When military forces are deployed on foreign soil, who retains control of those forces?

When military forces are deployed on foreign soil, the combatant commander retains control of those forces. The role of a combatant commander is significant in operational contexts, as they are responsible for the command and control of military operations and missions within their designated area of responsibility. This authority includes making decisions related to the employment of forces, logistics, and mission execution, which is critical to ensuring that operations align with strategic objectives and respond effectively to the operational environment.

The combatant commander operates under the authority of the President and the Secretary of Defense but exercises tactical and operational control on the ground. This distinction is important; while the Secretary of Defense and foreign government officials might have input or overarching authority regarding the deployment and diplomatic aspects, they do not exercise direct control over the day-to-day operations or tactical decisions once forces are in the theater. Typical Congressional oversight focuses more on budget and policy rather than direct control of operational matters, which further supports the role of the combatant commander as the key figure in charge of deployed military forces.