This publication provides broad doctrinal guidance for joint forces involved in the use of airspace over the combat zone. This airspace control is in the various operating environments that might constitute the combat zone-foreign continent, high seas, amphibious objective area, littoral, or the North American Continent outside the US. The combat zone described in this publication applies to the broadest interpretation of areas where combat forces are required to conduct operations, including operations other than war. Unlike ground forces, the inherent nature of air operations mitigates strict compliance with terrestrial boundaries. Therefore, airspace control in the combat zone integrates transitions from noncombat air traffic control.

This publication provides broad doctrinal guidance for joint forces involved in the use of airspace over the combat zone and contiguous areas. Airspace control as described in this publication includes the varied airspace of the combat zone foreign continent, high seas, amphibious objective area, littoral, or the North American Continent outside the United States, as well as contiguous areas such as the communications zone. Airspace control as described in this publication applies to the broadest interpretation of areas where combat forces are required to conduct operations, including operations other than war. The inherent nature of air operations demands strict compliance with terrestrial boundaries. Therefore, airspace control functions must ensure smooth transition from noncombat air traffic control to integrated air operations in the combat zone.

"Focusing the guidance of Joint Publication 3-52, Joint Doctrine for Airspace Control in the Combat Zone, from a vague, principles-based document to a tailorable, framework-based guide may improve future joint airspace interdependency. An essential element required to achieve interdependency requires the establishment of a joint airspace Common Operational Picture (COP) which maximizes service specific air management and airpower capabilities. Two critical requirements for developing a joint airspace COP include adoption of a common reference system and institution of kill box methodologies into joint airspace management. A common reference system provides the underlying framework for development of a joint airspace COP. To prevent uncoordinated efforts, JP 3-52 should mandate a single common reference system, and the Global Area Reference System (GARS) exhibits the greatest potential for integrating joint efforts across sea, air, and land domains. Implementing GARS enables a single COP across the joint force, significantly increasing the situational awareness (SA) of all forces operating in the same environment. The second element required to enhance joint airspace interdependence, incorporation of kill box methodologies, expands the advantages gained through GARS to the third dimension of the joint operational environment. Kill box tactics, techniques, and procedures provide numerous advantages for coordinating joint fires and managing procedural airspace control measures (ACMs). Additionally, networking kill boxes into Joint Fires Areas or Joint Operational Battlespace provides airspace managers with a method of quickly and easily tailoring joint airspace to minimize restrictions on airspace users while maximizing the capabilities available to the Joint Force Commander. Combining GARS and kill box methodologies with recent improvements in communications and data sharing capabilities may prove invaluable for achieving the highest possible level of interdependence among joint airspace users. JP 3-52 must address techniques such as internet chat and computer data file sharing to complete the COP enabled through GARS and kill boxes, and to encourage future growth of these emerging technologies. Achieving interdependency in joint operational airspace requires a top-down approach beginning with an updated, modernized doctrinal template provided through JP 3-52."--Abstract.

The complexity of today's airspace environment grows with each advance in technology. The clearly defined airspace control concepts, forces, and capabilities defined in this publication, Air Force Doctrine Annex 3-52 Airspace Control July 2019, help identify how best to use them for commanders at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels of military operations. The growth of military integrated air defense systems and the advent of cruise missiles and unmanned aircraft continue to complicate theater airspace control requirements. Increasing multinational operations with partner and allied nations will add complications to airspace control in order to attain interoperability for more complex chains of command, communications, sensor and weapons interfaces, and planning. In addition to military users, current and future operations can expect a multitude of other air-intense operations either near or within a joint operations area (JOA). In such operations, civilian users, nongovernmental organizations, and relief agencies may require the use of combat zone airspace to conduct operations. Complicating matters, indirect fire systems (e.g., artillery) are also airspace users and range higher, farther, and with greater volume of fire than ever before. These increased user demands require an integrated airspace control system to enable flight safety and prevent friendly fire incidents and unintended engagements against civil and neutral aircraft while enabling mission accomplishment and minimizing risk.