Commander and Staff Guide to the Battlefield Coordination Detachment - Handbook (Lessons and Best Practices)

The battlefield coordination detachment (BCD) performs a critical function and role for the Army Service component command (ASCC). As an Army coordination detachment, and liaison to a designated air operations center (AOC), the BCD represents the Commander, Army forces (COMARFOR), while working in and among the Air Component Commander (ACC) staff in the AOC. The BCD facilitates the coordination between Army forces and the ACC, specifically between both headquarters. The BCD becomes a vital link between Army forces and the air component by facilitating the integration and synchronization of air and Army ground operations within the operational area. The BCD is able to expedite information exchange through face-to-face coordination with joint air operations center (JAOC) divisions/teams, because BCD personnel are trained to operate in the JAOC environment using both Army systems and joint air command and control (C2) systems, and understand the operations process...