Analysis and Evaluation of the Command and Control Concept of the NATO Immediate Reaction Task Force (Land)

Abstract

Basic operations research techniques (problem structuring, process analysis, discrete event simulation, wargaming, etc) were successfully combined to form a multi-method to help address the complex task of evaluating the novel Command and Control (C2) concept of the HQ Immediate Reaction Task Force (Land) (IRTF(L)). This paper highlights the approach taken and some of the analytical and data collection activities used to evolve and evaluate the concept. The roles played by exercise observation, process analysis, wargames, historical analyses and simulation in the evaluation are also mentioned. This evaluation was the test case project for the new process of NATO Concept Development and Experimentation (CDE). Within constraints, the C2 concept was assessed as to be doctrinally sound and practical for a light infantry formation in warfighting scenarios.

Keywords:

• defence, military
• manpower planning, organisation studies, simulation

²Opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the policies or views of NATO or the NATO C3 Agency.

Note

Despite the evaluation and the temporary transformation into IRTF(L), the AMF(L) was disbanded on 31 October 2002 as a cold war legacy formation. The new NATO Response Force (NRF) has since replaced and expanded its role. Concept Development and Experimentation has since become a pillar of NATO Transformation and is led by NATO's Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in Virginia, USA (formerly SACLANT).

Further reading

illustration

Copyright 2004 NATO

²Opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the policies or views of NATO or the NATO C3 Agency.

Note

Despite the evaluation and the temporary transformation into IRTF(L), the AMF(L) was disbanded on 31 October 2002 as a cold war legacy formation. The new NATO Response Force (NRF) has since replaced and expanded its role. Concept Development and Experimentation has since become a pillar of NATO Transformation and is led by NATO's Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in Virginia, USA (formerly SACLANT).

Further reading

illustration

Copyright 2004 NATO

Acknowledgements

To Lieutenant Colonel Alistair Reid (SHAPE project sponsor) and Dr Umit Candan (NC3A Analytical Leader) for their guidance and leadership through the study. To HQ AFNORTH for their leadership and provision to the CDE team of military observers drawn from three continents. To UK DERA/DSTL, US JFCOM and the University of the German Armed Forces Munich for their analytical support. To the UK Historical Branch (Army) for access to the Falklands data and to Major General (Retd) Spacie for his C2 expertise and keen insights. And finally to Major General Walter Holmes (COM AMF(L)) and his multinational staff for their incredible innovation in partnership with the Royal Netherlands Army and SHAPE CIS staff (led by Lieutenant Colonel Terry Canham) in transforming HQ AMF(L) from the working practices and technology of the 1970s to those of 2001 in under a year, while maintaining operational readiness.