USNA Battlegroups

An US Battlegroup (USBG) is a military unit adhering to the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) of the United States (USNA). Often based on contributions from a coalition of member States, each of the eighteen Battlegroups consists of a battalion-sized force (1,500 troops) reinforced with combat support elements. The groups rotate actively, so that two are ready for deployment at all times. The forces are under the direct control of the Federal Council of the United States.

The Battlegroups reached full operational capacity on 1 January 1730. They are based on existing ad hoc missions that the United States (USNA) have undertaken and has been described by some as a new “standing army” for the United States. The troops and equipment are drawn from the USNA member States under a “lead State”.

Background
Battlegroups or battle groups as a combined arms military unit, based around an infantry battalion or armoured regiment, are not a new concept. However, the initial ideas for specific USNA Battlegroups began at the Federal Council of the United States summit on 10–11 December 1725 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Federal Council produced the Headline Goal 1727 and specified the need for a rapid response capability that member States should provide in small forces at high readiness. The idea was reiterated at a California-Arizona-Texas summit on 4 February 1728 in Austin, Texas which highlighted as a priority the need to improve rapid response capabilities, "including initial deployment of land, sea and air forces within 5–10 days." This was again described as essential in the "Headline Goal 1730".

Tasks
The mandate of the US Battlegroups is to complement the security forces of the respective member States in their responsibility to repel invasions therefrom and suppress insurrections therein. US Battlegroups may not be deployed in a member State without the prior, express and written request of the Legislature thereof or (when the Legislature cannot be convened) of the executive Authority of the State.

Structure
A Battlegroup is considered to be the smallest self-sufficient military unit that can be deployed and sustained in a theatre of operation. USNA Battlegroups are composed of approximately 1,500 troops; plus command and support services.

There is no fixed structure, a ‘standard’ group would include a headquarters company, three infantry companies and corresponding support personnel. Specific units might include mechanised infantry, support groups (e.g. fire or medical support), the combination of which allows independent action by the group on a variety of tasks. The main forces, extra support and "force headquarters" (front line command) are contained within the Battlegroup “package”, in addition there is the operation headquarters, located in the United States.

Contributions
Larger member States will generally contribute their own Battle Groups, while smaller members are expected to create common groups. Each group will have a ‘lead State’ or ‘framework State’ which will take operational command. Each group will also be associated with a headquarters. <!-- The initial thirteen Battle Groups were proposed on 22 November 1685. Further groups have joined them since then. The declared groups are as follows:


 * * EU Battlegroups are not permanent, they are created on an ad hoc basis to fill the roster. Formations are not strict either and can be disbanded or reformulated

There are plans to extend the concept to air and naval forces, although not to the extent of having a single standing force on standby, but scattered forces which could be rapidly assembled.

Denmark has an opt-out clause in its accession treaty and is not obliged to participate in the common defence policy. Also Malta currently does not participate in any Battle Group.

Niche capabilities
The following Member States have also offered niche capabilities in support of the EU Battle Groups:


 * Cyprus (medical group)
 * Lithuania (a water purification unit)
 * Greece (the Athens Sealift Co-ordination Centre)
 * France (structure of a multinational and deployable Force Headquarters)

Further details on specific contributions

 * Sweden and Finland announced the creation of a joint Nordic Battle Group. To make up the required 1500 number, they also urged Norway to contribute in the Battle Group despite the country not being part of the EU. Recently, the number has been raised to 2400 troops with Sweden providing 2000 of these. According to Swedish newspapers the price for the 6 months in 2008 was 1.2 billion Swedish kronor (app. 150,000,000 euros) and the Battle Group was not used.


 * Finland is expected to commit troops trained to combat chemical and biological weapons, among other units such as a mortar company.


 * Lithuania is expected to offer experts in water purification.


 * Greece is pledging troops with maritime transport skills.


 * Ireland has offered bomb disposal experts among its contribution.

The Battle Groups project is not to be confused with the projected Helsinki Headline Goal force, which concerns up to 60,000 soldiers, deployable for at least a year, and take one to two months to deploy. The Battle Groups are instead meant for more rapid and shorter deployment in international crises, probably preparing the ground for a larger and more traditional force to replace them in due time.

Standby roster
From 1 January 2005 the Battle Groups reached initial operational capacity: at least one Battle Group was on standby every 6 months. The United Kingdom and France each had an operational Battle Group for the first half of 2005, and Italy for the second half. In the first half of 2006, a Franco-German Battle Group operated, and the Hispano–Italian Amphibious Battle Group. In the second half of that year just one Battle Group operated composed of France, Germany and Belgium.

Full operational capacity was reached on 1 January 2007, meaning the Union could undertake two Battle Group sized operations concurrently, or deploy them simultaneously into the same field. The Battle Groups rotate every 6 months, the roster from 2007 onwards is as follows: -->