This appendix describes planning for air defense operations. Battle command and staff procedures contained in FM 101-5 are the basis for ADA procedures. This chapter highlights the specific requirements of the AD estimate and annex. The estimate process assists the force commander in decision making.
Planning begins with the receipt of a warning order.
After the force commander approves a course of action, a warning order is sent out and the air defense planning process continues. The end result of this process is the air defense annex detailing air defense support for the concept of the operation. Although the estimate of the situation lies first and foremost in the commander's mind, staff estimates help the commander determine feasible, suitable, and acceptable courses of action. Staff estimates help the commander gather, update, analyze, evaluate, and validate critical facts, assumptions, and events. The estimate also allows the commander to formulate conclusions based on each staff's estimate.