AFDD 2-1.9, page 81
Targeting
Air Force Doctrine Document: Targeting
DTIC ADA454614 public copy
Searchable page text (OCR / PDF)
71
Ideally, target development should support an OPLAN or CONPLAN, which
provides required targeting guidance and forms the basis for a JAOP that can be used
in actual conflict. In reality, the US often enters contingencies without established
deliberate planning products, or those that exist require extensive modification when an
actual contingency arises. Obviously, it is impossible to have a plan for every
conceivable contingency, but waiting to conduct target development until a contingency
develops will put planners at a huge disadvantage. Targeteers must utilize existing IPB
products to identify areas and subjects that may be of concern in the future. Even
without established plans to guide them, targeteers should always seek out as much
guidance from commanders as they can. Target development should always be geared
toward achieving certain valid objectives, and all effects and actions that targeteers
recommend should support those objectives. In some targeting methodologies, such as
TSA discussed in Chapter Two, targeteers derive notional objectives based on tasks
their theater is likely to receive and they base their target development on these
objectives. Such a technique can be used even where formal TSA methodologies are
not implemented.
Target Folders
Target development results in the creation of a target folder (either electronic or
physical) which includes the justification for considering the entity a target and detailed
information on the target to guide further planning efforts. Each target should have a
single target folder. Because theater JIOC and other Services have targeteers
supporting deliberate and contingency planning efforts, it is important for AIS targeteers
to coordinate with these organizations to avoid duplication of effort when building target
folders. This is especially important when clear planning guidance is lacking or a
delineation of duties among the Service and functional commands has not yet been
properly established.
Joint Target List
Once targeteers have adequately developed targets and target systems to
determine the causal linkages that help to achieve specific effects and objectives, they
must nominate them for inclusion in the appropriate JTL for a specific plan or
contingency. Normally the combatant command’s J-2 maintains this list.
Communication between AIS targeteers and the J-2 is critical to ensure effective
prosecution of specific targets once hostilities begin. Methods of nomination vary with
each theater. In the event J-2 is not maintaining the JTLs for whatever reason, the AIS
or AOG should maintain the lists itself, in accordance with any applicable combatant
command directives.
No-Strike and Restricted Target Lists
During targeting efforts, targeteers nominate targets for inclusion on NSLs and RTLs.
Like JTLs, these lists are usually maintained by the J-2. See Chapter Two for details.
Building them in peacetime will help reduce the possibility of attacking entities that are