1. Multinational Interoperability Council
INTEROPERABILITY and COALITION BUILDING
TEMPEST EXPRESS 26
April 2-10, 2015
LTC Thomas Labouche

2. Agenda I. The Multinational Interoperability Council (MIC)
MIC’s Purpose and Objective
Organization and Scope
MIC’s Interoperability Efforts
II. The Coalition Building Guide (CBG)
Purpose
Added Value (?)
Take Aways
Questions

3. 1 Nation & 2 Organizations officially recognized as MIC Affiliates
MIC Overview
Established: 1999
7 countries with “demonstrated willingness, competence, and capability to lead and/or participate in coalition and/or multinational operations”
Affiliates: Nations/Organizations who have established a formal, long-term relationship with MIC, without the same level of commitment, resources, or rights of membership as MIC member nations
1 Nation & 2 Organizations officially recognized as MIC Affiliates

4. MIC Executive Secretariat (ES)
MIC Organization
& Scope
MIC Principals
MIC Executive Secretariat (ES)
MIC
Steering Group (SG)
Ops MIWG
(standing)
Ops Sup MIWG
(standing)
Targeting MIWG
(directed)
Task Specific

5. MIC Purpose & Objective
An operator-led (J-3) multinational forum
Focused on strategic and high operational levels
Identifying and addressing interoperability, interagency and comprehensive approach
issues that are key to planning and
executing coalition operations
Information sharing is paramount
“the ability to act together coherently, effectively and efficiently to achieve Allied tactical, operational and strategic objectives” OR
“the ability to operate in synergy in the execution of assigned tasks”.
Influence the development of operational practices to enable more effective coalition operations

6. MIC Efforts Context: Benefits: + international legitimacy
+ burden sharing (manpower & equipment)
+ political/diplomatic advice
+ national economic resources
+ range of equipment, skills and experience
Context:
Difficulties:
- language
- understanding
- goals and RoE
- national interests
- equipment and technology
- foreign disclosure policies
- budget
- risk tolerance
balancing multinational diversity

7. The Coalition Building Guide
Living document & toolbox
Strategic and operational levels
Coalition building process
Effectiveness’ factors

8. The Coalition Building Guide
CBG
VOLUME I
Volume I – Military Strategic Overview
CBG
VOLUME II
Volume II – Strategic Design and Planning
Principles: strategic level planning and conduct of coalition operations
Volume III – Planning Considerations
Key interoperability issues that need to be considered at the strategic/high operational level
III.1
III.16

9. CBG Volume I Military Strategic Overview
…Strategic Level Considerations
Non Military Contributions
Diplomatic, Financial, Logistic Lift and Support, Basing, Access and Over flight rights
Challenges to a Successful Campaign
Timely decision making; shared situational understanding; mission creep; interoperability; force protection; and a coordinated coalition information strategy (common narrative)
Operational Linkage
Shaping the environment, engaging the opposing forces will and cohesion, exploiting opportunities, protecting the coalition force and its cohesion, and sustaining the force
Command and control (C2) Constraints

10. CBG Volume II Strategic Design & Planning
…Strategic & Operational Considerations
Awareness, Understanding, and Appreciation
National positions; shared and agreed assessment of the situation; strategic end state, exit strategy and predictability of the risks and costs
National Decision Making Process
Knowing where there are interfaces in national collaborative planning processes
Command and Control (C2) Structures
Liaisons; Coordination Centers; Integration
Logistic Planning (CBG Volume III.6)

11. CBG Volume II Strategic Design & Planning
…Strategic & Operational Considerations
Troop Contributing Nations’ Force Contribution
Communication and Information Systems (CIS)
Force Protection

12. CBG Volume III Interoperability Topic Compendium
III.1 - Future Coalition Operating Environment (FCOE): Interoperability Challenges for the Future III.2 - Cross-Cultural Awareness and Competence – A Guide to Best Practices III.3 - MIC Nations’ Decision Making Processes III.4 - The Military Contribution to Stabilization Operations (Stabilization Handbook) III.5 - Rapid Reconnaissance Handbook for Humanitarian/Disaster Response III.6 - Logistic Planning Considerations III.7 - Common Record of Logistic Reconnaissance for Coalition Partners III.8 - Communication and Information Systems (CIS) Planning Considerations

13. CBG Volume III Interoperability Topic Compendium
III.9 - National Factors for Counterinsurgency (COIN) Operations III.10 - National Perspectives on the Use of Biometric Data III.11 - National Positions about Private Security Companies (PSC) III.12 - Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED) III.13 - Detainee Operations III.14 – Internally Displaced Persons III.15 – Military contribution to Strategic Communication III.16 – Cyber Defense

14. CBG Volume III Interoperability Topic Compendium
…Essential Considerations
III.1 - Future Coalition Operating Environment
Major Trends
Interoperability Challenges
III.4 - Military Contribution to Stabilization Operations (Stabilization Handbook)
Five Tasks

15. CBG Volume III Interoperability Topic Compendium
…Essential Considerations
III.6 - Logistic Planning
III.7 - Common Record of Logistic Reconnaissance for Coalition Partners
III.15 – Military contribution to Strategic Communication

16. Take Aways
Forum of major military powers aware of the fact that ad hoc coalitions are appropriate answers to todays’ security challenges
Dedicated to improving interoperability as a prerequisite for success (discussed and adequately solved) before a coalition is required
Proposing the CBG as a tool box to help shaping and support efficient coalitions

17. Joint us at: https://community.apan.org/mic
Questions ?
Joint us at:
Questions:
LTC Thomas Labouche

18. BACKUPS