What is a Unified Command with a continuing mission under a single commander called?

A Unified Command with a continuing mission under a single commander is referred to as Combatant Command. This term describes a command structure established by the Unified Command Plan established by the President and the Secretary of Defense. Combatant Commands are responsible for a specific geographic area or function, such as the U.S. Central Command or U.S. Special Operations Command, and they maintain continuous operations and responsibilities across their area of operation.

Combatant Commands have broad authority over military operations and resources within their designated areas, focusing on the integration of forces of the various services to ensure unity of effort and effectiveness in missions. The continuity of mission under a single commander allows for a clearly defined direction and strategic oversight essential for successful operations and mission accomplishment.

In contrast, other command structures like Operational Command, Strategic Command, and Task Force Command do not capture this specific definition. While Operational Command refers to a command over the forces to conduct operations, Strategic Command relates to the broader level of strategic tasks, and Task Force Command usually denotes a temporary grouping for a specific operation or mission, none of these encapsulate the ongoing mission aspect of a Unified Command led by a single commander as effectively as Combatant Command does.