NATO
Logistics
Handbook
October 1997
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Chapter 5: Logistic Support for Peace Support Operations
NATO's Role in PSO
516. In 1992 and 1993, the Alliance took several key
decisions in support of UN PSO initiatives in former Yugoslavia,
leading to operations by NATO naval forces, in conjunction with
the WEU, to monitor and subsequently enforce the UN embargo
in the Adriatic; and to enforce the no-fly zone over
Boznia-Herzegovina hitherto monitored by NATO aircraft. The
Alliance also offered to provide close air support to the UN
Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and authorized
air strikes to relieve the strangulation of Sarajevo and
other threatened areas.
Operation Joint Endeavour (January - December 1996)
517. The Dayton Agreements concluded in the United
States followed by signature of the peace plan in Paris on 14th
December 1995 were decisive steps towards resolving the crisis in
former Yugoslavia. The implementation of the peace plan involved
a multinational force under NATO command, the
Implementation Force (IFOR), which took the place of the UNPROFOR. The
IFOR operation brought together NATO nations with 17
non-NATO countries from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East area in
a unified and effective coalition for peace. Thirteen North
Atlantic Cooperation Council and Partnership for Peace
(NACC/PfP) nations joined the IFOR coalition under NATO
leadership. Experiences from IFOR have resulted in major revisions to
PfP and NATO policies and procedures including significant
changes to MC 319 Logistics Policies and Procedures and
associated documents.
Operation Joint Guard (January 1997)
518. The efficient and effective manner in which IFOR
carried out its mandate suggests that it will become a model of
future European security systems based on co-operative
relations among both NATO and non-NATO states. With the goal
of fostering a self-sustaining peace, the NAC agreed that
NATO would organize and lead a Stabilization Force (SFOR) to
take the place of IFOR in January 1997.
Compendium of Lessons Learned During Logistic
Support of Peacekeeping Operations
519. The Compendium was originally produced under
the auspices of NACC logisticians and is basically a
compendium of certain lessons learned. Its contents should not be
considered as comprehensive, nor does it represent agreed or
established NATO or other doctrine. Nevertheless, it can be a very
useful planning guide. It is written in nonbureaucratic terms, and
is principally designed to assist all logisticians, NATO
members or not, to prepare themselves and their forces logistically
for possible PSO. Most of the comments are equally applicable
to both NATO and UN operations. The booklet was first
produced in 1994, and was significantly revised in 1996 following
the successful deployment and initiation of IFOR in
Bosnia-Herzegovina. Its contents reflect national, international, and
non-governmental organizations reports on their logistic support
to peacekeeping experiences.
REFERENCES
MC 319/1 - NATO Principles and Policies for Logistics
MC 327/1 - NATO Military Planning for Peace Support
Operations
Compendium of Lessons Learned During Logistic
Support of Peacekeeping Operations (published by Logistics
Directorate, International Staff)
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