Military operations other than war (MOOTW) are military operations that do not involve warfare, combat, or the threat or use of violence. They generally include peacekeeping, peacebuilding, disaster response, humanitarian aid, military engineering, law enforcement, arms control, deterrence, and multilateralism.

The phrase and acronym were coined by the United States Armed Forces in the 1990s, but it has since fallen out of use. The British Armed Forces use an alternative term called peace support operations (PSO), which essentially refers to the same thing as MOOTW. Similarly, the Chinese People's Liberation Army also uses a similar concept called non-war military activities, which expands on MOOTW and includes a range of activities categorized as "Confrontational" ,"Law Enforcement", "Aid & Rescue", or "Cooperative".

Special agreements exist which facilitate fire support operations within NATO and the ABCANZ quadripartite working group. Cooperation is organized in advance with NATO standardization agreements (STANAGs) and quadripartite standardization agreements (QSTAGs). Many countries which need disaster support relief have no bilateral agreements already in place, and action may be required, based on the situation, to establish such agreements.

The United Nations (UN) recognizes the vulnerability of civilians in armed conflict. United Nations Security Council resolution 1674 (2006) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict enhances international focused attention on the protection of civilians in UN and other peace operations. The implementation of paragraph 16 anticipates that peacekeeping missions are provided with clear guidelines regarding what missions can and should do to achieve protection goals; that the protection of civilians is given priority in decisions about the use of resources; and that protection mandates are implemented.

Overview
MOOTW purposes may include deterring potential aggressors, protecting national interests, and supporting UN objectives.

Peacetime and conflict represent two states of the range of military operations.
 Peacetime is a state in which diplomatic, economic, informational, and military powers are employed in combination with each other to achieve national objectives.
 Conflict is a unique environment in which the military works closely with diplomatic leaders to control hostilities; and the national objective is focused on the goal of returning to peacetime conditions.

Planners are challenged to find ways to resolve or work around unique arrays of inter-related constraints (e.g. issues related to budgeting, training, and force structure). The uncertainties which are inherent or implied include the varying political aspects which are likely to affect unanticipated MOOTW.

Australia
The Australian Defence Force has turned attention to the study and understanding of a changing geo-strategic environment.  MOOTW becomes more important where the options for traditional application of military instruments are growing more limited.

Australian participation in UN peacekeeping operations began in 1947.

Select Australian deployments

 1947 UN Consular Commission to Indonesia
 2005 Nias–Simeulue earthquake ("Operation Sumatra Assist"): Emergency relief and medical assistance.

Current Australian deployments include the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA); the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI); the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP); the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO); the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT); the UN Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS); and the UN–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

Canada

The curriculum of the Canadian Armed Forces's training programs includes MOOTW. In the 20th century Canadian peacekeeping was well publicised in Canada.

Select Canadian deployments

 Cyprus, 1960s
 Congo, 1960s
 Afghanistan, 2001–2014

China

The non-traditional missions of the People's Liberation Army have evolved as an increasingly used tool of statecraft.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) established specialized forces for military operations other than war. In the 2013 Science of Military Strategy, PLA writers articulated a Non-War Military Activities (NWMA) concept based on MOOTW which emphasizes "Confrontational," "Law Enforcement," "Aid & Rescue," and "Cooperative" military activities as a source of military strength alongside traditional deterrence and warfighting.

Select Chinese deployments

 Somali pirates, 2009: Naval escort missions in waters off Somalia.

Japan

The Japan Self-Defense Forces are affected by the Constitution of Japan, Article 9 of which prohibits the use of war to resolve the country's disputes. This affects their operations, as well as the classifications of some equipment such as the Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer, which are limited to the role of MOOTW.

Select Japanese deployments

 Iraq War ("Operation Enduring Freedom"), 2003–2009: Ground Self-Defense Forces, water purification near Basra; Air Self-Defence Forces, cargo and personnel transport; Maritime Self-Defence Forces, supply ships servicing the international flotilla.

United Kingdom

The prescience of Sir Julian Corbett (1854–1922) and his strategic point of view are reflected in contemporary applications of MOOTW, which extend and reinvigorate Corbettian formulations.

The evolution of British tactics in the Malayan Emergency (1948–1960) illustrates lessons learned the hard way.  The British developed a strategy with elements similar to MOOTW. Lieutenant General Sir Harold Briggs proposed "two key goals to accomplish in order to end the insurgency—first, to protect the population, and second to isolate them from the guerrillas."

British peacekeeping troops in Bosnia in the late 1990s attended to similar objectives in a process of re-establishing "normalcy."

Selected British deployments

 1948–1960 Malayan Emergency.
 1995 post-Bosnian War ("Operation Deliberate Force").

United States

In United States military doctrine, military operations other than war include the use of military capabilities across a range of operations that fall short of war. Because of political considerations, MOOTW operations normally have more restrictive rules of engagement (ROE) than in war.

Although the MOOTW acronym is new, the concepts are not. The RAND database identifies 846 military operations other than war between 1916 and 1996 in which the US Air Force or its predecessors played a noteworthy role.

Select American deployments

 2005 Nias–Simeulue earthquake: Emergency relief and medical assistance.
 1990–1994 Operation Promote Liberty: Occupation and peacekeeping mission in Panama after the 1989 United States invasion of Panama.
 1991 Operation Eastern Exit: Noncombatant evacuation operation to evacuate diplomatic staff and civilians, from the US and 29 other countries, from the US Embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia as the city plunged into near-anarchy during the Somali Civil War.
 2001–2014 Operation Enduring Freedom: Bush Doctrine continuous operation across numerous countries, mainly Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
 2011 military intervention in Libya: UN-authorized no-fly zone enforcement in defense of rebel factions in Libya.

Singapore
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) anticipates a continuing need for conventional military competence into the foreseeable future, but missions in which the use of minimal force is the rule rather than the exception are expected to grow in importance. Proficiency in MOOTW requires a much greater and somewhat different set of skill sets than traditional war-fighting.  In this context, the SAF is developing new training programmes for small unit leaders.  The process of educating and preparing a professional SAF capable of handling a wide spectrum of operations anticipates an increase in MOOTW.
 These men will need to ready to become "peacekeepers, goodwill ambassadors and winners of hearts and minds."

In 1999, the Singapore contingent of UN peacekeepers in East Timor was the most extensive MOOTW mission attempted by the SAF. The commitment included three landing ship tanks (LSTs), medical teams, C-130s, military observers and logistics support.

Select Singapore deployments

 United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor, 1999–2002. Peacekeeping, medical assistance, logistical support.
 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami, Aceh Province, Sumatra, Indonesia ("Operation Flying Eagle" or OFE): Emergency relief, medical assistance and temporary relocation of victims.

Sweden

Select Swedish deployments

 Swedish Armed Forces conducted supporting operations during the forest fires of 2014 and 2018.
 Operation Gloria, 2020–ongoing. Supporting Swedish civil authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden.

India 
The Indian Army is tasked with many operations other than war such as Operation Sadbhavana (Goodwill) in Jammu and Kashmir and Operation Samaritan in north-east India. Operation Sadbhavana aims to limit the alienation faced by the population and infrastructure destruction in Jammu and Kashmir in areas where the government administration has not been successful due to insurgency. Welfare initiatives include Army Goodwill Schools, educational and motivational tours, health camps, women and youth empowerment and infrastructure development.

The Indian defence forces also takes part in various UN Peacekeeping missions.

See also
 Counter-insurgency
 Fourth-generation warfare
 Low intensity conflict
 Grey-zone (international relations)

Notes

References
 Bonn, Keith E. and Anthony E Baker. (2000). Guide to Military Operations Other than War: Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Stability and Support operations, Domestic and International. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. ; 
 Frantzen, Henning-A. (2005). NATO and peace support operations, 1991–1999: policies and doctrines. London: Routledge. 
 Segal, Hugh. (2005). Geopolitical Integrity. Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP). ; 
 "U.S. Joint Doctrine, Joint Force Employment Briefing Modules."
 Vick, Allen, John William Stillion and Abram N. Shulsky. (1997). Preparing the U.S. Air Force for Operations Other than War. Santa Monica, California: RAND. ; 

 
Military terminology
비전쟁군사행동(非戰爭軍事行動, )은 전쟁 이외의 군사 작전을 말하며 비전쟁군사작전 혹은 무트와라고도 부른다.

역사

MOOTW는 1990년대 미군에서 처음 나왔다. 영국군은 이를 평화지원작전(Peace Support Operations, PSO)이라고 부른다.  MOOTW엔 인도적 지원, 재난구호, 탐색 구조, 군비 통제, 평화유지 등이 들어간다. 대테러 작전도 MOOTW의 영역이다.

병원선

한산도함은 국내 군함 중 최대 규모의 의무실과 병상을 갖췄다. 독도함의 1.8배의 의무실이 설치되었다. 중환자 처치를 위한 대수술실 1실을 포함한 수술실만 3개실이며, 평상시 평소 진료실, 수술실은 강의실로, 60실 규모(중환자실, 일반병실 구분)의 병실은 실습생 침실로 사용한다.

미국 해군은 2척의 병원선을 보유하고 있다. 병원선은 미국의 비전쟁군사작전(MOOTW)을 상징하는 전력이다. 화물선이나 여객선을 개조해 만든 병원선은 말 그대로 바다에 떠다니는 종합병원이다. 미 해군은 USS 머시(T-AH 19)과 USS 콤포트(T-AH 20) 등 2척의 병원선을 보유하고 있다. 머시함과 콤포트함은 7만t급에 병상은 1000개, 수술실은 12개를 갖췄다.

대한민국

2004년 12월 대규모 쓰나미로 피해를 입은 스리랑카에 의약품 등 구호물자 5.2t을 지원하기 위해 공군 C-130H 수송기 1대가 동원됐다. C-130H 수송기가 투입된 최초의 해외 재난구호 임무 활동이다.

2006년 3월 1일, 필리핀 레이테섬의 산사태 피해 주민 구호물자 7.5t 수송을 위해 공군 C-130H 수송기 1대가 투입됐다.

2006년 6월 3일, 인도네시아 자바섬에서 진도 6.4의 지진이 발생했다. 의류 및 식품 등 구호물자 7t을 공군 C-130H 수송기 1대로 실어갔다. 2006년 5월 자와섬 지진 참조.

2008년 5월, 87,587명이 사망한 중국 쓰촨성 대지진을 구호하기 위해, 공군 C-130H 수송기 3대가 텐트 등 구호물자 26.6t을 중국으로 수송했다.

2009년 11월, 캄보디아 태풍 피해 구호를 위해 7t의 구호물자를 공군 C-130H 수송기 1대에 실어보냈다.

2011년 3월 11일, 진도 7.3의 동일본대지진이 발생했다. 18,000명 이상이 사망했다. 14일, 서울 공항에서 한국긴급구조대(KOICA 4명, 119구조대 76명, 의료팀 26명, 외교부 2명)가 공군 C-130H 수송기에 탑승해 일본에 도착했다. C-130H 수송기의 여섯 번째 국외 재난구호 임무 활동이다.

2017년 5월 19일, 김해공군기지 제5공중기동비행단은 C-130H 수송기로 2톤 짜리 특수임무 기동차량(군용 SUV, 쌍용 렉스턴)을 250 m 상공에서 투하하는 훈련을 실시했다. 이번 훈련을 지휘한 제259전술공수지원대대장 이우진(공사45기) 중령은 "우리 대대는 기동차량과 같은 중장비 화물 투하능력을 보유한 국내 유일의 작전부대"라고 말했다. 활주로가 파괴된 고립된 재난지역에서도 자동차를 공중 투하할 수 있다.

2018년 10월 8일, 인도네시아 지진 피해를 구호하기 위해서 C-130H 수송기 3대를 투입했다. 현장지휘소가 있는 발릭파판 공항과 지진피해 지역인 술라웨시섬에 있는 팔루 공항을 하루 1, 2회씩 총 26회 왕복해, 총 17,623 km를 비행하며 발릭파판에 모인 247톤 규모의 텐트와 생활용품 등의 구호물품을 재난지역으로 공수했다.

2018년 10월 27일, 태풍 위투로 사이판에 고립된 한국 관광객을 긴급소개(Emergency evacuation) 하기 위해, 김해공군기지에서 제5공중기동비행단의 C-130H 수송기 1대가 이륙했다. 사이판 공항은 태풍 피해로 관제탑이 파괴되어 일체 관제지원을 받지 못했다. 4회를 비행해 799명의 한국인 관광객을 무사히 데려왔다.

2019년 6월 18일, 동해에서 공군 C-130H 수송기를 이용한 탐색구조(Search and rescue) 훈련을 실시했다. C-130 수송기가 약 500피트(152m) 상공에서 구명정과 생환물품을 투하한다. 이어 공군 공정통제사(CCT)가 조난자를 구조하기 위해 전술보트와 함께 1,250피트(381m) 상공의 C-130 공군 수송기에서 강하한다. 고무보트가 먼저 낙하하고, 그 뒤로 6명의 CCT 요원이 차례로 낙하한다. CCT 요원들은 바다 위로 떨어짐과 동시에 낙하산을 벗는다. 헤엄쳐 100여 ｍ 떨어진 고무보트에 도착한 CCT 요원들은 고무보트에 매달린 낙하산을 분리한 후 낙하 충격으로부터 고무보트와 모터 등을 보호하기 위해 포장된 완충제 등을 제거한다. 완충제를 모두 제거한 6명의 CCT 요원들이 고무보트에 올라 모터를 부착하고 시동을 걸기까지 30여 분 걸린다.

2020년 1월 30일, 코로나19 범유행으로 중국 우한에 고립된 한국인 관광객을 긴급소개(Emergency evacuation) 하기 위해서, 대한항공 보잉 747 전세기가 동원되었다. 이에 대해, 최근 도입한 김해공군기지 제5공중기동비행단의 에어버스 A330 MRTT 수송기로 비전쟁군사작전을 했으면 더 바람직하지 않았겠는가 하는 의견이 보도되기도 했다.

2021년 8월, 카불 함락 이후 아프가니스탄의 탈레반 세력에 위협을 받을 것이라 예상된 대한민국 정부 협력자를 구출하기 위한 미라클 작전이 시행되었다. 대한민국 공군 에어버스 A330 MRTT 수송기를 사상 처음으로 비전쟁군사행동에 투입하였다.

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