What should be referred to if the ACA and a component commander cannot agree on an airspace issue?

• A. It should be decided by the ACA alone.
• B. The issue should be referred to the JFC for resolution.
• C. It should be escalated to the UN.
• D. It should be ignored.

Answer: (B)

When there’s a dispute over airspace between the Air Component Commander and a component commander, the proper path is to escalate to the Joint Force Commander for resolution. The JFC holds the theater’s overall authority for joint operations, so they can issue binding guidance that harmonizes airspace control across all forces. This ensures unity of effort, proper deconfliction, and that airspace decisions support the entire campaign rather than a single component’s preferences.

Having the ACA decide alone would risk taking actions that may hinder other components or the broader mission. Going to the United Nations isn’t the appropriate mechanism for resolving theater airspace control issues within a Joint Force. Ignoring the issue is dangerous and unacceptable because it can lead to miscoordination and potential incidents.