Description
Computer made
Air and Space Operations Center
An Air and Space Operations Center (AOC) is a type of command center used by the United States Air Force. It is the senior agency of the Air Force component commander to provide command and control of air and space operations.
The US Air Force employs two kinds of AOCs: regional AOCs (the AN/USQ-163 Falconer) that support geographic combatant commanders, and functional AOCs that support functional combatant commanders. When there is more than one military service working in an AOC, it is called a Joint Air and Space Operations Center (JAOC). In cases of allied or coalition (multinational) operations, the AOC is called a Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC).
An AOC is the senior element of the Theater Air Control System (TACS). The Joint Force Commander (JFC) assigns a Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC) to lead the AOC weapon system. Quite often the Commander, Air Force Forces (COMAFFOR) is assigned the JFACC position for planning and executing theater-wide air and space forces.
NATO Air Operations Centres
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) also uses the Combined Air Operations Center concept at multiple locations. Supporting the air component commands are four static Combined Air Operations Centres (CAOCs) to direct NATO air operations–in Uedem , Germany ; Finderup , Denmark ; Poggio Renatico , Italy ; and Larissa , Greece ; and two deployable CAOCs in Uedem and Poggio Renatico. The static CAOCs can support Allied air operations from their fixed locations, while the deployable CAOCs will move where they are needed.
Active AOCs
Combined Air Operations Centre-1 (CAOC-1) – Finderup, Denmark
Combined Air Operations Centre-2 (CAOC-2) – Uedem, Germany (Deployable)
Combined Air Operations Centre-5 (CAOC-5) – Poggio Renatico, Italy (Deployable)
Combined Air Operations Centre-6 (CAOC-6) – Eskisehir, Turkey
Combined Air Operations Centre-7 (CAOC-7) – Larissa, Greece
Combined Air Operations Centre-8 (CAOC-8) – Torrejon AB, Spain
Combined Air Operations Centre-10 (CAOC-10) – Lisbon, Portugal
[edit] Inactive AOCsBalkans Combined Air Operations Center – Vicenza, Italy (Deactivated in 2001)
CAOC 3 – Bodoe, Norway (Deactivated in 2008)
CAOC 4 – Meßstetten, Germany (Deactivated in 2008)
CAOC 9 – RAF High Wycombe, United Kingdom (Deactivated in 2008)