AFI10-701 — Operations Security (opsec)

AFI10-701 governs Air Force operations security, including the identification, control, and protection of critical information and indicators.

Search AFI10-701

  • Publication number: AFI10-701
  • Title: OPERATIONS SECURITY (OPSEC)
  • Date: 2019-07-24

View AFI10-701 on armypubs.army.mil


The publication covers OPSEC concepts, essential secrecy, signatures, countermeasures, organizational responsibilities, and OPSEC integration across military activities. It requires OPSEC programs and assigns responsibility for identifying and managing signatures associated with Air Force activities, capabilities, operations, and programs.

Applies to: It applies to individuals at all levels including, the Air Force Reserve (AFR), Air National Guard, civilian and contractor personnel except where noted otherwise.

Topics covered

  • Operations security
  • Critical information and indicators
  • Essential secrecy
  • OPSEC signatures
  • OPSEC countermeasures
  • Air Force OPSEC organizational structure

Questions and answers

What does OPSEC protect?

OPSEC is an information-related capability that preserves friendly essential secrecy by using a process to identify, control and protect critical information and indicators.

What is essential secrecy?

Essential secrecy is the condition achieved by denying critical information and indicators to adversaries.

Which phases of military operations does OPSEC support?

OPSEC supports planning, preparation, execution and post execution phases of all activities, operations and programs across the entire spectrum of military operations.

Who is responsible for identifying and managing Air Force signatures?

Commanders and directors are responsible for identifying and managing signatures associated with Air Force activities, capabilities, operations, and programs.

Who is responsible for OPSEC in the Air Force?

OPSEC is a commander’s/director’s responsibility and is established, managed and implemented at all levels throughout the AF.

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