Training Offered: Austere Operations Centers in support of Civil-Military Operations (Transitioning to Phase IV)
Abstract: Complex contingencies often require military organizations to adapt to novel challenges. Military forces, especially those involved in supporting civil military operations and special operations require a clear understanding of what capabilities civilian organizations bring to bear both to facilitate civil operations as well as to facilitate emergency operations such as the recovery of kidnapped personnel.
The course outlined in this proposal will provide attendees with a clear understanding of what kinds of technologies and operational techniques civilian organizations use to support their operations. The course is also designed as an information exchange so that military personnel can become more familiar with the sensitivities and challenges of civil-military operations from the civilian side.
Background: Current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan highlight the problems that humanitarian/civilian organizations face during complex contingencies. Although military forces face numerous dangers, these same dangers are faced by civilian organizations that have neither the training nor the equipment to face the challenge.
Although the military is not responsible for meeting the needs of each and every NGO, PVO or civilian organization—it is increasingly clear that military success during complex contingencies is increasingly dependent upon civil-military cooperation.
In this light it is important that military forces, particularly those forces that work on the front lines with civilian organizations be sensitive to what the capabilities of these organizations are (can be) and furthermore how the military can support or be supported by these organizations. The syllabus below provides a detailed outline of the learning objectives of this course.
Syllabus: The objective of this course is to provide technologically literate (but non-expert) personnel with hands on experience on creating productive interfaces between military and civilian communications infrastructure. On completion of this course the student will understand what kinds of technology civilians can bring to “the battlefield” and more importantly, how these technologies (and associated techniques) might be used to enhance overall operational success.
Day 1: Technology Overview
1. Problem Overview Briefing: Outlines the challenges faced by civilian organizations
2. Experience: Provides two to three examples of requirements, tools, technologies and techniques
a. Strong Angel I
b. Shadow Bowl
c. DARPA Grand Challenge
d. Strong Angel II
3. Equipment: Provides a hands on session where students can examine technologies discussed; ask questions about how civilian organizations might utilize these tools; and, develop some preliminary experience utilizing the technology in potential operational applications.
a. Technologies include but are not limited to:
i. Wireless technology
ii. Networking tools
iii. Virtual collaboration
iv. Visualization tools
v. simultaneous, and collaborative multi source GIS information fusion
b. Key Work Elements include:
i. Demonstration of remote communications capabilities appropriate for both civilian and military use within an austere environment
ii. Demonstration of collaborative tools appropriate for civil-military support
iii. Demonstrate a proposed adhoc security zone capability with sensors and alerts
iv. Demonstrate iterative humanitarian assessment collection and analysis based on world-standard indicators
v. Demonstrate simultaneous, and collaborative multi source GIS information fusion
vi. Demonstrate simultaneous and collaborative GIS functionality across three networks
vii. Demonstrate open-source application effectiveness for inter-network linkage
viii. Demonstrate a responsive collaborative framework for disaster response, and civil security
4. Next Day Problem Overview Briefing: Outline day 2 problem and objectives
5. Social Networking Session
Day 2: Urban Ops Center
1. Assembly: Outline equipment and assignments
2. Transport: Move to pre-coordinated urban ops center location (commercial facility)
3. Set-up Ops Center:
a. Basic Operations Center
b. Field Elements (foot based and vehicle based)
c. Conduct a practical exercise (make communications to multiple locations
4. Conduct Hotwash and answer questions
5. Next Day Problem Overview Briefing: Outline day 3 problem and objectives
6. Social Networking Session
Day 3: Rural Ops Center
1. Assembly: Outline equipment and assignments
2. Transport: Move to pre-coordinated rural ops center location (commercial facility)
3. Set-up Ops Center:
a. Basic Operations Center
b. Field Elements (foot based and vehicle based)
c. Conduct a practical exercise (make communications to multiple locations
4. Conduct Hotwash and answer questions
5. Course Critique: What’s missing? What’s needed?
Cost depends on location, number of students, and if desired, tailoring to a specific contingency location. Please communicate with Robert Steele, robert.david.steele.vivas AT gmail DOT com to invite a proposal. The technical instructor is without question the top person in the field over decades, with current and continuing experience from Afghanistan through the Middle East into Africa. Robert Steele assists. Strict non-disclosure agreements apply.
