DEPARTMENTS : Civil-Military Operations Centre (CMOC)

Mission Objectives

The mission of the Civil-Military Operations Centre (CMOC) is to coordinate the military and civilian aspects of humanitarian assistance efforts by providing the linkage between military command and other Federation agencies, the media, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Key Operating Tasks

The CMOC fulfills its mission by accomplishing the following primary tasks:

Fostering dialog among participants to ensure policies and operating procedures are understood throughout the coalition.
Coordinating requests for military support, such as convoy escort or security at a site where humanitarian support and services are rendered.
And, as part of an ad hoc mission planning group, integrating the efforts of numerous contributing organizations.

At Kihtomer, the Joint Task Force (JTF)'s CMOC interfaced with the UFP Operations, Kihtomer Humanitarian Operations Center (HOC). The CMOC coordinated, explained, and sometimes defended UFP policies. It also coordinated military support for relief efforts through the HOC and, at times, coordinated directly with relief agencies. Essentially, the NGOs provided the relief-in-kind (food, medicine) while the military coordinated humanitarian events and movement times, repaired road networks to outlying areas, and provided convoy security as well as security at the humanitarian assistance sites.

During the Bajoran Insurrection, the CMOC was staffed by a Civil Affairs (CA) element which, initially, consisted of 52 officers and 34 enlisted soldiers. The senior CA commander directed all activities within the CMOC and represented the CMOC at all command meetings. The Bajor CMOC provided special assessment teams to meet requirements unique to theoperation. The team concept enabled the CMOC to effectively apply transportation assets, to meet convoy security requirements, and to help eliminate duplication of effort. The city assessment team was formed by taking CA assets from thepublic safety team, the public health team, and the public facilities team. These three elements covered the mandated assessments directed by the command. Other assessment areas included:

Agriculture
Drainage
Erosion control
Fire fighting
Garbage removal
Human waste removal
Landfills
Market places
Power stations
Road networks (lines of communication)
Schools
Street cleaning
Water

Commanders who form CMOCs to help accomplish their mission should keep in mind that the people who staff the NGOs may be uncomfortable around the military environment of a tactical operations center (TOC); thus, it is prudent to establish the CMOC away from any TOC.

Commanders and those who staff the CMOC must thoroughly understand the capabilities of the CA, CS, and CSS forces within in the command -- especially those elements which the commander may commit to the CMOC effort. During the initial coordination meeting with the NGOs, it is important that expectations and capabilities be discussed so that everyone understands the realities of the situation and the extent of the resources available to support NGO activities and initiatives. The idea is to strive for synergism (where the whole is greater that the sum of its parts) through mutual support and cooperation.

Commanders need to equip the CMOC with cultural and linguistic representatives.

Administering Personnel

Vacant, Command Liaison.