JP 3-33, Joint Task Force Headquarters - Defense Innovation ...

Introduction to the Joint Task Force
There is no standard template, and each alliance or coalition normally develops its own
protocols and operation plans (OPLANs). Multinational operations may complicate
traditional US unilateral planning and decision making and require additional procedures to
properly address a host of issues such as information sharing, communication systems,
intelligence, and personnel matters.
(2) Strategic Context. Through dual involvement in national and multinational
security processes, US national leaders integrate national and theater strategic planning with
that of the alliance or coalition. Within the multinational structure, US participants,
including the CJTF, ensure that objectives and strategy complement US interests and are
compatible with US capabilities. Within the US national structure, US participants ensure
that international commitments are reflected in the National Military Strategy and are
adequately addressed in strategic direction for joint operation planning.
(3) Command Relationships. Within the US chain of command, JTF
commanders command joint US forces and prepare joint plans and orders in response to
taskings from their chain of command. Since nations that participate in multinational
operations rarely, if ever, relinquish national command of their forces US joint forces in a
multinational operation will always have at least two distinct chains of command: a national
chain of command and a multinational chain of command. The MNF commander’s
command authority is normally negotiated between the participating nations and can vary
from nation to nation. This authority typically is limited to operational control (OPCON),
tactical control (TACON), designated support relationships, or coordinating authority.
Important considerations for making this decision include mission, size of the proposed US
force, risks involved, anticipated duration, and rules of engagement (ROE). Regardless of
the command relationships, the US commander coordinates joint operation planning with
multinational planning in the interest of unified action.
See Chapter IV, “Joint Task Force Command and Control,” and JP 3-16, Multinational
Operations, for more information on multinational command relationships.
(4) Transition of a JTF into am MNF or transition to a follow-on MNF. At the
direction of higher authority, a US JTF HQ may be required to transition to a MNF HQ.
This transition and subsequent operations present a variety of considerations and challenges
for the CJTF, staff, and components. Such transitions must be thoroughly coordinated
among the US forces and all affected interorganizational partners to ensure the resulting
MNF becomes a fully integrated multinational command and that there is appropriate
consideration and respect for all participating nations’ national guidance, planning input,
capabilities, and limitations. When the obligation to function as the MNF HQ is complete,
the US and multinational commanders must also plan the smooth transition to a follow-on
MNF HQ under a different lead nation if multinational operations will continue.
To further assist the JTF staff in planning for transition, refer to Annex M, ”Checklist for
Transition of a Joint Task Force into a Multinational Force or Transition to a Follow-On
Multinational Force,” to Appendix A, “Checklists.”
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