Already in the beginning of 2007 the civilian service agencies presented their requirements to the Armed Forces Joint Staff (AFJS). In close collaboration with the logistic chief (J4) of the AFJS these logistic requirements were evaluated with regard to their feasibility. From the beginning, priority was given to the forces. In concrete terms this means that items in low supply were preferentially given to the troops rather than to civilian agencies. As the effective assignments and thus the logistic requirements of the troops were unknown for a long time, we had to plan on the basis of assumptions.
Over the last days, the equipment for civilian agencies was delivered. More than 300 military vehicles, several kilometres of barricades, medical and communications equipment, boats, sleeping bags, textiles and many other items were prepared and handed out by the logistics centres. Numerous items and bulky equipment had to be transported over great distances and handed over to the host cities within an arranged deadline. Here especially AFLO's transport logistics were greatly under pressure. Servicing of equipment after use with limited human resources will present a particular challenge for the civilian partners of the AFLO. The aim is that this equipment is made ready for re-use as quickly as possible, because the AFLO depends especially on its vehicles being made operational again within a short time so that they can be handed over to the following troops.
Delivery of equipment for 13,000 members of the armed forces
All five logistics centres of the AFLO have been working flat out over the last few weeks preparing the extensive equipment required for the special service of the 'EURO troops'. Due to the date of the issue of orders, the units were able to order the equipment only a few weeks ago.
Afterwards, task managers in both logistics centres and administration were challenged. Great amounts of equipment had to be moved from one centre to another, so that the equipment was finally ready in the right amount and in the right quality for delivery to the troops. The large number of vehicles required entailed that numerous transfers had to be carried out – partly with the support of military schools and military motor vehicle associations. The 'EURO 08 operation' also gave rise to additional needs which were unusual for the troops. Thus, additional equipment had to be delivered, in particular for NBC prevention. Its large volume probably posed an almost insoluble transportation problem for many a sergeant major.
A small detail: each soldier who is on duty on behalf of the EURO 08 for at least ten days is entitled to a 'domestic mission' ribbon. The AFLO will ensure that persons deployed to the EURO 08 are able to pin such a decoration to their uniform after their service.
Troops were assigned to support the host cities. In order to be able to carry out their mission, the troops reported an increased need for additional barrier equipment. In particular fence elements soon became short in supply. Until today the AFLO has provided more than 700 sets for the EURO 08. All elements combined correspond to a length of more than 42 kilometres.
Greatly challenged Armed Forces Pharmacy
The Armed Forces Pharmacy is particularly challenged. As the medical units will give technical support to the civilian rescue organisation during the EURO 08 and carry out their work together with military medical installations, we can expect that there will also be an increased requirement for expandable medical items. Already prior to the EURO 08, the Armed Forces Pharmacy has delivered great amounts of medical equipment and is now poised to provide further equipment in an emergency – Saturdays and Sundays included.
Construction work for the host cities
The engineer troops have already completed their construction work for the host cities. For these activities the forces depended on suitable aids. So the AFLO was assigned to provide respective construction equipment, some of which had to be hired from the public sector. Special tool containers were delivered in time for this operation by the armasuisse. Apart from earthmoving work and building make-shift wooden buildings, these specialists were concerned with erecting provisional fences. After the EURO 08, Disaster Relief Battalion 2 will dismantle these provisional structures. Here too increased requirements for special equipment have been forwarded. The AFLO will thus provide logistic support long after the EURO 08 is over.
Logistic Brigade 1: the mobile logistics element
Traffic and Transport Battalion 1 which forms part of Logistics Brigade 1 has been assigned to Task Force Ground for the duration of the EURO 08. This force has already joined and will carry out traffic and transport tasks in support of both other troops and the host cities.
Logistics Battalion 92 has also already begun its operation on behalf of the EURO 08. This unit, which is stationed in the area of eastern Switzerland, will focus on giving logistic support to the logistics and infrastructure centres of the AFLO. The Armed Forces Logistics Organisation must immediately service all equipment after the EURO operation so that it is available for use by subsequent troops in the summer/autumn of 2008. In order to accomplish such personnel intensive work, the centres of the AFLO will rely on the technical support of specialists from Logistics Battalion 92 and Mobile Logistics Battalion 22 which will be joining in the middle of June.