Which type of support requires a commanding officer's approval to retain parts that are not demand supported?

The correct choice regarding the requirement for a commanding officer's approval to retain parts that are not demand supported is indeed the option that identifies non-demand supported supplies. Non-demand supported parts are those that do not have regular or predictable usage patterns, which means they are not typically required or requested frequently.

Since these parts are not necessitated by ongoing operational requirements or demands, maintaining a stockpile of such items can lead to unnecessary inventory costs and management issues. Therefore, oversight from a commanding officer is essential to ensure that these parts are retained for legitimate purposes and that resources are allocated efficiently.

In contrast, demand supported parts are those that are regularly needed and justified by historical usage, while initial stockage refers to the initial levels of inventory set for newly acquired items. Technical supply generally refers to specialized equipment related to aviation maintenance. All these options involve different contexts and management strategies, but non-demand supported parts specifically necessitate a higher level of scrutiny and authorization to ensure accountability in inventory management.