Which of the following is NOT a main component of the AOC structure?

The correct answer is tactics, as it is generally considered a subset of operations rather than a main component of the AOC structure. The Air Operations Center is primarily organized around three key components: strategy, plans, and operations. Each of these components plays a critical role in the overall function of the AOC.

Strategy involves the overarching goals and objectives guiding military operations, ensuring that all activities align with national and theater-level objectives. Plans focus on the development and coordination of specific operations and missions, translating strategic objectives into actionable tasks and resource requirements. Operations are directly related to the execution of planned missions, managing real-time tasking and resource allocation during combat and other operations.

Tactics, while essential to military operations, are typically more concerned with the execution of specific tasks on the battlefield rather than the broader organizational framework of the AOC. This distinction helps clarify the hierarchical relationship between the various aspects of military planning and execution within the AOC structure.