Operational Axis

the zone of terrain, water, or air space —and sometimes all of these taken together—within which the operational groupings of the forces of the combatants develop their combat actions; part of a strategic axis and theater of war.

Operational axes usually include objects or regions of operational importance, including major industrial and administrative centers, communications centers, ports, and straits. Operational axes are not ordinarily permanent; they change according to the composition and position of the opposed groupings of forces and according to variations in the objectives of the operation. Operational axes are determined by the concrete operational-strategic situation in the theater of war.