THE GULF WAR: The International Front : Definitions: Command and Control

The U.S. said that a building hit in Baghdad was a command - and - control center. Here’s a definition:

A command-and-control center is the headquarters of a given unit or area of operations where orders and command decisions and information are RECEIVED, COORDINATED AND DISTRIBUTED. For any unit to operate effectively, it must be able to arrange fire, movement and combat with other units. If it loses its command and control, it will be fighting in isolation. Because command-and-control centers are so critical, they are concealed through camouflage and deception. Of course, the hardest aspect to hide is communications, since radio traffic is detectable.