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NATO handbook08 uploaded March 25, 1993

78. Military Agencies and Organisations

The Military Committee is charged with the direction of a number of NATO military agencies. These include:

79. The Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development (AGARD)

The Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Devel- opment (AGARD) was formed in 1952 and became an agency under the Military Committee in 1966. Its task is to foster and improve the interchange of information relating to aerospace research and development between the NATO nations in order to ensure that the advances made by one nation are available to the others. AGARD also provides scientific and technical advice and assistance to the NATO Military Committee in the field of aerospace research and development, with particular regard to mili- tary applications. The Headquarters of AGARD is located in Paris.

80. The Military Agency for Standardization (MAS)

Organised in London in 1951, the MAS is the principal military agency for standardization within NATO. Its pur- pose is to facilitate operational, procedural and materiel standardization among member nations to enable NATO forces to operate together in the most effective manner. Cooperation between the international technical expert groups and the agency in regard to defence equipment is effected through the NATO Standardization Group and by liaison with the International Staff and the Inter- national Military Staff. Since January 1970 the MAS has been housed within NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

81. The NATO Electronic Warfare Advisory Committee (NEWAC)

NEWAC was established in 1966 to support the Military Committee, the Major NATO Commanders (MNCs) and the nations by acting as a specialist multinational body to promote on a tri-service basis an effective NATO elec- tronic warfare capability. It monitors national and MNC progress in implementing measures which improve NATO's electronic warfare capabilities. NEWAC is composed of representatives of each NATO country and of the MNCs. The Chairman of the Committee and the Secretary are permanently assigned to the Operations Division of the International Military Staff (IMS).

82. THE EURO/NATO Training Group

Responsibility within NATO for consolidation of training on a multinational basis is vested in the EURO/NATO Training Group (ENTG). The Group's objectives are to improve and expand existing, and to initiate new, multi- national training arrangements between member nations. The ENTG reports to the NATO Military Committee and to the EUROGROUP.

83. The Military Committee Meteorological Group (MCMG)

The task of the MCMG is to advise the Military Committee on meteorological matters affecting NATO and to make appropriate recommendations. The MCMG also acts as the coordinating agency of the Military Committee for all military meteorological policies, procedures and tech- niques within NATO.

84. Military Telecommunications and CIS Agencies

Six specialised Military Telecommunications and Commu- nications and Information Systems (CIS) Agencies provide the Military Committee with expert technical advice on military matters within their own fields of competence. These are:

- Allied Communications and Computer Security Agency (ACCSA).

- Allied Long Lines Agency (ALLA).

- Allied Radio Frequency Agency (ARFA).

- Allied Tactical Communications Agency (ATCA).

- Allied Data Systems Interoperability Agency (ADSIA).

- Allied Naval Communications Agency (ANCA).

The permanent staffs of these bodies, with the excep- tion of ANCA staff located in London, are drawn from the NATO International Military Staff and are collocated in Brussels.

In addition, the Military Committee is advised on CIS matters by the NATO CIS Committee (NACISC) which also reports to the North Atlantic Council and Defence Planning Committee. The NACISC is assisted in its work by the Communications Systems Working Group (CSWG) and Information Systems Working Group (ISWG).

85. The SHAPE Technical Centre

The SHAPE Technical Centre is an international military organisation under the policy direction of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Its task is to provide scientific and technical advice and assistance to SHAPE and to undertake research, studies, investigations, development projects and operational tests for Allied Command Europe. Initially limited to air defence problems, its scope was widened in 1963 to cover all military matters pertain- ing to Allied Command Europe.

Its current programme is directed in particular towards three major areas of concern to Allied Command Europe: force capability and force structure, including the effects of new weapons technology; command and control, in- cluding application of automated data processing; and communications, including concept formulation, systems engineering and operations support.

86. The SACLANT Undersea Research Centre

The SACLANT Undersea Research Centre was commis- sioned in 1959 at La Spezia, Italy and formally became a NATO military organisation in 1963. The task of the Centre is to provide scientific and technical advice and assistance to SACLANT in the field of anti-submarine war- fare and mine countermeasures. The Centre carries out research and limited development (but not engineering or manufacturing) in these fields, including oceanography, operational research and analysis, advisory and consul- tancy work; and exploratory research. In July 1986, under the auspices of SACLANTCEN, the first ship to be funded jointly by NATO countries, the 3,200-ton undersea re- search vessel ALLIANCE, was officially launched at La Spezia. The ship became operational in May 1988.

87. The NATO Defense College

The NATO Defense College was established in 1951 in Paris and moved to Rome in 1966. Under the direction of the Military Committee, assisted by an independent Advisory Board, the College provides courses for officers and civilian officials from member countries expected to be appointed to key posts within NATO or in their national administrations. Since 1991 provision has also been made for participation in courses at the NATO Defense College by officers and officials from the Alliance's cooperation partners. The Commandant of the College is an officer of at least Lieutenant General rank appointed for a three year period. The Commandant is assisted by a Faculty comprising one civilian and two military deputies and at least eight faculty advisers. Courses include lectures and discussions, team studies, committee work and instruc- tional tours to the United States and Canada and to European member countries. Course requirements in- clude competence in a specialised field and a thorough knowledge of English or French.