SAC Responsibilities [TPG – pg. 33]
Strike Group Airspace
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Contact Strike/CATCC prior to entering within 50nm of the carrier, contact tower prior to operating
within 10nm of the carrier.
Marshal is a bearing/distance at which aircraft are holding from and entering the approach.
o Case 1: VFR
o Case 2:
o Case 3:
Carrier Altitudes and Marshal Radial [TPG – Unlcass]
M. Check in with Redcrown: “REDCROWN FTXXX up for checks XXX miles to mother bearing XXX” -> “FTXXX we
have you Sweet, Sweet”
N. Command Structure
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