Combatant Command

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Combatant Command
4 Functional Commands USSOCOM USTRANSCOM USSTRA
TCOM USJFCOM
5 Geographic Commands USEUCOM USCENTCOM USSOUT
HCOM USPACOM USNORTHCOM
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Command Relationships

• Assignment is a permanent transfer of forces
• Ex Units assigned to USAFE
• Combatant Commander has COCOM
• Attachment is a temporary transfer of forces
• Ex Units attached for the duration of an
  operation
• Degree of OPCON or TACON will be specified
• Support is used when neither assigning nor
  attaching is appropriate
• Ex One Service supporting another, or functional
  Combatant Commander supporting a regional
  Combatant Commander
• Supporting/supported relationship established

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Command Authority

• Combatant Command (COCOM) Command authority over
  assigned forces, vested only in Combatant
  Commanders. Cannot be delegated or transferred
• Operational Control (OPCON) Authority to
  organize and employ Assign tasks to accomplish
  mission Can be transferred by President or
  SecDef
• Tactical Control (TACON) Authority limited to
  detailed, usually local, direction/control of
  movements or maneuvers to accomplish mission.
  Can be transferred by the SecDef
• Support Authority to aid, assist, protect, or
  sustain another organization. Established by
  SecDef

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Types of Authority Administrative Control

• ADCON is the direction or exercise of authority
  over subordinate or other organizations in
  respect to administration and support... JP 0-2
• ADCON may be delegated to and exercised by
  commanders of Service forces assigned to a
  combatant commander at any echelon at or below
  the level of Service component command. AFDD-2

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Types of Authority Role of ADCON

• ADCON is the Service authority to carry out its
  Title 10 responsibilities as a force provider and
  sustainer
• Beds, beans, bullets, and discipline
• This is NOT a joint, unified authority it flows
  from the SECDEF through the SECAF, CSAF and
  MAJCOM/CCs
• Will usually be shared between the parent
  organization and the deployed location

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Command Relationships
President or SECDEF
Operational Branch COCOM OPCON TACON SUPPORT
Administrative Branch ADCON
SECAF
Combatant Commander
CSAF
MAJCOM/CC
JTF Commander
NAF/CC
COMAFFOR AETF
JFACC
Navy Air for Tasking
Army Air for Tasking
Marine Air for Tasking
Air Force Forces
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Warfighting PerspectivesAn Airmans View

• Army Perspective
• Navy Perspective
• USMC Perspective
• Air Force Perspective

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The Army Perspective

• Focus is on the Corps and maneuver and fires
• Coordination Lines are important to Corps
  commander
• The LCC commander is the sole supported commander
  in that AO, for ALL FUNCTIONS

125 Km
Ultimately, the outcome of battles, major
operations, and campaigns depends on the ability
of Army forces to close with and destroy the
enemy.
DEEP
XXX
XXX
land combat makes permanent the temporary
effects of other operations.
160 Km
XXX
CLOSE
Land operations determine the outcome of major
theater wars .
REAR
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The Navy Perspective

• Focus on carrier task force and C2 for force
  protection
• Unity of command driven by key platforms
• Carrier--Offensive Counterair
• Aegis--Defensive Counterair to include Theater
• Missile Defense

The ability to engage the enemy at sea
decisively will always be paramount to our naval
forces.
UPWARD to exosphere
Successat sea demands preparation to counter an
adversarys gunfire, missiles, torpedoes, and
mines.
DEPTH up to 1500 km
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The Marine Perspective

• Focus is on MAGTF and projecting power ashore
• Service component within a surface AO
• Aviation augments artillery
• MAGTF secures staging areas for AF and Army

The MAGTF is the Marine Corps principal
organization for all missions.
MAGTFs are balanced, combined arms forces with
organic command, ground, aviation, and
sustainment elements.
75 miles ashore
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The Air Force Perspective

• Focus is on Air and Space Expeditionary Task
  Force and effects-based power

Due to its speed and range, air and space power
operates in ways that are fundamentally different
from other forms of military power.

• Functional responsibilities require THEATER-WIDE
  access

• Air and space power is a maneuver force
• and can be supported as well as supporting

Joint Force Commander Joint Operations Area
Airmen view the application of force more from a
functional than geographic standpoint and
classify targets by the effect their destruction
has on the enemy.

• Global perspective required for functional forces

Air and Space Component
LandComponent
Maritime Component
Amphibious
air and space forces conduct operations aimed
directly at accomplishing the theater commanders
objectives.
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Doctrine Parting Thoughts

• Its about how we organize and employ and is an
  agreed upon, operationally relevant body of best
  practices / principles
• Use doctrine as your starting position, deviate
  only for compelling operational reasons
• The organization and command structure must be
  simple enough that all Airmen know who their boss
  is

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Parting Thoughts (Cont.)

• Clear, clean chain of commandboxes and lines
  draw firstget it in writing
• OPORD, DEPORDor other establishing directive
• AF forces are presented under the command of a
  single COMAFFOR with authorities to carry out
  assigned responsibilities
• Four command relationships for operational
  employment COCOM, OPCON, TACON, and Support
• ADCON is additional Service authority

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Summary
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