1. Standing Operating Procedures
Multinational Force
Standing Operating Procedures
MNF SOP (Version 2.5)
Overview Brief
11 January 2010
UNCLASSIFIED

2. MNF SOP Background
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
Thirteen (13) dedicated MNF SOP Development Workshops have been conducted so far

3. Increase multinational force (MNF):
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. MNF SOP supports the MPAT Program
Multinational Program
Improve Multinational Military Operations
Military
Civil
Government
Int’l
Humanitarians
Unity Of
Effort
Building Partnerships
Building Capacity

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

6. MNF SOP Focus Levels of Planning and Operations
Strategic –development & employment of national / multinational level resources; national interests at stake
Operational – the “link” between strategic objectives / policy and tactical / field operations, via strategies, campaigns, and major operations
Tactical – Employment of forces at the “execution (field) level” to execute approved military courses of action (COAs)
MNF SOP Focus – Campaigns / Major Ops

7. The Foundation for Unity of Effort
MNF SOP 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
The Foundation for Unity of Effort

8. MNF SOP Strategic Guidance
Effective mission accomplishment requires clear & legitimate strategic guidance from high headquarters
Sources of Guidance:
Regional Organizations – based on alliance / treaty
Coalitions – based on coordinated response by nations for ad-hoc operations
UN Resolutions – authorized by UN mandate

9. MNF SOP Essential Strategic Guidance
Purpose of the multinational operation
Mission statement for the MNF Task Force
Strategic end state and military end state for the MNF Task Force
Strategic objectives and broad tasks for the MNF Task Force with guidance for termination or transition
Participating nations and expected initial contributions
Designated lead nation and supporting guidance
Common security interests
Multinational communication strategy
Specific diplomatic, economic, informational, sociocultural, and national guidance, limitations, concerns, or sensitivities

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

11. Multinational Operational Start Points Start Point 1 – Lead Nation Concept
Designated by UN or participating nations
Responsible for strategic consultation / coordination for the MNF
Among nations
Within the UN System
With IHC
“Single channel” for strategic direction to MNF forces based on agreement with participating nations
Supports Unity of Effort

12. Multinational Operational Start Points Start 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

13. Multinational Operational Start Points Start 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

14. Multinational Operational Start Points Start Point 3 – CTF HQ Organization
Standardized CTF Headquarters Organization (functions required)
National Command Element for each participating nation
Operational Staff (C1 through C7)
Personal Staff (Legal, Public Affairs, etc.)
Multinational Forces Coordination
Civil-Military Coordination
Logistics Coordination
Media Support (International and National)
CTF Planning Process (current & future ops, and plans)

15. Multinational Operational Start Points Start 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

16. Multinational Operational Start Points Start Point 4 – CTF Planning
Overarching Framework:
Strategic, Operational & Tactical Level Planning Responsibilities
Three Major Components:
CTF Planning Organization - operational level process of plans & orders development
CTF Crisis Action Planning (CAP) - major strategic – operational planning interaction during a crisis
CTF Detailed Planning Process - detailed planning process within the CTF HQ for developing OPLANs/ OPORDs

18. Multinational Operational Start Points Start Point 4 – CAP
Crisis Action Planning (CAP) Process
Lead Nation National & Supported Strategic Commander Level I
Situation
Development II
Crisis
Assessment
III
COA
Development IV
COA
Selection V
Execution
Planning VI
Execution
Commander’s Estimate
CTF should be activated
At the earliest possible
time based upon
situational factors.
CTF is activated “not later than” beginning of Phase III via the Warning Order (earlier is desired)
Planning
Execution
FORM CTF HQ
Deployment
Employment
Transition
Redeployment
Augmentation
CTF Level
CAP = Crisis Action Planning
COA = Course of Action

19. Multinational Operational Start Points Start Point 4
CTF Detailed Planning
# 1 – INITIATION & SCOPING
(Initiates the Central Process Below)
Military Decision Making
Process - Multinational
(MDMP-M)
ONGOING
CENTRAL PROCESS
Commander’s Appreciation
Operational Intel Prep of the Environment (OIPE)
Framing the Problem
2. Operational Design
# 8 – EXECUTION, ASSESSMENT, AND
FOLLOW-ON ADAPTATION
(BRANCH / SEQUELS)
# 2 – MISSION
ANALYSIS
# 3 – COA DEVELOPMENT
# 7 – PLAN / ORDER DEVELOPMENT
# 6 – COA APPROVAL AND COMMANDER’S ESTIMATE
# 5 – COA
COMPARISON
# 4 – COA
ANALYSIS AND GAMING

20. Multinational Operational Start Points Start Point 5 - Terminology
Clear Understanding & Clarity of Terminology
Required to improve multinational interoperability
Multinational Glossary addresses terms and abbreviations
MPAT events used to continually update the MNF SOP terms

21. 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 Multinational Operational Level (CTF HQ)
Multinational Program
Improves:
Speed of Response
Interoperability
Mission Effectiveness
Unity of Effort
Internet Reference:

22. Enhancing Multinational Operations
Questions?
Enhancing Multinational Operations
UNCLASSIFIED