JP 1, Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States - Defense ...

Joint Command Organizations
JFC, for tasking through the joint force air component commander (JFACC), for air defense,
long-range interdiction, and long-range reconnaissance. Sorties in excess of MAGTF direct
support requirements will be provided to the JFC for tasking through the JFACC for the
support of other components of the joint force or the joint force as a whole.
(b) Nothing herein shall infringe on the authority of the GCC or subordinate
JFC in the exercise of OPCON to assign missions, redirect efforts (e.g., the reapportionment
and/or reallocation of any MAGTF TACAIR sorties when it has been determined by the JFC
that they are required for higher priority missions), and direct coordination among the
subordinate commanders to ensure unity of effort in accomplishment of the overall mission,
or to maintain integrity of the force.
Note: Sorties provided for air defense, long-range interdiction, and longrange
reconnaissance are not “excess” sorties and will be covered in the air
tasking order. These sorties provide a distinct contribution to the overall
joint force effort. The joint force commander must exercise integrated
control of air defense, long-range reconnaissance, and interdiction aspects
of the joint operation or theater campaign. Excess sorties are in addition to
these sorties.
2. Unified Combatant Command
a. Criteria for Establishing a Unified Combatant Command. A unified CCMD is a
command with broad continuing missions under a single commander and composed of
significant assigned components of two or more Military Departments that is established and
so designated by the President through SecDef and with the advice and assistance of the
CJCS. When either or both of the following criteria apply generally to a situation, a unified
CCMD normally is required to ensure unity of effort.
(1) A broad continuing mission exists, requiring execution by significant forces of
two or more Military Departments and necessitating a single strategic direction.
(2) Any combination of the following exists and significant forces of two or more
Military Departments are involved:
(a) A large-scale operation requiring positive control of tactical execution by a
large and complex force;
(b) A large geographic or functional area requiring single responsibility for
effective coordination of the operations therein; and/or
(c) Necessity for common use of limited logistic means.
b. The commander of a unified CCMD normally will adapt the command structure to
exercise command authority through the commander of a subunified command, JTF,
Service component, or functional component. Alternatively, the commander of a unified
CCMD may choose to exercise command authority directly through the commander of a
single-Service force (e.g., task force, task group, MAGTF for a noncombatant evacuation
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