JP 3-0, page 126
Joint Operations
Joint Publication: Joint Operations
11 August 2011 public edition
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Chapter V
V-20
JP 3-0
force is able to conduct decisive operations and the national leadership is willing to
employ that force and to deploy more forces if necessary.
c. Scope. Crisis response and limited contingency operations are typically limited in
scope and scale and conducted to achieve a very specific strategic or operational
objective in an operational area. They may be conducted as stand-alone operations in
response to a crisis (such as a NEO) or executed as an element of a larger, more complex
campaign or major operation. Crisis response and limited contingency operations may be
conducted to achieve operational and, sometimes, strategic objectives.
d. Political Aspects. Two important factors about political primacy in crisis
response and foreign limited contingency operations stand out. First, understanding the
political objective helps avoid actions that may have adverse effects. It is not
uncommon in some operations, such as peacekeeping, for junior leaders to make
decisions that have significant political implications. Second, commanders should
remain aware of changes not only in the operational situation, but also in political
objectives that may warrant a change in military operations. These changes may not
always be obvious. Therefore, commanders must strive to detect subtle changes, which
may eventually lead to disconnects between political objectives and military operations.
Failure to recognize changes in political objectives early may lead to ineffective or
counterproductive military operations.
e. Economy of Force. The strategic environment requires the United States to
maintain and prepare joint forces for crisis response and limited contingency operations
simultaneously with other operations, preferably in concert with allies and/or coalition
partners when appropriate. This approach recognizes that these operations will vary in
duration, frequency, intensity, and the number of personnel required. The burden of
many crisis response and limited contingency operations may lend themselves to using
small elements like SOF in coordination with allied HNs. Initially, SOF may take the
lead of these operations as an economy of force measure to enable major operations and
campaigns with conventional focus to progress more effectively.
8. Typical Operations
a. NEOs are operations directed by the DOS or other appropriate authority, in
conjunction with DOD, whereby noncombatants and civilians are evacuated from
locations within foreign countries to safe havens when their lives are endangered by, or in
anticipation of, war, civil unrest, or natural disaster. Although principally conducted to
evacuate US citizens, NEOs also may include citizens from the HN as well as citizens
from other countries. Pursuant to Executive Order 12656, Assignment of Emergency
Preparedness Responsibilities, DOS is responsible for the protection and evacuation of
American citizens abroad and for safeguarding their property. This order also directs
DOD to advise and assist DOS in preparing and implementing plans for the evacuation of
US citizens. The US ambassador, or chief of the diplomatic mission, is responsible for
preparation of emergency action plans that address the military evacuation of US citizens
and designated foreign nationals from a foreign country. The conduct of military