PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE MILITARY OPERATIONS

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1 PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE MILITARY OPERATIONS Aleš Komár, Miroslav Cempírek and Vladislav Vincenec Abstract: Modern Army must protect the environment both during implementation of the operation and after operations, if it does not jeopardize its success. The inclusion of environmental considerations into planning and decision-making process is the responsibility of the commander. The article covers ways of dealing with the environmental safety in the Czech military regulation and, documents in the Alliance, with an emphasis on commander s responsibility procedures in accordance with doctrines NATO. Keywords: Environmental protection, military operations, NATO EP standards, environmental responsibility. 1 Introduction Environmental issues in the conduct of military operations can have a significant impact on the targets fulfilment of the operation and the overall success of the civilian reconstruction. Commanders in the conduct of the military operations should take all practicable steps to protect the health of soldiers, civilians and the environment. In terms of command of the Army of the Czech Republic is the main scope of the environmental issues in military operations transferred to the authorities of logistics. The principle should be that the condition of environmental protection of military bases and operational area, after the termination of operations and closing bases should not be worse than the original condition. In order to achieve this objective, the commanders and the other members of the armed forces know how military operations affect the environment and know the laws, doctrines and regulations governing this area. It is the responsibility of commanders that include environmental protection in their planning processes and respect in the performance of operational tasks. Commanders must enforce environmental policies and operating practices that are environmentally friendly. The focus must be directed at a) prevention, by concentrating efforts to prevent pollution and reduce or eliminate pollution at the source, b) protection of natural resources and cultural heritage, c) compliance with laws on environmental protection and d) clearance of contaminated areas and restoration of contaminated sites. Underestimation of environmental issues may increase the risk of contamination and thus the cost of subsequent regeneration of the original condition. 46

2 2 Current State The internal regulations of the army help to fulfil the provisions generally applicable law. Environmental protection in the defence sector is pursued by number of internal rules. The most important are the rules governing the obligations of commanders and of army officials. Legislation on the environment is based on EU law that is respected in other states and armies of the Alliance. Environmental law becomes the basis of policies, doctrines, procedures and other documents of NATO. Internal regulations of the Army of the Czech Republic are focused on generally valid environmental safety conditions of military activities. Commander directs and leads not only to a combat soldier readiness, but also to observe standards of safety, fire precautions, health and the environment [1]. Unit commander shall, especially in particular implementation of combat preparations proceed in accordance with the basic order, which generally contains the basic requirements for compliance with environmental safety. They realize analysis and evaluation, always after performing the tasks in the operation, in order to evaluate and use the acquired knowledge and experience to correct identified deficiencies and use of best practices in the field of environmental protection (lesson indentified). they control the preparation of processing services plan in the period of military operations and specify the tasks directly subordinate functionaries according to environmental conditions, the environment in which the operation is complete (use of learned lesson) [2]. Elements of logistic in the field, such as technology parks field dispensaries fuels and lubricants, with a gathering of damaged equipment repair shops are usually the biggest risk of environmental pollution in field conditions during operations. 3 Responsibility of commanders and procedures to protect of the environment Damage of the environment is one of the possible negative consequences of military operations. Responsibility of each commander in the operation is set to meet the primary military task, but is hampered by many conditions. In the area of environmental protection, commanders and units involved in military operations, for example, restrict the legal provisions of the country in which operate written and unwritten conventions, local doctrines, etc. It is important that commanders in their decision-making process were able to choose correctly between the levels of performance of the principal goals and objectives of secondary operations, such as a minimum the impact of military operations on the environment. 3.1 Responsibility of commanders Commanders bear responsibility for the overall integration of environmental protection during the planning military missions and during his management activities within their jurisdiction. They must prove their ability to lead subordinates and to present the importance of environmental safety in their management activities. It must also ensure the operational planning phases, exploration and actual operation, involvement of experts in environmental safety. Responsibility of commanders for environmental protection during NATO-led military operations highlights a number of regulations. The main responsibility of NATO commanders is achieving their military tasks. Commanders at all levels should: - "Increase environmental awareness and promote the protection of environment by their subordinates; 47

3 - identify and assign clear responsibility and funding resources, for example staff and equipment to reach the targets of environmental objectives; - consider environmental impacts in decision making; - ensure compliance, if possible in the success of the mission in accordance with applicable laws and agreements on the environment; - ensure the prudent use of natural resources; - strengthen relations with neighbouring units in solving environmental problems; - incorporate the concept of pollution prevention into all military activity by promoting reuse, recycling,, best available techniques and processes substitution, improved operational efficiency and training "[3]. 3.2 Procedures for commanders Environmental protection in military operations must be organized and conducted in accordance with the valid legislation of the Czech Republic, which is consistent with EU legislation, internal regulations of the Army of the Czech Republic [1, 2, 4], STANAG agreements [3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9], and standard operating procedures have devised for different types of operations. Commanders must consider the consequences of their decisions on the environment in time and consistently. First of all, needs to focus on: - protection of health and safety of soldiers and minimize the risks to the environment; - improve community relations, for example in solving waste problems; - improve environmental safety training prior to deployment; - investment in skilled workers and innovative environmental technologies; - the inclusion of issues of environmental safety into everyday activities; - search for new prevention solutions protect the environment; - shortening the logistics chain, which creates less need for convoys, reducing the threat to soldiers load and environment; - building environmentally safer and more efficient bases; - selection of stable areas suitable for new environmental troop deployment. 4 Planning for environmental protection Planning is the foundation of each operation. Protecting the environment but sometimes in some of the plans of operations, but also in normal peacekeeping troops is underestimated. Units do not realize that their negligent behaviour can endanger both at first the environment in which they operate, as well as their own health and jeopardizing the successful performance of their duties at the place of deployment. Military operations are generally characterized by phases of varying duration depending on their nature, intensity and complexity. 48

4 Level of environmental protection in % Training Mobilization Phase of deployment Operational phase Post operative phase Redeployment of troops from operation Training Figure 1: The degree of environmental protection in the phases of the operation [11] To perform the operation, it is necessary the planning, preparation, training units, reconnaissance in the area of deployment, the deployment of forces and resources, the operating performance of the task, comprehensive support deployed troops and their rotation or redeployment [10]. Environmental issues must be integrated into operational planning. The rate of inclusion of environmental considerations into operational planning will depend on the maturity of the commanders, planners and logisticians. It will, however, vary depending on the tasks performed at each stage of the operation. In some armies, such as the U.S. Army, this fact is enshrined in military regulations, as we can see in the following figure 1. As the chart shows, the greatest emphasis on environmental protection and planning is given in the initial phases of the operation including training, where they have obtained the necessary habits for the implementation of activities. Environmental security objectives must be carefully planned before operation is started. The unit must immediately upon arrival in the operating space forces begin to fulfil specified tasks. Environmental measures in the operational phase decreasing to zero but it can always be changed according to unforeseen events and the need to change the planning. Nevertheless, environmental protection is not core strategy of military tasks and stress is laid on military success. Environmental security is gaining importance towards the end of the operation, when is a necessity to carry the evaluation of the effects of operation on the environment. After that is necessary to remove the damages and return the area to its state before starting the operation. 5 Conclusion Research has shown that before and after the operation, the environmental law is fully exercised by the commanders. Success is a commander operation priority and so during the operation comes to the forefront meets the objectives of the operation. The inclusion of environmental issues in the regular training of security forces is a prerequisite for the successful fulfilment of the requirements for environmental protection in the operation. Prerequisite for rigorous safety planning environmental protection is immediately on receipt commander's intent. Commanders carry the responsibility for implementation of 49

5 environmental regulations and the implementation of appropriate procedures for the operation. Each NATO country develops knowledge in the field of environmental security in fundamental issues of environmental protection in their armed forces. A similar approach is used in the Army of the Czech Republic. Commanders carry responsibility for preparing their subordinates in the field and every soldier should be able to consult the relevant documents and norms that solve this area. Proper preparation of training helps to prevent or minimize the negative impacts of military activities on the environment. Proper training tasks and goals of the operation and the risk of damage to health and the environment will decrease. After termination of operations and closure of bases, it is necessary to conduct a survey of the environment, which revealed shortcomings and prevent further damage to the environment. The ecologization of military activities also reduces the cost of operation and compensation for damage after its completion. Higher levels of environmental security will be achieved the Army of the Czech Republic via implementations above NATO standardization agreements. References [1] MoD. Zákl-1. Basic Regulation of Armed Forces. Prague [2] MoD. Vševojsk-1-1 Responsibilities of unit s commanders of the Czechoslovak Army. Prague [3] NATO Standardization Agency (NSA). STANAG 7141 EP. Joint NATO Doctrine for Environmental Protection During NATO Led Activities. (AJEPP 4). 5th Ed. Brussels: NSA, [4] MoD. Všeob-P-5 Parks Military Techniques in the Ministry of Defence and their operation. (Military regulation). Prague [5] NATO. Standardization Agency (NSA). STANAG 7141st Joint NATO Doctrine for Environmental Protection During NATO Led Activities. (AJEPP 4). 5th Ed. Brussels: NSA, [6] NATO. Joint NATO Waste Management Requirements During NATO Military Activities. STANAG 2510th (AJEPP 5). 2nd Ed. Brussels: NATO Standardization Agency [7] NATO. Environmental Protection Best Practices for Sustainability of Military Training Areas. AJEPP 7th (STANAG 2594). NATO Standardization Agency (NSA). Ingolstadt, [8] NATO. Best Practices for Environmental Protection Military Compound in NATO Operations. AJEPP-2. (STANAG 2581). Brussels: NATO Standardization Agency (NSA) [9] NATO. Environmental Management System in NATO Operations. AJEPP-3. (STANAG 2583). Brussels: NATO Standardization Agency (NSA) [10] DoA. Environmental guidebook for military operations. USA: Department of the Army HQ, p. [11] DoD. Field Manual USA: Department of the Army HQ