How is air apportionment defined?

Air apportionment is defined as the determination and assignment of effort by percentage or priority for air operations. This concept is crucial in military operations as it helps in distributing available air resources among various missions while taking into account the overall objectives of the campaign. It allows planners to strategically allocate air capabilities to ensure that different operational needs are met effectively, mirroring the commander's intent and optimizing the use of air power across a theater of operations.

Selecting air defense strategies or prioritizing ground support operations, while critical functions in a comprehensive military strategy, do not encompass the specific focus of air apportionment. Similarly, the allocation of aircraft to specific missions pertains to execution rather than the prior planning and prioritization that air apportionment represents. Therefore, understanding air apportionment as a strategic tool for prioritizing air resources reinforces the importance of coordinated and effective air operations in achieving mission success.