Operation Provide Comfort: A Model for Future NATO Operations

With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. NATO member nations have begun reducing the size of their military forces. Therefore, NATO is faced with responding to crises situations with considerably smaller forces available. To answer the challenge of responding rapidly with smaller, multinational forces, Operation Provide Comfort provides a model of a successful coalition operation. This monograph analyzes Operation Provide Comfort as a model for NATO operations and future coalitions with which the United States may become involved. This study begins with Operation Proven Force, the precursor of Operation Provide Comfort and develops trends that were carried forward to Provide Comfort. The most significant trend was that of a cohesive, subordinate staff providing advice and assistance to a senior headquarters ad hoc staff. This study develops the chronology of Operation Provide Comfort and compares this chronology to the four future missions of NATO, conducting combat operations, peacemaking, peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.