Who has authority to direct strikers in support of a SCAR mission to proceed against appropriate targets using INVESTIGATE, TARGET, SMACK taskings?

• A. JFC
• B. JFACC
• C. SCAR Aircrew
• D. Named Area of Interest

Answer: (C)

In a SCAR operation, the authority to direct strike assets rests with the SCAR aircrew assigned to that mission. They own the execution and control of the mission, deciding when and where to proceed and issuing the INVESTIGATE, TARGET, SMACK sequence to the strikers as appropriate within the mission’s ROE and constraints. Higher commands provide overarching authorization and mission intent, but they do not micromanage the on‑scene weapon tasking. The Named Area of Interest is just a geographic or thematic focus, not a person or unit with direct strike authority.