Which function is associated with the operational level of warfare?

The correct choice accurately reflects the role of the operational level of warfare, which is fundamentally about bridging the gap between strategy and tactics. At this level, military planners focus on how to translate strategic objectives, set by national leadership, into executable plans that guide tactical forces in achieving specific operational goals.

Operational warfare involves the orchestration of resources and forces to achieve objectives that contribute to long-term strategic outcomes. This encompasses not just the logistics and movement of forces but also the coordination of various military operations across multiple engagements to achieve success on a larger scale.

The other options, while related to different aspects of military operations, do not align with the specific function of the operational level. Determining how to execute tactical engagements is more about tactical-level planning rather than operational. Implementing military tactics addresses the execution of day-to-day battlefield decisions, and determining national defense strategies pertains to the strategic level of warfare, focusing on broad national objectives rather than the operational engagement that connects those strategies to tactical actions.