Who is typically the Service component commander tasked with planning and controlling joint air operations?

The Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC) is the correct choice for the individual responsible for planning and controlling joint air operations. The JFACC's role is to integrate and synchronize air power within a joint force context, ensuring that air operations are effectively aligned with the overall objectives of the operation. The JFACC operates under the joint force commander, providing a vital coordination function and leveraging capabilities from multiple service branches to maximize combat effectiveness.

In joint operations, the JFACC is crucial for determining air strategy, allocating resources, and directing air assets to achieve mission success. This role emphasizes the need for a unified command structure in complex operational environments, where different branches of the military must work in concert.

While other command structures like the Combined Forces Air Component Commander also play essential roles in joint operations, especially in multinational environments, the primary focus of the JFACC is within a specific joint task force context. This distinction underscores the importance of the JFACC's role in effectively managing and executing air operations collectively, making them the primary service component commander for this purpose.