text: Chapter 1
  Airspace Control Operational Context
  This chapter refreshes the leader’s understanding of relationships. It discusses the
  nature of unified land operations and unified action. Then it discusses airspace in
  operational environments with joint airspace control. Next, it discusses theater air-
  ground systems and methods of control. Lastly, it discusses airspace control through
  mission command and the operations process.
  UNIFIED LAND OPERATIONS AND UNIFIED ACTION
  1-1. For Army forces, airspace control primarily aims to integrate airspace users during planning and in
  near-real-time execution. Integration is one of the principles of unified land operations. Army commanders
  must integrate their actions and operations in the airspace over an area of operations within the larger
  framework of unified action. This integration occurs in accordance with the commander’s intent, priorities,
  and acceptable levels of risk. Successful integration maximizes all airspace users’ capabilities while
  minimizing adverse impacts.
  1-2. Army forces conduct unified land operations as part of a larger national effort called unified action.
  Unified action is the synchronization, coordination, and/or integration of the activities of governmental and
  nongovernmental entities with military operations to achieve unity of effort (JP 1). See JP 3-0 for more
  information on unified action. Unified land operations are how the Army seizes, retains, and exploits the
  initiative to gain and maintain a position of relative advantage in sustained land operations to set the
  conditions for favorable conflict resolution. This is accomplished through the simultaneous combination of
  offensive, defensive, and stability operations that set conditions for favorable conflict resolution. The Army’s
  two core competencies of combined arms maneuver and wide area security, provide the means for balancing
  the application of Army warfighting functions within the tactical actions and tasks inherent in offensive,
  defensive, and stability operations. See ADP 3-0 and ADRP 3-0 for more information on unified land
  operations.
  1-3. Unified land operations acknowledge that strategic success requires fully integrating U.S. military
  operations with the efforts of interagency and multinational partners. As such, Army leaders integrate their
  actions and operations within this larger framework, collaborating with entities outside their direct control.
  This requirement to integrate actions is present at all echelons.
  AIRSPACE IN OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS
  1-4. Army forces conduct unified land operations in operational environments that are complex, ever
  changing, and uncertain. An operational environment is a composite of conditions, circumstances, and
  influences that affect the employment of capabilities and bear on the decisions of the commander (JP 3-0).
  An operational environment includes physical areas (air, land, maritime, space, and cyberspace domains) and
  the information environment. See ADRP 3-0 for more information on an operational environment.
  1-5. Army forces are assigned an area of operations by the joint force commander. An area of operations
  is an operational area defined by the joint force commander for land and maritime forces that should be large
  enough to accomplish their missions and protect their forces (JP 3-0). For land operations, an area of
  operations includes subordinate areas of operations as well. The Army or land force commander is the
  supported commander within an area of operations designated by the joint force commander. Within their
  areas of operations, commanders integrate and synchronize the elements of combat power. To facilitate this
  integration and synchronization, commanders have the authority to designate targeting priorities, effects, and
  timing.