text: Chapter 5
  RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOGISTICS
  5-6. Logistics is a national responsibility during multinational operations. Some nations do not want to
  relinquish authority of logistics assets. However, relations between NATO and the United States have
  evolved enough that logistics is a collective responsibility with NATO support agency oversight. The
  multinational commander needs the authority and control mechanisms for logistics to accomplish the
  mission. Each nation performing logistics functions separately would be inefficient and expensive. The
  multinational logistics staff handles mutual logistics support among multinational partners. The planning
  staff designs the plans to complement partner nations’ capabilities and minimize weaknesses. After which,
  participating nations discuss which nations provide support functions for the multinational force and the
  procedures and methods those nations will use to provide that support. (For additional information on
  multinational logistics, refer to JP 4-0, AJP-4, FM 4-0, and applicable NATO STANAGs.)
  5-7. The multinational force may exercise some control over national logistics units or act as the coordinating
  authority. The degree of control depends on existing agreements and arrangements negotiated with troop
  contributing nations. The multinational force commander is responsible for delivery of logistics to the
  multinational force. This can be accomplished by establishing a logistics coordination center headed by the
  G-4 or J-4 to coordinate common logistics support in the AO.
  5-8. The logistics coordination center identifies and determines responsibility for common logistics support
  capabilities from national authorities. Common logistics support capabilities provided to a multinational
  force do not negate national logistics support requirements. Early coordination between national authorities
  and multinational force commanders is essential in identifying common logistics support capabilities and
  responsibility for their provision.
  5-9. Three methods of executing cooperative logistics exist in a multinational force. Each method is executed
  as a standalone method or combined with the other methods. Regardless of the method used, national
  decisions and commitments are made early in the planning cycle. The three methods:
  • The lead nation concept. For this method, one nation provides the framework for one or more
  logistics functions to support the multinational force.
  • A role-specialization nation. Under this method, one nation provides a particular class of supply or
  service for all or most of the multinational force.
  • Multinational integrated logistics unit. For this method, two or more nations form an integrated
  logistics support structure to provide supply or support functions to the multinational force.
  PLANNING FOR LOGISTICS
  5-10. It is essential to conduct logistics planning in parallel and collaboration with operational planning to
  ensure success in multinational operations. The multinational staff must have required logistics personnel in
  place early to facilitate planning and coordination with nations. The multinational logistics staff will develop
  the logistics plans to support the commander’s operation and disseminate logistics requirements to individual
  nations. Logistics planners share partial planning data with partner nations to facilitate parallel planning.
  Staffs—
  • Evaluate the level of standardization and interoperability among participating nations.
  • Determine and account for differences in logistics doctrine, capabilities, methods for computing
  requirements, stockage levels, organizations, and communications and information systems.
  • Account for differences in language, values, religious and moral beliefs, economic infrastructure,
  nutritional standards, and social outlooks that affect logistics support to multinational forces.
  5-11. Nongovernmental organizations may provide logistics support to the local population. However, in
  some circumstances when military support is required, logistics planners may be required to address the
  requirements of the local population as a part of the logistics plan of the operation order.
  5-12. Logistics personnel prepare logistics in the theater of operations for a flexible operational support plan.
  Logistics personnel perform actions at all echelons to optimize the means (force structure, multinational and
  host-nation resources, and strategic lift) to support the multinational force commander’s plan. Personnel
  identify resources available in the theater of operations for use by multinational forces and ensure access to
  those resources. (Refer to FM 4-0 for more information on sustainment preparation.) These actions include—