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FM 6-20-10: Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for The Targeting Process

APPENDIX J

SAMPLE TARGETING TEAM SOP

This appendix provides guidelines for developing an SOP for targeting teams. Each unit must develop an SOP that is based on the unique mission, organization, equipment, personnel, and philosophy of the commander.

TARGETING TEAM SOP

The following example of a targeting team SOP covers most of the fictional areas needing standardization in corps and division targeting teams. It may be adjusted to serve as a model for brigade and lower organizations.

TARGET NOMINATION PROCESS

The joint targeting and target nomination process that is used by XVIII Airborne Corps when operating as a JTF headquarters is outlined in the figure below. The 12 numbers depicted in the figure indicate where important functions and/or actions occur or where targeting products are issued. The numbered paragraphs below explain the major events and correspond to be numbers in the figure. This diagram and the explanation is included as a TTP that has proved successful. XVIII Airborne Corps and their subordinate command the 10th Mountain Division (Light) have used it during various contingency missions. It is included as an example of one way to participate in the target nomination process.

Event 1. Components submit prioritized target nominations to the JFACC through their representatives in the JAOC. Target nominations will include as a minimum the information required by SOP.

Event 2. ARFOR target nominations are submitted to the BCE collocated with the JAOC.

Event 3. Copies of component target nominations are submitted to the JFFC for review at the same time they are sent to the JFACC. Component representatives at the JTCB will also receive copies of target nominations for their unit. The component representatives at the JTCB must be fully attuned to the priorities, objectives, and supporting rationale behind their commander's targeting effort. Failure to receive timely targeting information will result in an inability of component representatives to properly represent their commander's interest in the JTCB.

Event 4. Targets will often be developed by higher headquarters (NCA or CINC) and forwarded to the JTC via the JTSG. These will most often be critical HVTs of strategic military or political importance. The targets will normally be forwarded from the JTSG to the JTF JTCB through the JIC or by direct tasking order to the JTF.

Event 5. The JIC will produce potential targets on the basis of the JTF commander's targeting guidance and priorities. The JIC will consolidate targets received from higher headquarters with those targets produced in the JIC and forward them to the JFFC for review.

Event 6. The JFFC will function as the clearing house for all JTF staff and higher headquarters target nominations. The JFFC will resolve duplications, make recommendations for attack for review by the J3, and produce a prioritized list of targets.

Event 7. The JFFC will forward the approved list of JTF-level target nominations to the JFACC for compilation with component target nomination into the recommended JIPTL.

Event 8. When all component and JTF staff target nominations are received by the JFACC, several key targeting functions take place. The JFACC, will develop his own list of targets on the basis of his mission as well as the JTF commander's targeting guidance and priorities. The JFACC compiles a list of targets consisting of his targets as well as component and JTF-level target nominations. All potential targets are processed through the JFACC's GAT board. The board is the first step in the process of balancing component priorities with the overall objectives of the commander, JTF. The competing concerns are prioritized against available assets in order to produce the following products:

• Proposed JIPTL. The JFACC will produce a proposed JIPTL on the basis of available assets and the ability to service targets. The JFACC may also recommend the use of assets other than air assets to attack targets. The recommendations must be approved by the JTCB. The JIPTL is a prioritized list of targets which clearly delineates targets that will be attacked from those that will not be attacked due to competing concerns and asset limitations. The prioritized list of targets and the projected "cut line" showing which targets will not be struck is essential. It gives feedback to the components and the JTF staff on how their specific target nominations do or do not fit into the execution of fires.
• Apportionment Recommendation. On the basis of the proposed JIPTL, the JTF commander targeting guidance, targeting priorities, and mission objectives, the JFACC will recommend an air apportionment decision for approval by the commander, JTF. The recommendation defines the level of air effort by percentage of available sorties to be applied to CA, CAS, and AI. This is the JFACC's recommendation for the employment of air forces to meet the JTF commander's targeting and fires requirements for ATO/ITO cycle being planned.
• CAS Allocation. The JFACC may also make recommendations for the allocation of CAS sorties to surface components. The recommendation would normally address the degree of centralized control for CAS. He will give the appropriate consideration to those components which do not have any organic CAS assets and the main effort as designated by the JTF commander. The recommendation might include the following:
  • How many sorties will be allocated to the components for planning versus how many sorties will be held by the JFACC to be pushed out as the situation demands.
  • The specific number of allocated sorties for each surface component.

All of the products produced by the JFACC during this initial phase of the targeting process will be forwarded to the JTCB for approval.

Event 9. The products produced by the JFACC are briefed before the JTCB. The focus and objectives of the JTCB are discussed in Chapter 3. This process ensures the proper prioritization and synchronization of the JTF targeting and fires effort. The JTCB provides the forum for component representatives to voice concerns with regard to the JIPTL, apportionment recommendation, and CAS allocation. The JTCB will modify of validate the JFACC's recommendations and prepare them for final approval by the commander, JTF.

Event 10. The JTCB will also be the forum for finalizing recommended component taskings to support the deep operations and interdiction efforts. As stated in event 8, the JFACC may recommend the tasking of other assets or components to strike targets on the proposed JIPTL. The chairman of the JTCB will direct the preparation of the final recommended--

• JIPTL.
• Air apportionment decision.
• CAS allocation.
• Component target strike taskings.

The recommendations are forwarded to commander, JTF for final decision.

Event 11. The commander, JTF will make the final decisions on all recommendations coming from the JTCB. The JFFC through the J3 will promulgate the commander, JTF decisions to all components. The J3 will publish a separate tasking for components to support execution of the JIPTL. In some cases, if it is appropriate, the J3 will allow the JFACC to task the components directly through publication of the ATO/ITO.

Event 12. The final step of the targeting process will be the publishing of the final ATO/ITO by the JFACC.