Facilitating Allied Training in Norway By Commanding Officer Lt Col Lars Andre Sundnes and Staff Officer Operations Major Kari Ann Hovland, Allied Training Centre North.

1 Introduction As an offer to NATO, Norwegian Defence Forces have established an Allied Training Centre (ATC) located at segarden/Evenes and Porsangmoen, both in the northern parts of Norway. Additionally it is both politically and military stated allied training is a prioritised issue

1.1 References This article is based on the experiences of Allied Training Centre (ATC) on how to facilitate training in North Norway. ATCs most frequent customers have been Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (RNLMC) and United Kingdom 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines (UK 3 Cdo Bde RM).

1.2 Mission of the ACT The ATCs mission is to facilitate and coordinate land based training activities in Norway. This includes: On orders from National Joint Headquarters (NJHQ) to co-ordinate and

organise all land-based allied/foreign training in Norway within its region. Co-ordinate and control the use of available camps, ranges and training areas. Co-ordinate Host Nation Support (HNS) from both military and civilian

contractual partners. Co-ordinate cross-training with Norwegian units. Inform, and co-ordinate with, local civilian authorities, landowners and the

public. Provide liaison officers as required. Provide instructors as required. Settling of claims (payment of bills) resulting from allied/foreign training.

1.3 Assumption This article describes the procedures for facilitating training in Norway after NJHQ has selected a host unit (HU) for the visiting unit (VU), and contact between HU and VU has been established. Before this stage it is assumed that the following processes have taken place:

20 months before training is supposed to start, Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MOD) sends invitation to train in Norway to the different nations.

The nations must reply and request training in Norway, no later than 15 months before training is supposed to start.

During the exercise conference NJHQ will decide which unit will train where, and dedicate HU.

MOD answers the request for training in Norway 10 months before training starts.

MOD together with sending nation (SN) will write the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), if this not already exist. On the basis of the MOU, NJHQ will formulate the Technical Arrangement (TA).

1.4 Demarcation The procedures described in this text is based on a normal 1 3 months deployment and unit size of Battalion +. For smaller units and shorter deployments, the process can be simplified. HU for the purpose of the article is ATC.

1.5 Structure Facilitating training in Norway will be described through four phases:

1. Preparing for the deployment

2. Period of training 3. Re-deployment 4. Complementary work

2 Phase 1 - Preparing for the deployment At the earliest opportunity it is necessary for ATC to establish a point of contact (POC) within the VU, the period of the deployment, the units order of battle (OOB) and what kind of training is to be conducted. Furthermore ATC and VU will agree upon dates and a programme for reconnaissance to be conducted. ATC will give VU an overview of what they can offer and VU will respond by sending their outline programme and statement of requirement (SOR) one month prior to the reconnaissance. The SOR should include requests for support during the reconnaissance, such as food and lodging, helicopter support, vehicles, maps, etc.

2.1 Staff reconnaissance 7-9 months ahead of the deployment VU conduct a staff reconnaissance. This results in an initial deployment SOR.

2.2 Unit reconnaissance 3-4 months ahead of the deployment VU conducts a unit reconnaissance. The VU reconnaissance party should have representatives for operations, logistics, finance and communications. At this stage VU will go into more detailed planning particularly when it comes to location and how to utilise the infrastructure available, training areas and how best to achieve unit training objectives (TO) and establishing locations of communication nodes.

2.2.1 Courses The staff of ATC may have resources to run courses in winter disciplines or support the VU training with instructors. The VU can request this support and ATC will decide if they have the competence and resources to oblige the request. Otherwise the Norwegian School of Winter Warfare runs different kinds of winter courses for NATO/PfP forces. For details, see: www.coe-cwo.mil.no 2.2.2 Other contributors ATC have links to numerous civilian and military contributors in the area and will be able to support all kinds of requests from VU. ATC will ensure that the VU is introduced / linked to the military or civilian contractor that can offer the best service to meet the demand or who are obligatory designated as the provider of the requested service. ATC can also arrange meetings with Norwegian units in the area, to discuss possible cross training opportunities, exercises etc. During the reconnaissance ATC together with VU will make a draft of the Joint Implementation Arrangements (JIA) stating the agreed support that will be provided by ATC and other supporting units/organisations. 2.2.3 End of the reconnaissance Before VU leaves the area they have to hand over a detailed SOR and training specifications for the deployment. In addition VU has to present planned traces for the training and range requests. The unit reconnaissance concludes in an Action List agreed by ATC and VU. The Action List includes all issues to be resolved before the deployment, and allocates responsibility for each issue.

2.3 After reconnaissance ATC will immediately start to work on the issues identified in the Action List. This will be an ongoing task until all issues are solved. In addition, ATC will contact all municipalities where the training is planned to take place informing them of planned training serials and requesting use of private land. The requisition law is normally used for exercises at battalion level and higher and for allied training. The law gives authorisation to use private ground, but with a number of restrictions. Simultaneously ATC will inform officials and civilian landowners about the training. This will be done both by letter and by an open briefing session for everybody interested. Through this forum information from ATC gets to those affected by the training, and coordination of training areas and traces can be achieved. Private landowners should always be contacted before using their property.

2.4 Joint Implementation Arrangements Before every deployment a JIA must be written. It is made on the basis of the MOU, TA and VUs SOR, and regulates all relations between ATC, other contractual partners and the VU. The outline of the JIA is a main body with different annexes. Each annex describes the support given by the different contributors to the VU deployment. ATC will support the VU in finding contractual partners, but it is VU responsibility to make the contracts for services and goods. VU will have to pay for the contractual services and goods received. It is important to emphasise that all infrastructure earmarked for allied training will be free of charge. This means free rent, free electrical power for existing electrical installations, free heating for existing heating installations and free water supply. Costs related to other military or civilian infrastructure will have to be discussed with the owners. A draft of the JIA is made during the unit reconnaissance and it will be reviewed and updated as planning goes on. The aim is that the JIA shall be completed and signed by all involved contractual partners no later than one month before deployment. Based on experiences, the JIA needs to inform about and/or regulate the following: Host nation support (HNS) provided by ATC HNS provided by the Norwegian Defence Logistic Organisation (NDLO) HNS provided by Norwegian Defence Estate Agency (NDEA) HNS provided by NDLO CIS Support provided by civilian contractors Customs arrangements Directive on entry and exit of military personnel and equipment to/from Norway

Financial procedures Environmental protection Clean up after deployment Medical care Malicious damage Force protection Infrastructure Meetings between ATC and VU Reports from VU to ATC Other relevant issues

3 Phase 2- Period of training VU will remain under own national command during the training.

3.1 Hand over Upon arrival of the advance party, the infrastructure will immediately be handed over from ATC to VU in accordance with a pre planned procedure. VU is responsible for its own force protection and guarding of the camps once they are established.

3.2 Meetings Upon arrival at the location, ATC will arrange meetings between commanding officer (CO) of VU and the local mayor, the chief of local police and the CO of Norwegian military units in the vicinity of the location. At the same stage ATC will link VU MP to the local police and VU doctor to the local hospital.

3.3 Training VU will execute the training programme utilising their own resources, unless support has been agreed upon during the unit reconnaissance. At the start of the training ATC will give information on environmental protection, traffic safety and any other issues requested. Throughout the training period ATC will be stand by to support all requests from VU. Personnel from ATC will also accompany VU in the field. This is so that ATC can handle VU requests in a flexible manner and provide the best support possible to the training. The Liaison Officer (LO) will for instance inform about, and coordinate, the use of private land with the different landowners as the training progresses. This ensures VU can exploit the available terrain in the best possible way to achieve the TOs whilst making sure areas under stress are avoided. The LO will make sure VU adhere to Norwegian law & regulations dealing with environmental protection. VU must only use the latest updated exercise maps. Trucks and BVs will under no circumstances drive off public roads and enter the terrain before the route/axis is coordinated and approved by ATC or the LO. This environmental regulation is a precautionary measure to reduce the risk for driving in out of bounds areas such as agricultural crop land, civilian ski tracks, private properties etc. If damage occurs, VU are to report the damage to the LO or ATC. ATC and VU will contact the land owner and agree on compensation.

3.4 Reporting routine To help the staff of ATC keep track on training and provide the highest level of support, ATC request the following reports: Daily strength (allied personnel in theatre) Weekly sit rep in accordance with template issued Damage report, as soon as possible after damage occurs (environmental, civil

property, traffic accidents etc)

4 Phase 3 - Re-deployment

4.1 Hand back Before re-deployment of VU, the infrastructure must be handed back to ATC. Both VU and ATC representatives with sufficient authority must be present during the hand back procedures. The infrastructure should be put back to the condition it was at hand over (except deep cleaning). Damages and defects will be reported and before redeployment ATC will decide who will be responsible to pay for these to be rectified.

4.2 Reports At the end of the training, all bivouac positions and positions where blank

ammunition are used are to be consolidated on a bivouac registration form and handed in to ATC together with all traces used.

Total of personnel injuries and material damages Damage of infrastructure Outstanding bills First Impression report (FIR) is to be written before re-deployment

5 Phase 4 - Complementary work ATC will use the feedback in the reports to evaluate its contribution to the training and see how to further improve the support given to VU.

5.1 Report and briefing NJHQ The reports will also be a vital part of the summary report which will be given

to NJHQ no later than 14 days after re-deployment. The content of the summary report will enable us to evaluate all support given. The format of this report will be issued during the training period and should include Lessons Learned with regards to tactics, training and material.

5.2 Clean up training areas When the training is finished, cleaning up in the training areas is the responsibility of VU. They are to arrange clean up at all locations and training areas used and are also responsible for any costs related to the clean up. ATC and VU will before re-deployment agree on how to arrange and execute the clean up and payment for it. Clean up has to be carried out after snow melting and completed no later than 1st August the same year as the deployment.

6 Conclusion The ATCs aim is to facilitate training in Norway in a fashion that is agreeable both to HU and VU and guarantees a successful and enjoyable experience for both parties. Whatever the request from the VU, the ATCs will endeavour to meet the demand in a professional manner, displaying flexibility and resourcefulness whilst maintaining the highest Norwegian military standards. The ATCs welcome you to conduct your training in Norway all year around.

1 Introduction1.1 References1.2 Mission of the ACT1.3 Assumption1.4 Demarcation1.5 Structure

2 Phase 1 - Preparing for the deployment2.1 Staff reconnaissance2.2 Unit reconnaissance2.2.1 Courses 2.2.2 Other contributors 2.2.3 End of the reconnaissance

2.3 After reconnaissance2.4 Joint Implementation Arrangements

3 Phase 2- Period of training3.1 Hand over3.2 Meetings3.3 Training3.4 Reporting routine

4 Phase 3 - Re-deployment4.1 Hand back4.2 Reports

5 Phase 4 - Complementary work5.1 Report and briefing NJHQ5.2 Clean up training areas

6 Conclusion