text: Airspace Control—Planning and Preparation
  PREPARATION
  3-45. Airspace elements participate in certain preparation activities performed by units to improve their
  ability to execute an operation. Preparation helps the force transition from planning to execution and normally
  begins during planning and continues into execution by uncommitted units.
  3-46. Preparation activities help commanders, staffs, and Soldiers to understand the situation and their roles
  in the upcoming operation. As in planning, airspace element personnel play an integral role in preparation
  activities that a unit performs as it transitions from planning to execution. This is particularly relevant as it
  relates to improving situational understanding and developing a shared understanding of the plan. Depending
  on the situation, airspace elements participate in all of the unit’s preparation activities. Most notably, airspace
  elements actively participate during rehearsals, facilitating a shared understanding of joint air-ground
  integration, potential ground operations effects on airspace use, and potential airspace use effects on ground
  operations. Plan revision and refinement as well as rehearsals are particular preparation activities that airspace
  personnel support.
  PLAN REVISION AND REFINEMENT
  3-47. Plan revision and refinement is a key activity of preparation. The airspace element supports this activity
  as planners validate planning assumptions or find them to be false, as enemy activities change in the area of
  operations, and as friendly capabilities expand or contract. The airspace element continually assesses the
  operation and makes recommendations for changes to unit plans and joint documents such as ACP and JAOP.
  REHEARSALS
  3-48. Rehearsals enable leaders to practice synchronizing operations and identify shortcomings (errors or
  omissions) while preparing to execute operations. A rehearsal is a session in which the commander and staff
  or unit practices expected actions to improve performance during execution (ADRP 5-0). Leaders use
  rehearsals to practice synchronizing operations, including airspace control requirements, at times and places
  critical to mission accomplishment. Commanders use this tool to ensure staffs and subordinates understand
  the concept of operations and commander’s intent. Effective rehearsals imprint a mental picture of the
  sequence of the operation’s key actions and improve mutual understanding and coordination of subordinate
  and supporting leaders and units.
  3-49. Rehearsals are conducted by units at the lowest possible level. They vary with the complexity of the
  mission, the type and technique of rehearsal, and the level of participation. Four types of rehearsals exist:
  backbrief, combined arms rehearsal, support rehearsal, and battle drill rehearsals. Airspace elements
  participate in combined arms rehearsals enabling subordinate units to synchronize their plans with each other
  and support rehearsals that synchronize each warfighting function with the overall operation. FM 6-0
  discusses rehearsals in detail.
  3-50. Commanders integrate airspace use and key air-ground actions into larger combined arms and support
  rehearsals such that leaders and Soldiers build a lasting mental picture of the sequence of key air-ground
  actions and airspace use. During rehearsals, airspace elements ensure planned airspace use is consistent with
  the commander’s intent and supports the concept of operations. Airspace elements ensure that all leaders and
  Soldiers understand the risk guidance. During rehearsals, staffs and units exercise key actions or procedures
  to achieve near-real-time airspace control to resolve events that cause airspace conflicts. Rehearsing these
  events builds requisite skills to successfully integrate airspace users and to quickly resolve conflicts.
  Examples of when near-real-time airspace control is required includes:
  * Supporting troops in contact.
  * Providing immediate fires or close air support.
  * Engaging time sensitive targets.
  * Engaging emerging or fleeting targets.
  * Conducting casualty evacuation.
  * Conducting personnel recovery.
  * Supporting a mission change.