JP 3-60, page 100

Appendix C C-2 JP 3-60 are based on the commander’s concept of the operation and targeting priorities. Detection and tracking are executed through use of a collection plan. (3) The deliver phase involves engaging specific targets to create effects in accordance with the commander’s guidance. (4) The assess phase is the estimate of damage or other effects resulting from the use of military force, either lethal or nonlethal, against a target. Assessment requires extensive coordination between operational and intelligence elements to be effective, timely, and accurate. A key element of the assess function is to decide whether or not the target requires reattack in order to achieve results specified by the commander. d. Not all operations are targeting, and not all targeting is conducted within operations. Fire support planning and joint operation planning, which the commander and staff use to arrive at and to execute tactical decisions, are related. JOPP is designed to direct staff functions to produce a coordinated plan or OPORD to accomplish the mission in accordance with the commander’s concept of the operation, intent, and scheme of maneuver. Fire support planning within the decision-making process includes the decide phase in the four- phase surface targeting cycle. See JP 5-0, Joint Operation Planning, for more details on JOPP. 3. Six-Stage Joint Air Tasking Cycle a. For targeting in general, the JFACC uses both deliberate and dynamic targeting. To integrate targeting into the ongoing battle rhythm, the JFACC normally uses the joint air tasking cycle (see Figures C-1 and C-2). An example of an effective battle rhythm to support the planning process can be seen in Figure C-3. b. A joint air tasking cycle is used to provide for the efficient and effective employment of the available joint air capabilities. The cycle provides an iterative process for the planning, coordination, allocation, and tasking of joint air missions, within the JFC’s intent. It accommodates changing tactical situations and JFC guidance, as well as requests for support from other component commanders. A timely joint ATO is critical, as other joint force components conduct their planning and operations based on a prompt, executable joint ATO, and they are dependent on its information. There are usually at least five joint ATOs at any given time: one (or more) being assessed for future action, one in execution (today’s plan), one in production (tomorrow’s plan), one in the master air attack planning and target development (the day after tomorrow’s plan), and one in strategy development (examining objective and guidance for 72 hours and beyond). The joint air tasking cycle begins with the JFC’s air apportionment process and culminates with the assessment of previous missions. For additional details on the joint air tasking process, refer to JP 3-30, Command and Control for Joint Air Operations. c. The joint air tasking cycle stages are related to deliberate targeting. The approach is similar: a systematic process that matches available capabilities with targets to achieve operational objectives. However, they are not the same since joint targeting may be executed