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Feature Story
high-demand assets such
as P-8A Poseidon and AIR OF
E-7A Wedgetail,” AIRCDRE
Denney said.
asset, all while ensuring AUTHORITY
The AOC plays a key role
in deciding who and what can
be supported, and with which

the broader aims of the air
campaign are progressed.
With our RAAF assets
involved in Middle East
operations, shortnotice
humanitarian relief
operations, search-and-
rescue, and joint exercises,
maintaining oversight of all
tasks is critical to ensuring Air
Force can deliver air power
to where it is needed.
AOC Director GPCAPT
David Smith said the AOC
was permanently force-
assigned to Headquarters
Joint Operations Command
(HQJOC), which meant the
AOC planning was aligned
with and informed HQJOC
planning.

“Air power is the

highest priority

– there is never Plan, execute & assess are key components of Air & Space operations

enough air power.” Centre Air Tasking Cycle

We are persistently agile For air power to effectively Combat Plans Division uses expertise into planning and
to the demands of the joint con-tribute to the joint the AOD to identify specific execution stages such as
environment and feel we environment, the AOC targets, weapons allocation targeters, air mobility, joint
are able to maximise the utilises the Air Tasking and asset or aircraft personnel recovery and
employment of our RAAF Cycle to plan, execute and allocations, identifying the aeromedical evacuation.
capabilities across the assess the employment of overall weight-of-effort for Once the execution of
board,” GPCAPT Smith said. air power effects. This also particular effects. This is the current ATO has been
“The AOC brings together gives Air Force units the captured in the Air Tasking completed, the Strategy
our Air Force subject-matter information they need to Order (ATO). Division conducts an
experts to deliver efficient tactically implement their part The Combat Operations operational assessment of
and effective air power for of the air campaign. Division is then responsible key objectives, which informs
Australia, our allies and the Beginning with the Strategy for the execution of the ATO, future planning efforts.
region. Division, a number of inputs providing updated direction Intelligence, Surveillance
“This will continue to are considered before to the units and assets and Reconnaissance
improve as we stand-up campaign objectives are involved as the situation Division provides intelligence
the Combat Plans Division developed. From this, the Air evolves and priorities assessments of adversary
this year, and the Combat Operations Directive (AOD), change. action, informing the entire
Support Division continues is issued, underpinning the Specialist teams within the AOC through all stages of
to evolve.” entire Air Tasking Cycle. AOC provide subject-matter the Air Tasking Cycle.

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