Blog Posts from August, 2009
European Partnership Task Force
EPTF Conference Logo
The EPTF is designed from top to bottom, left to right to embody the concept of Partnership. That's why we selected the image to the right and the motto, Give Way Together for the conference. We're all in this together and need to work as a team to make progress. And that we did during the conference. I know this spirit will carry forward as we start to implement the EPTF.
We designed the conference to answer the Information Requirements (IR) that support the Mission Analysis phase of EPTF Decision Support Template (DST). Sounds a like a mouthful, but it's really pretty simple: the DST gathers the information we need to know to make an informed, effective decision and provides some structure the decision making process. The EPTF DST has three phases that lead to a successful stand-up. Each phase has one or more key decisions that support the successful conclusion of the phase.
To answer the IRs, we invited representatives from NATO, DoD, the Joint Staff, our components, CENTCOM, US Forces-Afghanistan, the states in our SPP and the USAR and USNR. We discussed issues ranging from the requirements in Afghanistan to how to conduct partner train and equip programs and from the right funding sources to getting the right people involved in the processes.
-
- EPTF Conference in Action
We clearly had the right people at the conference. Whether they came Afghanistan, Brussels or elsewhere, they all contributed to answering the IRs and, just as important, engaging in a lot of cross-dialog. The give and take of of information and ideas was every bit as important as answering the IRs.
As a result, we answered all of the IRs and developed the Mission Analysis brief that we''ll present to Admiral Stavridis.
My thanks and compliments to all who put the conference together and attended.
Give Way Together!
BG Jeff Marshall
Find more blog posts tagged with:
Thinking About Afghanistan
In both my U.S. European Command and my NATO “hats,” I spend a great deal of time focusing on the challenges in Afghanistan.
Find more blog posts tagged with:
Bosnia and Herzegovina Prepares for Combined Endeavor 2009
During my recent visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, I saw first hand the great job our BiH partners are doing in Banja Luka as they prepare to host the US European Command’s communications interoperability exercise, Combined Endeavor 2009. The exercise, which will be held from Sep 4-17, is in its 15th year.
Find more blog posts tagged with:
U.S. Marine Forces, Europe to begin Georgia Deployment Program-International Security Assistance For
The Georgian Minister of Defense will contribute an infantry battalion to serve under the United States supporting the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
Find more blog posts tagged with:
European Coalition Task Force
OMLTs are small teams of officers and NCOs whose primary task is to coach, teach and mentor Afghan National Army (ANA) units, provide the conduit for liaison and Command and Control and, when required, support the operational planning and employment of the ANA. These teams can be from one country or co-deployments from multiple countries, such as the one currently in Afghanistan composed of Michigan and Latvian soldiers.
Find more blog posts tagged with:
U.S., Norway sign logistics agreement
Last week I witnessed the signing of a very important international agreement – the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement between the U.S. and Norway. This agreement allows militaries of both countries to exchange logistic support, supplies and services to be used primarily during combined exercises, training, deployments, operations, as well as other unforeseen circumstances.
Find more blog posts tagged with:
The State Partnership Program, Relationships, and Building Partner Capability
Increasingly, these relationships are also forged in the fires of combat. Many of the states in the EUCOM SPP have deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq with their partner nations. In some cases, the partner nation requested their co-deployment based on the strength of their relationship. Poland and Illinois comes to mind, as does Georgia and Georgia. In other cases, the state provides critical capabilities to enable the partner deployment. Great examples are the co-deployment Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (OMLT). Michigan-Latvia, Tennessee-Bulgaria, Hungary-Ohio, and Minnesota-Croatia are good examples and the list is growing.
Find more blog posts tagged with:
What Are You Reading?
The idea of the reading list is to bring together a well-rounded collection of works that cover the gamut of history, policy, international relations, political science, biography, strategy, and – my particular love – fiction. It’s not an assignment – it’s a series of well considered suggestions.
Comments: 1
The conference logo brings back memories from "Swamp Phase" of Ranger School! The "Give Way Together" theme is on target and anyone who trudged through the swampy banks of the Yellow River there in the Florida panhandle knows that it took a team effort to make it through.