JFAC PC

JFAC Planning course

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Course description

Educate and train officers likely to participate as planners in an AOPG (or a JOPG as air expert) in support of the OPP (Operational Planning Process) using the COPD. Deliver knowledge and experience to planners in order they are be able to provide the commander with an objective analysis of the crisis environment in order that he is able to decide the appropriate course of action to deal with it based on joint level direction and guidance and its own experience and judgment.

Eligibility

NATO officers (OF-3 to OF-4) scheduled to fill positions within an air operations planning team or within joint or component liaison elements.

Course notes

 It is made of a mix of lectures and pratical activities. Academic classes will provide informations on the Operational Planning Process (OPP) and on its application, as well as guidance and planning considerations on operational, logistic and legal issues. Hands-on exercices will enable students to understand the “JFAC estimate” steps and activities, by applying the process in a close-to-reality environment, stressed by time and guidance requirements, based on a fictitious but realistic scenario. Instructors will supervise all activities, providing tips and suggestions based on their own operations and exercices experience. Mission Analysis Brief, Wargaming and Courses of Action Decision Brief are the capstone events of interaction within the process on which the students will be involved during the course.

Aim of the course

The JFAC Planning course enable students to learn and apply step by step the Component Estimate process. After analysing the mission and the key factors of the crisis environment the student will proposed original COAs (courses of Action) to the commander and a recommendation for the appropriate one matching with the Higher levels direction and guidance and the orientations of the commander. This 2 weeks long course is also a place to share experience on air operations and the use of Air missions types within a joint environment through an original scenario including terrorists and cyber risks, TBM threats, political and economical issues. During this course, students will have an overview on how to lead a syndicate, how to coordinate the AOPG and how to present the analysis and works to a commander. Sometimes linked with the JFAC LS (JFAC leadership Seminar) this course enable the student to face NATO senior leaders in the COMJFAC role.

Learning objectives

JFAC estimate and its joint/air environment (Understand the Air operations in Joint environment and the Logistics requirements and legal aspects in Ari operations planning, Be familiar with NATO COPD principles, Command relationships and the Operational and Component estimates inputs and outputs, Be familiar with the necessary collaborations, requirements and the higher levels outcomes through the OPP, Be familiar with the AOPG role and relationships with the COMJFAC).

JFAC mission analysis (Be familiar with NATO CRO OPP from crisis to the Component estimate,  Understand and apply the different steps of the JFAC estimate mission analysis to be able to develop a relevant Mission Analysis Brief with a JFAC operational design to frame the problem to be solved to the COMJFAC, Be knowledgeable about the key document in support of air component planning activities).

JFAC courses of action development ( Know how to develop a course of action based on missions analysis, COMJFAC guidance, OPG and air missions types requirements, Understand the goals of wargaming, Be able to participate or conduct a wargaming, Be able to compare CoAs for the development of the CoA Decision briefing (CoA DB), Be able to present the CoA DB to the COMJFAC in order for him to select a COA for the Air component CONOPS).

CONOPS, SUPPLAN and AOD (Understand the objectives of the JFAC CONOPS development and its integration in the SUPPLAN, Be knowledgeable about the Air operations Directives (AOD) objectives and content).

Pass / Fail criteria

NIL.

Course language

English (SPL 2222 minimum).

Course duration

10 days.

Habilitation

NATO RESTRICTED.

Prerequisite

- Hold the JFAC OC (B) diploma or equivalent (e.g. DACCC IFJT, USAF AOC IQT, etc.).

Various supports

• Registration_request_form (please download and follow the instructions. Not working on browser)
• Welcome booklet
• Education and Training Opportunities Catalogue (ETOC)
• JFAC estimate Functional Planning Guide
• Academic calendar 2024