Managing Task Units DCS AOC Tools
Last updated: Aug 20, 2026

Managing Task Units in AOC Tools for DCS World

This guide explains how to create, edit, delete, and manage Task Units in AOC Tools, the air operations planning platform within the Combined Ops suite for DCS World. Task Unit management is primarily performed through the Units, Missions, and Remarks sections of the ATO.

Task Units organize missions within an Air Tasking Order (ATO) and associate them with an operational unit and its reference airbase. Correctly managing Task Units is therefore important for mission organization, filtering, airbase association, and operational planning in the Combined Ops Mission Planner.

Managing Task Units in the ATO

Task Unit management is performed from the Units section of the ATO. From this section you can create new units, modify existing units, delete units, and import unit configurations from another AOC Tools project.

Adding a New Task Unit

To create a new Task Unit in AOC Tools:

1. Open the Units section: Navigate to the Units section of the ATO.
2. Open Add New Units: Locate the form used to create a new Task Unit.
3. Enter the Unit Designator: Enter a descriptive identifier for the unit, such as VFA-103 or 31st Fighter Wing.
4. Enter the ICAO code or location name: Enter the ICAO code of the reference airbase, such as LIRF, or enter a location name. AOC Tools will attempt to associate the ICAO code with an airbase in its database.
5. Add Comments: Optionally enter additional information or notes associated with the unit.
6. Add the Unit: Click Add Unit to create the Task Unit.

When possible, use the correct ICAO code for the unit's operating airbase. The ICAO association is used by AOC Tools when connecting Task Units with airbase and mission information.

Editing an Existing Task Unit

Existing Task Units can be modified from the Units table.

1. Locate the Task Unit you want to modify.
2. Click the Edit button associated with the unit.
3. Update the Unit Designator, ICAO code or location name, or Comments as required.
4. Click Save to apply the changes.

When changing the ICAO code, verify that the new value corresponds to the intended operating airbase. An incorrect ICAO association can affect how missions are linked to an airbase and how related information is displayed in the Mission Planner.

Deleting a Task Unit

A Task Unit can be removed from the Units table when it is no longer required.

1. Locate the Task Unit you want to remove.
2. Click the Delete button associated with the unit.
3. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Important: Before deleting a Task Unit, check whether missions or Unit Remarks are associated with it. Removing a unit can affect the organization of missions and the association of related unit information.

Assigning Missions to Task Units

Mission assignment is managed from the Missions section of the ATO. Assigning a mission to a Task Unit establishes the organizational relationship between the mission and the unit responsible for executing it.

1. Open the Missions section of the ATO.
2. Locate the mission you want to assign.
3. Find the Unit column for the mission.
4. Select the appropriate Task Unit from the dropdown menu.
5. The assignment is saved automatically by the system.

A mission can be assigned to one Task Unit at a time. Missions that have not yet been assigned remain available in the No Unit Missions area.

Managing Task Unit Remarks

Unit Remarks allow additional information, instructions, or notes to be associated with a Task Unit and subsequently linked to individual missions belonging to that unit.

Creating a Unit Remark

1. Open the Remarks section of the ATO.
2. Select the Unit Designator to which the remark belongs.
3. Select a Remarks Identifier, such as A or B.
4. Enter the Remarks Text.
5. Click Add Remarks to save the new remark.

Assigning a Unit Remark to Missions

A Unit Remark can be associated with one or more missions assigned to the corresponding Task Unit.

1. Locate the required remark in the Remarks table.
2. Click Assign.
3. A popup will display the missions assigned to that Task Unit.
4. Select the missions that should receive the remark.
5. Click Save in the popup.

This allows common unit-level information to be selectively applied to the missions that require it.

Deleting a Unit Remark

1. Locate the remark in the Remarks table.
2. Click the Delete button or trash icon associated with the remark.
3. Confirm the deletion if prompted.

Importing Task Units from Another Project

AOC Tools allows Task Units and their associated remarks to be imported from an existing ATO project. This is particularly useful for recurring operations, campaigns, or projects that use the same squadrons and organizational structure.

1. Open the Units or Remarks section.
2. Click Import Units or Import Unit Remarks.
3. Select the source project from the available projects in the import window.
4. Choose the available import options, including whether missions or remarks should be included.
5. Confirm the import operation.

Important Import Warning

Importing Task Units can replace existing unit data in the current project. The import operation can delete the existing Task Units and/or Unit Remarks in the destination project before importing the selected configuration.

Imported remarks are not automatically reassigned to missions. After the import, review the imported remarks and manually assign them to the appropriate missions when required.

Recommended Task Unit Management Workflow

For a consistent ATO structure, the following workflow is recommended:

1. Create or import Task Units: Establish the units participating in the operation.
2. Verify unit information: Check the designator, ICAO code, location, and comments.
3. Assign missions: Associate each operational mission with the correct Task Unit.
4. Review unassigned missions: Check the No Unit Missions section to identify missions that still require assignment.
5. Create Unit Remarks: Add operational information that applies to specific units.
6. Assign Remarks: Link each remark to the missions where the information is required.
7. Verify airbase associations: Confirm that the ICAO code corresponds to the intended operating base.

Task Unit Management and Mission Planning

Task Unit management is an important part of the AOC Tools ATO workflow. A correctly configured Task Unit connects the organizational unit with its missions and operating airbase, allowing the Mission Planner to maintain consistent operational information.

For more information about the role of Task Units, ICAO codes, mission assignment, takeoff time detection, and their relationship with the Mission Planner and DCS Airspace, see the Task Units Guide.