Background

Establishment
Danish Task Group (DATG), with the national name "Søværnets Taktiske Stab" (Naval Tactical Staff), became operational by 1. January 2001.

The introduction of DATG was an integral part of a operational restructuring of the Navy following a long term political agreement on the Danish Defence. 

By 1. January 2006, DATG will comprise 20 personnel in all, as a result of the political agreement on the Danish Defence by 10. June 2004.

Manning

DATG peacetime complement will then consists of 14 officers, 4 petty officers, 1 rating and 1 civilian secretary. This core staff may be supplemented with personnel drawn from other parts of the Navy’s operational structure if a specific task so dictates. DATG may also – partly or as a whole – be integrated in a major joint operational staff, i.e. a Combined Joint Task Force Staff.

Command Relations

COM DATG refers – similar to the Squadron Commanders - directly to Admiral Danish Fleet (ADMDANFLEET), and he represents ADMDANFLEET when required, i.e. during exercises or operational conferences. COM DATG area of responsibility is regulated through ADMDANFLEET directives. Ships will be assigned to COM DATG on a case to case basis through ADMDANFLEET yearly Operational Schedule or by mission specific operational directives. In principle DATG can be composed of all units in the Navy inventory. According to a specific situation or scenario, DATG can also be combined with units from other navies or be integrated in other task groups. The assigned national units will be provided from the Squadrons. The national command relationships can be summarised as:

a. Full Command: Will be retained by the Chief of Defence,
b. Operational Command (OPCOM): Will normally be retained by ADMDANFLEET.
c. Operational Control (OPCON): Will normally be retained by ADMDANFLEET but may be transferred to other national commands or NATO commands.
d. Tactical Command (TACOM): Will normally be delegated to COM DATG who can relinquish TACTICAL CONTROL (TACON) of one or more ships for specific tasks.
Command relations related to submarines and units from other services will be determined on a case to case basis.
During crisis or war, COM DATG will act i.a.w. ADMDANFLEET operational instructions or specific orders.

Logistics Operations Branch

The Logistics Operations branch (LOGOPS) at Danish Task Group (DATG) contains three staff members, a Commander (OF-3) as Branch Chief, a Lieutenant Commander (OF-2) as Staff Officer and a Senior Chief Petty Officer (OR-8) as Staff Assistant. Additionally to the nucleus, extra personnel with special skills and training can be designated to support the branch during exercises and operations.

During exercises and operations LOGOPS’ main tasks and objectives are:

• Responsible for specific exercises and operations with logistic objectives and aims.
• Responsible for logistic tasks e.g. planning, execution and control of the logistics for assigned forces incl. Mission Essential Equipment.
• Responsible for co-ordination with national and multinational ashore and afloat logistic authorities and organisations e.g. Royal Danish Naval Operational Logistic Centre (NAVOPLOG), Multinational Logistic Commander (MNLC), Advanced Logistic Support Sites (ALSS), Forward Logistic Sites (FLS) and Force Logistic Co-ordinator (FLC).

• Responsible for designation and training of personnel e.g. Local Air Logistics Co-ordinator (LALC), Material Control Officer (MCO), Underway Replenishment Co-ordinator (URC), Repair Co-ordinator (RC) and Medical Advisor (MEDADV).
• Responsible for civil-military co-operation (CIMIC).
• Responsible for monitoring potential DATG units’ materiel status and readiness.
• Acting as Group Logistic Co-ordinator (GLC) alternative Force Logistic Co-ordinator (FLC).
• Counselling the DATG staff in joint logistic matters.
• Counselling the Royal Danish Navy (RDN) in logistic matters.
• Contributing in the development of logistic doctrines and contingency plans.
• Assisting RDN schools with instructors.
• Reviewing as well as processing logistic subjects and issues e.g. NATO logistic publications.
• Participating in working groups.
• Assisting in setting up Technical Agreements in connection with Host Nation Support.
• Assisting in development of logistics information and command and control systems e.g. Logistic Functional Area Services (LOGFAS).

The above are not putted in any prioritised order and are of course incomplete, but it gives an idea of the variety of tasks and objectives LOGOPS are dealing with. Adjacent to that, LOGOPS of course manage any specified task, the Commander or the Chief of Staff may delegate.