Which division in the AOC focuses on developing the operational strategy?

The Strategy Division within the Air Operations Center (AOC) is responsible for developing the operational strategy that outlines the goals and priorities of air operations. This division focuses on long-term planning and coordination across various levels of command to ensure that air power is effectively integrated into the broader joint campaign.

In this context, the Strategy Division creates strategic objectives that align with national and theater objectives, facilitating decision-making processes that drive the overall mission. This includes assessing the operational environment, identifying capabilities required, and ensuring that resources are aligned to achieve desired outcomes.

The other divisions, while crucial to the AOC’s overall function, serve different purposes. For example, the Combat Plans Division is involved in the detailed planning of air execution to meet the operational strategy, while the Combat Operations Division focuses on real-time execution and command and control activities during operations. The ISR-D Division, which concentrates on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, supports operational planning and execution but does not set the overall strategy. Thus, the Strategy Division is specifically tasked with the critical role of formulating and refining the operational strategy.