text: Command and Control of ADA Forces
  4-60. Regardless of the echelon, positive and procedural control are exercised through the fire control
  element (FCE), which is a subset of the current operations section in ADA units; it is responsible for air battle
  management, airspace C2, and engagement operations. The composition of an FCE is echelon and METT-
  TC dependent. The FCE manning crew accomplishes five functions. A single manned position may execute
  more than one function when the pace of combat operations permits. Conversely, some functions may require
  distribution across more than a single manning position or possibly across multiple C2 nodes. The five FCE
  functions are:
  * Fire control function encompasses the overall management of the air battle and engagement
  decisions.
  * Surveillance function provides for clarity in the air picture.
  * Identification function focuses on proper combat identification. The identification and fire control
  functional positions may be combined into a single manned position during light to moderate
  levels of combat operations.
  * Weapons control function addresses actions from receipt of an engagement decision from the fire
  control officer to execution of that engagement. Depending upon span of control and pace of
  combat operations, more than a single weapons control functional position may need to be
  manned. Allocation between multiple weapons control positions may be based on threat type (for
  example, one position for the ballistic missile fight and one for the air fight), a geographical
  division (for example, one controlling all engagements occurring in the northern sector of the
  defense and one controlling those occurring in the southern sector), or along system type lines (for
  example, one controlling Patriot fires and one controlling Avenger fires).
  * Information control function addresses the maintenance of networks and information flow across
  the task force and with higher, adjacent, and supported units.
  Note. The term “fire control element (FCE)” is used generically throughout the ensuing chapters
  to address those elements, sections, and centers (such as fire direction centers in Patriot battalions,
  air battle management operations centers in Avenger battalions, and fire control elements in
  THAAD batteries) that manage or control AMD engagements.
  ALERT STATES
  4-61. An alert state is a condition that prescribes the amount of resources required to achieve ready to
  fire and desired radar emissions, and which specifies manning requirements and equipment
  configurations. Alert states are METT-TC dependent and are determined by the senior ADA commander,
  in coordination with the AADC and RADC/SADC.
  4-62. The AAMDC governs subordinate units’ readiness levels through the use of alert states. In addition,
  alert states provide maintenance and training opportunities for subordinate units.
  AIR DEFENSE WARNING CONDITIONS
  4-63. An air defense warning condition is an air defense warning given in the form of a color code
  corresponding to the degree of air raid probability with yellow standing for when an attack by hostile aircraft
  or missiles is probable; red for when an attack by hostile aircraft or missiles is imminent or is in progress;
  and white for when an attack by hostile aircraft or missiles is improbable (JP 3-01).
  4-64. Warnings conditions are a procedural control used to “posture” units based on the assessed threat. The
  AADC will establish the baseline air defense warning condition for the joint force during the planning stage.
  A condition may be different for an air threat and a missile threat. Subordinate air defense commanders may
  issue higher, but not lower, conditions for their region or sector. Air defense warning conditions are
  disseminated though C2 channels to all AMD elements, ADA fire units, and supported assets.