JP 3-0, page 117

Joint Operations Across the Range of Military Operations V-11 and provide a crisis response capability while promoting US influence and access. Joint force presence often keeps unstable situations from escalating into larger conflicts. The sustained presence of strong, capable forces is the most visible sign of US commitment to allies and adversaries alike. However, if sustained forward presence fails to deter an adversary, committed forces must be agile enough to transition rapidly to combat operations. In addition to forces stationed overseas and afloat, forward presence involves periodic rotational deployments and redeployments, access and storage agreements, multinational exercises, port visits, foreign military training, foreign community support, and both military-to-military and military-to-civilian contacts. Given their location and knowledge of the region, forward presence forces could be the first that a CCDR commits when responding to a crisis. 5. Typical Operations a. Even when the US is not conducting limited contingency operations, major operations, or campaigns, numerous routine missions (such as security cooperation) and continuing operations or tasks (such as ensuring freedom of navigation) are occurring under the general heading of engagement. In some cases, what begins as an engagement activity (such as limited support to a counterinsurgency through a security assistance program) can expand to a limited contingency operation or even a major operation when the President commits US forces. Engagement activities generally are governed by various directives and agreements and do not require a joint OPLAN or OPORD for execution. b. Emergency Preparedness. Emergency preparedness consists of measures taken in advance of an emergency to reduce the loss of life and property and to protect a nation’s institutions from all types of hazards through a comprehensive emergency management program of preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. At the strategic level, emergency preparedness encompasses those planning activities, such as continuity of operations and continuity of government, undertaken to ensure DOD processes, procedures, and resources are in place to support the President and SecDef in a designated national security emergency. (1) Continuity of operations ensures the degree or state of being continuous in the conduct of functions, tasks, or duties necessary to accomplish a military action or mission in carrying out the national military strategy. Continuity of operations includes the functions and duties of the commander, as well as the supporting functions and duties performed by the staff and others under the authority and direction of the commander. If the President directs, DOD may be tasked with additional missions relating to emergency preparedness. (2) Continuity of government involves a coordinated effort within each USG branch (executive, legislative, and judicial) to ensure the capability to continue minimum essential functions and responsibilities during a catastrophic emergency. c. Arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament involves the necessary steps to establish an effective system of international control, or to create and strengthen