This paper details an operational concept calling for an Information Management (IM)
capability to support a Joint Force Air and Space Component Commander (JFACC) and an
Air and Space Component in 2010. It proposes the establishment of a Community of Interest
(COI) construct, a JFACC IM organization, and the supporting operational processes.
Throughout the Department of Defense (DoD) there are numerous ongoing efforts
supporting the goal of "net-centricity". Most of the impetus is system-oriented or reflects a
system-centric approach. The concept described in this paper focuses on the operational
aspects, i.e., business processes supporting the JFACC that will take full advantage of the
net-centric environment in 2010. The proposed concept presents an approach to make data
visible, accessible, understandable, and trustable. It allows information managers to reach
across traditionally stove-piped organizations' processes and applications to "meld" the
information within a net-centric environment and allow users to seek and use the information
they need across the battlespace.
The first chapter defines the problem space for the MITRE architecture team of Jay Vittori
and Jeff Cook. Chapter 2 details their analysis process and how they framed their IM vision
for 2010. Chapter 3 highlights the major precepts of that vision, the JFACC Information
Management Capability Concept. Chapter 4 contains the specific processes associated with
the concept, i.e., processes to: provide information management/net-centricity governance;
manage information/net-centric data accessibility; manage the JFACC's net-centric data;
build and monitor net-centric pictures; and manage information assurance/network defense
operations within a net-centric environment. The intent of this paper is not to dismiss
existing or evolving IM- or Net-Centric undertakings; rather, it should enhance those efforts
by providing an operational perspective on how to manage data and information within a
Joint force environment.
