What is "military operation"

n. activity by a military or naval force (as a maneuver or campaign); "it was a joint operation of the navy and air force" [syn: operation]

A military operation is the coordinated military actions of a state, or a non-state actor, in response to a developing situation. These actions are designed as a military plan to resolve the situation in the state's favor. Operations may be of a combat or non-combat nature and are referred to by a code name for the purpose of national security. Military operations are often known for their more generally accepted common usage names than their actual operational objectives.