What is the role of the Secretary of the Air Force in relation to Air Force forces?

• A. The Secretary of the Air Force controls all combat operations directly.
• B. The Secretary of the Air Force disseminates doctrine to all services.
• C. The Secretary of the Air Force selects and assigns Air Force forces to Air Force Service Component Commands.
• D. The Secretary of the Air Force determines tactical targets for operations.

Answer: (C)

This question tests how civilian leadership organizes Air Force forces within the joint force structure. The Secretary of the Air Force selects and assigns Air Force forces to Air Force Service Component Commands, which are the service-level components that interface with the unified combatant commands. From there, those component commands handle administration, resource support, and preparation of the Air Force forces for potential operations under the appropriate combatant command. Operational control and execution of missions rest with the combatant commander, not the Secretary. The other options describe roles outside the Secretary’s authority: direct control of combat operations, broad dissemination of doctrine to all services, and setting tactical targets are operational or joint-domain tasks, not the Secretary’s function.