International Operations
In 2010, an average of 1,086 soldiers were deployed to as many as 14 operations worldwide, on the basis of Ministerial Council Resolutions of the Austrian Government. In compliance with the political guidelines the main focus was on the Western Balkans, where occasionally up to 900 soldiers were deployed simultaneously.
2.1 Troop contingents
AUCON/KFOR
The Austrian Contingent of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) has been deployed since summer 1999. The bulk of the contingent served within the framework of the Multinational Task Force South (MNTF S) - a brigade-size unit with its Head Quarters in Prizren. The MNTF S was formed by the troop contributing nations of Germany, Turkey, Bulgaria, Switzerland and Austria and comprised 3 Maneuver Battalions (ManBn), a number of units directly subordinated to the Brigade, a Multinational Logistics Unit (MNLU) as well as a helicopter element.AUCON/KFOR provided the MNTF S with the ManBn "Dulje” - a battalion-size unit - with its camp located in Suva Reka, to which also a Swiss company was attached.
In compliance with the North Atlantic Council (NAC) Resolution, at the end of 2010, Transition Gate 1 was implemented within the framework of Deterrent Presence (DP TG1). KFOR’s main task is to ensure a Safe and Secure Environment (SASE) as 3rd responder, after the Kosovo Police Service and EULEX. In addition, KFOR supervises the training of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and, when necessary, supports international civil organizations on the ground.
Connected with that was the disbandment of ManBn "Dulje” and the transition from MNTF S to the Multinational Battle Group South MNBG S. The Austrian infantry company was directly subordinated to OPCON of MNBG S.
The reorganization of AUCON was carried out within the framework of the contingent rotation, in April 2010. During the process of implementing TG 1, Austria - in addition to providing staff personnel to HQ KFOR, a helicopter element, a Field HUMINT Team (FHT) and an EOD Team, while proportionately contributing to HQ MNBG S (together with Germany, Turkey and Switzerland) and to German ELAZ (7 medical doctors or medical NCOs, respectively), to the RLMT plus 2 LMT (18 soldiers), MP-Element (3 soldiers), a Military Dog Team (2 soldiers), Multinational Integrated Logistic Unit (MILU, 20 soldiers), ManCoy "Dulje” (118 soldiers) and Austrian Element Unit (AUNE, 182 soldiers) - provided a reconnaissance platoon and a Special Observation Squad (SOS) which were directly subordinated to COMKFOR OPCON.
Following an NAC decision of 29 October 2010, concerning the reduction of KFOR, it is intended to implement new structures, until 28 February 2011. The planning of Austria’s further contribution includes discontinuing the participation with a helicopter element by 1 February 2011, deploying a specialized MP platoon to be attached to MSU/KFOR, starting with 04 February 2011, as well as subordinating the infantry company "Dulje” to OPCON MNB W (Lead Nation Italy) at the same location CCB, as of 11 February 2011.
By the end of 2010 the overall strength of Austria’s contribution of up to 460 soldiers underlined the general orientation of focusing on the Balkans.
AUCON/EUFOR ALTHEA
The current redeployment of some troop contributing nations as well as the reluctance of EU member states to deploy troops to the Balkans are causing special problems. In order to ensure EUFOR ALTHEAs ability to act, Austria reinforced AUCON with a reconnaissance platoon replacing the Spanish reconnaissance platoon of ManBn "Althea” and an infantry company replacing the ESP infantry company of ManBn "Althea”, as of June (FOC: 1 July 2010), for the duration of the appointment of COMEUFOR, i. e. for the time being until the end of 2011. Subsequently, Austria also took over the command and control of ManBn "Althea” from Spain, on 18 October 2010.Due to the discontinuation of the participation of Italy, Spain and Portugal in autumn 2010, the five RCCs (1-5) were reorganized by putting together RCC West, RCC Center, RCC South and the Austrian-led RCC East.
Within the framework of the training and assistance mission, Austria participates with up to 30 soldiers in the Capacity Building and Training Division (CBTD) and provides:
- Mobile Training Teams (MTT) for Training and Documentation TRADOC Improvement (2),Ammunition and Weapons Storage Management (2),
- Mine Clearance AFBiH Support (4),
- Disaster Relief Support to Civil Authorities (4),
- Engineer Training to achieve formal qualifications (3) and NBC and specialists/trainers (3).
The Initial Operation Capability (IOC) of the CBTD of HQ EUFOR "Althea” was planned for 1 May 2010 and the Full Operation Capability (FOC) for 1 July 2010. MTT deployment to the ALTHEA area of operation continues to proceed differently for each MTT, depending on Bosnia and Herzegovina´s demands, either in a series or timely limited. Initial deployments started in August 2010.
By the end of 2010, the total strength of approximately 360 deployed soldiers once again underlined Austria’s orientation to focus on the Balkans.
By appointing the Austrian ambassador Dr. Valentin Inzko as High Representative/Secretary General (HR/SG) Austria continues to be prominently represented on the highest level.
UNDOF
The Austrian Contingent which has been serving with the UN Disengagement Observer Force (AUCON/UNDOF) on the Golan Heights since 1974 comprises roughly 375 soldiers which is in essence an infantry battalion (AUSBATT). In 2008 a Croatian infantry company was attached to AUSBATT and at the same time Position 22 in the south at the border was taken over from POLBATT.This ensures UNDOF’s freedom of action and the continuation of maintaining an important checkpoint to Israel. The contribution of the Austrian Armed Forces to UNDOF has remained constant over many years and will most likely continue, in the medium term. The force withdrawal of Poland in 2009 was made up for by a comparable contribution of the Philippines. Austria continued to provide the UNDOF Force Commander until spring 2010.
2.2 Military missions with Austrian staff personnel, observer missions, and civil missions with Austrian military personnel
In 2010, the following missions were continued:
- 4 Staff Officers in HQ UNFICYP (UN Force in Cyprus);
- Up to 3 Staff Officers in HQ ISAF (International Security Assistance Force);
- 7 Military Observers in UNTSO (UN Truce Supervision Organization) in the Middle East;
- 2 Military Observers in MINURSO (Mission de las Maciones Unidas para el Referendum en el Sahara Occidential, Western Sahara);
- 2 Military Observers in UNMIN (UN Mission in Nepal), where in summer 2009 the mandate was prolonged until approximately January 2011;
- 2 Staff Officers in EUSEC RD CONGO;
- 1 Staff Officer in RACVIAC.
With the following missions there were substantial situation-relevant changes:
- EUMM-GEO: as of 2010, up to 5 Military Monitoring Officers (MMO) of the MoD can be deployed to the mission, which started in autumn 2008;
- 3 Staff Officers serving in HQ MINURCAT were redeployed on 15 March 2010 as last part of the MINURCAT contingent which redeployed in 2009.
2.3 International humanitarian and disaster relief operations, search and rescue operations, and evacuation operations
In 2010, following elements were prepared for operations in support of international humanitarian and disaster relief operations:
- AFDRU (Austrian Armed Forces Disaster Relief Unit) is a unit specialized in disaster relief, ready to deploy within 10 hours after alert and able to cooperate with civil organizations in various combinations. This unit is designed to react whenever needed and is reinforced by civilian specialists. Their tasks include Search and Rescue Operations after earthquakes and water purification after floods in an international environment.
- UNDAC (UN Disaster Assessment and Co-ordination Team) is a UN element, ready to deploy within 24 hours after alert, which upon request of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) can be deployed worldwide in the event of catastrophes. In 2010, one UNDAC expert was deployed to Pakistan after the great floods, from 24 August to 11 September 2010, to coordinate incoming international aid.
- ATHUM Hungary: Five experts were sent to the area of Kolontar, Hungary, after the chemical accident caused by broken dams of the collecting vessel for mainly bauxite-containing mud, from 15 to 16 October 2010, to provide support in assessing the damage in coordination with the Hungarian authorities.
- ATHUM Albany: 30 soldiers, 2 helicopters and medical personnel were kept on stand-by in the area of operation of KFOR (HS-StP Toplicane), from 8 to 11 December 2010, in coordination with the Albanian authorities in order to provide assistance after the floods. Improving weather conditions, however, and rapidly progressing international help made it unnecessary to request the support of this contingent.
2.4 Crisis Management Teams
In 2010, various crisis management activities were carried out by the Austrian Armed Forces upon the request of the Ministry for European and International Affairs and as contributions to national preparation.
2.5 Contributions to multinational forces
Operational Reserve Forces (ORF)
Since the mid-90s, forces have been kept ready for the Joint Operation Area (JOA) Balkans, as agreed between NATO and the EU, to manage unforeseen developments of the situations. In general, these forces are referred to as Over the Horizon Forces (OTHF) and are, in essence, reserve forces on the operational level. Within the framework of Operational Rehearsals on various echelons all troops, top-down from battalion commanders, their staffs, company commanders, and eventually all service personnel are instructed how to act in AOO-specific situations.The contribution of the Austrian Armed Forces comprises one infantry company equipped with ATV "Pandur” as well as national elements, totaling roughly 140 soldiers. Depending on the tasks or the respective situation, this troop contribution can be augmented to a total of 230 soldiers. This AAF contingent is integrated into a battalion of the German Bundeswehr together with which it undergoes all operation preparations and carries out all subsequent operations.
In spring as well as in autumn 2010, these forces, down to company commander level, were deployed to the area of operation within the framework of Operational Rehearsal. The lower echelons were not deployed.