Air Power's Gordian Knot: Centralized Versus Organic Control

In 1986 Joint Chiefs of Staff Publication JCS Pub 26, Joint Doctrine for Theater Counterair Operations for Overseas Land Areas, first defined the position of joint force air component commander JFACC. Having the concept of a functional air component commander written into joint doctrine was the culmination of 43 years of effort on the part of the Air Force-but it did not occur without dissent. Following the publication of JCS Pub 26 and the supporting 1986 Omnibus Agreement, many people have selectively interpreted what the JFACC is and what he or she can do. Letters from both Headquarters US Air Force and Headquarters US Marine Corps have eloquently argued in legalistic detail for and against the authority of the JFACC. Additionally, the Armys new concept of airland operations in Training and Doctrine Command Pamphlet TRADOC Pam 525-5, AirLand Operations A Concept for the Evolution of AirLand Battle for the Strategic Army of the 1990s and Beyond, envisions much greater control over the joint battle area, previously an exclusive region of JFACC direction. Finally, the Navy remains wary of an Air Force JFACCs ability to understand the intricacies of sea warfare and therefore releases only excess sorties for the JFACCs control.