Which AFFOR staff component is associated with operational management?

The answer indicates that the "ops" staff component is primarily responsible for operational management within the AFFOR structure. The operations staff, often referred to as "ops," focuses on the planning, execution, and oversight of operational missions. This component is crucial for ensuring that tactical and strategic plans are effectively implemented and that resources are appropriately allocated to achieve mission objectives.

Operational management encompasses a broad range of activities, including mission planning, situation assessment, and coordination among various units and resources. The ops staff is directly involved in these processes, making them a key player in managing ongoing operations and ensuring mission success in a dynamic environment.

The other components, such as Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Studies, Analyses, Assessments, and Lessons Learned, and Comm, play important roles in their respective areas, but their focus does not center on the day-to-day management and execution of operations in the same direct way as the ops component. Thus, the "ops" component is rightly identified as being associated with operational management.