Engineers in Complex Contingency Operations

This Strategy Research Project addresses the relevance and challenges of executing engineer activities in support of U.S. Armed Forces participating in complex contingency operations. The complex, uncertain environment, in which U.S. Forces operate, requires extensive engineer effort to enhance national interests and to fulfill all mission objectives. By focusing on engineer activities conducted during the Stabilization Force SFOR 6, Bosnia-Herzegovina, numerous lessons learned can highlight the challenges of executing successful engineer operations in a joint, multinational, coalition in the context of contemporary military operations. Relevant doctrine, addressing the common and unique aspects of complex contingency operations is still in need of refinement These lessons requiring doctrinal refinement are evident in mine and unexploded ordnance removal, force mobility support, facility construction, force protection, and combined engineer projects. Moreover, combined engineer projects help to further engagement strategies with Multi-National Forces and former warring factions while expanding overall engineer capability. Engineer commanders must also deal with the full spectrum of military and civilian leadership challenges within a contingency area. To be effective, there must be an engineer command structure operating with proper doctrine and sufficient resources, to plan and execute the engineer operations so essential to the support of contemporary complex contingency operations.