Which role should be designated to direct joint air operations across services?

• A. Joint Forces Air Component Commander
• B. Joint Force Commander
• C. Combined Joint Air Operations Center Director
• D. Joint Air Operations Planner

Answer: (A)

Directing joint air operations across services requires a single senior air authority who can plan, task, and synchronize air power from all services to support the joint force commander’s objectives. That authority is the Joint Forces Air Component Commander. The JFACC leads the Joint Forces Air Component (the air side of the joint force), coordinating across service air forces to execute air campaigns, integrate ISR, air superiority, interdiction, close air support, and other air tasks, while ensuring deconfliction and proper use of airspace and resources. The Joint Force Commander is the overall leader of the joint force but delegates the execution of day-to-day air operations to the JFACC. A Combined Joint Air Operations Center Director would be relevant in a multinational coalition setting, not a standard cross-service national force scenario. A Joint Air Operations Planner supports planning under the JFACC but does not command and direct the full set of air operations itself.