1. Standing Operating Procedures
Multinational Force
Standing Operating Procedures
MNF SOP Overview Brief
06 November 2006
UNCLASSIFIED

2. Background
MNF SOP required to improve multinational crisis response capabilities by MPAT nations
Not prescriptive, binding or directive
Will be left “unsigned” intentionally
Serves as a “guide” (start point)
A multinational document
Eight (8) dedicated MNF SOP Development Workshops have been conducted so far.

3. MNF SOP Purpose Increase multinational force (MNF):
Speed of Initial Response
Interoperability
Overall Mission Effectiveness
Unity of Effort
One of the first actions in the MPAT initiative was the development of procedures for the operation of a CTF HQ.
The MNF SOP recognizes the existence of shared national interests in the region and seeks to standardize some basic concepts and processes that will promote habits of cooperation, increased dialogue, and provide for baseline coalition task force (CTF) operational concepts.
Further, this SOP serves as a centerpiece for the MPAT workshops and exercises aimed at improving interoperability and CTF operational readiness within the Asia-Pacific region.
The purpose of the SOP is straight forward:
Increase the speed of a MNF initial response,
Improve interoperability among the participating forces,
enhance overall mission effectiveness
And support Unity of Effort

4. Range of Military Operations
Simple
Complexity of Operations
Difficult
Major Conflict (War)
Large scale offensive &
defensive combat operations
MNF SOP “Focus”
Combat will occur
Limited Duration
and Intensity Ops
involving some
degree of combat
Small Scale
Contingency
Peace
Enforcement
Combating
Terrorism
Combat may occur
Counterinsurgency
Disarmament,
Demobilization &
Reintegration
Consequence
Management
Humanitarian
Assistance
Disaster Relief
Domestic Support
Counterterrorism
MOOTW
Combat unlikely, but possible
Peacekeeping Ops
Noncombatant Evacuation
Operations
Antiterrorism
Show of Force
Protection of Shipping
Freedom of Navigation
Counterdrug Ops
Personnel Recovery Ops
MOOTW
(Mil Ops Other Than War)
Probability of Occurrence
Level of Violence
Noncombat
Degree of Conflict
Combat

5. Focus Levels of Planning and Operations
Strategic –development & employment of national / multinational level resources. Involves national interests and crisis action effects that impact on a nation’s vital or survival interests.
Operational – the “link” between tactical & strategic objectives via strategies, campaigns, and major operations.
Employment & arrangement of forces in time, space, & purpose for synchronization & integration at the JTF / CTF, interagency & multinational force level.
Tactical – Employment of units at the “execution level” for approved military Course of Action (COA). Ordered arrangement and maneuver of units for crisis response at the engagement & battle level.
MNF SOP Focus – Campaigns / Major Ops

6. Strategic / Operational / Tactical Responsibilities
Level
Strategic
Operational
Tactical
Responsibility
Strategic Objectives & Policy
Operational Plan / Campaign Plan (Lines of Ops / Conditions)
Activity (Tasks)
Outlines the primary responsibility for each Level of
Planning & Operations to focus effort and to establish clear expectations
for each level

7. Framework & Organization
Basic Foundation
Shared Interests among Nations
Unity of Effort among Nations and Forces
Strategic & Operational Guidance
Military Task Force & Command Relationships
The MNF SOP Builds Upon These Basics

8. These Principles set the foundation
Key Principles
Operational Start Points
Predetermined “start points” prior to a crisis will improve CTF speed of initial response / effectiveness
Clear Understanding & Communications
It is critical to “agree” or “agree to disagree” based upon a common set of terms & processes
Common Planning Process
CTF planning structure must provide for an “integrated and managed process” for the development & execution of plans
These Principles set the foundation
for Unity of Effort

9. CTF Operational Start Points
Lead Nation Concept
Common Command Relationships & / or Common Control-Coordination Concepts
Standardized CTF HQ Organization
Common Planning & Decision-Making Process
Clear Understanding & Clarity of Terminology

10. CTF Operational Start Points (Starting Point 1 – Lead Nation)
Lead Nation Concept:
Designated by UN or participating nations in MNF
Responsible for Strategic Consultation / Coordination for the MNF
Among Nations
With UN Channels
With IOs & NGOs
“Single channel” for strategic direction to MNF forces based on agreements with participating nations
Provides for Unity of Effort

11. CTF Operational Start Points (Starting Point 2 – C2)
Common Command Relationships & / or Control-Coordination Concepts
Chains of Command – two chains always exist:
Each Nation has a “NATIONAL” Chain of Command
There is one MNF “MULTINATIONAL” Chain of Command

12. CTF Operational Start Points (Starting Point 2 – C2)
MNF Chain of Command (Lead Nation Concept):
Participating
Nation Authority
Lead Nation
National Authority
Participating
Nation Authority
Supporting Strategic
Commander
Supported Strategic
Commander
Supporting Strategic
Commander
National Chain of Command
Multinational Chain of Command
Commander
CTF (CCTF)
National Command
Element
National Command
Element
CTF Participating
Forces
CTF Participating
Forces
CTF Participating
Forces
Consultation /
Coordination
MNF / CTF
OPCON / TACON
National Chain
Of Command

13. CTF Operational Start Points (Starting Point 3 – CTF HQ Organization)
Standardized CTF Headquarters Organization (major functions to be addressed):
Operational Staff (C1 through C7)
Personal Staff (Legal, Public Affairs, etc.)
Multinational Coordination
Civil-Military Coordination
Logistics Coordination
Media Support (International and National)
CTF Planning Process (current & future ops, and plans)

14. CTF Operational Start Points (Starting Point 3 - CTF HQ Template)
Coalition / Combined Logistics Coordination Center (CLCC) (Classification = Secret – Rel MNF)
CTF Planning Process
(C5 Plans, C3 FOPS, and C3 COPS)
Special Access Programs
Multinational and CTF Media Support Staffs
(Coalition / Combined Pools) (Classification = Unclass)
Commander Coalition / Combined Task Force (CCTF)
National Command Elements (NCE) C1
ADMIN C2
INTEL C3
OPS C4
LOG C5
PLANS C6
COMM C7
CIV-MIL
DCCTF
COS
Special Staff
CMOC for Coordination with UN, ICRC, IOs, NGOs, Host Nation
(Classification = Unclass)
MNCC
(Classification = Secret – Rel MNF)
Legend: MNCC = Multinational Coordination Center
CMOC = Civil-Military Operations Center
Rel - MNF = Releasable to Multinational Force
= Command
= Liaison & Coordination

15. CTF Operational Start Points (Starting Point 4)
Common Decision-Making & Planning Processes
CTF Planning Process has 4 Major Components:
CTF Planning Organization
CTF’s organization approach for planning
CTF Battle / Operational Rhythm
Synchronization Procedures within the CTF HQ (and with organizations external to the CTF)
Broad Crisis Action Planning (CAP) Process
Major Strategic – Operational Planning Interaction
Detailed Planning Process
How the CTF headquarters and command conducts operational planning

16. CTF Operational Start Points (Starting Point 4)
CTF HQ Planning Process Required Functions:
Focus:
What’s Next?
168 Hours
& Beyond**
Focus:
What’s the
Situation & What
refinements
are required?
96 – 168
Hours**
Focus: What
Adjustments
Are
Required”
0 – 96
Hours**
CTF: Hrs
Mid-Term to
Long Range
“Hand-Off”
of Plan
“Hand-Off”
of Plan
Current
Near Term
“Provides an integrated & managed process to move plans
From planning, to refinement stage, & to execution”
** Timeframes indicated above are an initial guide. CCTF & staff will develop planning based upon actual mission requirements.

17. CTF Operational Start Points (Starting Point 4)
CTF HQ Battle Rhythm:
H hour
0600E*
8 Oct
0430
1230
0830
1030
0630
0230
0030
2230
2030
1830
1630
1430
9 Oct
CCDR VTC w/
Supported
Strat
Cdr
Lead Nation (e.g., K time)
Z time
SITREP from Components
ATO A
Execute
SITREP to Supported Stat Cdr
CCDR Meeting w/ Staff &
CTF Component
Cdrs
Coalition Collection
Mgmt Board
COC shift
change
CCTB
& ESG
2400
0800
0400
0600
0200
2200
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
Area of Operations (e.g., E *
time) (E
is a nonstandard time zone)
CCDR
Press conf
Coalition Planning
Group
C5 Plans
Operational Planning Team
C3 FOPS
External
to CTF
Internal

18. CTF Operational Start Points (Starting Point 4)
Crisis Action Planning (CAP) Process
Phase I
Situation
Development
Phase II
Crisis
Assessment
Phase V
Execution
Planning
Phase VI
Phase IV
COA
Selection
Phase III
Nations NCA
Consultations & Assessments
1. Strategic Assessment
2. Essential Strategic
Guidance Developed
3. Situation Monitored
4. Collective NCA decision
for multinational military
crisis response
5. Lead nation designated
6. Supported Strategic
Commander, CCTF, and
Supporting Commands
Designated.
ONGOING LEAD NATION NATIONAL AUTH CONSULTATION
Deployment Order (s) Issued As Required
EXECUTE
ORDER
WARNING
ORDER
PLANNING & ALERT
ORDER
Note: Planning Order
Is optional; Alert Order required.
Review
WARNING
ORDER
Supported Strat. Cmdr OPORD
EXECUTE
ORDER
CTF THEATER NATIONAL
OPERATIONAL STRATEGIC STRATEGIC
CDR’S
ESTIMATE
CTF DRAFT
OPORD
Approved
ORDER
CDR’S
ESTIMATE
CTF ACTIVATED – CTF Planning
(C5 PLANS, C3 FOPS, C3 COPS)
CTF COMPONENTS
ORGANIZED
CTF COMMAND
OPERATIONAL
LNOs/MPAT CADRE DEPLOYS
CTF MULTINATIONAL COORDINATION CENTER ACTIVATED

19. MNF SOP Recognizes a Base Planning Model For all Planning Methods
CTF Detailed
Planning Process
(SP4)
Mission
Analysis
Brief to Cdr
CDR
Planning
Guidance
Base Multinational
CTF Planning Model
COA Decision
COA
Selection
Commander’s Est.
To Lead Nation
National Authority
Approval
Development
Comparison
Plan/Order
Warning Order
MNF SOP Recognizes a Base Planning Model For all Planning Methods
Five Basic Steps:
1 – Situation Review (common level of understanding)
2 – Define the Problem
3 – Analyze the Problem
4 – Explore Possible Solutions
5 – Select & Develop the Preferred Solution

20. CTF Operational Start Points (Starting Point 5)
Clear Understanding & Clarity of Terminology
Concerted MPAT effort to develop base definitions for CTF Operational Start Points
CTF Glossary addresses (almost) all terms and abbreviations
MPAT events used to continually update the MNF SOP terms
Required to Improve Multinational Interoperability

21. Key Definitions MNF (Multinational Force) – Broad Overarching Term
The entire organization of nations, forces & support based on “shared interests”
Two Types of MNF Operations:
Coalition (ad-hoc, crisis-based [e.g., INTERFET])
Combined (alliance / treaty-based (e.g., NATO)
CTF (Coalition / Combined Task Force):
Coalition TF (CTF) – ad-hoc, crisis-oriented
Combined TF (CTF) – alliance / treaty based (predetermined guidelines & / or contingency plans)

22. Work Group Organization
Group 1 – MNF SOP Primer Review (Mr Bratton)
Group 2 – Medical (Major Casey)
Group 3 – International Standards of Conduct (Mr Miller)
Group 4 – Boards, Bureaus, Cells, & Center (Mr Holub)
Group 5 – Consequence Management (Mr Carey)
Group 6 – CBRN-TIM Special Staff Procedures (Ms Elliott)
Co-chaired by a non-US participant

23. Workshop Process
Workgroups will review their relevant section of the MNF SOP daily within their workgroups
Daily AAR (5 minute recap of the previous day’s work)
Friday Final AAR (max 15 minute recap of the groups’ major work at the end of the week)
Final Integration (final review, formatting, and lining to the rest of the SOP; conducted in Hawaii by MPAT Secretariat; then new SOP version posted to web – target is 2 weeks posted)

24. SOP Format
Each section is “formatted” in new standard template (part of MNF SOP improvements)
Please maintain this format – if problems please do not hesitate to immediately contact:
Ms Kate Elliott or Mr John Bratton

25. Equipment Security Set-up each morning by 0730 by the Workgroup leader
Taken-down each day by Workgroup leader and turned in during the daily facilitator meetings
Computers MAY be borrowed only:
With prior coordination with Mr Bob Holub
Only for working on sections of the SOP at night
The individual borrowing the computer is responsible for the computer

26. Terminology Write down any term that is:
Confusing or required
Needs to be added to the Glossary
Please outline area it pertains to and the context
Suggested definition or working definition is helpful for research.
On 3’ x 5” cards handed out to each group
Turn in to the group Facilitator
Facilitators turn over cards to Mr Bratton daily

27. Work Group Products Daily: Final (NLT 1630 Thursday):
Daily AAR Brief for each group
Group Facilitator bring to Facilitator Meeting at the end of the day (electronically)
Final (NLT 1630 Thursday):
Final AAR Slides from each group (electronically)
SOP Section (with “track changes accepted”)
Properly Formatted!

28. Support Material Two computers per Work Group
One reference computer (connected to internet)
One working computer (with work group chapter, annex, appendix) for SOP changes
On each computer and the MNF SOP Tab of the MPAT website
Daily AAR Brief Formats
Final AAR Brief Format
Printer
Limited Use Only!!!
Bring file on memory stick (“thumb drive”) to MPAT Admin Room to use admin computer

31. Summary
MNF SOP is the basic building block for Multinational Contingency Crisis Response:
Serves as “Guide” with Operational Start Points – not prescriptive, binding or directive.
Focused at the Operational Level (CTF HQ)
Multinational Program – 33 MPAT Nations
Improves:
Speed of Response
Interoperability
Mission Effectiveness
Unity of Effort