Noncombatant Evacuation Operations: Considerations for Deliberate and Crisis Action Planning.

Abstract

Abstract : This paper analyzes the conduct of deliberate and crisis action planning for noncombatant evacuation operations (/TOs) of U.S. diplomatic and consular facilities overseas. An interagency operations, a Center for Naval Analysis (CNA) study conducted in 1993 identifies cooperation between the Department of State (DoS) and the Department of Defense (DoD) as a deficiency in the planning of NEOs. This lack of interagency cooperation adversely impacts the execution of what the author terms politically sensitive 'diplomatic' operations. This, in turn, hinders the ability of both departments to protect and safely evacuate noncombatant American citizens who live and work abroad. Assigned as the Operations Officer, B Company, Marine Security Guard Battalion, American Consulate General Casablanca, Morocco from June 1986 until June 1988, the author spent Two years supervising and inspecting Marine Security Guard Detachments at 24 embassies and consulates throughout North Africa and the Middle East. The lack of interagency cooperation sighted in the CNA study was often evident during visits to embassies and consulates throughout the region. Through this paper, the author hopes to improve DoD-DoS interface by defining the relationship which should exist between the departments in connection with NEO planning. Considerations for unified and Joint Task Force planners are presented in two sections entitled 'The Deliberate Planning Process' and Crisis Action Planning Considerations. The objective is to facilitate the planning process through the identification of these considerations and recommendations to improve the interface between DoS and DoD during NEO planning.