Who has overall responsibility for executing the Unified Command Plan (UCP)?

The responsibility for executing the Unified Command Plan (UCP) lies primarily with the Combatant Commands (CCMDs). The UCP is a directive issued by the President and the Secretary of Defense that establishes the missions, responsibilities, and geographic areas of responsibilities for all CCMDs. These commands are organized to conduct operations across various domains and ensure the effective implementation of U.S. military strategies and policies.

The CCMDs are tasked with operationalizing the guidance provided in the UCP, which includes responding to threats and conducting military operations within their designated areas. This structure allows the United States to maintain a coordinated and efficient military posture globally.

While the National Security Council, Intelligence Community, and Department of Defense play important roles in the broader context of national defense, their functions support and inform the CCMDs rather than directly executing the plans laid out in the UCP. The National Security Council focuses on policy-making, the Intelligence Community provides critical intelligence support, and the Department of Defense oversees the defense establishment at a higher level, but the actual execution is managed by the CCMDs.