MacDill AFB, Fla. (June 14, 2017) –
USCENTCOM personnel and coalition representatives from over 40 nations held a force generation conference June 7 - 9.
“Force generation” is the procedure by which the United States and partner countries resource the personnel and equipment needed to carry out approved operations and missions, such as Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR).
The conference provides a venue for partner nations to confirm commitments to volunteer personnel, equipment, and resources to the CJTF-OIR mission.
Contributions by individual countries are subject to their national political mandates, taking into account forgoing commitments, force size and structure.
The process begins with the operational commanders on the ground identifying mission requirements and requesting military assets, units, and logistics via a Combined Joint Statement of Requirements (CJSOR) and Joint Manning Document (JMD).
Personnel from USCENTCOM’s CCJ5 Coalition Coordination Center (CCC) then commence a process of direct and continuous engagement with coalition partners to fill the mission’s needs, culminating with pledges of support at the conference. The task requires a deep understanding of the mission, great diplomatic skills, and a willingness to engage while bridging cultures.
The process is ongoing, repeating in six month cycles, with amended requirements for military resourcing as long as the operation demands.
Every partner nation’s contribution to force generation, large or small, is valuable and contributes to the overall success of the CJTF-OIR mission.