Achieving security cooperation objectives through the United States European Command Humanitarian and Civic Assistance program. (Security Assistance Community).In 1997 the United States European Command The U.S. European Command (EUCOM) is a Unified Combatant Command of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of responsibility covers 21 million square miles and 92 countries and territories, including Europe, Turkey, Greenland, the former (USEUCOM USEUCOM United States European Command (US DoD) ) consolidated three formerly disjointed Department of Defense (DoD) Humanitarian Assistance programs: Humanitarian and Civic Assistance Assistance to the local populace provided by predominantly US forces in conjunction with military operations and exercises. This assistance is specifically authorized by title 10, United States Code, section 401, and funded under separate authorities. (HCA HCA, n.pr See acid, hydroxycitric. ), Humanitarian Assistance-Other (HA-O), and the Humanitarian Assistance Program-Excess Property (HAP-EP). These programs were established in the USEUCOM J4 and formed the Humanitarian Assistance (HA) Branch for the purpose of synchronizing activities and creating synergy among the programs. Since the formation of the HA Branch the USEUCOM HA Programs have grown significantly in size and popularity with U.S. Ambassadors within the area of responsibility. The USEUCOM HCA program is one of the premiere UCOM UCOM United Currency Options Market UCOM Unordered Compare security cooperation tools. The program implementation is strategically focused to meet the five DoD objectives: * Shape the security environment and foster goodwill furthering U.S. national interests; * Gain access and influence; * Bolster the ability of developing countries to prepare and respond to disasters; * Train U.S. Forces; and * Demonstrate how a professional military operates with civil military cooperation. What is an HCA? During the concept development and planning phase In amphibious operations, the phase normally denoted by the period extending from the issuance of the order initiating the amphibious operation up to the embarkation phase. The planning phase may occur during movement or at any other time upon receipt of a new mission or change in the warfighters and security assistance officers (SAOs) alike are unaware exactly of what HCA is. In the beginning HCA activities are conducted in conjunction with a planned exercise or operation. The HCA should never be considered the primary focus of the exercise, but rather as an add on to what is already planned. The authority to conduct HCA activities is outlined in Title 10 USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. Section 401. The HCA program provides U.S. forces unique training opportunities to enhance military occupational skills in remote austere environments. These activities not only improve the operational readiness The capability of a unit/formation, ship, weapon system, or equipment to perform the missions or functions for which it is organized or designed. May be used in a general sense or to express a level or degree of readiness. Also called OR. See also combat readiness. of U.S. forces, but serve as a multipurpose mul·ti·pur·pose adj. Designed or used for several purposes: a multipurpose room; multipurpose software. multipurpose Adjective security cooperation tool that achieves strategic and operational level objectives. HCA's allow U.S. forces to engage and conduct interoperability training with a variety of host nation agencies ranging from ministries, armed forces, and of course the ultimate beneficiaries, the civilian population. In USEUCOM, typically HCA's include medical civic action plans (e.g. medical, dental, optometry optometry (ŏptŏm`ətrē), eye-care specialty concerned with eye examination, determination of visual abilities, diagnosis of eye diseases and conditions, and the prescription of lenses and other corrective measures. , and veterinary), rudimentary construction to include non-revenue producing infrastructure projects such as sanitation/surface transport systems, and well drilling Well drilling is the process of drilling a hole in the ground for the extraction of a natural resource such as ground water, natural gas, or petroleum. Drilling for the exploration of the nature of the material underground (for instance in search of metallic ore) is best described . Humanitarian and civic assistance funding is programmed annually through the U.S. Army using 442 (Support To Other Nations) dollars. In the past three years the demand for HCA activities by components and exercise planners has tripled the USEUCOM program. Europe (NAVEUR NAVEUR Naval Forces, Europe NAVEUR Naval Command Europe ) conducted a WATC WATC Wetland Advisory and Training Centre WATC We Are the Champions (song by Queen) WATC Washington Terminal Company in Togo and Ghana providing critical medical care to thousands of people in the local population. From a strategic perspective, the program serves as an excellent tool for security assistance officers to achieve the UCOM's theater security cooperation and country team objectives. Specifically, the HCA Program provides SAOs access and influence to locations and government officials that they would normally not interact with. The activity allows the SAOs to strengthen strategic partnerships thereby enhancing regional security cooperation goals. Furthermore, successful implementation of the program supports U.S. national interests and our objectives. HCA Nominations The submission of HCA nominations begins approximately 18 months prior to execution. Exercise planner's work with the HCA program manager to identify specific activities and locations. In USEUCOM many of the construction related HCA activities are conducted in concert with engineer related construction projects. Coordination with the host nation and local officials is critical during the early planning stages of construction and medical projects. Prior to the submission of a project all the details should be ironed out. For example, medical projects require written approval from Ministries of Health for vaccinations, surgical procedures Surgical procedures have long and possibly daunting names. The meaning of many surgical procedure names can often be understood if the name is broken into parts. For example in splenectomy, "ectomy" is a suffix meaning the removal of a part of the body. "Splene-" means spleen. , and treatments. Since all HCA construction is rudimentary in nature, the host nation should approve the scope of work to ensure it does not conflict with building standards or restrictions. The HCA Program Manager using the Humanitarian Assistance Program-Internet (HAP-I) website submits HCA nominations. The HAP-I is an unclassified un·clas·si·fied adj. 1. Not placed or included in a class or category: unclassified mail. 2. interactive web-based system used for project nominations of all Title 10 HA Programs. The nominations are developed based on the concept of operations A verbal or graphic statement, in broad outline, of a commander's assumptions or intent in regard to an operation or series of operations. The concept of operations frequently is embodied in campaign plans and operation plans; in the latter case, particularly when the plans cover a series established by either planners from the component commands or executing U.S. military unit. As a minimum a nomination must contain specifics on the activity such as: location, name of exercise/operation, scope of work, training benefit to U.S. forces, number of participating forces, and cost. Once the nomination is inputted into the HAP-I system, an interagency review of the nomination is conducted. The interagency review historically has averaged 6-8 months before a project receives final approval from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), as part of the United States Department of Defense, provides financial and technical assistance, transfer of defense matériel, training and services to allies, and promotes military-to-military contacts. (DSCA DSCA Defense Security Cooperation Agency DSCA Defense Support of Civil Authorities DSCA Differential Strain Curve Analysis DSCA Deep Sound Channel Axis DSCA Debt Service Coverage Account DSCA Document Signer Certification Authority ). An exception to bypass the DoD HCA approval process is possible under the DeMinimus Clause in the USC. The DeMinimus Clause allows the HCA program manager to approve exec ution of projects under $10,000 without interagency review. USEUCOM HCA Program Way Ahead The consolidation of the three HA Programs in USEUCOM has unquestionably un·ques·tion·a·ble adj. Beyond question or doubt. See Synonyms at authentic. un·ques  tion·a·bil had a profound impact on both U.S. national interests and
our strategic partners throughout the area of responsibility.
Specifically since fiscal year 2001, the number of HCA activities in
USEUCOM has more than tripled. Consolidation of the HA programs in the
command has not only improved the synchronization of activities, but
created synergy among the programs. At the conclusion of a HCA
construction project(s) we now outfit the facility (e.g., medical
clinic, orphanage, school ... etc.) with excess property from our HAP-EP
program. The integration of other resources to the exercise benefits all
concerned, more importantly it serves as an excellent example of what
good civil-military cooperation Cooperation in peace or war between civil and military authorities, both NATO and national, with a view to ensuring an effective overall defense of the NATO area. relationships can achieve when working
together.As we enter the post September 11, 2001, "New World Order", we are establishing new strategic partnerships and more opportunities are presenting themselves. The HCA program is a tool that can be used by tacticians and SAOs alike. In most decisive combat operations Phase IV of every plan represents the post-hostilities or stability and support operation phase. These activities normally coincide with skills that are trained and conducted during HCA events. In USEUCOM, our experiences in Southeastern Europe have reinforced the importance of training U.S. forces through HCA type activities while performing stability forces (SFOR SFOR Stabilization Force SFOR Security Force SFOR Sustainment Forces (US military) ) in Bosnia and Kosovo forces (KFOR KFOR Kosovo Peacekeeping Force KFOR Kosovo Forces (NATO) ) missions. In Kosovo, Task Force Eagle conducts weekly medical exercises throughout their sector which have resulted in greater access and influence with local government officials, in addition to the added benefit of keeping up collective and individual medical skills. The expansion of USEUCOM's area of responsibility, new partnerships with the New Inde pendent States, and service/component funding constraints will most likely result in a steady growth of the USEUCOM HCA program in the future. Conclusion The HCA Program is a highly effective tool that can be used to accomplish strategic, operational, and tactical objectives. Component and unit commanders have been increasingly using the additional funding source available through the program to offset training and operational costs. Similarly, the program serves as an outstanding security cooperation tool for SAOs and country teams to achieve their goals and objectives. Most importantly Adv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent" above all, most especially it supports the Unified Command's theater security cooperation plan, the U.S. National Security Strategy, and achieves positive quality of life results in the host nation. The contribution of the program on the war on terrorism Terrorist acts and the threat of Terrorism have occupied the various law enforcement agencies in the U.S. government for many years. The Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, as amended by the usa patriot act has been significant with activities ranging from the Caspian Sea to Sub-Saharan Africa. In the end, the best security cooperation tools are U.S. forces on the ground serving in the capacity of warrior-humanitarians maintaining regional stability. West Africa Medical Outreach Program Ghana Detachment (NR Fleet Hospital Dallas) Date Village Patients Medical Optical Glasses 15-Apr Agomeda 522 263 1122 86 16-Apr Dodowa 555 290 155 128 17-Apr Afienva 823 452 197 169 18-Apr Kodiabe 867 463 201 161 19-Apr Shai Hills (37th) 382 169 154 104 20-Apr Dodowa 1191 641 197 139 22-Apr Ayikuma 770 420 206 138 23-Apr Doryum 1216 500 306 146 Total 6326 3198 1528 1071 Date Dental Extractions Vaccinations Pharmacy 15-Apr 52 46 95 96 16-Apr 56 46 54 89 17-Apr 104 64 70 131 18-Apr 121 94 82 136 19-Apr 34 12 25 25 20-Apr 162 32 191 348 22-Apr 94 86 50 144 23-Apr 210 94 200 300 Total 833 474 767 1269 Togo Detachment (NR Fleet Hospital Minneapolis) Date Village Patients Medical Optical Glasses 16-Apr Koveto 774 262 117 100 17-Apr Legbassito 1097 309 171 139 18-Apr Sagbato 1096 318 121 113 19-Apr Lilikope 1199 403 124 120 21-Apr Adetikope 1216 349 177 157 22 Apr Hompou 1021 397 130 99 23-Apr Aname 1345 453 134 119 24-apr Lokoe 940 235 186 165 Total 8688 2726 1160 1012 Grand Totals 15014 5924 2688 2083 Date Dental Extractions Vaccinations Pharmacy 16-Apr 26 15 369 310 17-Apr 30 30 587 455 18-Apr 33 40 624 483 19-Apr 42 30 630 611 21-Apr 25 22 665 703 22 Apr 30 47 464 701 23-Apr 31 24 727 869 24-apr 30 18 489 507 Total 247 226 4555 4639 Grand Totals 1080 700 5322 5908 About the Author Major Mario V. Garcia Jr., is a Logistics Operations Officer working in the Headquarters United States European Command (International Division), Logistics and Security Assistance Directorate, Humanitarian Assistance Branch. MAJ Garcia is an Army Quartermaster quartermaster Officer who oversees arrangements for the quartering and movement of troops. The office dates at least to the 15th century in Europe. The French minister of war under Louis XIV created a quartermaster general's department that dotted the countryside with Officer who has served in numerous command and staff billets in 3d Infantry Division, 82d Airborne Division, and 1st Corps Support Command (Airborne). He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command & General Staff College and the U.S. Naval Command and Staff College. Major Garcia is a distinguished military graduate of the University of South Florida • • [ and holds an M.S.A. from Central Michigan University Central Michigan University, at Mount Pleasant, Mich.; coeducational; est. 1892 as a normal school, became Central State Teachers College in 1927, achieved university status in 1959. The university maintains a forest that is used for botanical and biological research. in human resource management and an M.A. in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College. |
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