The primary mission that I will examine is that of custody. A unit that is designated a custodial unit is one "charged with responsibility to maintain custody of nuclear weapons, issue nuclear weapons to delivery units, and conduct nuclear logistical operations." The sub-elements that are derived from this custodial mission are numerous.

They encompass, naturally, the ownership of the item which represents legal title to each weapon and always stays with the United States. Possession of the weapon is physical control and denotes the control of access of the weapon and its components. The element of security is the provision of a safe and secure environment and that of accountability is the provision of a formal record of the ownership of the item.

Contained within the "issue" element are such diverse sub-parts as the transportation of the weapon, documenting the appropriate transfer of possession, and ancillary tasks such as appointment of custodial agents. It is evident that safety and security weigh heavily during all elements of the "issue" process as with all other processes.

Finally, the definition of "conduct nuclear logistical operations," contains tasks such as performing:

the assembly of the weapon
pre-operational checks
operational/organizational maintenance
permissive action link (PAL) operations
weapon emergency destruction and nonviolent/semiviolent disablement
maintenance and proficiency of a "US only" secure communication/release system
nuclear surety program precepts

While this list is not all inclusive, it serves to highlight the vast majority of tasks performed at the "custodial unit" level.

CURRENT STRUCTURE FOR MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENT

The doctrine for the nuclear weapon support operation is in consonance with the currently deployed structure. Within a theater of operation (USAREUR, for example), there exists an ordnance brigade which commands the requisite number of ordnance battalions which provide supply support to the U.S. deployed corps. The recently published FPM 9-6 (1 Sept 89) discusses the inclusion of Field Artillery in the supply support mission by stating:

Within a theater of operations that is a combined theater, USAAGs (U.S. Army Artillery Groups) are assigned to support host nation forces. During peacetime, these USAAGs are composed of a US ordnance company and US field artillery detachments (USFADs) and are responsible for storing and maintaining nuclear warheads and nuclear projectiles in support of host nation forces. Host nation security forces provide external security for nuclear weapons stored by USAAG ordnance companies and USFADs.

The vast majority of tactical nuclear support structure is found within USAREUR. The 59th Ordnance Brigade is the command and control headquarters for tactical nuclear weapon support. It accomplishes this mission through subordinate ordnance battalions providing support to deployed U.S. corps and USAAGs providing support to non-U.S. forces. There are five USAAGs commanded by lieutenant colonels. Each one of these groups has from two to five custodial detachments assigned. They also have at least one ordnance company which provides both direct support and selected general support maintenance. All the artillery groups mentioned are located within the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

Additionally, there are three groups located outside of the FRG (but within the confines of NATO) which have a similar structure and mission. They differ in that they range in detachment strength from two to four and they are commanded by colonels. Like their counterparts in the FRG, each group has an assigned ordnance company.

There is one other organization, which exists in the Eighth United States Army, that is similar to the artillery groups. It is the Weapons Support Detachment-Korea (WSD-K). Its' unclassified mission statement is to be prepared to "provide Nuclear Support Teams (NET) prepared to deliver nuclear weapons using Republic of Korea weapons systems under the provisions of the Eighth United States Army Tactical Nuclear Standing Operating Procedures." This unit, with an average military strength of 163, is so unique in its tactical nuclear weapons mission and "one-of-a-kind" command relationships that I will not include it In further discussion. Suffice it to say that it exists and it is different from the custodial unit definition previously listed. If a re-look of the organization of WSD-K Ss deemed necessary, it should be undertaken as a separate study.

There are approximately 170 officers and 1335 enlisted soldiers with artillery occupational specialties serving in the command and control and custodial unit operating structures of the NATO artillery groups.

STRUCTURE EVOLUTION

(Excerpts only)

-- When there were direct support (DS) special ammunition ordnance companies in support of the deployed corps, the doctrinal manuals so reflected this organization.

On 1977, the 60th Ordnance Group transferred the DS companies to the (at that time) 59th Ordnance Group. The 59th Ordnance Group immediately re-structured into a direct/general support (DS/GS) concept. The doctrinal manuals eventually reflected the new structure implemented by the 59th Ordnance Group.

Doctrine development in the nuclear weapon's supply arena has simply followed the deployed USAREUR structure. The Warhead Support Concept (which I will discuss later and is currently under evaluation) is but one in a long line of this phenomenon.

Through interviews with active and retired ordnance and field artillery personnel, it appears that the association of field artillery personnel with their NATO counterparts was initially mandated due to a training requirement. In the early days, when allocation of tactical nuclear weapons were initially made to the NATO corps, there existed a concern as to the level of training of our allies and to put it very plainly, their competence. Shooting a free flight rocket, like the Honest John, with a large "nuc" bolted to the front of it was challenging even for crack U.S. artillery troops.

Over the years, however, the relationship between the artillery groups and their supported units has changed in that there is no emphasis today on the technical field artillery tasks. There is not a case where a USAAG would issue a round of nuclear ammunition and then proceed to check and verify the fire direction data. Nor do the personnel of the artillery group check the laying of the particular field gun or howitzer. Upon release, the tactical nuclear weapon is issued to the supported unit, period.

-- In the USAAG, field artillerymen with the 13B MOS perform the security functions such as entry control and warhead guard. In the US Corps, military police personnel with the 95B MOS perform the security functions.

-- In the USAAG, the 13B performs the functions of unlocking, pre-fire inspection, mating/de-mating, and other functions. In the ordnance companies (supporting US Corps), the MOS 55's perform the unlocking function, and the pre-fire inspections, fuze setting, and other related functions.

-- When dealing with strictly US-firing units, the Ordnance Corps supplies the item (nuclear warhead). In a combined theater such as USAREUR, the US provides its allies with tactical nuclear weapons through the USAAG.

The USAAG does not exist outside of USAREUR - it was invented as a peacetime, USAREUR-peculiar organization. .