Collateral Functions of the Department of the Air Force The collateral functions of the Air Force are to train forces to do the following: Restrain enemy sea power through air operations Conduct  antisubmarine  warfare  and protect shipping Conduct aerial minelaying operations UNIFIED AND SPECIFIED COMMANDS The United States’ concept of the military establishment is that it is an efficient team of land, naval, and air forces. This concept has its base on the principle of effective use of military power. This principle requires close integration of the efforts of the separate military services. Unity of effort among the services at the national level results from a joint effort. The Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the JCS, and the various military departments work together in this joint  effort. Under the National Security Act, each military department and service must coordinate with the others. Each is responsible for organiz- ing, training, equipping, and providing forces to fulfill certain specific combat functions and  for  controlling  and  supporting  these forces. The full use and exploration of the weapons, techniques, and capabilities of each department and service are essential in attaining our national security goals. UNIFIED COMMANDS A unified command is a command, with a broad continuing mission, composed of signifi- cant components of two or more services under a single commander. When either or both of the following criteria apply to a situation, it requires a unified command: 1. A broad continuing mission exists that requires significant forces of two or more services and a single strategic direction. 2. Any combination of the following exists when  the  situation  involves  significant forces of two or more services: a. A large-scale operation requiring posi- tive control and tactical execution by a large and complex force. b. A large geographic area requiring single responsibility  for  effective  coordina- tion of operations. c. Command use of limited logistics re- sources. The unified commands existing at this time include the following: U.S.  European  Command  (USEUCOM) U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) U.S. Atlantic Command (USLANTCOM) U.S.  Space  Command  (USSPACECOM) U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANS- COM) U.S. Special Operations Command (USSO- COM) U.S.  Central  Command  (USCENTCOM) Unified Commander The authority setting up a unified command appoints a unified commander. This authority also determines the force structure and assigns the forces and missions and the general geographic area of responsibility. The commander of a unified command has a joint staff, with members in key positions from each service having component forces under the unified command. The joint staff requires a balance in the composition of the forces and the character of the operations. This balance makes sure of an understanding by the commander of the tactics, techniques, capabilities, needs, and limitations of each part of the forces. Each component of a unified command is normally under direct command of an officer of that component. A unified commander usually exercises  operational  command  through  the service component or through the commanders 1-8