What is the term for a command that operates under the terms of a treaty, alliance, or bilateral agreement?

The term that refers to a command operating under the terms of a treaty, alliance, or bilateral agreement is known as a combined command. This type of command is established when forces from two or more nations come together to create a cooperative framework for military operations. The primary aim is to facilitate collaboration and coordination between allied forces, ensuring that they operate under a unified strategy while respecting the sovereignty of each nation involved.

This structure is essential for effectively managing joint operations and maximizing the capabilities and resources of the participating nations. It fosters interoperability and helps in building mutual trust among allied forces. A combined command emphasizes the importance of diplomatic and military relationships, reflecting the agreements and treaties that bind the countries together in such operations.

In contrast, the other terms such as joint command typically refer to operations involving multiple branches of a single nation’s military forces, while unified commands are generally focused on the U.S. military across different geographic or functional areas. Task forces are temporary groupings of military units designed for a specific operation or mission but do not inherently imply an alliance or treaty-based collaboration.