1. Multinational Planning
Augmentation Team
- MPAT -
Good morning/afternoon/evening.
My name is . I am from the US PACIFIC COMMAND Training & Exercises Directorate (J7). (I am representing the multinational planning augmentation team (MPAT) Secretariat.)
I would like to say a few words about the MPAT program.
15 August 2016

2. Agenda What is MPAT program? MPAT Nations MPAT Objectives-Methods
MPAT Venues-Locations
MPAT Multinational Force Standing Operating Procedures (MNF SOP)
Web Page and Contact Info
This is the agenda for today’s brief:
This brief will explain the Multinational Planning Augmentation Team Program
The reasons for the program will be explained
The Multinational Force Standing Operating Procedures (MNF SOP) is a an important part of the MPAT program
There are several events in which MPAT participates & these will be described
Finally, the brief will conclude with a few comments about the future of MPAT

3. MPAT A USPACOM program to develop a cadre of military planners ...
from nations with Asia-Pacific interests
capable of rapidly augmenting a multinational force (MNF) headquarters (HQ)
established in 2000 to plan and execute coalition operations
in response to military –operations-other-than-war (MOOTW) and small scale contingencies (SSC)
in conjunction with humanitarian and government partner agencies
The climate of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region is very conducive to multilateral dialogue and the development of effective strategic, operational, and tactical planning and execution skills to meet on-going and emergent security challenges.
Many of the necessary planning skills and personal relationships used to form effective multilateral partnerships can be found within the Multinational Planning Augmentation Team (MPAT) program.
The MPAT is made up of a cadre of experienced military planners, capable of rapidly augmenting a multinational force headquarters (MNF HQ), to plan and execute coalition military operations primarily at the lower end of the spectrum of conflict.
The primary focus of MPAT is to improve multinational interoperability at the operational level of command.

4. A Multinational Program
MPAT Secretariat, based at USPACOM, Camp Smith Hawaii, USA administers the program
Using latest trends and methods, practices common crisis action planning procedures
So that MPAT-trained personnel can rapidly augment a coalition or multinational task force headquarters during a crisis
Develops habitual relationships among MPAT participants
Meets periodically to share information, develop HQ procedures, and practice latest planning processes to include CTF HQ formation
Program includes interested nations, UN agencies, funds & programmes; International Organizations (IOs), nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the Red Cross-Red Crescent Movement
MPAT is a rapidly maturing multinational program established in early MPAT was established to develop procedures to facilitate the rapid and effective establishment and/or augmentation of multinational coalition task force headquarters (CTF HQ).
MPAT is not a program with formal participatory agreements. The key factor in program success to date has been the informal ad hoc nature of the program. Without memorandums of agreement, terms of reference, or other more formal arrangements, the program has been able to share information and all participants have been able to jointly develop concepts and procedures without formal policy constraints – a key inhibitor to multinational interoperability when working with other nations.
The MPAT program includes military planners from all interested nations and also incorporates expertise from International & Non-governmental Organizations and the UN. The MPAT program belongs to all interested nations.

5. MPAT Participating Nations
Australia* Bangladesh Brunei
Cambodia Canada* East Timor
France* Fiji Germany*
India Indonesia Italy*
Japan Korea Malaysia
Maldives Mongolia Nepal
New Zealand Papua New Guinea Philippines
Singapore Solomon Islands Sri Lanka
Thailand Tonga Tuvalu
United Kingdom* United States* Vanuatu
Vietnam
This is a list of current nations participating in the MPAT Program.
Most are from the Asia & Pacific regions.
The nations outside the region (Canada, France, Germany, Italy & the UK) participate in MPAT because they are also members (along with Australia & the US) in a multinational interoperability program called the Multinational Interoperability Council (MIC) which seeks to improve military interoperability at the strategic & policy level.
By including MIC nations in MPAT, we help to ensure that interoperability at the strategic/policy level is being done in concert with interoperability efforts at the operational/planner level, and vice versa.
31 nations from either the Asia-Pacific region or member nations of the
Multinational Interoperability Council*

6. MPAT Objectives Improve Speed of Multinational Crisis Response
Improve Multinational Force Interoperability
Increase CTF Mission Effectiveness
Unity of Effort
Develop and become familiar with common Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) for MNF HQ
Strengthen & Practice Common Crisis Action Planning Procedures
The operational objectives of the MPAT program are:
Increase speed of initial crisis response by a multinational force in the Asia-Pacific region.
Improve the interoperability of coalition or combined forces, or multinational operations where nations work in parallel with each other.
Improve overall Multinational Task Force Headquarters mission effectiveness.
The two primary methods by which MPAT supports these objectives are by:
Developing a cadre a skilled multinational military planners
Developing a common set of procedures
This program will ultimately save lives as we improve the multinational capability to rapidly and efficiently respond to a disaster, humanitarian crisis, or complex contingency.

7. MPAT Methods Maintain relationships
Administer the Multinational Force Standing Operating Procedures (MNF SOP)
Dedicated biennial workshops to update and refine the MNF SOP
Conduct two multinational Tempest Express staff planning workshops annually to practice:
Forming a MNF for MOOTW / SSC
Advance participant nation skills
Planning responses to current events
Use of MNF SOP
Participate in major exercises
Participate in real-world operations
The operational objectives of the MPAT program are:
Increase speed of initial crisis response by a multinational force in the Asia-Pacific region.
Improve the interoperability of coalition or combined forces, or multinational operations where nations work in parallel with each other.
Improve overall Multinational Task Force Headquarters mission effectiveness.
The two primary methods by which MPAT supports these objectives are by:
Developing a cadre a skilled multinational military planners
Developing a common set of procedures
This program will ultimately save lives as we improve the multinational capability to rapidly and efficiently respond to a disaster, humanitarian crisis, or complex contingency.

8. MPAT Venues MPAT SOP Development Workshop : MPAT TEMPEST EXPRESS (TE):
Develop MPAT Program Recommendations
Develop / Refine MNF SOP
MPAT TEMPEST EXPRESS (TE):
Staff Planning Workshop
Scenario-driven planning event
MPAT Participation in Other Events:
Multinational Exercises
COBRA GOLD , BALIKATAN , GEMA BHAKTI, TALISMAN SABER, BERSAMA WARRIOR
Seminars, Table-top Exercises, War-Games
Regional and International Forums
Real-World Crisis Response
UNIFIED ASSISTANCE (2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami)
CARING RESPONSE (2008 Cyclone Nargis - Burma)
OPERATION DAMAYAN (2013 Philippine Typhoon)
OPERATION SAMAKARYA (2015 Nepal Earthquake)
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF MPAT EVENTS. THE TEMPEST EXPRESS STAFF PLANNING WORKSHOP AND MNF SOP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP. MPAT WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT TWO TEMPEST EXPRESS STAFF PLANNING WORKSHOPS, AND AT LEAST ONE MNF SOP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP PER YEAR.
IN ADDITION, COORDINATORS OF OTHER EVENTS, FROM THE US AND OTHER NATIONS, MAY INVITE MPAT PLANNERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR EVENTS SUCH AS EXERCISES, SEMINARS, & WARGAMES, ETC. IN ADDITION, MPAT PERSONNEL AND CADRE MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN REAL-WORLD EXERCISES AS NEEDED.

9. MPAT Events This is a list of all the MPAT TEMPEST EXPRESS events.
TE-1 Nov 00: Philippines (19 Countries)
TE-2 Feb 01: Thailand (19 Countries)
TE-3 Jan 02: Korea (25 Countries)
TE-4 Aug 02: Singapore (25 Countries)
TE-5 Aug 03: Mongolia (22 Countries)
TE-6 Mar 04: Australia (25 Countries)
TE-7 Aug 04: India (26 Countries)
TE-8 Jul 05: Hawaii (25 Countries)
TE-9 Mar 06: Thailand (29 Countries)
TE-10 Aug 06: Mongolia (25 Countries)
TE-11 Feb 07: Singapore (28 Countries)
TE-12 Jun 07: Indonesia (23 Countries)
TE-13 Jul 07: Hawaii (US Pandemic TTX)
TE-14 Mar 08: Cambodia (24 Countries)
TE-15 Jul 08: Indonesia (21 Countries)
TE-16 Mar 09: Philippines (24 Countries)
TE-17 Aug 09: Nepal (24 Countries)
TE-18 Jul 10: Singapore (25 Countries)
TE-19 Mar 11: Cambodia (24 Countries)
TE-20 Aug 11: Mongolia (22 Countries)
TE-21 Aug12: Australia (25 Countries)
TE-22 May 13: Bangladesh (22 Countries)
TE-23 Jul 13: New Zealand (18 Countries)
TE-24 Mar 14: Sri Lanka (17 Countries)
TE-25 Jun 14: Malaysia (23 Countries)
TE-26 Apr 15: New Caledonia (25 Countries)
TE-27 Jul 15: Philippines (18 Countries)
TE-28 Mar 16: Nepal (22 Countries)
TE-29 Jun 16: French Polynesia (20 Countries)
TE-30 APR 17: Indonesia
TE-31 JUN 17: Thailand (T)
TE-32 NOV/DEC 17: Cambodia (T)
TE-33 JUL 18: Bangladesh (T)
This is a list of all the MPAT TEMPEST EXPRESS events.

10. HQ Procedures for Multinational Force OPS
MNF SOP Purpose
Increase multinational force (MNF):
Speed of Initial Response
Interoperability
Overall Mission Effectiveness
Unity of Effort
HQ Procedures for Multinational Force OPS
One of the first actions in the MPAT initiative was the development of procedures for the operation of a CTF HQ.
The MNF SOP recognizes the existence of shared national interests in the region and seeks to standardize some basic concepts and processes that will promote habits of cooperation, increased dialogue, and provide for baseline multinational force operational concepts.
Further, this SOP serves as a centerpiece for the MPAT workshops and exercises aimed at improving interoperability and multinational military readiness within the Asia-Pacific region.
The purpose of the SOP is straight forward:
Increase the speed of a MNF initial response,
Improve interoperability among the participating forces,
enhance overall mission effectiveness
And support Unity of Effort

11. STANDING OPERATING PROCEDURES
MNF SOP
Agreed-upon procedures required to improve multinational crisis response and capabilities by MPAT nations
Primary focus: Operational-Level, Coalition / Combined Task Force (CTF) Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW)
Designed to support a full range of small scale contingencies (SSCs)
It is based on “Lead-Nation” Concept (one nation in lead)
Foundation reference for multinational crisis response
Ownership by MPAT nations is critical
Not prescriptive, binding or directive
Document left “unsigned” intentionally
Serves as a “guide” (start point), can be tailored for each operation
A multinational document with contributions from 31 nations, UN, civil government and humanitarian organizations
MULTINATIONAL FORCE
STANDING OPERATING PROCEDURES
(MNF SOP)
Version: 3.0
November 2015
The MNF SOP supports the MPAT program and is its (MPAT) central planning and execution document.
The SOP’s focus is on improving “multinational crisis response capabilities within the 31 MPAT nations.
To date, we have had 16 dedicated MNF SOP Workshop to date. The next MNF SOP Workshop is scheduled in Sri Lanka in June 2013.
- USED FOR ALL USPACOM MNF OPS
- USED FOR JTF CERTIFICATION IN
AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE

12. MNF SOP - Operational Focus
MNF SOP Missions
Major Conflict (War)
Large scale offensive &
defensive combat ops
MNF SOP - Operational Focus
Hostilities will occur
PEO
Small-Scale-
Contingency
Combating
Terrorism
Hostilities may occur
Counterinsurgency
Protection of
Shipping
Counterdrug Ops
Counterterrorism
Disarmament,
Demobilization &
Reintegration
Anti-Piracy
Consequence
Management
Hostilities unlikely, but possible
PKO
NEO
Anti-Terrorism
Show of Force
Disaster Relief
Humanitarian Assistance
Freedom of Navigation
Domestic Support
Personnel Recovery Ops
CBRNE-TIM

13. MNF SOP Development MNF SOP-1 MAR 02: Hawaii (17 Countries)
MNF SOP-2 JUN 02: Hawaii (18 Countries)
MNF SOP-3 FEB 03: Hawaii (18 Countries)
MNF SOP-4 JUN 03: Hawaii (21 Countries)
MNF SOP-5 JAN 04: Hawaii (21 Countries)
MNF SOP-6 JUN 04: Hawaii (23 Countries)
MNF SOP-7 JAN 05: Cancelled (Due to Tsunami Relief Ops)
MNF SOP-7 AUG 05: Hawaii (18 Countries)
MNF SOP-8 JAN 06: Malaysia (21 Countries)
MNF SOP-9 NOV 06: Indonesia (20 Countries)
MNF SOP-10 JAN 07: Hawaii (Collaborative)
MNF SOP-11 NOV 07: Philippines (21 Countries)
MNF SOP-12 NOV 08: Honolulu (20 Countries)
MNF SOP-13 AUG 09: Thailand (15 Countries)
MNF SOP-14 JUN 10: Honolulu (24 Countries)
MNF SOP-15 JUN 11: French Polynesia (20 Countries)
MNF SOP-16 JUN 12: Mongolia (16 Countries)
MNF SOP-17 JUN 13: Sri Lanka (15 Countries)
MNF SOP-18 JUN 15: Canada (15 Countries)
MNF SOP-19 JUN 16: Australia (22 Countries)
MNF SOP-20 TBD TBD
This is a list of all past MNF SOP development events.

14. STANDING OPERATING PROCEDURES
MULTINATIONAL FORCE
STANDING OPERATING PROCEDURES
(MNF SOP)
Version: 3.0
November 2015
Event Links
MNF SOP Workshops
Tempest Express Workshops
Develop Procedures
Exercises & Operations
Test Procedures
This graphically depicts the concept for continuous improvement by MPAT nations.
Procedures agreed upon are developed for the MNF SOP.
Thos procedures are tested and validated in MPAT TEMPEST EXPRESS Staff Planning Workshops (like table top exercises) and in large multinational military exercises like COBRA GOLD in Thailand, BALIKATAN in the Philippines or TALISMAN SABER in Australia.
Validate Procedures

15. Building Relationships
MPAT Program
Building Relationships
Building Capacity
Military
Unified
Action
Civil
Government
Humanitarians
MPAT’s fundamental effort is to build relationships and capacity between militaries, other elements of government and the international humanitarian community to respond to sudden onset crisis in a unified fashion to achieve better results.

16. More can be found on the MPAT website on the APAN (All Partners Access Network).
MPAT: