FP
National Points of Contact for FP Projects
NATO identifies Force Protection (FP) as “preventive measures and means to minimize the vulnerability of personnel, facilities, material, operations and activities from threats to preserve freedom of action and operational effectiveness thereby contributing to mission success”. Although a broad definition, Force Protection is more than just vulnerability reduction which is only one part of the process itself, especially when it comes to air operations.
Indeed, due to the unique nature of deployed air operations, the EAG FP area takes today’s terrorist threat against our deployed troops very seriously and understands that only a collaborative approach that will bring successful solutions.
That is why, on 6th of June 2002, EAG nations agreed to sign the “Survive to Operate and Force Protection in the field of Air Force activity Technical Arrangement”, known as the “STOX-TA”. This important document allows nations to collaborate and provides a single multi-national framework, to promote and facilitate training and exercises as well as personnel and information exchanges, between the Participants’ Air Forces in the field of Survive to Operate and Force Protection (STO/FP). The TA is reviewed regularly by the STOX TA Coordination Board (CB).
One year later, on 5th of June 2003, Norway joined EAG nations within this FP area by signing the TA and became an associated member in the realm of Force Protection. Additionally, although it hasn’t signed the TA, Sweden is very regularly associated with the EAG regarding Force Protection activities.
Together with our partner nations, and in order to improve interoperability, we have identified the needs of the EAG FP community:
- mutual knowledge: what are the others doing and what is happening in operations ?
- mutual understanding: why are things done this way and how are our partners using their equipments, procedures, manning and tactics ?
- common standardized procedures: how to keep our efficiency level when we work as a coalition?
- common training: to train together in a multinational environment and having benefit from other nations’ training programmes and facilities.
In order to fulfil these needs and having in mind the objective to improve the efficiency of European FP units, in terms of interoperability, we have set up a range of events.
To enhance our mutual knowledge and understanding of each other, we have organised seminars, conferences and workshops to share information, experiences and lessons learned from recent operations.
The FP area has also set up a wide range of standardized procedures known as SOPs, ranging from active and passive defence to recuperation, as well as command and control structures.
As common training is paramount to improve interoperability, the FP area regularly organise exercises. Table top exercises are dedicated to train FP specialists in the planning and running of an operation without troops on the ground. The larger EAG exercises, known as VOLCANEX, regularly involve numerous FP troops from EAG nations and associated partners. Hosted by the Norwegian Air Force in Orland in June 2010, VOLCANEX 10 was heavily FP focused, involving around 360 FP specialists coming from 7 nations and included Close Air Support operations.
STOX-TA nations and Sweden have also agreed to offer up each other’s training and exercise opportunities in order to take benefit from other nation’s training programmes and facilities. These opportunities are updated every year and gathered in a single document known as “EAG FP Master Plan”.
The current EAG FP Team consists of 2 Staff Officers.
