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NATO handbook07 uploaded March 25, 1993

63. The International Military Staff

The Military Committee is supported by an integrated International Military Staff made up of military personnel seconded from national military establishments and of supporting civilian personnel. Members of the Inter- national Military Staff have a similar status within the Organisation as the International Staff but come under the administrative authority of the Director of the Inter- national Military Staff or the Head of the independent NATO agency within which they are employed. The na- tional military status of personnel seconded from national armed forces is not affected by their temporary second- ment to NATO.

The International Military Staff is headed by a Director of three star rank who is nominated by the member nations and is selected by the Military Committee. He may be from any one of the member nations, but he must be of a different nationality from the Chairman of the Military Committee. The Director is assisted by six Assist- ant Directors of flag or general officer rank and the Secretary of the International Military Staff.

As the executive agent of the Military Committee, the International Military Staff is tasked with ensuring that the policies and decisions of the Military Committee are implemented as directed. In addition, the International Military Staff prepares plans, initiates studies and recom- mends policy on matters of a military nature referred to NATO or to the Military Committee by national or NATO authorities, commanders or agencies. In the framework of the Work Plan for Dialogue, Partnership and Cooper- ation established by the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, and the work plan adopted by the Military Committee at its first meeting in Cooperation Session, the IMS is also actively involved in the process of co- operation with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

64. Organisation of the International Military Staff

The organisation of the International Military Staff is as follows:

The Intelligence Division is responsible for assessing the strengths and disposition of military forces which could represent a risk to NATO's security interests and for keep- ing the Military Committee, the Council and Defence Planning Committee informed of developments. The Divi- sion coordinates the production and dissemination of NATO agreed intelligence, including intelligence policy and basic intelligence documents. NATO has no independ- ent intelligence gathering function or capacity of its own but acts as a central coordinating body to collate and disseminate intelligence provided by national authorities.

The Plans and Policy Division serves as the focal point for all policy and planning matters of specific interest to the Military Committee. This includes providing staff support to the Military Committee in military matters concerning the NATO strategic concept, politico-military matters, long-term conceptual thinking, military contacts with cooperation partners and arms control and disarma- ment. The Division also participates on behalf of the Military Committee in NATO's defence planning process; and develops and represents the views of the Military Committee and the Major NATO Commanders on mili- tary policy matters in various NATO forums.

The Operations Division provides staff support to the Military Committee in matters concerning current opera- tional plans; the NATO force posture and the organisa- tional structure of NATO Commands and military head- quarters; the military contribution to the management of contingency reactions to international crises where NATO interests are involved; the promotion and coordination of multinational training and exercises; and the coordination of efforts towards an effective NATO electronic warfare operational capability and associated training and exer- cises. The Operations Division also serves as the focal point between the NATO Military Authorities and the nations in developing plans, programmes and procedures for conventional arms control verification and implemen- tation.

The Logistics and Resources Division is responsible to the Military Committee for logistics, infrastructure, finan- cial and manpower matters. The Division acts as the focal point for staffing and coordinating all military planning and management matters in these areas and liaises with NATO Civil Emergency Planning Committees and Agencies concerning civil support for the military side.

The Communications and Information Systems Division provides staff support to the Military Committee on NATO military policy and operational requirements related to NATO Communications and Information Sys- tems, including communications and computer security, leasing of PTT services, military frequency management and interoperability of tactical communications. The Divi- sion also provides support to the NATO Communications and Information Systems Committee, and to the Brussels- based specialised Military Telecommunications and Com- munications and Information Systems (CIS) Agencies.

The Armaments and Standardization Division provides staff support to the Military Committee on matters con- cerning the development and assessment of NATO mili- tary policy and procedures for armaments and related standardization activities and acts as the focal point for staffing and coordination of military needs in these areas. The Division is also the focal point within the Inter- national Military Staff for all air defence matters.

The Secretariat supports the Military Committee and provides administrative support to the divisions within the International Military Staff.

65. The Role of Allied Military Forces

The major changes in the security environment have enhanced the role of political dialogue and cooperation and increased the scope for resolving crises by political means. The primary role of Alliance military forces, namely to guarantee the security and territorial integrity of member states, remains unchanged. However, in the new strategic environment this role must be fulfilled in a manner which takes account of diverse and multi-direc- tional risks rather than a single threat.

The organisation of Alliance forces is designed to ensure that in fulfilling this role they remain fully capable of performing the different functions which could be required of them whatever the situation - peace, crisis or war.

Their role in peace is to guard against risks to the security of Alliance members; to contribute towards the maintenance of stability and balance in Europe; and to ensure that peace is preserved. Secondly, in the event of crises which might lead to a military threat to the security of Alliance members, their role is to be able to comple- ment and reinforce political actions and contribute to the management of such crises and their peaceful resolution. They therefore have to have the capability to respond in a measured and timely fashion in such circumstances. Thirdly, since the possibility of war cannot be ruled out altogether however unlikely it might be, Alliance forces have to provide the essential insurance against poten- tial risks, at the minimum level necessary to prevent war of any kind and, should aggression occur, to restore peace.

The maintenance of an adequate military capability and clear preparedness to act collectively in the common defence therefore remain central to the Alliance's security objectives. The collective nature of Allied defence is embod- ied in practical arrangements that enable the Allies to benefit from the political, military and resource advantages of collective defence. These arrangements are based on an integrated military structure and cooperation and coordina- tion agreements between the members states. Key features of the integrated structure include collective force planning; common operational planning; multinational formations; the stationing of forces outside home territory, where appropriate on a mutual basis; crisis management and reinforcement arrangements; procedures for consultation; common standards and procedures for equipment, training and logistics; joint and combined exercises; and infrastruc- ture, armaments and logistics cooperation. All member countries assign forces to the Integrated Military Command Structure with the exception of Iceland (which has no military forces) and France and Spain, to which separate cooperation and coordination arrangements apply.

66. The Integrated Military Command Structure

The strategic area covered by the North Atlantic Treaty is currently divided among three Major NATO Commands (European, Atlantic and Channel) and a Regional Plan- ning Group for Canada and the United States. However changes to the Alliance's integrated military command structure are being introduced in order to adapt it to present day needs and to enable NATO forces to meet the requirements of the new Strategic Concept. As a first major step, NATO Defence Ministers decided in December 1991 to reduce the number of Major NATO Commands within the new structure from three to two - European and Atlantic. They also decided to create three Major Subordinate Commands within Allied Command Europe, responsible for the Southern, Central and Northwest regions. Other measures, concerning the organisation of the Central Region in particular, were also announced. These decisions, many of which are subject to further detailed planning, will be implemented gradually.

The Major NATO Commanders are responsible for the development of defence plans for their respective areas, for the determination of force requirements and for the deployment and exercise of the forces under their com- mand. Their reports and recommendations regarding the forces assigned to them and their logistic support are referred to the NATO Military Committee. The Major NATO Commanders are also responsible for the develop- ment and conduct of their military contacts with co- operation partners.

67. Allied Command Europe (ACE) Headquarters: SHAPE at Casteau near Mons, Belgium

The task of Allied Command Europe (ACE) is to safe- guard the area extending from the northern tip of Norway to Southern Europe, including the whole of the Mediter- ranean, and from the Atlantic coastline to the eastern border of Turkey. This equates to nearly two million square kilometres of land, more than three million square kilome- tres of sea, and a population of about 320 million people.

The military task of ACE is to contribute, along with the forces of the other Major NATO Commands, to the defence of the above area. In the event of crisis, the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe becomes responsi- ble for implementing military measures to preserve the security, or restore the integrity, of Allied Command Europe within the framework of the authority given to him by the Council or Defence Planning Committee.

68. The Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR)

SACEUR is responsible for preparing defence plans for the area under his command and ensuring the combat efficiency of the forces assigned to his command; making recommendations to the Military Committee on matters likely to improve the organisation of his command; set- ting down standards for organising, training, equipping, maintaining and sustaining the forces he commands; and conducting exercises and evaluations to ensure that these forces form a unified and capable force for the collective defence of NATO territory. In the event of war, SACEUR would control all land, sea and air operations in his area.

SACEUR makes recommendations to NATO's political and military authorities on any military matter which might affect his ability to carry out his responsibilities and he has direct access to the Chiefs-of-Staff, the De- fence Ministers and Heads of Government of the NATO nations.

Like the Chairman of the Military Committee, the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, also has an impor- tant public profile and is the senior military spokesman for SHAPE. Through his own activities and those of his public information staff he maintains regular contacts with the press and media and undertakes official visits within NATO countries and in the countries with which NATO is develop- ing dialogue, cooperation and partnership.

The headquarters of Allied Command Europe is the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).

The following subordinate commands are currently responsible to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe:

(a) Allied Forces Northern Europe (AFNORTH): Kolsas, Norway.

This Command comprises: Allied Forces North

Norway; Allied Forces South Norway; and Allied Forces Baltic Approaches.

(b) Allied Forces Central Europe (AFCENT): Brunssum, the Netherlands.

This Command comprises: Northern Army Group; Central Army Group; Allied Air Forces Central Europe; 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force; and 4th Allied Tactical Air Force.

(c) Allied Forces Southern Europe (AFSOUTH): Naples, Italy.

This Command comprises: Allied Land Forces South- ern Europe; Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe; Allied Air Forces Southern Europe; Allied Naval Forces Southern Europe; Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe.

(d) The UK Air Forces Command (CINCUKAIR): High Wycombe, United Kingdom.

(e) The Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (AMF): Heidelberg, Germany.

(f) The Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAV- FORMED).

(g) The NATO Airborne Early Warning Force: Geilen- kirchen, Germany (The NAEW Force is under the operational command of the three Major NATO Com- manders, SACEUR, SACLANT and CINCHAN. SACEUR is their Executive Agent.)

(h) The NATO (SHAPE) School at Oberammergau.

The organisation of the subordinate command struc- ture of Allied Command Europe described above is cur- rently undergoing review.

69. Allied Command Atlantic (ACLANT)

Allied Command Atlantic extends from the North Pole to the Tropic of Cancer and from the coastal waters of North America to those of Europe and Africa, including Portugal, but not including the Channel and the British Isles. The Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT), like the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, receives his directions from the Military Commit- tee. The headquarters of ACLANT are at Norfolk, Vir- ginia, USA.

70. The Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT)

The Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic prepares de- fence plans for his commands, conducts joint and com- bined training exercises, sets training standards and deter- mines the establishment of units; and advises NATO mili- tary authorities on his strategic requirements.

The primary task of Allied Command Atlantic is to contribute to security in the whole Atlantic area by safeguarding the Allies' sea lines of communication, sup- porting land and amphibious operations, and protecting the deployment of the Alliance's sea-based nuclear deter- rent.

Like SACEUR, SACLANT has direct access to Chiefs- of-Staff, Defence Ministers and Heads of Government.

The following subordinate commands are currently responsible to the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic:

- the Western Atlantic Command, comprising a Sub- marine Force Western Atlantic Area Command; an

Ocean Sub-Area Command; a Canadian Atlantic Sub-Area Command; and the Bermuda and Green- land Island Commands;

- the Eastern Atlantic Command, comprising Maritime Air Eastern Atlantic Area; Northern Sub-Area; Mari- time Air Northern Sub-Area; Central Sub-Area; Mari- time Air Central Sub-Area; Submarine Forces Eastern Atlantic Area; and the Island Commands of Iceland and the Faeroes;

- the Striking Fleet Atlantic Command, comprising a Carrier Striking Force, consisting of the Carrier Strik- ing Group, the Anti-Submarine Warfare Group and an Amphibious Force;

- the Submarines Allied Command Atlantic;

- the Iberian Atlantic Command, including the Island Commands of Madeira and of the Azores;

- the Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFOR- LANT).

71. Allied Command Channel (ACCHAN)

The Channel Command extends from the Southern North Sea through the English Channel. The Headquarters of the Allied Commander-in-Chief Channel (CINCHAN) are located at Northwood, in the United Kingdom. Its task is to control and protect merchant shipping and contrib- ute to overall defence and deterrence.

72. The Commander-in-Chief Channel (CINCHAN)

In the event of aggression CINCHAN would be responsible for establishing and maintaining control of the Channel area, supporting operations in adjacent commands, and cooperating with SACEUR in the air defence of the Chan- nel. The forces available for these tasks are predominantly naval, but include maritime airforces.

CINCHAN's subordinate commanders include Com- mander Allied Maritime Air Force, Channel; Commander Nore Sub-Area Channel; Commander Plymouth Sub- Area, Channel; and Commander Benelux Sub-Area, Channel. CINCHAN also has under his command the NATO Standing Naval Force Channel (STANAVFOR- CHAN), a permanent force mainly comprising mine countermeasure vessels.

A Channel Committee consisting of the naval Chiefs- of-Staff of Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom serves as an advisory and consultative body to the Commander-in-Chief, Channel.

Both SACEUR and SACLANT have offical represent- atives at NATO Headquarters in Brussels (SACEUREP and SACLANTREPEUR) to provide liaison with NATO and national authorities. SACLANTREPEUR also acts as representative for CINCHAN when required.

The organisation of the subordinate command struc- ture of Allied Command Atlantic and Allied Command Channel is currently undergoing review in the light of the decision taken by NATO Defence Ministers in December 1991 to reduce the number of Major NATO Commands from three to two.

73. Canada-United States Regional Planning Group

The Canada-US Regional Planning Group, which covers the North American area, develops and recommends to the Military Committee plans for the defence of the Canada-US Region. It meets alternately in one of these two countries.

74. Forces Available to NATO

The forces of member countries available to NATO's inte- grated military command structure are essentially in two categories: those which come under the operational com- mand or operational control of a Major NATO Com- mander when required, in accordance with specified proce- dures or at prescribed times; and those which nations have agreed to assign to the operational command or operational control of a Major NATO Commander at a future date.

Some of the above terms have precise military defini- tions. The terms ``command'' and ``control'', for example, relate to the nature of the authority exercised by military commanders over the forces assigned to them. When used internationally, these terms do not necessarily have the same implications as they do when used in a purely national context. In assigning forces to NATO, member nations assign operational command or operational con- trol as distinct from full command over all aspects of the military operations and administration of those forces. These latter aspects continue to be a national responsibil- ity and remain under national control.

Broadly speaking, NATO's military forces will in future come into three categories: immediate and rapid reaction forces, main defence forces, and augmentation forces. Adjustments which are being made will continue to reflect the strictly defensive nature of the Alliance and will include reductions in their overall size and in some cases in the level of readiness which they maintain, enhanced flexibility and mobility and an assured augmentation capability. As in the past, the Alliance's political authori- ties will continue to exercise close control over the deploy- ment and employment of these forces at all times.

In general, national forces remain under full national command in peacetime. Exceptions to this rule are the integrated staffs in the various NATO military head- quarters; certain air defence units on constant alert such as the units manning the Airborne Early Warning and Control Force (AWACS); some communications units; and four small multinational forces created for specific tasks. These are described below.

75. The ACE Mobile Force (AMF)

In 1960 NATO formed a small, multinational task force which could be sent at short notice to any threatened part of Allied Command Europe to demonstrate the solidarity of the Alliance and its ability and determination to defend itself against aggression. The ACE Mobile Force or ``AMF'' is composed of land and air forces from Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States. Until assembled at the request of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), most units assigned to it are stationed in their home countries. United States units are provided by the US Forces already stationed in Europe.

The AMF is a balanced force made up of infantry battalions, artillery batteries and supporting units, with the fighting strength of a brigade group of about 5,000 men. The force can be deployed rapidly to any part of Allied Command Europe and is trained and tested every year in tough, realistic exercises held in both the northern and southern regions of Europe. Since its creation the AMF has regularly participated in multinational exercises but in January 1991 it was deployed for the first time in an operational role when elements of the force were sent to south-east Turkey during the Gulf War in order to demon- strate NATO's collective solidarity and determination in the face of a potential threat to Allied territory.

The Headquarters of AMF's land component are located near Heidelberg in Germany.

76. Standing Naval Forces

The Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFOR- LANT) was established in 1967. Composed of destroyer or frigate class ships drawn from the navies of member countries, this force comes under the command of the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT). Ships from Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States form the permanent mem- bership of the force. They are joined periodically by naval units from Belgium, Denmark, Norway and Portugal. The force carries out a programme of scheduled exercises, manoeuvres, and port visits and can be rapidly deployed to a threatened area in times of crisis or tension.

The Standing Naval Force Channel (STANAVFOR- CHAN) was commissioned in May 1973. It consists of mine countermeasure vessels and operates under the Command of the Allied Commander-in-Chief, Channel (CINCHAN). Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are regular contributors to the force.

Danish, Norwegian and United States ships also join the force from time to time.

A Naval On-Call Force for the Mediterranean (NAVOCFORMED) was created in 1969. Similar in pur- pose to STANAVFORLANT and STANAVFORCHAN, this naval force was assigned to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. It was not permanently in being and assembled only when called upon. Between exercises, normally twice a year, the ships remained under national command. Italy, Greece, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States normally contributed ships to the force and units of other nations exercised with the force from time to time.

As part of the reorganisation of Allied forces required to meet the objectives of the Alliance's Strategic Concept, NAVOCFORMED was replaced by a Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED) on 30 April 1992. The new force is composed of destroyers and frigates contrib- uted by Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

77. Reserve Forces

In accordance with the Alliance's Strategic Concept, Allied forces must be structured in a way which enables their military capability to be built up when necessary by reinforcement, reconstituting forces or mobilising re- serves. Reserve forces therefore play an important role in the whole spectrum of NATO's defence structure and in the event of crisis, would be required to take up positions and carry out tasks alongside regular forces.