ABSTRACT
Intelligence functions performed by organizations reporting to the headquarters of the Department of Defense and military services, a substantial intelligence capability is maintained within the unified military commands. The commanders, each formerly known as a Commander in Chief, of those regional commands were responsible for directing the conduct of military operations in their area of responsibility, employing the military forces in the component commands assigned to them. There are six regional commands: Africa Command, Central Command, European Command, Northern Command, Pacific Command, and Southern Command. The intelligence responsibilities of the unified commands have included intelligence analysis for both the command and higher authorities, as well as supervision of national reconnaissance and other sensitive collection operations conducted within the command's theater. The United States (US) Southern Command has been responsible for US military activities in Central and South America since 1946, when it was established as the Caribbean Command.
