Deployment – Lessons Learned

Deployment – Lessons Learned

Steve HenlyEnglish Teacher

Swedish National Defence CollegeStockholm

NATO Training Mission - Iraq

HMS Iron Duke

Disclaimer

“does not necessarily reflect the views of any of the organisations I mention during my

presentation”

Deployment – Lessons Learned

• Background• NATO Training Mission – Iraq• Royal Navy interpreter – Arabian Gulf• Personal reflections• Lessons learned

Background

• 18 years British Army to 1993 – Royal Engineers• 1997 – moved to Sweden• 2004 – Swedish National Defence College• 2007 – Heard about Full Time Reserve Service

opportunity• 2008 – 2011 Three years ’back in uniform’

July 2008-July 2011What should have happened*…

15 months ArabicUK Defence School of Languages

6 month-tourInterpreter

Arabic Upgrade course


* does not include time for pre-deployment training/leave

July 2008-July 2011What actually happened*…





~ 13 months ArabicUK Defence School of Languages

7½ month-tourAdvisor NTMI

Baghdad



UKMCCBahrain



COM

DCOM

COS

TRAINING & EDUCATION

FEDERAL POLICE TRAINING

OPERATIONS CENTRES

APPROX 170 PERSONNEL

Also DCG USF-I (A&T)

FEDERAL POLICE TRAINING

TRAINING & EDUCATION (NCOs) – TAJI

TRAINING & EDUCATION (OFFICERS)

HQ &OPERATIONS CENTRES


DefenceStrategic

Studies Institute

NationalDefenceCollege

Doctrine Coord

Joint Staff& Command

College

IraqiMilitary

Academy

DefenceLanguageInstitute

Advisory Team Ar Rustamiyah

National Defence University

Officer Education Training and Advisory Branch (OETAB)

WarCollege

What did I do?

• Advice to Dean DLI-I• Liaison with USF-I and other agencies• Support to English Language Mentor at

Iraqi Military Academy• Support to teacher training/teachers• Teaching• Staff Work

Limited achievement – why?

• Four Deans• Political uncertainty – decision-making paralysis• Fragmented command in NDU – lack of influence• Low priority for language training• Lack of resources• Successes – German and Italian links, materials

for Military Academy

Lessons learned – NTM-I

• Proficiency in English language essential in NATO HQ

• Cultural awareness – host nation/other NATO countries/other services

• Language training must be supported by the chain of command

July 2008-July 2011What actually happened*…





~ 13 months ArabicUK Defence School of Languages

7½ month-tourAdvisor NTMI

Baghdad



UKMCCBahrain


Combined Maritime Forces

COM

DCOM

CTF 150 CTF 151 CTF 152

Also COM US Naval Forces CENTCOM and

US 5th Fleet

Also COM UKMCC

HQ - Bahrain

25 nation coalition – 30+ ships

Combined Maritime Forces

HMSs Cumberland & Iron Duke

HMSs Cumberland & Iron Duke

• Wider Regional Engagement (WRE)• Exercises and training• MSP in support of CMF (CTFs 150 & 152)

Wider Regional Engagement

Exercises and Training

Maritime Security Patrols

Maritime Security Patrols

Boarding Teams• Boarding• Alongside Assurance Visits (AAVs)

Boarding Teams

Boarding Teams

Sully

Lessons learned – UKMCC

• Identify the right language• Look within for expertise• Passage of information –

Defence Operational Language Support Unit (DOLSU) – PJHQ – UKMCC

Personal Reflections - Places

Personal Reflections - People

Personal Reflections - People

• Proficiency in English language essential in NATO HQs

Lessons Learned

YOUR STUDENTS

• Proficiency in English language essential in NATO HQs

• Cultural awareness – host nation/partner nations/other services

• Language training must be supported by the chain of command

• Identify the right language• Look within for expertise• Passage of information

Lessons Learned

YOUR STUDENTS

• That’s all!That’s all!• Any questions?Any questions?

Documents

Deployment – Lessons Learned