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NEWS FROM THE FRONT

December 2018

Multinational Interoperability

Tactical-level considerations in Afghanistan

MSG Nicholas Blevins, Military Analyst Forward (MAF)

Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL)

Approved for Public Release 

Distribution Unlimited
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News from the Front:

Multinational Interoperability: Tactical-level considerations in Afghanistan

Task Force Manchu

Operation FREEDOM SENTINEL

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) collected observations, insights, and lessons 

from Task Force (TF) Manchu during its deployment in support of Operation FREEDOM 

SENTINEL (OFS). CALL Military Analyst Forward (MAF) also conducted key leader 

interviews with TF Manchu command team (Commander, LTC David Uthlauth and CSM 

Charles Pittman). This News from the Front (NFTF) highlights TF Manchu operations, activities, 

and actions (OAAs) focusing on deployment train-up, mission planning, and mission execution. 

The TF executed three lines of effort (LOE) in support of OFS: 1. protecting the largest base in 

Afghanistan (Bagram Airfield), 2. disrupting the enemy, and 3. enabling their Afghanistan 

partners. The seamless execution of these LOEs facilitated TF Manchu to excel at multinational 

interoperability.

Key takeaways:

Multinational Interoperability: Partner with key multinational forces, NATO allies and joint 

partners. TF Manchu deployed a wide range of security forces that protect the Bagram Ground 

Defense Area (BGDA). 

Mission Command: Provide command and control of the Base Defense Operations Center 

(BDOC), Military Working Dogs (MWD), Air Defense Artillery (ADA) and civilian contracted 

guards. 

Train, Advise and Assist: Develop relationships with Provincial government leaders and Afghan 

National Army Senior Leadership to include local police. 

These items address the adaptability and flexibility inherently needed in military operations. 

Additional details and insights are included within the base document.

Front Cover: Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade 

Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, NATO Forces and the Afghan National Army conduct 

a patrol in Afghanistan, September 26, 2018. Soldiers often conduct patrols to let the locals 

know the U.S. Army is here to help and to let the enemy know we are still fighting. Photo by 

Spc. Markus Bowling, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public 

Affairs

CALL Publications of Interest

 16-18 Multinational Interoperability Reference Guide, July 16

 15-06 MDMP Handbook, March 15

 15-02 Leader’s Guide to Team Building Handbook, January 15

 14-01 Security Force Assistance, October 13 (Available to authorized users only)
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“Attack at the ECP (entry control point)”

The receipt of this message over the radio in the BDOC sent the TF into a well-rehearsed battle 

drill. The quick reaction force is activated, medical evacuations are being prepared and 

additional resources are being allocated. This scenario is a challenging situation and likely 

represents a base Commander’s most dangerous course of action during the Military Decision 

Making Process (MDMP). 

Most units conduct training to react or counter these attacks when tasked with the responsibility 

to defend a base. When training for a field training exercise or preparing for deployment, 

Commanders who assume the responsibility of a base defense must carefully consider all factors 

and adjust as needed to deter enemy actions. Being tasked with the mission for base defense and 

preparing does not compare to the reality of having to execute on the ground.

Any attack against a base or its personnel is given the highest considerations for any unit 

operating in an area teeming with enemy forces looking to exploit gaps in security. Defense in 

depth that is layered with multiple force protection measures is the key to success. TF Manchu, 

with a complex task organization is conducting these OAAs on a daily basis.

A True Definition of Multinational Interoperability

Army leaders at Echelons above Brigade (EAB) rely on 

staff members with diverse military specialties to 

accomplish a mission. TF Manchu relies on different 

branches of the military and various coalition partners 

to accomplish their mission. This mission may rival 

some of the most important objectives being conducted 

in Afghanistan. 

Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan is the primary hub for 

military operations and provides a safe and secure 

environment for U.S. Forces-Afghanistan to command 

from. The base houses service members, civilian 

contractors and coalition partners. The daunting 

mission of protecting the population falls on TF

Manchu. 

In alignment with the Army of 2025 vison concept,

U.S. forces must be able to interoperate and employ 

multinational forces in order to defeat enemy forces on 

the battlefield. TF Manchu partners with Poland, 

Czech Republic and Georgia forces and focuses on 

each countries’ depth and strong suits, enabling them to employ a superior force structure to 

accomplish its mission. 

Afghanistan – 11.29.2017: Georgian Army Officer (left) and U.S. 

Marine, talk to two of the boys they helped save after a Taliban 

suicide bombing attack. Both men are part of the Georgian Liaison 

Team - a joint Coalition Patrol Team - who were the first 

responders and provided life-saving aid to the children. Photo by 

Master Sgt. Sheryl Lawry
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Mission Preparation

Prior to deploying, the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division 

from Fort Carson, Colorado conducted several training exercises. These included live fire 

exercises (individual through company combined live fire exercise). The unit also conducted a 

combat training center rotation at Ft Irwin, CA where they honed their warfighting abilities. 

LTC Uthlaut stated, “while these exercises prepared 4-9 IN leaders to conduct mission command 

and solve complex problems, it did not fully prepare them for the challenges of leading a joint 

and multi-national task force.” LTC 

Uthlaut during his pre-deployment 

site survey (PDSS) learned the 

mission requirements and area of 

operations (AO) layout. His staff 

then prepared the task organization 

and assigned missions to his 

subordinate commands.

Nearly seventy-five percent of TF 

Manchu is spread across the AO 

conducting operations not under LTC 

Uthlaut’s command and control. LTC Uthlaut and his staff focus on the Bagram Ground 

Defense Area (BGDA). 

Priority # 1: Protect the Force

TF Manchu’s number one priority is to protect the force, which includes the BGDA and all of its 

inhabitants. TF Manchu and their multinational partners are challenged with inner and outer 

security including base access, protection assets and an airfield that serves as the primary hub in 

and out of theater. 

Each multinational partner encompasses its own personnel, equipment and support. Support to 

each country requires linguists that must speak the respective language and local languages 

within Afghanistan. Depending on the mission set, some countries are partnered with U.S. 

Marine advisors to provide tactical assistance during operations. 

Most Commanders tend to focus on outside the wire patrols, yet inside the wire missions serve 

just as crucial to the overall safety of the base. TF Manchu coordinates with a civilian contracted 

guard force to ensure personnel on the base are safe. These efforts often go unnoticed by the 

service member or civilian populace. TF Manchu regards this as a sign of success, knowing they 

are secure day in and day out. 

“I would have personally spent more time on 

language training, with a focus on learning basic 

phrases to communicate with all of our partner 

Coalition and Afghan Forces”

LTC David Uthlaut, Task Force Manchu Commander 

Bagram, Afghanistan.
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Priority # 2: Disrupt the Enemy

The BDOC oversees all missions and tasks 

that fall within the BGDA. They coordinate 

support as required including Explosive 

Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Teams, verifying 

fire missions and work closely with the Air 

Defense Artillery to disrupt enemy forces. 

Route Clearance Packages support coalition 

partners during missions to provide safe 

passage to friendly forces. Typical patrols 

combine multinational forces with U.S. 

forces to bring a diverse fighting element to 

the AO. 

Aside from patrols, TF Manchu disrupts the 

enemy through multi-faceted approaches. 

They conduct terrain denial fire missions in 

which they use indirect fires into areas to 

deny enemy positions in the BGDA. This 

deters the enemy from firing from a known 

or preferred location, making them less 

accurate. 

TF Manchu leverages support from aviation assets, TF Shadow. TF Shadow provides support to 

ground patrols, and conduct their own missions throughout the BGDA to include aerial patrols 

and false infiltration, further disrupting the enemy decision making process.

TF Manchu aggressively employs their organic sensors to find, fix, and destroy the enemy. On 

numerous occasions, the Soldiers in the BDOC identified Taliban firing direct weapon systems 

and directed local authorities to either eliminate or detain them.

The BDOC also provides assistance with Air Force partners ensuring security of the flight line, 

preventing the enemy freedom of maneuver or causing harm to personnel and equipment located 

on the base. 

Priority # 3: Enabling their Afghan Partners

LTC Uthlaut leads the task of training, advising and assisting (TAA) the local provincial leaders 

and Afghan National Army (ANA) partners. His efforts focus on increasing ANA ownership of 

security within BGDA, increasing their warfighting function capacity and supporting their 

Afghanistan – 09.26.2018, A Soldier from 4th Battalion, 9th 

Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry 

Division provides security while on patrol in Afghanistan, 

September 26, 2018. Soldiers often conduct patrols to let the 

locals know the U.S. Army is here to help and to let the enemy 

know we are still fighting. Photo by Spc Markus Bowling, 1st 

SBCT, 4th ID PAO
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actions that increase security. He coordinates between different echelons of government while 

enabling ANA operations being conducted within the BGDA.

According to the LTC Uthlaut, he communicates at least twice a week in person with his Afghan 

Partners and holds a weekly Shura1. These face-to-face meetings go a long way in building 

relationships with the forces they are advising. 

The TF Command Sergeant Major, CSM Charles Pittman, leads the initiative of hosting dinner 

gatherings with his Coalition senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs). This helps reinforce 

standards and discipline, while also raising issues that the Soldiers might be facing. CSM 

Pittman also incorporates the senior enlisted advisors along with his TF senior NCOs in bimonthly meetings. 

Lessons Learned while fighting in a fluid operational environment 

TF Manchu recognizes their first 30 days were challenging and required an effort to maximize 

partnerships. They had to adjust to a new higher headquarters since they were based out of Fort 

Carson, Colorado, and were a part of the 4th Infantry Division. They fell in on current 

operations of their predecessors, and spent a fair amount of time understanding their subordinate 

units to learn their various backgrounds and capabilities. 

TF Commander quickly stated “face-to-face communications” as the most important lesson 

learned in their first 30 days. The team realized it needed consistency to facilitate the ability to 

communicate intent and to fully understand their partners’ issues or concerns. 

Another lesson was understanding what “off-duty” activities meant to his coalition partners. 

Some of the types of activities include celebrating each other’s national holidays and playing 

sports. TF Manchu used the activities as a great way to build the team and bridge cultural gaps. 

Final Thoughts

Throughout history, militaries have allied with one another to defeat enemy forces and achieve 

strategic objectives as a unified fighting force. While often unadvertised, TF Manchu continually 

exceled at seamless multinational interoperability which integrated conventional and 

unconventional assets to fight and win the nations wars. This mutually beneficial approach 

continues to be implemented by TF Manchu, in its service to OFS, despite the many challenges 

of this theater. 

 

1 A Shura is a consultation or conference generally held by senior leaders.

U.S. national strategy makes clear that the U.S. Armed Forces will seldom, if ever, fight alone.

“Multinational Interoperability Reference Guide” CALL Handbook 16-18, Jul 2016