O-143 Implementing NATO Guidelines in Multi-National Operations

The NATO Alliance has invested a lot of time and energy to produce AASTP-5[1] which is designed to be the standard for Nations to use on NATO deployed missions and operations. The CNAD Ammunition Safety Group, AC/326 Sub-Group 6, is an international body of specialists tasked to produce the NATO guidance.  This international group meets twice a year with an overall objective to enhance safety thereby making multi-national operations more effective.  The majority of NATO nations have ratified the Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 4657[2] which serves as the policy document to implement AASTP-5.  But some nations are not implementing AASTP-5 so the question is; what standard or guidance are they using when deployed on a NATO-led mission?  Should an allied nation that is co-located in a Multi-National CampiAirfield use a standard other than that promulgated by NATO?   This paper will answer those questions and provide the reader with insight into the complexities of selecting the appropriate NATO standard to implement, and offer recommendations for the future development of AASTP-5.