Command and Control Warfare - A New Concept for the Joint Operational Commander

The Joint Chiefs of Staff have developed a new concept for the joint commander to use in warfighting, a strategy called Command and Control Warfare (C2W). The influx of information available to the commander, enemy and friendly alike, creates both opportunities and risks in their ability to command and control their forces. The joint commander can take and keep the initiative by applying C2W to his concept of operations. His goal is to deny the enemy's ability to command and control while ensuring his own. The paper explains what C2W is, what elements of warfare are used, and how C2W is applied in order to achieve the commander's objectives. The C2W assets of each Service is generalized to understand what each Service can provide the commander. The joint commander needs to know how to implement C2W into his planning process in a timely manner. The difference in Service C2W doctrine and the myriad of assets available to him need to be balanced according to the mission and the forces allotted. Effective C2W will give the advantage to the joint commander and ensure operational success.