text: Armies, Corps, and Divisions
  Figure 1-8. The area of responsibility and joint operations areas
  1-118. In the AO designated by the JFC, the joint force land component (or ARFOR) commander is the
  supported commander. In the AO, the JFLCC (or ARFOR commander) integrates and synchronizes
  maneuver, fires, and interdiction. To facilitate this integration and synchronization, these commanders have
  the authority to designate target priority, effects, and timing of fires in their AO.
  1-119. Synchronization of operations in the land AO with operations in the JOA is of particular importance.
  To facilitate synchronization, the JFC establishes priorities for all forces within the JOA, including land
  forces. In coordination with the JFLCC, those commanders designated by the JFC to execute AOR- or JOA-
  wide functions have the latitude to plan and execute these JFC prioritized operations in the land AO.
  However, any commander accomplishing such a mission in a land AO must coordinate the operation to avoid
  adverse effects and fratricide. If those operations can adversely impact the land AO, the commander assigned
  to execute the JOA-wide functions must re-adjust the plan, solve the problem with the JFLCC, or consult
  with the JFC for resolution.
  CONTIGUOUS AND NONCONTIGUOUS OPERATIONAL AREAS
  1-120. Commanders may divide operational areas one of three ways: contiguous subordinate AOs,
  noncontiguous subordinate AOs, or a combination of the two. When they are contiguous, a boundary
  separates them. When AOs are noncontiguous, subordinate commands do not share a boundary. The higher
  echelon headquarters retains responsibility for the unassigned portion of its operational area.
  1-121. In most operations, commanders seek to employ contiguous operational areas to ensure subordinates
  are in mutually supporting range of each other while avoiding gaps and seams in responsibility. Contiguous
  AOs may also provide additional security for maneuver units and headquarters and support units. In some
  operations, an operational area or subordinate AO may be so large that subordinate units operate in a
  noncontiguous manner, widely distributed and beyond mutually supporting range of each other. (See
  figure 1-9.)