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degree of precision, to communicate and to reach agreements both internally and with the HNs. ‘It’ takes resources – in money, persistent presence and the marshalling of material and equipment (whether military or civilian) under a unified and coherent coordination structure that spans the Strategic, Operational and Tactical levels. Contracted capabilities will form part of the solution and indeed can do a great deal of the heavy lifting, but for a price that may be unaffordable at the preferred level of assurance. ‘It’ requires freedom of action and delegation of authorities, whether financial, administrative or command to a level that affords the agility and speed of action required to enable many activities across multiple locations without referring every decision to higher authority. ‘It’ requires trust between commands, allies, commercial partners and subordinates; established over months of networking and training in order to build relationships between actors. Ultimately ‘it’ takes institutional commitment to overcome the innumerable challenges and issues that accompany even the most meticulously planned operation and execute it on the ground. With the end state firmly in mind, USAREUR forces pushed the boundaries of what the European theatre could provide in its still relatively unaligned state, whilst delivering reassurance and deterrence as the purpose of the exercise (Picture 5). Since the operation described above, 3/4 ABCT has dispersed in an Onwards Move across Eastern Europe and will remain in place until relieved by 2/1 BCT in Sep 17. Europe will again see its capacity and coordination abilities tested as the incoming Brigade Combat Team (again, complete to MTOE) conducts it RSOM/I before assuming the mission in the first of an enduring pattern of heel-to-toe
Military Contribution
US Forces Integration Training
rotations, following which 3/4 ABCT will conduct a reverse RSOM process to redeploy to CONUS.
References: 1. Hodges, B (2016). US Army Europe and its role in deterrence. Available from http://www.defensenews.com/articles/lt-gen-ben-hodges-us-armyeurope-and-its-role-in-deterrence. 2. JDP 4-00. Logistics for Joint Operations. 4th Ed. 3. Vanguard Enabling Group Force Support Handbook. V1.
Footnotes 1
JDP 4-00 Logistics for Joint Operations. OP ATLANTIC RESOLVE RSOM POST-VISIT REPORT dated 20 Jan 17. These observations also provide the basis for Annex M of the Vanguard Enabling Group Force Support Handbook. 3 Speed of Recognition, Speed of Decision and Speed of Assembly. 4 Three loading spurs. 5 ES Material. 6 Log RVs / Logistic Support Areas. 7 20,000 (US) gallons at conversion rate of 1:3.785. 2
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