text: Chapter 2
  other airspace users must occur during the planning and preparation phase in order to ensure efficient use of
  airspace.
  Air and Missile Defense Element
  2-33. The AMD element is the lead staff element for integrating the joint tactical data informational link
  network for the employment of Sentinel air defense radars and for the production of the air picture. See
  Appendix C for more details. The airspace element links with the AMD element for air track data. The
  airspace element depends on the AMD element for integrating the airspace element’s joint data network
  systems. In turn, these airspace element systems provide backup support to the AMD element. The airspace
  element ensures that AMD airspace requirements integrate with the corps and division airspace plans.
  Coordination and Liaison Elements
  2-34. Some elements of the theater air-ground system are Air Force liaisons provided to the division, the
  corps, or operational Army forces. These liaisons include the ASOC, TACP, and air mobility liaison officer.
  Air Force liaisons function as a single entity in planning, coordinating, deconflicting, and integrating air
  support operations with ground elements. These liaisons work with Army airspace elements, fires cells, AMD
  elements, and aviation elements of the corps and division command posts. They also coordinate with liaison
  elements such as the BCD, AMD coordinator for the operational Army forces, and officers.
  2-35. Ground-based liaison elements of the theater air-ground system subordinate to the JAOC provide
  similar capabilities as airborne elements but with reduced range, flexibility, and mobility. However, ground-
  based liaison elements do not depend on high-value assets for continuous operations. Additionally, they offer
  an important interface between the theater air-ground system and ground-based air defense activities.
  Ground-based liaison elements of the theater air-ground system include CRCs, tactical air operations centers
  (TAOCs), ASOCs, direct air support center (DASCs), and TACPs, and air mobility liaison officers.
  2-36. The ASOC is the element responsible for planning, coordination, control, and execution of air
  operations that directly support the Army’s ground combat forces. Each ASOC reports to the JAOC. The
  senior air director maintains the on-scene OPCON of the ASOC. The ASOC is directly subordinate to the
  JAOC and coordinates air operations directly supporting Army forces. Air operations include CAS, air
  interdiction, intra theater airlift, joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, suppression of enemy
  air defenses, and combat search and rescue. The ASOC processes immediate requests submitted through
  TACP channels, utilizing the joint air request net (JARN), while synchronizing efforts with Army fires
  elements. While Army airspace elements normally control air assets organic to maneuver commanders, the
  ASOC normally controls all joint air allocated from the JFACC to support the Army component.
  2-37. . The USAF TACPs are subordinate to the ASOC and are the single points of direct USAF interaction
  with supported ground combat units. Each maneuver battalion, brigade, division, and corps headquarters will
  have an aligned TACP. Staffed with ALOs and other terminal attack controllers, TACPs perform liaison and
  control functions appropriate to the level of combat maneuver force supported. Only joint terminal attack
  controllers (JTACs) or forward air controllers (airborne) (FAC[A]s) personnel have the authorization to
  perform terminal attack control of CAS aircraft during operations (combat and peacetime) within proximity
  of their supported ground combat units. For airspace use, TACPs integrate with fires cells and the Army
  airspace elements. TACPs assist ground maneuver units in the planning and coordinating of FSCMs and
  ACMs needed to integrate air and ground operations. TACPs assist the ASOC for tactical control of CAS
  and FAC (A) aircraft transiting from the ASOC to the JTAC contact point.
  2-38. The air mobility liaison officer is a USAF officer specially trained to implement the theater air control
  system and to control airlift assets engaging in combat tactics such as airdrop. Air mobility officers are highly
  qualified, rated air mobility officers with experience in combat tactics and assigned duties supporting Army
  and Marine Corps units.