NATO Logistics Handbook October 1997

Chapter 14: Movement and Transportation Movement and Transportation Tasks and Responsibilities NATO Headquarters 1411. NATO Headquarters assists deployment planning and execution by obtaining timely agreements for the transit of deploying forces through national territory. It advises on the availability and use of civil transportation resources and related infrastructure in support of both military and civil tasks and assists in the acquisition of civil resources when requested to do so. Nations 1412. Sending nations plan and control the movement of national forces and national components of multinational forces taking into account the NATO Commander's operational requirements. They also determine movement requirements and make necessary transportation arrangements; then, identify to MNCs shortfalls and surpluses in national movement and transportation resources to meet foreseen Alliance movement options and respond to MNC requests to allocate transportation resources to another nation, in order to meet MNC priorities. 1413. Host Nations provide an appropriate organization for the coordination of movement and transportation with NATO commands and Alliance forces. They make necessary arrangements and coordinate with neighbouring nations to facilitate border crossings. Host Nations should also review their requirements for plans and legislation (to the extent possible) in order to facilitate use of national civil/military resources during a NATO operation within their territory with respect to transportation, infrastructure and other related resources. 1414. Lead Nations take the lead in planning and controlling deployment, transportation for sustainment (resupply), and redeployment; performing specific movement and transportation tasks as identified by NATO in cooperation with the nations; as well as obtaining transportation resources for multinational headquarters groups and units with a high degree of multi-nationality. They may also conduct either partially or totally the tasks and responsibilities of a host nation in the case where no host nation authority exists, or by agreement between sending and host nations. Compensation and/or reimbursement will be subject to agreements between the parties involved. Major NATO Commands (MNCs) 1415. MNCs are the primary point of contact for movement and transportation issues. In this function, they coordinate national plans by developing multinational movement plans, and address strategic lift shortfalls in cooperation with the nations. The MNCs also prioritize and coordinate the integrated use of movement and transportation resources made available by NMAs for shared use. When required, the MNCs may establish an Allied Movement Coordination Centre (AMCC) at the MNC level for coordinating, prioritizing and deconflicting movement and transportation activities. Allied Movement Coordination Centre (AMCC) 1416. SACEUR/SACLANT may direct the activation of an AMCC in the event of a potential crisis. The initial size, representation and level of supervision will be based on the current situation and guidance from the Command Group. The AMCC is the MNCs' mobility/movement crisis management organization and movement coordination agency. The AMCC comprises representatives from the MNCs' movements staff, augmented when necessary from subordinate military HQs and nations. The AMCC's purpose is to assimilate and assess information, develop movement options, and make recommendations to support SACEUR's/SACLANT's decision-making process. 1417. When activated, the AMCC coordinates overall movement policy, to include tasks and responsibilities of the various movement organizations, such as the JMCC and TMCC. It conducts movement planning conferences and established movement priorities. The AMCC collects movement requirements in the form of national strategic Detailed Deployment Plans (DDPs), and coordinates, prioritizes, and deconflicts national movements. At the end of this process, the AMCC publishes SACEUR's/SACLANT's DDP. If requested, the AMCC will act as a "broker" between Allied nations in an effort to maximize limited transport assets in support of the overall Allied effort. Additionally, it prioritizes and allocates strategic transport resources made available by nations for shared use. The AMCC monitors the strategic deployment, transportation for sustainment (resupply), and redeployment of forces in order to assess status, progress, and areas of concern. Lastly, the CECC co-ordinates as required with CEPD or the Civil Emergency Crisis Cell (CECC) when activated for civil transport support. Major Subordinate Commands (MSCs) 1418. MSCs are responsible to develop and implement movement and transportation directives, tasks, responsibilities and procedures with Host Nations within the regional and subordinate headquarters. They will establish a JMCC when necessary, and act as the mounting headquarters, as directed, for multinational headquarters in cooperation with nominated lead nation and Host Nations.