The Military Committee is supported by an integrated
International Military Staff made up of military personnel
seconded from national military establishments and of
supporting civilian personnel. Members of the Inter-
national Military Staff have a similar status within the
Organisation as the International Staff but come under
the administrative authority of the Director of the Inter-
national Military Staff or the Head of the independent
NATO agency within which they are employed. The na-
tional military status of personnel seconded from national
armed forces is not affected by their temporary second-
ment to NATO.
The International Military Staff is headed by a Director
of three star rank who is nominated by the member
nations and is selected by the Military Committee. He
may be from any one of the member nations, but he must
be of a different nationality from the Chairman of the
Military Committee. The Director is assisted by six Assist-
ant Directors of flag or general officer rank and the
Secretary of the International Military Staff.
As the executive agent of the Military Committee, the
International Military Staff is tasked with ensuring that
the policies and decisions of the Military Committee are
implemented as directed. In addition, the International
Military Staff prepares plans, initiates studies and recom-
mends policy on matters of a military nature referred to
NATO or to the Military Committee by national or NATO
authorities, commanders or agencies. In the framework
of the Work Plan for Dialogue, Partnership and Cooper-
ation established by the North Atlantic Cooperation
Council, and the work plan adopted by the Military
Committee at its first meeting in Cooperation Session,
the IMS is also actively involved in the process of co-
operation with the countries of Central and Eastern
Europe.
64. Organisation of the International Military Staff
The organisation of the International Military Staff is as
follows:
The Intelligence Division is responsible for assessing the
strengths and disposition of military forces which could
represent a risk to NATO's security interests and for keep-
ing the Military Committee, the Council and Defence
Planning Committee informed of developments. The Divi-
sion coordinates the production and dissemination of
NATO agreed intelligence, including intelligence policy
and basic intelligence documents. NATO has no independ-
ent intelligence gathering function or capacity of its own
but acts as a central coordinating body to collate and
disseminate intelligence provided by national authorities.
The Plans and Policy Division serves as the focal point
for all policy and planning matters of specific interest to
the Military Committee. This includes providing staff
support to the Military Committee in military matters
concerning the NATO strategic concept, politico-military
matters, long-term conceptual thinking, military contacts
with cooperation partners and arms control and disarma-
ment. The Division also participates on behalf of the
Military Committee in NATO's defence planning process;
and develops and represents the views of the Military
Committee and the Major NATO Commanders on mili-
tary policy matters in various NATO forums.
The Operations Division provides staff support to the
Military Committee in matters concerning current opera-
tional plans; the NATO force posture and the organisa-
tional structure of NATO Commands and military head-
quarters; the military contribution to the management of
contingency reactions to international crises where NATO
interests are involved; the promotion and coordination of
multinational training and exercises; and the coordination
of efforts towards an effective NATO electronic warfare
operational capability and associated training and exer-
cises. The Operations Division also serves as the focal
point between the NATO Military Authorities and the
nations in developing plans, programmes and procedures
for conventional arms control verification and implemen-
tation.
The Logistics and Resources Division is responsible to
the Military Committee for logistics, infrastructure, finan-
cial and manpower matters. The Division acts as the
focal point for staffing and coordinating all military
planning and management matters in these areas and
liaises with NATO Civil Emergency Planning Committees
and Agencies concerning civil support for the military
side.
The Communications and Information Systems Division
provides staff support to the Military Committee on
NATO military policy and operational requirements
related to NATO Communications and Information Sys-
tems, including communications and computer security,
leasing of PTT services, military frequency management
and interoperability of tactical communications. The Divi-
sion also provides support to the NATO Communications
and Information Systems Committee, and to the Brussels-
based specialised Military Telecommunications and Com-
munications and Information Systems (CIS) Agencies.
The Armaments and Standardization Division provides
staff support to the Military Committee on matters con-
cerning the development and assessment of NATO mili-
tary policy and procedures for armaments and related
standardization activities and acts as the focal point for
staffing and coordination of military needs in these areas.
The Division is also the focal point within the Inter-
national Military Staff for all air defence matters.
The Secretariat supports the Military Committee and
provides administrative support to the divisions within
the International Military Staff.
65. The Role of Allied Military Forces
The major changes in the security environment have
enhanced the role of political dialogue and cooperation
and increased the scope for resolving crises by political
means. The primary role of Alliance military forces,
namely to guarantee the security and territorial integrity
of member states, remains unchanged. However, in the
new strategic environment this role must be fulfilled in a
manner which takes account of diverse and multi-direc-
tional risks rather than a single threat.
The organisation of Alliance forces is designed to
ensure that in fulfilling this role they remain fully capable
of performing the different functions which could be
required of them whatever the situation - peace, crisis or
war.
Their role in peace is to guard against risks to the
security of Alliance members; to contribute towards the
maintenance of stability and balance in Europe; and to
ensure that peace is preserved. Secondly, in the event of
crises which might lead to a military threat to the security
of Alliance members, their role is to be able to comple-
ment and reinforce political actions and contribute to the
management of such crises and their peaceful resolution.
They therefore have to have the capability to respond in
a measured and timely fashion in such circumstances.
Thirdly, since the possibility of war cannot be ruled out
altogether however unlikely it might be, Alliance forces
have to provide the essential insurance against poten-
tial risks, at the minimum level necessary to prevent war
of any kind and, should aggression occur, to restore
peace.
The maintenance of an adequate military capability and
clear preparedness to act collectively in the common
defence therefore remain central to the Alliance's security
objectives. The collective nature of Allied defence is embod-
ied in practical arrangements that enable the Allies to
benefit from the political, military and resource advantages
of collective defence. These arrangements are based on an
integrated military structure and cooperation and coordina-
tion agreements between the members states. Key features
of the integrated structure include collective force planning;
common operational planning; multinational formations;
the stationing of forces outside home territory, where
appropriate on a mutual basis; crisis management and
reinforcement arrangements; procedures for consultation;
common standards and procedures for equipment, training
and logistics; joint and combined exercises; and infrastruc-
ture, armaments and logistics cooperation. All member
countries assign forces to the Integrated Military Command
Structure with the exception of Iceland (which has no
military forces) and France and Spain, to which separate
cooperation and coordination arrangements apply.
66. The Integrated Military Command Structure
The strategic area covered by the North Atlantic Treaty
is currently divided among three Major NATO Commands
(European, Atlantic and Channel) and a Regional Plan-
ning Group for Canada and the United States. However
changes to the Alliance's integrated military command
structure are being introduced in order to adapt it to
present day needs and to enable NATO forces to meet the
requirements of the new Strategic Concept. As a first
major step, NATO Defence Ministers decided in December
1991 to reduce the number of Major NATO Commands
within the new structure from three to two - European
and Atlantic. They also decided to create three Major
Subordinate Commands within Allied Command Europe,
responsible for the Southern, Central and Northwest
regions. Other measures, concerning the organisation of
the Central Region in particular, were also announced.
These decisions, many of which are subject to further
detailed planning, will be implemented gradually.
The Major NATO Commanders are responsible for the
development of defence plans for their respective areas,
for the determination of force requirements and for the
deployment and exercise of the forces under their com-
mand. Their reports and recommendations regarding the
forces assigned to them and their logistic support are
referred to the NATO Military Committee. The Major
NATO Commanders are also responsible for the develop-
ment and conduct of their military contacts with co-
operation partners.
67. Allied Command Europe (ACE) Headquarters: SHAPE at
Casteau near Mons, Belgium
The task of Allied Command Europe (ACE) is to safe-
guard the area extending from the northern tip of Norway
to Southern Europe, including the whole of the Mediter-
ranean, and from the Atlantic coastline to the eastern
border of Turkey. This equates to nearly two million square
kilometres of land, more than three million square kilome-
tres of sea, and a population of about 320 million people.
The military task of ACE is to contribute, along with
the forces of the other Major NATO Commands, to the
defence of the above area. In the event of crisis, the
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe becomes responsi-
ble for implementing military measures to preserve the
security, or restore the integrity, of Allied Command
Europe within the framework of the authority given to
him by the Council or Defence Planning Committee.
68. The Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR)
SACEUR is responsible for preparing defence plans for
the area under his command and ensuring the combat
efficiency of the forces assigned to his command; making
recommendations to the Military Committee on matters
likely to improve the organisation of his command; set-
ting down standards for organising, training, equipping,
maintaining and sustaining the forces he commands; and
conducting exercises and evaluations to ensure that these
forces form a unified and capable force for the collective
defence of NATO territory. In the event of war, SACEUR
would control all land, sea and air operations in his area.
SACEUR makes recommendations to NATO's political
and military authorities on any military matter which
might affect his ability to carry out his responsibilities
and he has direct access to the Chiefs-of-Staff, the De-
fence Ministers and Heads of Government of the NATO
nations.
Like the Chairman of the Military Committee, the
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, also has an impor-
tant public profile and is the senior military spokesman for
SHAPE. Through his own activities and those of his public
information staff he maintains regular contacts with the
press and media and undertakes official visits within NATO
countries and in the countries with which NATO is develop-
ing dialogue, cooperation and partnership.
The headquarters of Allied Command Europe is the
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).
The following subordinate commands are currently
responsible to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe:
(a) Allied Forces Northern Europe (AFNORTH): Kolsas,
Norway.
This Command comprises: Allied Forces North
Norway; Allied Forces South Norway; and Allied
Forces Baltic Approaches.
(b) Allied Forces Central Europe (AFCENT): Brunssum,
the Netherlands.
This Command comprises: Northern Army Group;
Central Army Group; Allied Air Forces Central
Europe; 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force; and 4th Allied
Tactical Air Force.
(c) Allied Forces Southern Europe (AFSOUTH): Naples,
Italy.
This Command comprises: Allied Land Forces South-
ern Europe; Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe;
Allied Air Forces Southern Europe; Allied Naval
Forces Southern Europe; Naval Striking and Support
Forces Southern Europe.
(d) The UK Air Forces Command (CINCUKAIR): High
Wycombe, United Kingdom.
(e) The Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (AMF):
Heidelberg, Germany.
(f) The Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAV-
FORMED).
(g) The NATO Airborne Early Warning Force: Geilen-
kirchen, Germany (The NAEW Force is under the
operational command of the three Major NATO Com-
manders, SACEUR, SACLANT and CINCHAN.
SACEUR is their Executive Agent.)
(h) The NATO (SHAPE) School at Oberammergau.
The organisation of the subordinate command struc-
ture of Allied Command Europe described above is cur-
rently undergoing review.
69. Allied Command Atlantic (ACLANT)
Allied Command Atlantic extends from the North Pole
to the Tropic of Cancer and from the coastal waters of
North America to those of Europe and Africa, including
Portugal, but not including the Channel and the British
Isles. The Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic
(SACLANT), like the Supreme Allied Commander
Europe, receives his directions from the Military Commit-
tee. The headquarters of ACLANT are at Norfolk, Vir-
ginia, USA.
70. The Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT)
The Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic prepares de-
fence plans for his commands, conducts joint and com-
bined training exercises, sets training standards and deter-
mines the establishment of units; and advises NATO mili-
tary authorities on his strategic requirements.
The primary task of Allied Command Atlantic is to
contribute to security in the whole Atlantic area by
safeguarding the Allies' sea lines of communication, sup-
porting land and amphibious operations, and protecting
the deployment of the Alliance's sea-based nuclear deter-
rent.
Like SACEUR, SACLANT has direct access to Chiefs-
of-Staff, Defence Ministers and Heads of Government.
The following subordinate commands are currently
responsible to the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic:
- the Western Atlantic Command, comprising a Sub-
marine Force Western Atlantic Area Command; an
Ocean Sub-Area Command; a Canadian Atlantic
Sub-Area Command; and the Bermuda and Green-
land Island Commands;
- the Eastern Atlantic Command, comprising Maritime
Air Eastern Atlantic Area; Northern Sub-Area; Mari-
time Air Northern Sub-Area; Central Sub-Area; Mari-
time Air Central Sub-Area; Submarine Forces Eastern
Atlantic Area; and the Island Commands of Iceland
and the Faeroes;
- the Striking Fleet Atlantic Command, comprising a
Carrier Striking Force, consisting of the Carrier Strik-
ing Group, the Anti-Submarine Warfare Group and
an Amphibious Force;
- the Submarines Allied Command Atlantic;
- the Iberian Atlantic Command, including the Island
Commands of Madeira and of the Azores;
- the Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFOR-
LANT).
71. Allied Command Channel (ACCHAN)
The Channel Command extends from the Southern North
Sea through the English Channel. The Headquarters of
the Allied Commander-in-Chief Channel (CINCHAN) are
located at Northwood, in the United Kingdom. Its task
is to control and protect merchant shipping and contrib-
ute to overall defence and deterrence.
72. The Commander-in-Chief Channel (CINCHAN)
In the event of aggression CINCHAN would be responsible
for establishing and maintaining control of the Channel
area, supporting operations in adjacent commands, and
cooperating with SACEUR in the air defence of the Chan-
nel. The forces available for these tasks are predominantly
naval, but include maritime airforces.
CINCHAN's subordinate commanders include Com-
mander Allied Maritime Air Force, Channel; Commander
Nore Sub-Area Channel; Commander Plymouth Sub-
Area, Channel; and Commander Benelux Sub-Area,
Channel. CINCHAN also has under his command the
NATO Standing Naval Force Channel (STANAVFOR-
CHAN), a permanent force mainly comprising mine
countermeasure vessels.
A Channel Committee consisting of the naval Chiefs-
of-Staff of Belgium, the Netherlands and the United
Kingdom serves as an advisory and consultative body to
the Commander-in-Chief, Channel.
Both SACEUR and SACLANT have offical represent-
atives at NATO Headquarters in Brussels (SACEUREP
and SACLANTREPEUR) to provide liaison with NATO
and national authorities. SACLANTREPEUR also acts
as representative for CINCHAN when required.
The organisation of the subordinate command struc-
ture of Allied Command Atlantic and Allied Command
Channel is currently undergoing review in the light of the
decision taken by NATO Defence Ministers in December
1991 to reduce the number of Major NATO Commands
from three to two.
73. Canada-United States Regional Planning Group
The Canada-US Regional Planning Group, which covers
the North American area, develops and recommends to
the Military Committee plans for the defence of the
Canada-US Region. It meets alternately in one of these
two countries.
74. Forces Available to NATO
The forces of member countries available to NATO's inte-
grated military command structure are essentially in two
categories: those which come under the operational com-
mand or operational control of a Major NATO Com-
mander when required, in accordance with specified proce-
dures or at prescribed times; and those which nations have
agreed to assign to the operational command or operational
control of a Major NATO Commander at a future date.
Some of the above terms have precise military defini-
tions. The terms ``command'' and ``control'', for example,
relate to the nature of the authority exercised by military
commanders over the forces assigned to them. When
used internationally, these terms do not necessarily have
the same implications as they do when used in a purely
national context. In assigning forces to NATO, member
nations assign operational command or operational con-
trol as distinct from full command over all aspects of the
military operations and administration of those forces.
These latter aspects continue to be a national responsibil-
ity and remain under national control.
Broadly speaking, NATO's military forces will in future
come into three categories: immediate and rapid reaction
forces, main defence forces, and augmentation forces.
Adjustments which are being made will continue to reflect
the strictly defensive nature of the Alliance and will
include reductions in their overall size and in some cases
in the level of readiness which they maintain, enhanced
flexibility and mobility and an assured augmentation
capability. As in the past, the Alliance's political authori-
ties will continue to exercise close control over the deploy-
ment and employment of these forces at all times.
In general, national forces remain under full national
command in peacetime. Exceptions to this rule are the
integrated staffs in the various NATO military head-
quarters; certain air defence units on constant alert such
as the units manning the Airborne Early Warning and
Control Force (AWACS); some communications units;
and four small multinational forces created for specific
tasks. These are described below.
75. The ACE Mobile Force (AMF)
In 1960 NATO formed a small, multinational task force
which could be sent at short notice to any threatened
part of Allied Command Europe to demonstrate the
solidarity of the Alliance and its ability and determination
to defend itself against aggression. The ACE Mobile
Force or ``AMF'' is composed of land and air forces
from Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg,
the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United
States. Until assembled at the request of the Supreme
Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), most units
assigned to it are stationed in their home countries.
United States units are provided by the US Forces already
stationed in Europe.
The AMF is a balanced force made up of infantry
battalions, artillery batteries and supporting units, with
the fighting strength of a brigade group of about 5,000
men. The force can be deployed rapidly to any part of
Allied Command Europe and is trained and tested every
year in tough, realistic exercises held in both the northern
and southern regions of Europe. Since its creation the
AMF has regularly participated in multinational exercises
but in January 1991 it was deployed for the first time in an
operational role when elements of the force were sent to
south-east Turkey during the Gulf War in order to demon-
strate NATO's collective solidarity and determination in
the face of a potential threat to Allied territory.
The Headquarters of AMF's land component are
located near Heidelberg in Germany.
76. Standing Naval Forces
The Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFOR-
LANT) was established in 1967. Composed of destroyer
or frigate class ships drawn from the navies of member
countries, this force comes under the command of the
Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT). Ships
from Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, the United
Kingdom and the United States form the permanent mem-
bership of the force. They are joined periodically by naval
units from Belgium, Denmark, Norway and Portugal. The
force carries out a programme of scheduled exercises,
manoeuvres, and port visits and can be rapidly deployed
to a threatened area in times of crisis or tension.
The Standing Naval Force Channel (STANAVFOR-
CHAN) was commissioned in May 1973. It consists of
mine countermeasure vessels and operates under the
Command of the Allied Commander-in-Chief, Channel
(CINCHAN). Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and
the United Kingdom are regular contributors to the force.
Danish, Norwegian and United States ships also join the
force from time to time.
A Naval On-Call Force for the Mediterranean
(NAVOCFORMED) was created in 1969. Similar in pur-
pose to STANAVFORLANT and STANAVFORCHAN,
this naval force was assigned to the Supreme Allied
Commander, Europe. It was not permanently in being
and assembled only when called upon. Between exercises,
normally twice a year, the ships remained under national
command. Italy, Greece, Turkey, the United Kingdom
and the United States normally contributed ships to the
force and units of other nations exercised with the force
from time to time.
As part of the reorganisation of Allied forces required
to meet the objectives of the Alliance's Strategic Concept,
NAVOCFORMED was replaced by a Standing Naval Force
Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED) on 30 April 1992. The
new force is composed of destroyers and frigates contrib-
uted by Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain,
Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
77. Reserve Forces
In accordance with the Alliance's Strategic Concept,
Allied forces must be structured in a way which enables
their military capability to be built up when necessary by
reinforcement, reconstituting forces or mobilising re-
serves. Reserve forces therefore play an important role in
the whole spectrum of NATO's defence structure and in
the event of crisis, would be required to take up positions
and carry out tasks alongside regular forces.
