fm 44-100 us army air and missile defense operations

FM 44-100
discussion of the operational framework and battlefield organization
concepts.
THEATER STRUCTURE
4-50. The CINC achieves theater focus by structuring the theater through the
application of operational art. Theater structure is a product of the CINC's
strategic objective, forces allocated for the theater, strategy for employing the
factors of mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops, time available, and
civil considerations (METT-TC), and the presence of alliance or coalition
structures.
4-51. During stability and support operations commanders-in-chief can focus
their efforts through the designation of an AO. If required, the AO may be
further subdivided by delineating a joint operations area (JOA), joint zone
(JZ), or joint special operations area (JSOA).
4-52. During war a commander-in-chief achieves focus through the
designation of theaters-of-war (figure 4-1). Within that theater, single or
multiple theaters of operation can be formed. Multiple theaters of operation
are formed when there are multiple major threats. A JSOA can also be
designated. The JSOA within the theater of war can overlap into the theater
of operations.
Surface Component
Area of Operation
Theater of Operation
Theater of War
Theater of Operation
Surface Component
Area of Operation
Area of Responsibility
Joint Operations Area
Surface Component
Area of Operation
Theater of Operation
Joint Special Operations Area
Figure 4-1. Theater Structure Diagram
4-53. A theater of war does not normally encompass the theater commander's
entire area of responsibility (AOR). The theater commander may thus
conduct combat operations within a theater of war and react to a separate
contingency in a theater of operations or JSOA elsewhere in his AOR. The
theater commander would continue normal peacetime activities throughout
the remainder of the AOR.
4-54. Nation assistance and similar activities do not cease when higher levels
of violence begin. The theater environment is often one of simultaneous
activities across the full range of military operations.
4-9