JP 3-16, Multinational Operations - Defense Technical Information ...

APPENDIX C
MULTINATIONAL INTEROPERABILITY COUNCIL
1. Overview
a. The MIC is a joint, multinational forum for identifying interoperability issues and
articulating actions at the strategic and high operational level that, if nationally implemented
by MIC member nations, will contribute to more effective coalition operations.
b. The MIC is a senior operator led body for coordinating, deliberating, and facilitating
resolution of interoperability issues. The MIC’s work focuses on resolving information
interoperability problems, strategic and operational issues, and interagency aspects
considered as key to coalition operations.
c. While the MIC’s initial work was focused on resolving information interoperability
challenges, the scope of the MIC has expanded significantly to cover other strategic and
operational issues considered to be key to identifying and articulating interoperability issues
and deficiencies impacting multinational operations. The MIC focuses on resolving
information sharing, operational, and LN interoperability issues across all lines of
development (doctrine, organization, training, material, leadership, personnel, and facilities).
The MIC also addresses interagency/comprehensive approach activities that are key in
establishing and executing coalitions, as well as policy issues for supporting and monitoring
multinational operations. These activities are targeted to positively impact coalition
interoperability policy, doctrine, and collaborative planning and execution.
2. Composition
a. The MIC is a seven-nation forum composed of countries that are most likely to form
and lead a coalition operation. The MIC member nations are Australia, Canada, France,
Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the US. The member nations are equal
participants in the MIC. While membership is not meant to be exclusionary, the criteria for
membership is based upon a nation’s demonstrated capacity and national will to lead
international coalitions.
b. The MIC is led by the MIC Principals, who are the senior national representatives for
MIC member nations and are flag officers/general officers from their nation’s national
defense HQ. The MIC Principals are responsible for defining and articulating the strategic
direction of the MIC and for providing guidance for the MIC activities. Invaluable levels of
trust and camaraderie are cultivated in the MIC, which further encourage and promote
national efforts in coalition and multinational operations.
c. The following groups manage and/or implement/perform the work of the MIC
according to the guidance of the MIC Principals:
(1) The steering group (SG) is composed of O-6/NATO OF-5 representatives and is
responsible for providing management oversight of tasks approved by the MIC Principals. It
is the senior O-6/NATO OF-5-level group responsible for providing day-to-day guidance,
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