text: Airspace Control—Planning and Preparation
  Airspace Control Order
  3-8. An ACO directs the use of joint airspace and details the approved requests for ACMs. The combat
  plans division of the JFACCs air operations center, together with other components, develops this plan.
  Component commanders consolidate, deconflict, and forward their airspace requests to the ACA for further
  consolidation with other theater-wide inputs. While the air operation center’s combat plans division develops
  and disseminates the ACO, the combat operations division executes the planned ACO and develops and
  executes changes to the ACO during the execution period. The ACO implements precise ACMs for specific
  times, adding or activating ACMs for the missions and times needed. All airspace users review their daily
  requests for ACMs, removing unnecessary ACMs that unduly restrict other airspace users. Staffs disseminate
  ACMs with expiration times. The ACO activates and deactivates procedural control measures and updates
  positive control procedures. Normally, the combat plans division publishes this order as a stand-alone
  document but sometimes as part of the air tasking order special instructions.
  Air Tasking Order
  3-9. An ATO is the daily operation order listing all aviation assets (component capabilities) directed by the
  JFC or made available to the JFC for JFACC tasking. It also includes other component’s direct support
  missions. These direct support air missions that appear on the ATO are not under control of the JFACC but
  their presence on the ATO provides visibility to assist in overall coordination, deconfliction, prevention of
  duplication of missions, and prevention of fratricide. This document shows all missions operating in theater.
  Special Instructions
  3-10. The special instructions (SPINS) section of the ATO provides supplemental, corrective, or exact
  amplification to the general mission tasking of the specific ATO period. This information is not contained in
  other operational documents (such as JAOP, ACP, operation order, regulations, and precise directive U.S.
  message text format messages). These general instructions pertain to the theater as a whole. The staff ensures
  that the instructions are brought to the attention of readers up front and are of general interest to all executors
  of the ATO. Special instructions avoid specific units or topics that other operational documents more
  appropriately cover. Some theaters deviate from this general purpose as staffs publish numerous airspace
  procedures and airspace usages in the special instructions.
  3-11. Special instructions contain a section that lists the airspace procedures. Other special instructions
  sections, such as tanker procedures or cruise missile procedures, also address airspace procedures within
  those particular sections. Special instructions often include rules of engagement and combat identification
  criteria for air defense. These instructions also include additional guidance, directives, or information that
  weapons system operators or aircrews require such as host-nation restrictions, base defense zone procedures,
  and special weapons systems control procedures (such as unmanned aircraft or cruise missiles). The combat
  plans division publishes special instructions as baseline, weekly, and daily.
  Airspace Coordinating Measures Request
  3-12. An ACMREQ is a request to reserve airspace for a specific use. An originator requests airspace for an
  operation within their assigned AO. An ACMREQ can consist of single or multiple ACMs. Appendix B has
  more details.
  Air Operations Directive
  3-13. The air operations directive (AOD) translates the JFC’s JAOP into guidance for the planning and
  execution of joint air operations for a specified ATO period. Published by the JFACC, it describes the
  JFACC’s implementation of JFC’s intent for the use of joint air power. This document is reviewed by
  components and their liaisons to ensure that it meets unit requirements within the context of the JFC guidance
  and priorities. The daily AOD gives planners the priority of effort, operational constraints, and any other
  specific guidance governing the planning and execution of air and space operations during a particular ATO
  period. Airspace personnel review the AOD to gain an overall perspective of those priorities the ATO
  development planners will follow and to understand daily priorities for airspace deconfliction. In addition,