Information Operations and the Joint Force

Space surveillance, negation, prevention, protection, computer network operations, deception, operation security, influence operations - how does it all fit These activities are just some of the pieces of the Space ops and Information Operations IO puzzle. It has been 11 years since work began to develop joint doctrine for Space Joint Publication 3-14, Joint Doctrine for Space Operations. When JP 3-14 is formally approved, you will discover it still wont have all the answers, but it does illuminate the operational framework and describe mission areas in language even I can understand. My purpose here is to focus on the Space control mission area articulated in JP 3-14. Ill outline its missions and discuss how it will likely relate to emerging DoD views on IO and joint operations. In accordance with joint doctrine, Space operations consist of four primary mission areas Space control, force enhancement, Space support, and force application. Space control operations include surveillance of Space, protection, prevention and negation missions. For our purposes here, I will peel the onion a little and discuss the four Space control missions that are conducted across the range of military operations peace-time to war. Surveillance of Space is conducted to detect, identify, assess, and track Space objects and events. Effective Space surveillance is essential for our ability to conduct Space control and achieve situational awareness within a given theaterJoint Operational Area. The information or data produced through surveillance of Space can be used to support terrestrial-based operations, such as missile defense, and avoidance of enemy reconnaissance assets. BOTTOM LINE Space surveillance products should be available to a tactical user Patriot battery in the field as well as the intelligence analyst stationed in Washington, D.C.