Coalition Coalition OperationsOperationsThe Strategic Environment: Observations The Strategic Environment: Observations from a U.S. and NATO Perspectivefrom a U.S. and NATO Perspective

MG (Ret.) Ken BowraMG (Ret.) Ken Bowra

Field Marshal Sir Arthur Field Marshal Sir Arthur Wellesly, First Duke of Wellesly, First Duke of WellingtonWellington

““The only thing worse than an Alliance is no The only thing worse than an Alliance is no Alliance at all.”Alliance at all.”

Wellington’s Waterloo Dispatch following the Wellington’s Waterloo Dispatch following the Battle of Waterloo:Battle of Waterloo:

““I should not do justice to my feelings or Marshal I should not do justice to my feelings or Marshal BlBlüücher and the Prussian Army, if I did not cher and the Prussian Army, if I did not attribute the success of this arduous day to the attribute the success of this arduous day to the cordial and timely assistance I received from cordial and timely assistance I received from them.”them.”

Coalition ObservationsCoalition Observations

The enemy will see a coalition as one of the The enemy will see a coalition as one of the most important centers of gravity, and will most important centers of gravity, and will focus his efforts to disrupt and destroy it.focus his efforts to disrupt and destroy it.

Each coalition partner brings unique Each coalition partner brings unique experiences and special skills to the battlefield. experiences and special skills to the battlefield. The key is to properly employ them to The key is to properly employ them to maximize capabilities.maximize capabilities.

Respect coalitions partners National Respect coalitions partners National restrictions or limitations. restrictions or limitations.

Coalition Observations Coalition Observations (Continued)(Continued)

Never, ever, coerce a coalition commander to Never, ever, coerce a coalition commander to accept a mission beyond his authority.accept a mission beyond his authority.

Interoperability goes way beyond equipment. Interoperability goes way beyond equipment. The key is to be able to operate together in a The key is to be able to operate together in a challenging environment.challenging environment.

Understand and respect coalition members Understand and respect coalition members customs and cultures.customs and cultures.

Language…Language…Language: Have Language…Language…Language: Have qualified linguist to work with coalition qualified linguist to work with coalition members.members.

Coalition Observations Coalition Observations (Continued)(Continued)

Always plan for Coalition Support Teams in an Always plan for Coalition Support Teams in an operation.operation.

A coalition must speak with one voice.A coalition must speak with one voice. Listen to coalition members.Listen to coalition members. Figure out HOW to share National intelligence Figure out HOW to share National intelligence

with coalition partners. Not sharing, or the with coalition partners. Not sharing, or the perception of not sharing, may do more perception of not sharing, may do more damage to the coalition than the enemy ever damage to the coalition than the enemy ever will be able to do.will be able to do.

Coalition Observations Coalition Observations (Continued)(Continued)

Do not wait for a crisis or Force Do not wait for a crisis or Force Generation Conference to build a Generation Conference to build a coalition. Coalition building is a continual coalition. Coalition building is a continual effort and national process.effort and national process.

““Geography has made us neighbors. Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners, Economics has made us partners, and necessity has made us allies. and necessity has made us allies. Those whom God has joined Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” together, let no man put asunder.” – – John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy