JP 3-0, page 103

Organizing for Joint Operations IV-11 c. HQ also have personal and special staff sections or elements, which perform specialized duties as prescribed by JFC and handle special matters over which the JFC wishes to exercise personal control. Examples include the SJA, provost marshal, and inspector general. For detailed guidance on the organization of a joint force HQ, refer to JP 3-33, Joint Task Force Headquarters. 5. Organizing Operational Areas a. General. Except for AORs, which are assigned in the UCP, GCCs and other JFCs designate smaller operational areas (e.g., JOA and AO) on a temporary basis. Operational areas have physical dimensions comprised of some combination of air, land, maritime, and space domains. JFCs define these areas with geographical boundaries, which help commanders and staffs coordinate, integrate, and deconflict joint operations among joint force components and supporting commands. The size of these operational areas and the types of forces employed within them depend on the scope and nature of the mission and the projected duration of operations. b. Combatant Command-Level Areas. GCCs conduct operations in their assigned AORs. When warranted, the President, SecDef, or GCCs may designate a theater of war and/or theater of operations for each operation (see Figure IV-4). GCCs can elect to control operations directly in these operational areas, or may establish subordinate joint forces for that purpose, while remaining focused on the broader AOR. (1) Area of Responsibility. An AOR is an area established by the UCP that defines geographic responsibilities for a GCC. A GCC has authority to plan for operations within the AOR and conduct those operations approved by the President or SecDef. CCDRs may operate forces wherever required to accomplish approved missions. All cross-AOR operations must be coordinated between the affected GCCs. (2) Theater of War. A theater of war is a geographical area established by the President, SecDef, or GCC for the conduct of major operations and campaigns involving combat. A theater of war is established primarily when there is a formal declaration of war or it is necessary to encompass more than one theater of operations (or a JOA and a OPERATIONAL AREAS FOR OPERATION RESTORE HOPE During Operation RESTORE HOPE in Somalia, the joint forces rear area was centered around the separate sites of the embassy compound, port, and airfield in the city of Mogadishu, while its operational area was widely scattered around the towns and villages of the interior. The area of interest included the rest of the country and particularly those population and relief centers not under the joint force commander’s supervision. Various Sources