year. The riot was based around the perceived lack of interest in humanitarian assistance - despite U.S.
forces being responsible for stabilizing the power grid, and restoring public water services.
Recommendation.
My recommendation is to always promote U.S. or friendly forces FHA efforts! Every Soldier represents
the United States, and their efforts should be emphasized to promote the goodwill shown to other
countries in their time of need. The local face is still important to legitimize local governance, as well as
sustainment efforts in the absence of U.S. and friendly forces - but a U.S. Soldier lending a helping hand
leaves a lasting impression.
Implications.
Continued FHA missions lacking emphasis on U.S. involvement will not suffer failure, the consequences
faced by excluding friendly involvement in FHA operations is dependent on the environment. In non-
permissive environments, friendly forces will continue to be seen as aggressors or invaders instead of as
allies. In permissive environments the impact may not be as intense, but may have lasting effects on future
missions or relations in that AO.
Dedicated efforts to promote U.S. involvement in FHA operations are investments in security. It is
important to future service members and future missions around the world that U.S. forces are seen in a
positive light. The potential enemies we may face tomorrow are the IP watching our Soldiers, Sailors,
Airmen, and Marines right now. Promoting our forces along with all the positive aspects of FHA may
impact tomorrow’s conflicts.
Event Description:
This is lesson is based on my experiences conducting Foreign Humanitarian Assistance in both permissive
and non-permissive environments. Psychological Operations Team Leader CPT Gerald Walling allowed
me to use portions of his article, “Beyond the Horizon 2014: An Action in Civility and Commitment” to
describe the mission. CPT Walling and I served on the staff for Task Force Oso, led by COL John W.
Findley of the Missouri National Guard
Lesson Author: MAJ Major Johnson, Chief of Operations, 44oth Civil Affairs Battalion
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