In terms of operational art, which of the following is crucial for maximizing combat effectiveness?

Operational reach refers to the distance and duration across which a force can successfully employ military capabilities. It is a critical factor in operational art as it directly influences a commander's ability to project power and sustain operations in a particular theater. By effectively managing operational reach, commanders can maximize combat effectiveness by ensuring that forces can be deployed to the right place at the right time to exploit opportunities and respond to threats.

Operational reach allows for strategic flexibility, enabling commanders to extend their efforts beyond immediate geographic constraints. This capability is vital for conducting operations that might involve complex maneuvers, force projections, and the integration of various units across different domains—land, air, and maritime.

In contrast, while resource allocation, military integration, and mission objectives play significant roles in operational planning and effectiveness, operational reach encompasses the broader strategic implications of how and where forces can be applied to achieve desired outcomes in a given operational context. Therefore, understanding and leveraging operational reach is essential to ensuring that all elements of combat power can be effectively utilized against adversarial forces across expansive areas of operation.