This thesis examines the suitability of airdrop as a means of resupply for the Canadian Forces (CF) in an attempt to reduce forward supply inventories and promote “zero-footprint” logistics. Research methods involved both quantitative and qualitative techniques, consulting CF manuals and subject matter experts. Based on performance, airdrop staged from rear locations or outside the theatre of operations can meet resupply requirements. Although airdrop has longer assembly and loading times than ground based delivery, flight speed and direct routes can make up the difference. However based on interviews with CF personnel, it appears that due to limited availability of aircraft, drop zone requirements, delivery vehicle vulnerability, and the need for backhaul logistics, airdrop could not be used as a sole means of resupply.

The initial aims of the project were to identify characteristics of the command process at Higher Command levels in the Royal Navy so that systems design could include decision aids at this important focal point"in the overall system (a naval Task Force). A prerequisite for formulating recommendations is an understanding "of the Task Force Commander's role and decision process. Consequently, an attempt was made early on to structure the Task Force command task. It became apparent that, without special measures, such a description could not be acquired. This thesis, therefore, is the story of a project about collecting data and informa tion, using it and then interpret ting it for the aboye purposes. Since there was little known about how to achieve an understanding of senior decision making, especially in potentially unstructured areas like the naval Higher Command function in a conflict environment, appropriate measures were developed to do so. The overall methodology designed consisted of: a) basic research; b) interview techniques; c) scientific gaming procedure; and d) a data collection-in-action regime. The methodology sought to use 'laboratory' techniques initially to acquire enough insight to then mount a study of clients "in action". It was considered necessary to supplement the former types of methods (interviews and gaming activities) with versions actually involving the clients when performing their role (in the form of a structured self-report study). The overall methodology was rooted in the systems ideas of Checkland (1981) and Bowen's views on the OR process (1981 and 1984) . Both authors react against the traditional prescriptive, normative approach of text book OR practitioners. The latter pursui t ignores messy, human aspects of organisational life and requires that a problem situation is well understood so that applied mathematical techniques can be used to formulate and then , solve' a problem. Most high-level decision problems, though, cannot be so formulated. This thesis is an attempt to formulate and understand high-level decision problems in a different way, using different techniques, but with a similar aim of arriving at useful and meaningful decision support recommendations. The methods to be described should start to fill the gap that exists at the moment in the OR repertoire of methodology catering for such needs. It was not possible to implement the overall methodology in the naval context. The industrial phase of the research was therefore initiated so that all of the phases could be tested in an albeit limited programme. Some preliminary insights and findings emerged in both contexts. Essentially, high-level decision makers approach their tasks differently. They have differing priorities also - as revealed by the interview and gaming phases. However, the data collection-in-action study (implemented in an industrial context only) revealed that what happens in reality (when they are at work) does not fully reflect the pattern of priorities revealed in the laboratory studies. Consequently, it is necessary to use other means to arrive at a complete picture of their decision making process. The overall methodology includes the interview and gaming phases because they are necessary to acquire enough insights to mount a data collection-in-action study later on. Also, they have other research and training uses. The ~hesis also includes the use of an analysis technique (based on Hogberg 1985) which assists with the appreciation of high-level decision making problems. The technique forms the basis of a proposed decision support system for both military and industrial contexts.

No description available.

This thesis examines the suitability of airdrop as a means of resupply for the Canadian Forces (CF) in an attempt to reduce forward supply inventories and promote “zero-footprint” logistics. Research methods involved both quantitative and qualitative techniques, consulting CF manuals and subject matter experts. Based on performance, airdrop staged from rear locations or outside the theatre of operations can meet resupply requirements. Although airdrop has longer assembly and loading times than ground based delivery, flight speed and direct routes can make up the difference. However based on interviews with CF personnel, it appears that due to limited availability of aircraft, drop zone requirements, delivery vehicle vulnerability, and the need for backhaul logistics, airdrop could not be used as a sole means of resupply.

No description available.

Over the last decade it has become increasingly popular to provide large public areas with gracefully designed 'flexible' staircases. One inherent characteristic of this type of construction is a low stiffness to mass ratio and hence a low natural frequency when compared to more traditional designs. A number of staircases have been found to be dynamically responsive to pedestrian traffic resulting in costly repairs. The objective of this thesis was to investigate the differences between human induced loading on floors with that on stairs. Experimental work carried out on a purpose built staircase showed that forces up to 3 times the static body weight were generated during fast descents while forces up to 2.5 times the static body weight were generated during fast ascents. The work also showed that first harmonic values generated while ascending were slightly higher than for descending whilst second harmonic values were up to 3 times greater for fast descents than for fast ascents. When compared with floor testing, stair testing produced first harmonic values nearly 2.5 times greater with second, third and fourth harmonic values nearly 3 times greater. The harmonic results for the flat testing were also incorporated into a new mathematical expression to predict peak accelerations on simply supported floors and footbridges. The experimental results were duplicated analytically by developing a computer program to calculate the vertical ground reaction forces from body segment positional data. Following a Newtonian approach, the predicted first harmonic values were 20% to 30% lower than actual while the second harmonic values were approximately the same. Monte Carlo simulation techniques were also used to model the effects of group loading on stairs. The simulations predicted enhancement factors (a multiplier on single subject loading) of 3 to 6 for smaller groups(< 9 people) and 4 for larger groups(> 25 people). If the experimental/analytical results are combined with the group loading predictions, the harmonic values for groups ascending or descending flexible staircase could be substantially increased. These results demonstrate that loading data from floors is highly inappropriate for staircase design.

The number of United Nations interventions in civil conflicts has increased since the end of the Cold War. Traditional peace-keeping has proved ill-suited to deal with them; second-generation, multi-task peace-keeping operations have emerged as a substitute. These new operations have strained UN resources and the willingness of nations to provide troops is not as forthcoming as it used to be. Therefore, the UN has shared in recent years the burden of conflict resolution with regional organisations and ad hoc coalitions. This thesis studies multinational interventions in three conflicts (Somalia, Haiti and Bosnia) and asks what lessons can be drawn with regard to co-operation between the different actors involved on the ground. Moreover, it discusses the problems involved in the transfer of an operation between the UN and non-UN actors.

No description available.

There is an ongoing debate as to the role of women in Israel's army and to the degree of integration of women into male-dominated military positions. Using qualitative methods (in-depth interviews and participant observation), this dissertation examines the participation of women in the Israeli Defence Forces with a focus on organizational belonging and military status. / Women soldiers find distinct ways of experiencing organizational belonging and gaining status in the army. Much of women's variation in organizational belonging is linked, not to positions held, but, rather, to the kind of base at which a woman served during her service. Those serving in closed bases (at which soldiers stay to sleep), report developing a greater sense of organizational belonging than those serving in open bases (at which soldiers return home to sleep). This distinction is linked to notions of combat. Those serving at closed bases are more likely to serve in close proximity to combat. As well, closed bases are associated with combat more than are open bases regardless of the nature of individual closed bases. Thus, women serving on closed bases benefit from the prestige associated with combat positions as well as from the organizationally bonding experience of staying to sleep on the base. This stands in contrast with women serving on open bases who are more likely to have their sense of organizational belonging affected by their actual army position and rank and tend to seek status through association with higher ranking soldiers such as their officers and commanders. / There has been a great deal of literary discourse concerning women's participation in the IDF concentrating on women's military positions and ranks. While my research relates to this discourse, it differs through its emphasis on base placement over army position/rank. My study concludes with a discussion of my contribution to organizational belonging literature and with reflections on the implications of my findings for both the IDF and Jewish women in Israel.

Armed forces represent the frontline defence of a nation. To this end they train, equip and prepare themselves for all operations expected to be carried out during any such incidents. With the increasingly hostile and non-visible threat climate generated by terrorism, insurgency and localised disturbances (natural and man-made), armed forces have had to adapt and train themselves in order to carry out operations other than war. Disaster management and response is one of these activities. / Disaster management is an area of primary concern for governments around the world today. Part of the reason for such a state of affairs is the increasingly aware and informed public perception of disasters and calamities. As such any shortcomings in disaster management programs are mercilessly exposed by media sources. In order to better respond and combat disasters, it is therefore important that governments utilise all means at their disposal. Armed forces, which are ultimately responsible to the head of the state in a democratic form of government, are expected to carry out all directives that are assigned to them. Professional soldiers are trained to ignore their personal situation and state of mind and carry out their duties regardless of the distress caused or the difficulties faced. It is this dedication and their training that can prove to be a valuable asset for disaster planners. / Disaster managers need to understand and analyse how armed forces operate during a disaster response exercise. The skills that are specialised to armed forces should be disbursed within the disaster response community to better prepare them for disaster management processes. In return, the investment that is made in maintaining a battle ready force is utilised to train and equip disaster responders and managers with the tools to save their lives. / Thesis (MEngineering)--University of South Australia, 2006.