3-97. Commanders should never assume friendly air superiority. A ground force’s primary air defense systems are joint fighter aircraft conducting offensive counterair operations. These systems are operated by the joint force air component commander. Air and missile defense systems include organic or attached mounted or dismounted maneuver short-range air defense systems. During mission analysis, commanders, informed by the air defense coordinator, determine the air threat and its effect on the operation. During offensive operations, commanders direct the positioning of available organic or supporting radars and short- range air defense systems to locations where they can best support the unit’s attack in accordance with the critical and defended asset lists. The air defense and airspace management element in a unit staff ensures that it has communications with the appropriate air and missile defense organization’s command post.