Area of responsibility Area Of Responsibility ( AOR ) is a pre - defined geographic region assigned to a Combatant commander s of the Unified Command Plan ( UCP ) , that are used to define an area with specific geographic boundaries where they have the authority to plan and conduct operations ; for which a force , or component commander bears a certain responsibility . The term may also be used in other countries worldwide but it originated within the United States armed forces . This system is designed to allow a single commander to exercise command and control of all military forces in the AOR , regardless of their branch of service . The President of the United States signed the U . S . Unified Command Plan ( UCP ) 2008 on 17 December 2008 , establishing the up - to - date boundaries for the newest Command , United States Africa Command ( USAFRICOM ) , and all changes to boundaries of the other Commands . U . S Unified Command Plan ( UCP ) 2011 was signed on 6 April 2011 . Boundaries were adjusted in the high northern latitudes between USEUCOM , USNORTHCOM and USPACOM . http : / / www . defense . gov / news / UCP _ 2011 _ Map4 . pdf Combatant commanders may designate theaters of war , theaters of operation , combat zones , and communications zones . Joint force commander s may define additional operational areas or joint areas to assist in the coordination and execution of joint operations . The size of these areas and the types of forces used depend on the scope , nature , and projected duration of the operation . Combatant commanders and other joint force commanders use the following organization of the battlespace at the operational level of war . Combatant commanders are assigned an area of responsibility in the Unified Command Plan . Understanding the joint battlespace at the operational level of war in which forces will operate is an important step in setting the conditions for their success . Force commanders must understand the relationship between the Area of Operation ( AO ) , Area of Interest , and Area of Influence . By analyzing his AO in terms of his area of influence and area of interest , a force commander determines whether his assigned AO is appropriate . This analysis may include the forces ’ capabilities to conduct actions across the warfighting functions . Area of operation . The Areas of Operation , or " AOs " , are areas that component and force commanders define their tactical operability . It is also known as close battlespace . The commanders focus on establishing command and control in this area ; which encompasses all aspects of fire support — naval gunfire , air and artillery superiority — in order to provide his ground forces the support they need . Also , the commander sets up force protection and supportive arms , such as logistics or reinforcements . The commander can choose to organize his AO so that his subordinates have contiguous or noncontiguous AOs : Operation Restore Hope in Somalia during 1992 – 1993 , is an example of a battlefield framework with noncontiguous areas . The United States ' Marine Air - Ground Task Force s ' ( 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 . Areas of influence . In an " area of influence " , the component or force commander assigns his subordinate units to conduct missions in and out of this area . Communication is key , either for reconnaissance to report intelligence or fire support for ground forces . Sometimes known as " distant battlespace " , it is useful to the force commander as a tool in assigning subordinate areas of operations and in focusing intelligence collection and information operations to shape the battlespace to facilitate future operations . Today ' s area of influence may be tomorrow ' s AO . Area of interest . 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 . The size of the area of interest normally exceeds the commander ' s operational reach , which mainly focusses within the scope of " deep operations " . While the area of interest includes the AO and area of influence , the area of interest may stretch far beyond the other parts of a commander ' s battlespace . A commander may also have areas of interest around airbases in other countries neighboring the task force ' s AO .