Area of responsibility

The size of these areas and the types of forces used depend on the scope, nature, and projected duration of the operation.

The United States' Marine Air-Ground Task Forces' (MAGTF) rear area was centered around the separate sites of the embassy compound, port, and airfield in the city of Mogadishu, while its close area was widely scattered around the towns and villages of the interior that were occupied by the MAGTF.

The MAGTF's deep area included the rest of the country and particularly those population and relief centers not under the joint force commander's supervision.

Communication is key, either for reconnaissance to report intelligence or fire support for ground forces.

The key term area of interest specifies areas of interest to the component or force commander; the location of friendly and enemy forces, and the capabilities that may be an advantage, the infrastructure, and key terrain that concern the commander.

A commander may also have areas of interest around airbases in other countries neighboring the task force's AO.