Infrastructure related issue need to be considered early from the onset of the potential mission . Infrastructure is routinely initiated in the LANDCOM CPOE process during phase 1 . The Infrastructure CPOE product is directly used to create a Critical Infrastructure baseline . From this list , associated risk and criticality products may eventually assist planners with implied or assigned tasks for Force Protection and Force Generation . The below lists outlines the key LANDCOM Infrastructure associated processes .
Infrastructure Processes
Before the Operation ( Planning )
1 . Initiate MILENG “ Infrastructure ” CPOE , identify important Infrastructure within the Area of Operations . Consider Infrastructure from the nine NATO Agreed Infrastructure Categorizations ( Transport , Water , Communications , Energy , Government , Emergency Services , Financial , Health and Food ).
2 . Conduct Infrastructure Intelligence Requirements Management ( IRM ) processes early in the planning process , identify Information Requirements , collect and process Infrastructure collection returns .
3 . Establish linkages to HN LNO ‘ s responsible for infrastructure early , preferably permanent HN staff assigned to the unit ’ s LOPG . HN LNOs will be indispensable in the delivery and assessment of infrastructure data .
4 . Produce Critical Infrastructure Assessment . Infrastructure Assessment includes a general report with infrastructure interdependencies and prioritized risk assessments .
5 . Establish linkages to JFC , JLSG , MCC , ACC and subordinate units as Critical Infrastructure will also support the Joint and Component Commands .
6 . Provide Infrastructure input into the targeting process , identify infrastructure in national / NATO barrier and Obstacle plans and be familiar with organizational
Battle Damage Assessment procedures to predict and identify vulnerabilities and risks to Critical Infrastructure .
7 . Assign appropriate force protection measures for identified Critical Infrastructure . Force generate capable MILENG units to provide General Service support . Consider plan for reconstitution of Critical Infrastructure , and have procedures and liaisons to initiate ( Crisis Response Operations Urgent Requirement – CURs )
During the Operation ( Planning and Execution )
1 . Amend and update Infrastructure CPOE and Critical Infrastructure lists due to current ops or planning for future operations .
2 . Collate , monitor and disseminate Reports and Returns ( R2 ) pertaining to infrastructure .
3 . Provide Infrastructure reporting and situational awareness to LANDCOM or Joint Battle Rhythm events . Key meetings in which infrastructure data had routine exposure and actionable tasks included the following :
a . Defended Asset WG ; b . Land Logistics Conference ; c . Target Development WG and Target Synchronization Board ; d . Requirement Review Board ; e . C-IED WG ; f . The daily LANDCOM Commanders Update Brief ( CUB );
4 . Re-allocate MILENG assets to support infrastructure tasks supporting the Commander priority of effort if available .
After the Operation
1 . Assign resources to support transition of protected Critical Infrastructure supporting the NATO mission back to Civilian control .
2 . Produce detailed infrastructure related lessons identified / Lesson learned in Post EX reporting .
3 . Update or amend new infrastructure processes into Organizational SOPS and SOIs .
4 . Store and protect HN / NATO Infrastructure data ( CCIRs / EEFIs ) in approved NATO FAS for ease of retrieval and potential future planning considerations .
The Way Forward
The Bodø operation was just a micro example of Infrastructure importance within the scenario . Nevertheless , this small example highlighted the vital importance of Infrastructure on military operations . It was apparent from the beginning that LANDCOM would have benefitted from a greater comprehensive understanding of the infrastructure footprint across the Joint Area of Operations during the execution phase .
Norwegian infrastructure was complex and NATO was highly dependent on it if they were to achieve mission success . Norwegian military and civilian authorities quickly enabled LANDCOM to effectively identify , utilize and protect Critical Infrastructure throughout the mission . This interaction resulted in one of the most important Post Exercise Infrastructure related lessons learned ; Interaction , networking and coordination with HN CIMIC authorities
Due to NATO ’ s primary focus on insurgency type operations in the last decade , NATO and nations have little practical experience planning and executing military operations in an Article 5 Collective Defence crisis . LANDCOM ’ s work in this exercise has identified Critical Infrastructure as a strategic and operational requirement that truly needs extensive input from the onset of pre-crisis planning and that which continues until the redeployment of NATO Forces .
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