The seven components of the GIG are: warrior, global applications, computing, communications, network operations (NETOPS), information man- agement, and foundation.
Warrior Component
The joint force is directly connected to the net- work by the GIG warrior component. The warrior component comprises computers, software, dis- play devices, and radios that can be personal; shipboard; or track-, vehicle-, and aircraft- mounted. This equipment directly contributes to situational awareness, collaboration, and access to information critical to combat operations and the individual decisionmaker/shooter. All compo- nents of the GIG support the warrior component.
Global Applications Component
The global applications component is the set of information applications used by the joint force over the GIG. It provides the information needs of the force and includes applications for use in fire support, weather, logistics, medical, and business.
Computing Component
The computing component includes the auto- matic acquisition, storage, manipulation, manage- ment, control, and display of data or information. Its primary emphasis is on DOD enterprise hard- ware, software operation systems, and hardware/ software support that enable the GIG enterprise. The DISA defense enterprise computing centers provide a significant portion of this support to the joint force.
Communications Component
The communications component provides com- mon-user information, transport, and processing services to all DOD users. It extends from the local base post, camp, station, and ship, through the strategic networks, to the “first tactical mile.” To achieve this, Service frequency management offices work directly with combatant command frequency management offices to coordinate and negotiate the electromagnetic spectrum support- ability of the communications components, such as electromagnetic spectrum dependent devices. The communications component includes a blend of DOD and commercial communications includ- ing satellite communications (SATCOM), global fiber, wireless, radio frequency nets, and stan- dardized tactical entry point (STEP) sites that are evolving to more capable DOD teleports. The STEP/teleports connect the joint force to the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) long-haul services to provide a reachback capa- bility for DISN voice, data, and video services across all frequency bands. The DISN provides the JFC with the ability to access needed capabil- ities worldwide.
Network Operations Component
The NETOPS mission is to operate and defend the GIG. The NETOPS provides integrated, end- to-end management of networks, global applica- tions, and services across the GIG. This manage- m e n t o f f e r s n e t w o r k v i s i b i l i t y t o e n a b l e commanders to manage their networks as they would other battle systems. The Global NETOPS command center provides worldwide network monitoring, contingency support, network crisis action support, network resolution management, and network GIG defense integration. United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) e x e c u t e s D O D g l o b a l n e t w o r k o p e r a t i o n s through the Joint Task Force-Global Network Operations (JTF-GNO). The USSTRATCOM JTF-GNO is collocated with the Global NETOPS command center.
The NETOPS component provides integrated network visibility and end-to-end management of networks, global applications, and services across the GIG and facilitates network enabled opera- tions. Its goals are to provide assured system and network availability, assured information protec- tion, and assured information delivery. The NETOPS operational construct consists of situa- tional awareness, the essential tasks, and com- mand and control.
The NETOPS is a supporting enabler in achiev- ing shared situational awareness of the GIG sys- tem, network, and information availability. That support comes from the integrated capability to receive, correlate, and display a functional or the- ater-level view of systems and networks such as voice, video, and data. The primary purpose is to enhance knowledge of the GIG to collaboratively improve the quality and speed of decisionmaking with regard to the employment, protection, and defense of the GIG.
The JTF-GNO was established by the Com- mander, USSTRATCOM, to facilitate operating and defending the GIG. The JTF-GNO com- mands and controls the operation and defense of the GIG in support of the President, Secretary of Defense, joint staff, CCDRs, Services, and DOD agencies. It collaboratively conducts operations through a tiered construct of NETOPS centers. The three joint mission-essential tasks of NETOPS (see fig. 3.1) are GEM [GIG Enterprise Management], GND [GIG Network Defense], and information dissemination management/con- tent staging (CS). They are defined as follows:
• The GEM task is the technology, processes, and policy necessary to effectively operate the systems and networks that comprise the GIG. This essential task merges information tech- nology services with the NETOPS critical capabilities.
• The GND task incorporates protection, detection, and response of any unauthorized activities against the GIG. It ensures data
quality and protection against unauthorized access and inadvertent damage or mod- ification. The GIG Network Defense incorporates IA protection activities, computer network defense (CND), and critical in- formation protection. Additionally, GIG con- stituent systems that meet the definition of a national security system must follow the appropriate IA guidelines and policies for national security systems. Other GIG systems not designated as national security systems must be provided adequate IA so as not to jeopardize the security of GIG national security systems.
• Information dissemination management/CS is the technology, processes, and policy necessary to provide awareness of relevant, accurate information; automated access to newly dis- covered or recurring information; and timely, efficient, and assured delivery of information in a usable format. As information dissemination management/CS become more mature, the complete complement of its services will be available for use by all authorized DOD GIG users as a network-enabled service. This
essential task merges core services with the NETOPS critical capabilities.
Information Management Component
The information management component pro- vides relevant information to the right person at the right time in a usable format for situational awareness and decisionmaking. It allows the joint force to access needed data with appropriate per- missions anywhere in the world, and dynami- cally tailor and prioritize their information requirements to support the mission and environ- ment. Information management is facilitated by a variety of common information-sharing services such as messaging, discovery and delivery of information, collaboration, and directory ser- vices that are managed and assured through the NETOPS component.
Foundation Component
The foundation component includes doctrine, pol- icy, compliance, architectures, testing, electro- magnetic spectrum, and host nation approval. It Right Information - Right User
Right Time - Right Protection Horizontal Fusion Across the GIG
Information Superiority for the Warfighter
GEM NET OPS CS GND ASSURED INFORMATION DELIVERY ASSURED SYSTEM & NETWORK AVAILABILITY ASSURED INFORMATION PROTECTION CONNECT ROUTE PROCESS FLOW ALLOCATE ACCOUNT CONFIGURE MAINTAIN RESIST RETRIEVE RECOGNIZE CACHE RESPOND COMPLILE RECOVER CATALOG RECONSTITUTE DISTRIBUTE
anchors and defines the GIG through policy and standards and provides the basis for an interopera- ble, secure, DOD-networked enterprise. The GIG integrates all DOD requirements—strategic, oper- ational, tactical, and base/post/camp/station/ship- board—providing flexible, assured bandwidth regardless of environment.
Planning
The planning of GIG support of the JFC is a fun- damental activity in the contingency and crisis action planning process. Planning has evolved from the traditional determination of numbers, types, and locations of communications system elements to a more comprehensive determination of the JFC’s information needs.
The complexity of joint operations coupled with finite communications system resources may require the JFC to adjudicate or assign subordi- nate command responsibilities for extending the GIG’s reach into an operational area. This assign- ment is normally done in an OPLAN; however, in the absence of such a plan, communication is planned and employed as follows: senior to subor- dinate, supporting to supported, reinforcing to reinforced, left to right, between adjacent units as directed by the first common senior, or by the unit gaining an attachment. This order is more com- mon to ground forces, but it may have application to space, special operations, naval, and air forces as well. These rules are generally followed except when sound military judgment dictates otherwise.