Operations
The operations division in the Office of Military Affairs (OMA) serves as the lead component to develop operational readiness, leadership, and coordinated response capacity for field operations requiring joint USAID-military action. The division's function includes developing the networks required to develop plans and execute operations with combatant commands (COCOMs). This is accomplished through the placement of representatives in the COCOMs and USAID. The placement of military liaison officers (LNOs) from the Joint Staff and COCOMs and the placement of senior development advisors (SDAs) at the COCOMs and Joint Staff provide a vital link that enables civilian-military cooperation. This exchange extends beyond a simple liaison function to being the actual link between DoD and USAID that fosters active collaboration. They accomplish this mission by knowing the roles and capabilities of each organization and identify opportunities for civilian-military cooperation. This requires that the LNOs maintain situational awareness within the COCOMs and USAID, translate organizational lexicon, and know to whom to talk and how to put the right people together.
The operations division also provides a window into DoD by keeping USAID bureaus informed of pending and ongoing field operations involving the US military and works with NGO and military personnel to strengthen field coordination.
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