ARRC Journal 2019 | Page 45

READY FOR TODAY – EVOLVING FOR TOMORROW TAKEAWAY 3: All LogFAS functionalities are reliant on accurate, basic data within the LOGBASE to run all the other associated functionalities. It is an extremely fast and versatile way to interrogate the data (much faster that using Microsoft Excel) to satisfy requests for information and equipment availability. The basic data comes from, and is authorised by, the G/J5 planning in TOPFAS and force generation processes, so that the force composition is correct. Only then can the logisticians use the other functionalities to deploy, sustain and recover the force.Functionality for Movement Planning, Execution and RSOM The standardisation of Movement and Transportation (M&T) data formats and their timely exchange is key to the success of complex movement operations, especially to facilitate the coordination between various deploying forces when transportation resources are limited and must be shared or are restricted in their use. When tools other than LogFAS are used for national purposes, countries should ensure that their system and data are either compatible or easily transferable into LogFAS. The software assists M&T planners in developing deployment plans and testing their feasibility, providing estimates on deployment timelines and potential movement bottlenecks, as well as lift resources requirements. Allied Deployment and Movement System (ADAMS) The ADAMS function focusses on the strategic movement planning process and the production of national and NATO DDPs or DRPs in order to be amalgamated into multinational MNDDPs/MNDRPs that represent all of the planned NATO-led force movements in a single view. Effective Visible Execution (EVE) The EVE function monitors the progress of a specific deployment, as well as to coordinate and display daily movement missions (Figure 5). The EVE function allows users to fine-tune arrivals and departures, and to manage transportation node capacities as well as provide both a strategic overview and a detailed forecast of arrivals in theatre by air and surface assets. It is capable of managing aircraft slots and convoy credits, and can be used to manage cargo and passenger manifest information. The EVE function’s main product is the Flow Execution Plan (FEP), which captures on-going movement missions along with all other relevant timings, such as itineraries, load details and status (e.g. planned, departed, cancelled, etc). The FEP is more or less the materialisation of the DDP, with the details of each movement mission being confirmed after adequate operational coordination has occurred. The FEP should be updated as often as possible, ideally any time a change occurs to any detail related to a specific mission. The EVE data can be displayed onto the NATO Joint Common Operational Picture (JCOP) via web services. Figure 5 – EVE showing the status of individual multimodal missions in a NATO deployment. Coalition Reception, Staging and Onward Movement (CORSOM) The CORSOM function was developed as the primary RSOM automated tool for NATO. It enables detailed planning for RSOM to be performed and provides visualisation and oversight of theatre movements during both deployment execution and sustainment operations. CORSOM offers an excellent analysis capability by allowing the consideration of alternative routes and the assessment of the implications and results of such alternatives. The CORSOM function was designed to provide improved visualisation functionality, allowing the user to obtain a clear picture of the geography, transportation infrastructure, facilities, allowing drawing overlays on actual maps and pictures, and interface with Microsoft tools such as PowerPoint. It is also capable of tracking convoys and trains interfacing with tracking systems or through remote connections to its database. It is important to note that all three systems used by M&T planners and operators share the same data and are made to interact with each other, allowing a seamless transition from one phase of a movement operation to another, as well as their concurrent use. While LogFAS M&T tools offer many functionalities and represent most valuable capabilities, there is a recognised need to provide the necessary awareness and guidance to foster their efficient use and maximise their potential for the benefit of all authorised users and, ultimately, NATO. It is important to understand, however, that the existing LogFAS M&T tools are at different stages of evolution and stability, which strongly influence the level to which defined processes are established, understood and accepted. ALLIED RAPID REACTION CORPS 45