text: Airspace Control Operational Context
  CIVIL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
  1-13. Typically, civilians use airspace alongside ongoing military operations. Civilian airliners,
  nongovernmental organizations, and relief agencies require airspace to continue their operations. They must
  have the ability to coordinate their activities with military airspace users (see aeronautical information
  publications (AIPs) published by the host nation).
  JOINT AIRSPACE CONTROL
  1-14. Competing airspace users balance the demands for and integrate their requirements for airspace.
  Airspace control includes the capabilities and procedures used to increase operational effectiveness by
  promoting the safe, efficient, and flexible use of airspace (JP 3-52). Airspace control increases combat
  effectiveness while placing minimum restraint upon airspace users. Airspace control relies upon airspace
  management capabilities provided by airspace control elements and U.S. civil and host-nation air traffic
  control.
  1-15. Airspace management is the coordination, integration, and regulation of the use of airspace of defined
  dimensions (JP 3-52). Airspace management supports airspace control through the coordination, integration,
  and regulation of airspace users by airspace control elements within airspace of defined dimensions. See JP
  3-52 for more discussion on airspace management.
  1-16. The JFC is responsible for airspace control in the joint operations area. JFCs establish command
  relationships and direct and guide subordinate commanders. They organize forces to accomplish the mission
  based on their visions and a concept of operations. They develop this concept of operations with their service
  component commanders and supporting organizations. Their direction and guidance enable effective spans
  of control, responsiveness, tactical flexibility, and protection.
  1-17. To help balance the various airspace user demands, the JFC usually designates an ACA responsible
  for establishing an airspace control system. An airspace control system is an arrangement of those
  organizations, personnel, policies, procedures, and facilities required to perform airspace control functions
  (JP 3-52). The JFC tasks the ACA to assume overall responsibility for operating the airspace control system
  in the airspace control area. The ACA, working with the other components, develops policies and procedures
  for all airspace users. In addition, the ACA establishes an airspace control system that coordinates and
  integrates airspace use under JFC authority.
  1-18. The ACA approves, amends, or disapproves airspace requests according to the JFC’s guidance and
  objectives. The ACA does not have the authority to approve, disapprove, or deny combat operations. That
  authority is only vested in operational commanders. If the ACA and an affected Service component
  commander cannot agree on an airspace issue, they refer the issue to the JFC for resolution. See JP 3-52 for
  more discussion on the ACA.
  THEATER AIR-GROUND SYSTEM
  1-19. The theater air-ground system (TAGS) is the sum of the component systems that support the airspace
  control system. The TAGS links decision makers and command posts from all components. The ACA may
  delegate authority to control an assigned volume of airspace to elements of the TAGS. For more information
  on the TAGS, see ATP 3-52.2.
  1-20. The Army component of the TAGS is the Army air-ground system. The AAGS provides for interface
  between Army and air support agencies of other Services in the planning, preparation, execution, and
  assessment of airspace use.
  1-21. The AAGS is used for coordinating and integrating air support requirements, joint air-ground
  operations and airspace users. The AAGS enables Army commanders and staffs to coordinate and integrate
  the actions of Army airspace users over the area of operations regardless of whether they have been assigned
  airspace control responsibility for a volume of airspace. AAGS also provides Army commanders the ability
  to control volumes of airspace when delegated control authority by the ACA. There are two methods of
  airspace control, positive and procedural.