CJCS doesn’t have that authority (C&S 101). Only the Natl Command Authority or President would be in his operational command chain. SecDef might also have the authority, but technically the NCA forms the JTFs and is the only one with authority to terminate those commands. Joint Chiefs provide staffing support and are generally used by POTUS to coordinate between higher authority and the CinCs.
Interesting.
Why do you suppose Panetta cited Dempsey as one of the principal decision-makers?