text: Chapter 2
  2-5. Airspace control is action executed through combined arms formations. Airspace is a crucial part of
  the operational area and is inherently joint. The Army has fielded airspace element personnel and capabilities
  down to brigade level. These capabilities enable effectively integrating airspace use into operations. These
  capabilities are fully integrated with joint airspace control processes thereby providing the Army and joint
  force commanders with expanded airspace control options.
  2-6. Joint aircraft control processes facilitate the integration of Army airspace users within airspace.
  However, ground commanders require greater responsiveness to defeat the enemy. Army air-ground
  operations are defined as the simultaneous or synchronized employment of ground forces with aviation
  maneuver and fires to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. These type of operations require deliberate
  planning by the units conducting the operations in order to mitigate the risk posed from joint airspace users
  as well as ground fires. See FM 3-04 for additional information regarding Army air-ground operations.
  2-7. Airspace control is a commander’s responsibility. Commanders drive the operations process and
  airspace control is an additional task of the mission command warfighting function. To successfully
  command, commanders at all echelons must be capable of integrating and synchronizing forces and
  warfighting functions, both ground and air. The commander is the central figure in mission command,
  essential to integrating the capabilities of the warfighting functions to accomplish the mission.
  2-8. Airspace control is a continuing activity of the operations process. Commanders use the operations
  process to help them decide when and where to make decisions, control operations, establish priorities, and
  provide command presence. Throughout the operations process, commanders, assisted by their staffs,
  integrate numerous processes and activities. Airspace control is an activity that commanders integrate and
  synchronize with other activities into operations. To be most effective, the airspace element must ensure
  deliberate airspace planning is conducted based on guidance from the commander. During the preparation
  phase of the operations process, the commander must ensure the staff conducts a thorough wargame and
  rehearsal of the airspace control plan. These actions help to validate the airspace control plan, as well as to
  identify any necessary changes prior to executing the plan. Airspace elements continually monitor and
  evaluate the situation and make recommendations or take action to integrate airspace users.
  2-9. Airspace control is an integral part of risk management. Commanders at every echelon continuously
  assess risk of conflicts among airspace users and consequences of these conflicts, then they determine which
  consequences or conflicts they can accept based on an operational environment. Commanders determine
  what risks they can accept and include the risks in orders issued to subordinate units. When airspace conflicts
  arise between different airspace users or when users exceed a commander’s risk guidance, the airspace
  element attempts to integrate the requirements by modifying planned airspace use without degrading the
  mission effectiveness of any airspace user. If airspace elements cannot resolve an airspace conflict without
  degrading the mission effectiveness of an airspace user or if the risk still exceeds risk guidance, airspace
  elements seek a decision from the operations staff officer (S-3/G-3) or commander. When risk involves forces
  not under tactical control of that commander, airspace elements share the risk assessment with affected
  component commanders, time permitting. Appendix A addresses risk considerations for airspace control.
  2-10. Near-real-time airspace control requires continuous assessment. Airspace elements continually
  monitor all airspace users to support their operations and those transiting through the airspace over their
  ground AOs. This continuous situational awareness ensures that commanders can react to any situation
  requiring immediate use of airspace, such as immediate fires or close air support (CAS) missions, unplanned
  unmanned aircraft system launch, or diversion of aviation assets in near-real-time.
  ARMY AIR-GROUND SYSTEM
  2-11. AAGS is used to coordinate Army airspace requirements. The AAGS, a component of theater air-
  ground system, provides for interface between Army and air support agencies of other Services in the
  planning, preparation, execution, and assessment of airspace use. The AAGS, comprised of elements organic
  at theater army level to brigade level, enhances situational awareness and understanding of all airspace users
  to reduce fratricide and assists in navigation and the location of airspace users.
  2-12. Army components of the AAGS consist of airspace elements, fires cells, air and missile defense
  sections, and coordination and liaison elements embedded in Army command posts. Collectively, they
  coordinate and integrate airspace use—joint, coalition, nonmilitary and Army manned and unmanned aircraft