Who has overall responsibility for force protection?

• A. The Mission Commander
• B. The Pilot
• C. The Ground Safety Officer
• D. The Aircraft Commander

Answer: (D)

Ultimate responsibility for force protection rests with the Aircraft Commander, who has authority over the aircraft, its crew, and mission safety. This role is responsible for threat assessment, implementing protective actions, and coordinating with security forces as needed. They make the final call on how to proceed when a threat is detected, including deviations, holding patterns, or aborting the mission if necessary. The Mission Commander oversees mission objectives but delegates or relies on the Aircraft Commander for the security and safe conduct of the flight. The Pilot is a crew member, not the overarching authority on force protection, and the Ground Safety Officer focuses on safety on the ground, not the aircraft’s protection in flight.