text: Chapter 1
  METHODS OF CONTROL
  1-22. Army commanders and staffs utilize positive control methods, procedural control methods, or a
  combination of both methods. When delegated control authority by the ACA, the Army procedurally controls
  assigned airspace—for example the airspace up to the coordinating altitude—and may use positive control
  for small volumes of airspace.
  1-23. While the Army’s airspace control methodology emphasizes procedural control of airspace use, it
  includes the flexibility to utilize positive control or a combination of the two throughout a commander’s area
  of operations. For example, within a commander’s area of operations, small areas of positive control as well
  as large areas under procedural control exist. In areas requiring positive control, air traffic services units
  provide positive airspace control. For all other areas, airspace users use procedural control. Current
  technology enables procedural control to be flexible and responsive and allowing for rapid airspace
  adjustments. There may be portions of an area of operations where preplanned airspace coordinating
  measures and procedures are the sole means of procedural control. This can result from a lack of
  communications (voice or digital) or electronically aided situational awareness due to terrain, mission profile,
  distance, or adversary actions to degrade the network.
  POSITIVE CONTROL
  1-24. Positive control is a method of airspace control that relies on positive identification, tracking, and
  direction of aircraft within an airspace, conducted with electronic means by an agency having the authority
  and responsibility therein (JP 3-52). Army air traffic service units train, man, and equip to perform positive
  control of established airfields and tactical landing sites.
  PROCEDURAL CONTROL
  1-25. Procedural control is a method of airspace control which relies on a combination of previously agreed
  and promulgated orders and procedures (JP 3-52). Procedural control should be uncomplicated and
  understood by all aircrew members, air traffic control personnel, air defense and fires weapon system
  operators, and airspace element personnel. In addition to air traffic service personnel, the airspace elements
  in the AAGS are organized, trained, and equipped to ensure Army forces can provide near-real-time
  procedural control and balance airspace control system requirements with mission command. Near-real-time
  procedural control pertains to the timeliness of data or information which has been delayed by the time
  required for electronic communication and automatic data processing. Furthermore, the use of near-real-time
  implies that there are no significant delays to the process.
  AIRSPACE CONTROL AND MISSION COMMAND
  1-26. Mission command is essential to the effective conduct of operations. Through mission command,
  commanders initiate and integrate all military functions and actions toward a common goal of mission
  accomplishment. Through the mission command warfighting function, commanders (supported by their
  mission command system) integrate the other warfighting functions (movement and maneuver, intelligence,
  fires, sustainment, and protection) into a coherent whole to mass the effects of combat power at the decisive
  place and time.
  1-27. Army airspace users are ground forces operating in an inherently joint environment. Commanders are
  responsible for integrating Army airspace users, regardless of who controls the airspace, within the larger
  unified action framework. Commanders continuously integrate airspace users throughout their areas of
  operations while conducting operations. This affords commanders the flexibility and responsiveness to
  capitalize on opportunities and operate in a manner consistent with mission command.
  1-28. Commanders need support to exercise mission command effectively. At every echelon of command,
  each commander establishes a mission command system—the arrangement of personnel, networks,
  information systems, processes and procedures, and facilities and equipment that enable commanders to
  conduct operations (ADP 6-0). The AAGS is a supporting component of the mission command system.