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THE ROLE OF COMBAT SUPPORT SERVICE

IN PEACE ENFORCEMENT OPERATION
INTRODUCTION
The soldiers voice must be heard. But it should
Be a quiet one, speaking in wisdom based on sound
Knowledge of his profession, firm in its encouraging
Tone of keeping the peace.
General Omar N Bradley.

1.

When the primitive man went to war, he required and carried

only a single tool. As war became distant and protracted, he
began to carry extra tools, food and clothing for replenishment
and to sustain a protracted campaign. These tools assumed vital
roles and their management complex, in the campaigns, because
they became critical elements in the success or failure of military
campaigns. Military strategists and generals therefore began to
develop new and efficient ways of acquiring and utilizing the
extras

and

this

gave

birth

to

combat

service

support

corps/logistics. The Armys focus globally is to fight and win the

Nations wars but logistics support still poses a great threat in a
success of operations. However, Army Forces operate around the
world in an environment that may not involve combat. The Army
currently

operates in an

environment marked by change.

Operations Other Than War (OOTW) are evolving as major

components in the new World order and pose many challenges
with inherent implications for the use of Army forces. This paper
focuses on the combat service support corps and the roles they
play in peace enforcement operation.
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2.

In vivid recorded history, the North Africa campaigns (1942-

1943) In Algiers and Tunisia during the II WW are examples where

combat service support corps played a critical role. That theatre
provided the first joint operations carried out by the British and
the US military. The planning of OPERATION ASHORE, as it was
called, was thorough and based on the nature of the terrain,
climate, and geography of North Africa. Considerable supplies
cum combat service support were made from North America and
the use of aircraft, ships, rail lines and roads significantly changed
the earlier difficulties on supplies.
3.

THE WORLD as a whole has been confronted with how to

enforce peace operation to the world but has been faced with
different challenges which include ways to sustain the troops with
the logistics required to carry their tasks. Nigeria army (NA) has
also been faced with such issues which led to the creation of
combat support service (CSS) which include ordnance, engineers,
supply transport, mechanical engineers and medicals.
4.

Since inception, United Nations has severally been involved

in Peace keeping/Enforcement missions in a bid to maintaining

global peace and unity. One of such operations includes the UN
intervention during Gulf war to force Saddam Husseins Iraqi Army
from Kuwait. The UN was thereby able to compel Iraqis
compliance

with

the

UN

resolutions

withdrawal from the region.

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which

demanded

its

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5.

The essential capabilities, functions, activities, and tasks

necessary to sustain all elements of operating forces in theater at

all levels of war. Within the national and theater logistics systems,
it includes but is not limited to that support rendered by service
forces

in

ensuring

the

aspects

of

supply,

maintenance,

transportation, health services, and other services required by

aviation and ground combat troops to permit those units to
accomplish their missions in combat. CSS encompasses those
activities at all levels of war that produce sustainment to all
operating forces on the battlefield. The meaning of the term
peace enforcement is often misunderstood. Consider that when
soldiers are performing enforcement actions under a UN Security
Council mandate, they are still called peacekeepers. The terms
origins are found in the UN Charter under Chapter VII and Articles
39, 41, and 42. Article 47 goes on to outline the procedures for
managing breaches of peace and acts of aggression.
6.

Nigerian Army has greatly participated in UN peace support

operations and peace enforcement operations both in Mali,

Sudan, and Congo etc. And the successes recorded were a result
of the roles played by the combat service support, those combat
service support corps of the NA are directly under Department of
Army Logistics (DOAL) which is in charge of logistics, Procurement
and delivery system of the NA both in peace and war time. But
lack of integrated procurement system still hinders NA operations.
This comprises of

four logistics corps namely; The Nigerian

Army corps of supply and Transport (NACST), Nigerian Army

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Ordnance corps (NAOC), Nigerian Army medical corps (NAMC) and
the

Nigerian

Army

Electrical

and

Mechanical

Engineering

(NAEME).

AIM
7.

The aim of this paper is to examine the roles of combat

service support in the peace enforcement operations with a view

to making recommendations.
SCOPE
8.

This paper would cover the following;

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Definition of terms
CSS in support of NA mission and essential task list.
Overview of the current NA combat service support corps.
Characteristics of combat service support
Respond promptly to crisis and conduct of forcible entry

operation
f. function of CSS
DEFINITION OF TERMS
9.

In order to have a better understanding of this paper, some

key terms need to be defined. These terms include Combat

service support, Peace enforcement.
a. Combat service support: is the essential capabilities,
functions, activities and tasks necessary to sustain all
elements of operation forces in theatre at all levels of war.
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Within the National theatre logistics systems, it is not
limited to that support rendered by service forces in
ensuring

the

aspects

of

materiel

and

supply

chain

management, maintenance, transportation, health services

and other services required by aviation and ground combat
troops to permit those units to accomplish their missions in
combat.
b. Peace enforcement operations: are the applications of
military force or threat of its use, normally pursuant to
international authorizations to compel compliance with
resolutions or sanctions designed to maintain or restore
peace and order.
c.Logistics: It is defined as the art and science of planning
and carrying out the movement and maintenance of military
forces, also the activity of organizing the movement,
equipment and accommodation of troops.
d. Efficiency: According to Oxford advanced

learners

dictionary, is is an accomplishment or ability to accomplish

a job with minimum expenditure of time and effort.
OVERVIEW OF CURRENT NA COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT
CORPS
10.

The current NA logistics delivery system is based on a

coordinated operation of 4 logistics corps. These are the Nigeria

army corps of Supply and transport (NACST), Nigerian Army
medical Corps (NAMC), Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps (NAOC)
and the Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
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(NAEME). In a bid to achieve efficiency and coordination, these
functions are separated to ensure specialization and capacity
development.
Nigerian Army Corps Of Supply And Transport.
11.

The NACST is responsible for the carrying capability in the

NA. The corps is presently faced with the challenge of nonavailability of vehicles. Most of their operational functions are
complimented with commercial vehicles which are non-suitable
for the operational capability in support of the NA.
Nigerian Army Medical Corps.
12.

The NAMC is responsible for the provision of sound health

care service in support of the NA. Their roles are geared towards
ensuring that the military personnel remained in healthy condition
in both peace and war times. But the case is not so as the NAMC
lacks medical equipment particularly in the support of the NA in
combating terrorism and in peace enforcement operation. And the
introduction advanced technology such as airlifting capability in
the NA logistics system would improve the responsiveness to
situation changes in peace enforcement operation mostly during
and after enemy attack for medical care, as his would go a long
way in saving lives, as it will enhance quick movement, in case in
case of casualty evacuation in combat zones.
Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps.

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13.

The NAOC is tasked with the responsibility of stores

provision and procurement. However, these tasks in support of

the NA are hindered by lack of carrying capability, lack of
standardized equipment, lack of harmonized procurement and
integrated logistics systems and scarcity of stores.
Nigerian Army Electrical And Mechanical Engineering.
14.
the

The NAEME has the statutory responsibility of maintaining

electrical,

mechanical,

electronic,

optical

and

electro-

mechanical equipment of the NA yet lack adequate equipment

and inefficient feedback system. On the overall, it is important
that point of interface and collaboration be established between
the

logistics

corps

to

ensure

specialization

and

capacity

development in coordinated operations.

COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT CHARACTERISTICS
15.
Force commanders visualize and describe the concept of
CSS together with their CSS commanders. To help them describe
the considerations required to conduct (plan, prepare, execute,
and assess) successful operations, commanders view CSS
characteristics from the perspective of the overall operation. CSS
characteristics are integrated throughout the operational
framework, guide prudent planning, and assist the staff in
developing the support plan. CSS characteristics seldom exert
equal influence, and their importance varies by situation. The
commander identifies CSS characteristics having priority during
an operation; they become the foundation for preparing the
concept of CSS. The CSS characteristics are
a.
Responsiveness: Responsiveness is the crucial
characteristic of CSS. It means providing the right support
in the right place at the right time. Responsiveness
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includes the ability to foresee operational requirements. It
involves identifying, accumulating, and maintaining the
minimum assets, capabilities, and information necessary
to meet support requirements. On the other hand, the
force that accumulates enough material and personnel
reserves to address every possible contingency usually
cedes the initiative to the enemy. It is important therefore,
to have prompt responsiveness in a bid to achieve an
efficient and sustained operation.
b. Simplicity: Simplicity means avoiding complexity in
both planning and executing CSS operations. Mission
orders, drills, rehearsals, and standing operating
procedures (SOPs) contribute to simplicity. In a bid to
achieve this, therefore, commanders should not indulge in
ambiguous orders for prompt understanding of the
mission by men under command.
c. Flexibility: The key to flexibility lies in the expertise
for adapting CSS structures and procedures to changing
situations, missions, and concepts of operations. CSS
plans and operations must be flexible enough to achieve
both responsiveness and economy. Flexibility may include
improvisation. Improvisation is the ability to make, invent,
or arrange for what is needed from what is at hand.
Improvised methods and support sources can maintain
CSS continuity when the preferred method is undefined or
not usable to complete the mission. Therefore, in order to
achieve this, strict adherence to operational orders may
not be followed, so as to achieve flexibility when need be
in operations
d. Attainability: Attainability is generating the minimum
essential supplies and services necessary to begin
operations. Commanders determine minimum acceptable
support levels for initiating operations.
e. Sustainability: Sustainability is the ability to maintain
continuous support during all phases of campaigns and
major
operations.
CSS
planners
determine
CSS
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requirements over time and synchronize the delivery of
minimum sustainment stocks throughout the operation.
f. Survivability: Being able to protect support functions
from destruction or degradation equates to survivability.
CSS survivability is a function of force protection, which
consists of those actions to prevent or mitigate hostile
actions against personnel, resources, facilities, and critical
information.
g. Economy: Resources are always limited. Economy
means providing the most efficient support to accomplish
the mission. Commanders consider economy in prioritizing
and allocating resources. Economy reflects the reality of
resource shortfalls, while recognizing the inevitable
friction and uncertainty of military operations.
h. Integration: Integration consists of synchronizing CSS
operations with all aspects of Army, joint, interagency,
and multinational operations. The concept of operations
achieves this through a thorough understanding of the
commanders' intent and synchronization of the CSS plan.
Integration includes coordination with and mutual support
among Army, joint, multinational, and interagency CSS
organizations. Therefore, proper integration of all aspects
of the force should be in place for uniformity of purpose.
RESPOND

PROMPTLY

TO

CRISIS

AND

CONDUCT

OF

FORCIBLE ENTRY OPERATION

17. Army forces respond to crises in any environment. They are
strategically responsive and versatile enough to support the
nature and circumstances of any situation. Responsiveness is the
ability to increase force presence, to increase the magnitude of
the enemy's dilemma, and to act decisively. CSS is an integral
part of the Army's rapid response. A distribution-based CSS
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system gives commanders increased management control and
visibility of supplies, equipment, and personnel moving to and
within the theater. The modular design of CSS organizations and
their capability to conduct split-based operations give the force
commander flexibility in tailoring CSS to meet the immediate
need while minimizing lift requirements and the CSS footprint.
Additionally, other CSS reach operations enhance responsiveness
by using in-theater resources, such as host-nation support and
theater support contractors, to provide or augment services for
deployed forces.

17.

NA forces gain access to contested areas from the air, land,

and sea. NA forces make it possible to seize areas previously
denied by the enemy force. CSS supports forcible entry operations
by aerial delivery, logistics over-the-shore operations, and ground
transportation capabilities. The versatility of CSS organizations
make it possible for CSS forces to support forcible entry
operations and quickly convert to sustainment operations, when
terrain is secured. The modular aspect of CSS organizations allows
them to be tailored as rapidly deployable and tailorable early
entry modules. This capability enhances their ability to support
forcible entry operations.

FUNCTIONS OF COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT

18.

CSS has several functions attached to it and they are

a. Supply and Field Services: Supply is the acquiring,
managing, receiving, storing, and issuing all classes of
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supply. Field services are essential services to enhance a
soldier's quality of life during operations. They consist of
clothing exchange, laundry and shower support, textile
repair, mortuary affairs, preparation for aerial delivery,
food services, billeting, and sanitation. As such if these
necessary materials are not available it will affect the
performance of the troops.
b. Transport Support:

Transportation is moving and

transferring units, personnel, equipment, and supplies to

support

the

incorporates

concept
military,

of

operations.

commercial,

and

Transportation
multinational

capabilities. Transportation assets include motor, rail, air

and water modes and units; terminal units, activities, and
infrastructure; and movement control units and activities.
It is equipment been supplied assist the troops to sustain it
men in war front
c. Maintenance

(Ordnance/Mechanical

Engineers):

Maintenance entails actions taken to keep materiel in a

serviceable, operational condition, returning it to service,
and updating and upgrading its capability. It includes
performing preventive maintenance checks and services;
recovering and evacuating disabled equipment; diagnosing
equipment faults; substituting parts, components, and
assemblies;

exchanging

serviceable

materiel

for

unserviceable materiel; and repairing equipment .The

ultimate key to effective maintenance is anticipating
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requirements. This stores are kept with professional who
keeps account and issue the stores at good condition

d. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Support: Explosive

ordnance disposal (EOD) is the detection, identification,
on-site evaluation, rendering safe, recovery, and final
disposal of unexploded explosive ordnance. It may also
include explosive ordnance that has become hazardous by
damage

or

deterioration.

EOD

support

neutralizes

domestic or foreign conventional, nuclear, biological, and

chemical munitions, and improvised devices that present a
threat to military operations and to military and civilian
facilities, materiel, and personnel.
g. Health service support (HSS): consists of all services
performed, provided, or arranged to promote, improve,
conserve, or restore the mental or physical wellbeing of
personnel in the Army and, as directed, for other services,
agencies, and organizations. HSS conserves the force by
preventing

Disease

and

Non-battle

Injuries

(DNBIs);

clearing the battlefield of casualties; providing far-forward

medical treatment and hospitalization; providing en-route
care during medical evacuation; providing veterinary,
dental, combat stress control, and laboratory services; and
ensuring adequate supplies, medical equipment, available.

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h. Religious Support. Provide and perform religious support
operations

for

the

commander

to

protect

the

soldiers/Troops. This includes the personal delivery of rites,

sacraments, ordinances, spiritual fitness training and
assessment, religious workshop services and advice to the
command on matters of religion, morals, morale and
coordination with non-governmental organization
CHALLENGES
19.

The current wave of security challenges in the country

exposes some challenges fed by the NA logistics corps in peace

enforcement

operation.

These

are

lack

of

harmonized

procurement system and inefficient feedback system which

hinders the NA logistics capability, lack of carrying capability,
absence of integrated logistics system. These challenges are
discussed as follows:
a.

Lack of harmonized procurement: there is a

considerable amount of divergence in procurement,

stocking, maintenance and support functions in the triservices. This lead to a lack of overall national
perspective for logistics and such as the decision
making structures at the national level are either
inappropriate or irresponsive. Which is to say that
management and control of logistics service are not
under a unified single management. This gives rise to a

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number of inter-service logistics problems in peace
enforcement of operation and in the Armed forces.
b.

Inefficient feedback system: lack of utilization

of
information technology is one of the major sources of
inefficiency in the feedback system. This has brought to
foe the noticeable gap in the terms of technological
advancement. Also, due to deficient nature of advance
when engaging the enemy at greater range.
c.

Lack of carrying capability: The (NACST) has the

troops. This task requires carrying capability comprising

of pick-up vans, Tata trucks, and sometimes motorcycles
including their maintenance. Presently the NA vehicle
holding

is

pathetic

as

commercial

vehicles

are

sometimes used to compensate for the NA organic

vehicles in operation in CSS.
d.

Absence of integrated logistics system: The tri-

service
Have not yet developed common logistics doctrine and
philosophy of logistics support thus, there is limited
interaction and inter communication between the three
services on matters of logistic, which hitherto hampers
peace enforcement operation. This leads to lack of
standardization which the end result is multiplicity in the
CSS with no single authority responsible for logistics
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purchases, which lack of logistics support encourages
duplication and wasteful expenditure of resources.
WAY FORWARD
20.

An effective CSS corps/logistics delivery system should be

able to provide support in combating any sort of internal crisis,

terrorism etc. when the following mentioned strategies are
implemented.

These

strategies

include

need

for

improved

procurement system, enhanced feedback system, improved

carrying capability and establishment of an integrated CSS
corps/logistics system will in no small measure enhance peace
enforcement operation.
a. Consolidated procurement system: A harmonized
procurement system if adopted would be cost effective,
improved quality control. It would also bring a common
procedure for provisioning, stocking and issues of stores
that will not only be economical, but would also be
beneficial to the consumers.
b.

Efficient feedback system:

An

effective

feedback system can be achieved in the current age of

insurgency

through

technological

improvements

and

information gathering. This would make military force

move more quickly over greater distance than ever before
and engaging the enemy at greater range. This will make
the logistics system more responsive to the situation
changes as a greater need for a continuous updated
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information and strain on command and control has been
overcome.
c.

Improved carrying capability: The movement of

items from production site or store house requires

adequate transportation. The terrain, weather or tactical
situation determines the mode of such movement come
under the provisions of NACST. For mobility in operation,
time may not be available to process vehicle demand in
order to provide mobile tactical teams. Thre is therefore
need for air lifting capability to facilitate the effectiveness
of delivery to troops with utmost responsiveness.
d. Establishment of an integrated combat service
support/logistics system: this would be used to achieve
uniformity in the tri-services especially in areas of
communication system, radar and ammunition for certain
kind of weapons. The best commodity of the system can
be employed on land, water and air with the aim of having
a large number of common sub-system between the three
services.
CONCLUSION
21.

In order to understand the characteristics of CSS logistics

delivery system which is based on the coordinated operation of

the four logistics corps, which their detached roles and
responsibilities were discussed. The introduction of advanced
technological and airlifting capability for easy movement of men
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and materials in operation. Airlifting capabilities will go a long way
in saving lives mostly in a case of casualty evacuation in combat
zones for quick medical attention/care. (paragraph 14)
22.

Some peculiar challenges associated with the combat

service support corps in peace enforcement operations and other

operations include lack of standardized equipment such as
weapons, fighting vehicles and other operational vehicles and
scarcity of stores. These challenges have given rise to logistics
problems which has the capacity of making logistics system
dysfunctional. (Paragraph 13)
23.

On the need for effectiveness and efficiency in logistics

delivery system in the NA both in peace and war time. There is a

need for an efficient feedback system mostly in the current wave
of insurgency through technological improvement and information
gathering. This would make the logistic system more responsive
to situation changes as the greater need for continuous updating
of information as would aid operations.
24.

In spite of the challenges faced in the combat service

support corps/logistics system, such as lack of a single authority

responsible for logistics preparedness, which gave rise to
multiplicity in the combat service support corps, which lack of a
centralized logistics support encourages duplication and wasteful
expenditure of resources. Establishment of an integrated logistics
system greatly enhance efficiency and effectiveness in peace

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enforcement operation, in Nigerian armed forces and the NA in
particular.

RECOMMENDATION
21.

It is recommended that AHQ should;

a. Ensure that advanced technological equipment into
the NA is
introduced.
b. Ensure that standard equipment are procured and
adequate
stores are made available.
c. Ensure that a centralized/integrated combat service
support/logistics is established.
d. Ensure that efficient feedback system is established

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