USJFCOM as Force Provider

USJFCOM provides trained and capable forces to our senior commanders in the field.

This requires a considerable degree of coordination to build "joint forces" that ensure elements of our Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps can fight together as specialized, task-organized teams.

These teams can include the use of U.S. Coast Guard and Reserve forces, or allied forces from other nations. For example, an Air Force general could command and coordinate the activities of a force consisting of Army airborne and special operations troops, a Marine expeditionary unit, an Air Force squadron, and a Navy aircraft carrier.

That "Joint Force" commander would subsequently report to a senior commander responsible for U.S. military activities in that part of the globe. Often called a "theater of operations", these areas of responsibility, or AOR, each have a senior officer who ensures activities are coordinated as part of a unified national effort.

Upon the receipt of a mission, our commanders rely upon USJFCOM to pull these forces together from their service bases, and coordinate their transfer to that senior commander for duty. USJFCOM provided the majority of forces transferred to the U.S. Central Command combatant commander for his use in Southwest Asia during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. In fact, U.S. Joint Forces Command has control of over 80% of all continental U.S.-based combat ready forces.

Being a joint force provider is important to transformation because every day, our service components and subordinate activities provide forces in support of our combatant commanders. When asked, we also provide assistance to domestic civil authorities. Operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle are examples where USJFCOM provided forces to support the defense of our country against terrorism.

USJFCOM also leads many efforts to ensure our senior commanders have tools that consistently perform well. Initiatives such as "precision engagement" and the "joint deployment process" are representative of our efforts to improve the targeting procedures used by all U.S. military forces, and our means of providing and transporting these forces as part of a joint team.

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