Mission
The Combat Operations Division monitors and executes the Combined Force Air Component Commander's (CFACC) Air Tasking Order (ATO), the electronic document that outlines daily air operations with respect to aircraft sorties, weapons loads and operational taskings. As one of five divisions within the Combined Air and Space Operations Center, the COD enables the CAOC to meet its mission as the primary command and control facility for Coalition air campaigns in Afghanistan (International Security Assistance Force, Operation Enduring Freedom), Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom), and the Horn of Africa. The COD serves as the CAOC's dynamic around-the-clock nerve center.

Function
The COD monitors and executes each day's ATO. The COD coordinates with tasked wing operations centers, air support operations centers, control and reporting centers, and other theater and national air control systems to achieve effective air and space operations. The COD is also the focal point for monitoring the real-time execution of joint and combined air operations across the U.S. Central Command area of operations.

The ATO is executed by division members' constant monitoring of the battle space, subordinate Theater Air Control System elements and assigned assets. The COD adjusts the ATO in response to battlefield dynamics, maintenance problems, weather and publishes changes to the ATO and the Airspace Control Order as necessary. The COD assumes responsibility for the next day's ATO as soon as it is released, typically 12 hours prior to execution.
 
Organization
The COD is led operationally by the chief of combat operations. Specific mission requirements dictate the elements that make up the COD at any given time. A typical COD is composed of offensive, defensive, and intelligence duty officers as well as weather, airspace management, and personal recovery representatives. Liaison teams representing sister services, Coalition countries, various weapons systems and other specialties also augment the COD. Depending on the nature of the operations, typical liaison teams include the Army Battlefield Coordination Detachment (BCD), Navy and Amphibious Liaison Element (NALE), Special Operations Liaison Element (SOLE), Marine Liaison Officer (MARLO), Coalition liaisons, and other governmental agency elements.
March 2008