III. CIMIC in operations
3.5. CIMIC in Multi Domain Operations
The aim of MDO is to orchestrate military activities across all operational domains ( Land, Air, maritime, Cyberspace, and Space) synchronized with non-military activities to enable the Alliance to create converging effects at the speed of relevance.
In NATO, MDO is primarily a concept, a mindset, and an attitude that needs to be operationalized by creating plans at all levels. To integrate this mindset into the respective plans, the CIMIC Staff needs people who are aware of it and can apply it in all planning phases or the execution of operations. This affects the timing of decisions, the integration of non-military partners into processes, and the derivation of conclusions for future operations. Since non-military stakeholders can also be involved in planning processes, civil factor integration (CFI) must begin as early as possible as a prerequisite for civil-military interaction.
Viewing CIMIC's role in MDO in terms of domains rather than individual capabilities is essential. This means considering the domains from the perspective of non-military stakeholders. For instance, what is the effect of a satellite system used for military purposes but operated by civilians on military operations? What is the goal of a protest by a non-military group in a NATO country, and who or what is in control? How strong is the societal resilience in a NATO country, and what impact does it have in the event of an attack on NATO territory? As demonstrated by the experience of Ukraine, a well-informed analysis of these non-military factors is crucial. To achieve this, CIMIC Staff must think creatively and use the expertise of those they analyse, not relying on military stakeholders only.
CIMIC in the Land Domain
CIMIC is land-heavy. The Land Domain is where people live and, consequently, where rivalry, conflicts, and humanitarian crises have their roots and main impacts. Military forces will always affect this environment, including its civil factors, and vice versa. Therefore, CIMIC considers the political, administrative, social, or cultural boundaries as a basis for effective civil-military liaison and interaction and adapts liaison authorities accordingly. A clear, dedicated and effective outreach, liaison and coordination mechanism must be authorized and established
CIMIC in the Maritime Domain
The interconnectedness of the oceans through economic, social and political relationships underlines the importance of the maritime domain. The maintenance of the freedom of navigation, sea lines of communications, key infrastructure, energy flow, protection of marine resources, and environmental safety are all in the interests of both national and international security. CIMIC encompasses CMI activities and the integration of civil factors into the maritime operating environment. Maritime-specific actors are national shipping authorities, the shipping industry, jurisdiction, and other departments responsible for the coastal areas and adjacent sea areas and specific governmental organisations (GO), non-governmental organisations (NGO), and intergovernmental organisations (IO). The shipping industry is one of the most significant actors in the maritime environment. Through Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) and the Allied Worldwide Navigational Information System (AWNIS) disciplines, a NATO force will interact effectively with merchant shipping by coordinating the operations plan with non-military activities so that the commander’s mission can be fulfilled with minimal interference with merchant shipping. The NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) is the integral and permanent element of the Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) and the primary point of contact between NATO and the merchant shipping community. Within operations, the NSC coordinates the NATO and national NCAGS/ AWNIS organisations to ensure the use of NCAGS and AWNIS as force multipliers, facilitating the most effective use of military resources to support operational objectives.
CIMIC in the Air Domain
CIMIC enables the coordination between military and non-military air activities in joint and air operations e.g. by EUROCONTROL[1] and assesses the impacts on the civil operating environment caused by the military and non-military assets of air power by contributing to the targeting process and establishing situational awareness of the civil situation in the vicinity of airfields.
CIMIC in the Cyberspace Domain
Cyberspace comprises the capabilities and activities of interdependent networks of information, technology infrastructures, and resident data, including the Internet, telecommunications, networks, and computer systems. The spectrum of users and usage of this domain is very broad. (Every individual with a cell phone contributes to cyberspace.)
Therefore, enhancing information sharing and mutual assistance in preventing, mitigating and recovering from attacks in or through cyberspace is important. This requires civil-military interaction facilitated by CIMIC. A positive result from CIMIC is enhanced support for Cyberoperations (CO) through maintaining freedom of access to cyberspace and cyber assets and strengthened resilience.
CIMIC in the Space Domain
Space underpins NATO’s ability to navigate and track forces, have robust communications, detect missile launches, and ensure effective command and control. Up to 85% of the overall space assets are non-military. Military, civil and commercial sectors are increasingly dependent on these capabilities. Effective relationships and partnerships are needed to coordinate between non-military actors and the military forces to coordinate in order to mitigate threats and risks and synchronize actions
By facilitating CMI with non-military actors in the space domain, CIMIC will enhance the freedom of access to space assets and their respective services (e.g., STARLINK etc).
[1] Eurocontrol is a pan-European civil-military organization dedicated to supported European aviation.