text: Command and Control During Multinational Operations
  Note. Some nations use the term “framework nation” instead of “lead nation.”
  LEAD NATION COMMAND STRUCTURE
  2-42. The lead nation command structure recognizes that one nation has the lead role and its C2 authority
  has primacy during the conduct of operations. (See Figure 2-2 for a sample command structure.) Normally,
  the lead nation is the country that provides the largest number of forces and most resources for that operation.
  An example of a lead nation command structure is the NATO International Security Assistance Force (known
  as ISAF) operation in Afghanistan. In this example, the United States deployed the largest number of forces,
  supplied the most resources, and was the lead nation among the 50 troop contributing nations.
  2-43. The lead nation determines the appropriate C2 procedures and works closely with the other partner
  nations. It provides specific equipment and software to a national component headquarters of other nations
  when feasible. Other nations provide appropriate liaison personnel to the lead nation headquarters. Robust
  liaison is aligned in function and level of expertise. Such liaison is essential to develop and maintain unity of
  effort in coalition operations. It often is key to addressing procedural and human gaps in interoperability
  within functional and staff areas.
  2-44. Staff augmentation from other national contingents supplements a lead nation staff depending on the
  size, complexity, and duration of the operation. This augmentation ensures that a lead nation headquarters
  represents the entire coalition. Such augmentation includes designated deputies or assistant commanders,
  planners, and logisticians. This facilitates planning by providing the coalition commander with a source of
  expertise on coalition members. Augmentation is required if a coalition partner possesses specific
  organizations or capabilities not found in lead nation forces.
  Figure 2-2. Lead nation command structure
  PARALLEL COMMAND STRUCTURE
  2-45. The parallel command structure is an alternative to the lead nation command structure. No single
  coalition commander exists under this structure. The multinational leaders coordinate among the participants
  to attain unity of effort. This is not the preferred structure because of the absence of a single coalition
  commander and lack of unity of command. (See Figure 2-3 on page 18 for depiction of parallel command
  structure.)