View allAll Photos Tagged Interoperability
U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 464, Detachment A, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a logistic resupply mission in a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from the U.S.S. Sacagawea during exercise Ssang Yong 2014 on April 1, 2014. Exercise Ssang Yong is conducted annually in the Republic of Korea (ROK) to enhance the interoperability of U.S. and ROK forces by performing a full spectrum of amphibious operations while showcasing sea-based power projection in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Chief Warrant Officer Clinton Runyon, MCIPAC Combat Camera/Released).
Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, United Nations Commander, Combined Forces Commander, and United States Forces Korea commander; and Gen. Leem Ho Young, Combined Forces Command deputy commander, welcome Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) participants to South Korea, Mar. 17, 2017. PALS brings together senior leaders of allied and partner nations throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to focus on maritime/amphibious operations interoperability. PALS 2017 is being hosted by the ROK Marine Corps, and is the first iteration to be hosted outside of the United States. U.S. Army photo by SFC Sean K. Harp
Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, United Nations Commander, Combined Forces Commander, and United States Forces Korea commander; Gen. Leem Ho Young, Combined Forces Command deputy commander; and Gen. Lee Sun-jin, Gen. Lee, Sun-Jin, Chairman of the Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff, attended the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) welcome dinner in Seongnam, South Korea, Apr. 1, 2017. PALS brings together senior leaders of allied and partner nations throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to focus on maritime/amphibious operations interoperability. PALS 2017 is being hosted by the ROK Marine Corps, and is the first iteration to be hosted outside of the United States. U.S. Army photo by SFC Sean K. Harp
SHOALWATER BAY TRAINING AREA, Queensland, Australia (July 10, 2011) – Australian cooks at the Camp Growl dining facility in Shoalwater Bay Training Area form an assembly line to produce “hot packs,” meals-to-go, during Talisman Sabre 2011 July 10, 2011. The Camp Growl dining facility provides meals for approximately 1,500 U.S. and Australian troops. Almost 800 of those meals are sent as hot packs to the field. TS11 is a biennial combined training exercise designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting Combined Task Force operations to improve Australian Defence Force/U.S. combat readiness and interoperability. It reflects the closeness of the alliance and the strength and flexibility of the ongoing military-military relationship. (U.S. Army photo by Specialist Marcus Fichtl/Released)
Battle Group Poland U.S., U.K. and Romanian soldiers conduct a physical fitness test during the battle group’s first multinational Spur Ride at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, July 1-2, 2017. Per cavalry tradition, soldiers must complete a series of gruelling mental and physical tests to earn the honor to wear silver spurs. The historic event helped strengthen the bond between the NATO allies and improved their interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt Jimmy Golden/Released)
160612-N-YM856-265 UTO, Sweden (June 12, 2016) A CH-47 Chinook takes off during the tactical exercise phase of BALTOPS 2016, June 12. BALTOPS is an annual recurring multinational exercise designed to improve interoperability, enhance flexibility, and demonstrate the resolve of allied and partner nations to defend the Baltic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brittney Cannady/Released)
MUANG KOM, Kingdom of Thailand – A Marine with Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security as yellow smoke is used to signal to supporting forces during the bilateral combined arms live fire exercise Feb. 15 during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. The training provided the opportunity for the Royal Thai and U.S. to implement techniques and procedures learned throughout the week including maneuvering under fire and conducting small arms, artillery and machine gun fire. Cobra Gold is an annual Royal Thai and U.S. co-hosted multinational exercise designed to advance security throughout the Asia-Pacific region and increase interoperability with participating nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matheus J. Hernandez/Released)
BALTIC SEA (June 8, 2020) Sailors onboard the British Royal Navy HMS Kent (F78) man the bridge during BALTOPS 2020, June 8. BALTOPS is the premier annual maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic region, enhancing flexibility and interoperability among allied and partner nations. (Photo courtesy of the British Royal Navy)
Sgt. 1st Class Ramon Deleondaily, platoon sergeant, 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, plays a belligerent enemy prisoner of war while the Soldiers of 2nd Platoon detain him during operations to seize the military operations in urban terrain training site from opposing forces as part of Operation Desert Wall at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Oct. 5. Operation Desert Wall was a partnership operation designed to enable interoperability between the Ghost Battalion and the Wall Brigade, inspire confidence in each other's capabilities, and posture both elements for combined operations in support of Operation Spartan Shield while supporting the units' training objectives. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Leah R. Kilpatrick)
Philippine Marines raise their thumb to signal their weapons are clear after performing squad fire and maneuver training events May 8, 2014, at Crow Valley, Philippines, during Balikatan 2014. The Philippine Marines rushed across a field while U.S. Marines supplied machine gun supporting fire. The bilateral training increased the Philippine and U.S. Marines capabilities for combined operations. Balikatan is an annual training exercise that strengthens the interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military in their commitment to regional security and stability, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joey S. Holeman, Jr./Released)
210225-N-GW139-1096
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Feb. 25, 2021) South African Navy Rear Adm. Andre de Wet speaks with local media representatives during a tour of the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) in Cape Town, South Africa, Feb. 25, 2021. Hershel “Woody” Williams is operating in U.S. Sixth Fleet to conduct interoperability training and build strategic partnerships with their African partners. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Coffer/Released)
Battle Group Poland U.S. Soldiers put weapons together blind folded during the battle group’s first multinational Spur Ride at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, July 1-2, 2017. Per cavalry tradition, soldiers must complete a series of gruelling mental and physical tests to earn the honor to wear silver spurs. The historic event helped strengthen the bond between the NATO allies and improved their interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt Jimmy Golden/Released)
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 14, 2016) Sailors remove chock and chains from a MH-60S Helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, attached to the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), on the flight deck of the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73). Bonhomme Richard is the flagship for the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (BHR ESG) and is participating in interoperability drills between the Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG) and BHR ESG. The drills are meant to enhance readiness of cruiser-destroyer ships to rapidly integrate with an amphibious task force to provide increased capability for amphibious operations in support of crisis response or disaster relief. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Gerald Dudley Reynolds/Released)
MUANG KOM, Kingdom of Thailand – U.S. Marines hold an assault position with Royal Thai Marine counterparts during a bilateral combined arms live fire exercise Feb. 15 during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. The training provided the opportunity for the Royal Thai and U.S. to implement techniques and procedures learned throughout the week including maneuvering under fire, conducting small arms, artillery and machine gun fire. Cobra Gold is an annual Royal Thai and U.S. co-hosted multinational exercise designed to advance security throughout the Asia-Pacific region and increase interoperability with participating nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ronald K. Peacock/Released)
A local Czech Republic airfield crewmember refills a M1126 Stryker Combat Vehicle assigned to Outlaw Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, during a brief refueling stop at a local airfield while participating in Dragoon Crossing, a tactical road march starting out at Rose Barracks, Germany and continuing through the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic ending in Hungary on Sept. 13, 2015. The purpose of the exercise is to reassure NATO Allies of the U.S. intent during Operation Atlantic Resolve while demonstrating interoperability and freedom of movement throughout Eastern Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William A. Tanner/released)
British airborne forces are training alongside NATO counterparts to develop their ability to work together to deliver a Swift Response to international crises.
16 Air Assault Brigade is on Exercise Swift Response, which brings together more than 5,000 personnel from 10 nations and takes place in Poland and Germany between May 27-June 26, 2016.
Under the command of Headquarters 16 Air Assault Brigade some 2,000 troops took part, the largest British contingent to deploy on a NATO exercise in 2016.
The joint force included 3 PARA Battlegroup, including engineer, artillery, logistics, signals, medical, provost and ISTAR support; ''Apache'' attack helicopters from 4 Regiment Army Air Corps; and RAF ''Chinook'' and ''Puma'' support helicopters and C-130 ''Hercules'' transport aircraft.
The training involved mass parachute jumps and air assault operations as part of a simulated mission to restore stability to a troubled region. It is key to developing interoperability with 82nd Airborne Division and 11e Brigade Parachutiste, the Brigade's key partners in the US and French armies respectively, as well as wider allies.
PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 14, 2021) Seaman Theresa Ray, from Kaufman, Texas, assigned to forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), prepares the deck for paint and primer in the ship’s vehicle storage area. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Thomas B. Contant)
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), that was set up to dedicate itself to the improvement of Healthcare had it's annual Global Healthcare Conference in February 2019.
HIMSS19 was used as a platform to perform everything Health Information & Technology related, be it a display of your innovative products & solutions, learning about the untapped potentials by the HIMSS19 Speakers or be it connecting and collaborating with colleagues from all over the world in a variety of networking events.
Three of the striking edges of the event were:
1) Interoperability Showcase
2) Data Analytics
3) Patient Engagement in Healthcare
The HIMSS Interoperability Showcase made us realize one thing: Interoperability is regarded as the best solution to transform Healthcare meanwhile Data Analytics in Healthcare has taken the crown of being the most resourceful subject matter and lastly, Patient Engagment and Security has been an important matter of concern that if done right will have a significant impact on the quality of patient satisfication.
The HIMSS Insights we've given in the video is just a fraction of what we've learned at the Global Conference.
If you're planning on attending the HIMSS 2020 event you need to go prepared, take a look at how we prepared ourselves before attending HIMSS19: www.osplabs.com/insights/7-smart-lessons-you-need-to-lear...
170807-N-KB401-268 THE MINCH, Scotland (Aug. 7, 2017) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) transits the Minch, Scotland, during exercise Saxon Warrior 2017, Aug. 7. Saxon Warrior is a United States and United Kingdom co-hosted carrier strike group exercise that demonstrates interoperability and capability to respond to crises and deter potential threats. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael B. Zingaro/Released)
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Robert Guerra, left, a meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) analyst forecaster, and U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman First Class Bryan Pascascio, a preventive medicine technician, both with Task Force Koa Moana (TF KM) 20, I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), observe the climate data using a wet bulb globe thermometer and a Kestrel handheld weather meter to determine the effects of weather conditions on personnel in Peleliu, Republic of Palau, July 30, 2020. Marines and Sailors with TF KM20, are conducting engagements in the Republic of Palau from July through September of 2020. Koa Moana, meaning “ocean warrior,” is designed to strengthen and enhance relationships between the U.S. and partner nations/states in the Indo-Pacific region, improve interoperability with local security establishments, and serve as a Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team afloat in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s strategic and operational objectives. TF KM20 provides a unique opportunity to enhance relationships in the Republic of Palau. The Koa Moana task force has taken extensive measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The health and safety of U.S. service members and Palauan citizens participating in TF KM20 is an enduring priority. Prior to deploying, all exercise members participated in a three-week quarantine. After arriving in Palau, the Marines and Sailors remain quarantined for an additional 14 days. To date, all members deployed as part of TF KM20 tested negative for COVID-19. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anabel Abreu Rodriguez)
Opposing force (from left to right) Soldiers Pvt. Anthony Rodriguez of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Spc. Brandon Koch of Sandusky, Ohio, and Spc. Trenton Harris of Dallas, Texas, move toward a mock village while Bulgarian forces advanced. As part of Exercise Saber Junction 14, Bulgarian soldiers attacked and cleared a village against opposing forces of 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment Soldiers Aug. 30 at Hohenfels Training Area. Exercise Saber Junction 2014 includes participants from the U.S., NATO allies and European security partners, conducting unified land operations at the 7th Army's Joint Multinational Training Command's Hohenfels Training Area. The exercise trains units in the simultaneous combination of offensive, defensive and stability operations while improving international interoperability, commitment to NATO and allied nations and strategic access to critical areas within the European Command's area of responsibility. More information about Saber Junction 2014 can be found at www.eur.army.mil/SaberJunction/ (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christina Dion/Released)
ROCKHAMPTON, Queensland, Australia (July 13, 2011) -- Australian Defence Force Pvt. Peter Noble, far left, Craftsman Carl Norling, middle, and Pvt. James Newton, right, all with 6th Aviation Regiment, listen as U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Chris L. Kusnierz, left, a machinegunner with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force, explains the features of a M2 .50 caliber machine gun on Camp Rocky in Rockhampton during Talisman Saber 2011. TS11 is a biennial combined training activity designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting Combined Task Force operations to improve Australian Defense Force/U.S. combat readiness and interoperability. It reflects the closeness of the alliance and the strength and flexibility of the ongoing military-military relationship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jerome Reed/Released)
170805-N-KB401-211 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 5, 2017) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) sails through the Atlantic Ocean during exercise Saxon Warrior 2017, Aug. 5. Saxon Warrior is a United States and United Kingdom co- hosted carrier strike group exercise that demonstrates interoperability and capability to respond to crises and deter potential threats. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael B. Zingaro/Released)
Soldiers from 5th Canadian Division along with members of the Royal Canadian Navy conduct infiltration and exfiltration drills by Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) during Exercise Maroon Triumph. Exercise Maroon Triumph is a joint exercise showcasing the interoperability between the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Navy. This exercise was conducted between April 22 and April 24, 2022 at Canadian Forces Base Halifax and 12 Wing Shearwater.
Des militaires de la 5e Division du Canada et des membres de la Marine royale canadienne effectuent des exercices d’infiltration et d’exfiltration à bord d’une embarcation gonflable à coque rigide (RHIB) pendant l’exercice Maroon Triumph. L’exercice Maroon Triumph est un exercice interarmées mettant en valeur l’interopérabilité entre l’Armée canadienne et la Marine royale canadienne. Cet exercice s’est déroulé du 22 au 24 avril 2022 à la Base des Forces canadiennes Halifax et à la 12e Escadre Shearwater.
Photo By: Master Corporal Trevor Matheson, 5th Canadian Division Public Affairs
@DND-MDN Canada Copyright
160612-N-YM856-088 UTO, Sweden (June 12, 2016) U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. Dean Rogers, left, with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines deployed from Camp Lejeune, N.C., discusses grid coordinates with British Royal Marines Commando 2nd Lt. Patrick Locher during the tactical exercise phase of BALTOPS 2016, June 12. BALTOPS is an annual recurring multinational exercise designed to improve interoperability, enhance flexibility, and demonstrate the resolve of allied and partner nations to defend the Baltic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brittney Cannady/Released)
ROCKHAMPTON, Queensland, Australia (July 13, 2011) -- Australian Defence Force Pvt. Peter Noble, far left, Craftsman Carl Norling, middle, and Pvt. James Newton, right, all with 6th Aviation Regiment, listen as U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Chris L. Kusnierz, left, a machinegunner with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force, explains the features of a M2 .50 caliber machine gun on Camp Rocky in Rockhampton during Talisman Saber 2011. TS11 is a biennial combined training activity designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting Combined Task Force operations to improve Australian Defense Force/U.S. combat readiness and interoperability. It reflects the closeness of the alliance and the strength and flexibility of the ongoing military-military relationship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jerome Reed/Released)
James Smerchansky, deputy commander, systems engineering interoperability, architecture and technology, Marine Corps System Command, offers remarks as part of a panel on transitioning small business technology to a program of record during the 2014 Navy Opportunity Forum. The forum is designed to facilitate interaction between small business and members of the acquisition community, lead system integrators, and first and second tier suppliers. (U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams/Released)
SHOALWATER BAY TRAINING AREA, Queensland, Australia (July 10, 2011) – Australian cooks at the Camp Growl dining facility in Shoalwater Bay Training Area form an assembly line to produce “hot packs,” meals-to-go, during Talisman Sabre 2011 July 10, 2011. The Camp Growl dining facility provides meals for approximately 1,500 U.S. and Australian troops. Almost 800 of those meals are sent as hot packs to the field. TS11 is a biennial combined training exercise designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting Combined Task Force operations to improve Australian Defence Force/U.S. combat readiness and interoperability. It reflects the closeness of the alliance and the strength and flexibility of the ongoing military-military relationship. (U.S. Army photo by Specialist Marcus Fichtl/Released)
Col. Mark M. Walter shakes hands with Philippine Air Force trainees at a static display May 10 at Clark Air Field, Philippines during Balikatan 2014. The static display gave the opportunity for members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and their families to get up close and personal with Philippine and U.S. aircraft. Balikatan is an annual training exercise that strengthens the interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military and their commitment to regional security and stability, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Walter is the deputy commander of U.S. Marine Forces Balikatan 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Lena Wakayama/Released)
An AV-8B Harrier lands on the flight deck of the USS Peleliu during daily flight operations as part of PHIBRON Three and 15th MEU’s PHIBRON-MEU Interoperability Training off the coast of southern California, June 1. The purpose of the exercise is to give Marines and sailors the opportunity to become familiar working together as a blue-green team, a must when it comes to flight deck operations.
15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Childers
Date Taken:06.01.2012
Location:CA, US
Read more: www.dvidshub.net/image/593185/blue-green-team-builds-cohe...
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Michael Keller, air crewman, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Rein), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, looks out of a UH-1Y Huey while participating in a close air support mission during exercise Ssang Yong 2014 on April 1, 2014. Exercise Ssang Yong is conducted annually in the Republic of Korea (ROK) to enhance the interoperability of U.S. and ROK forces by performing a full spectrum of amphibious operations while showcasing sea-based power projection in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Katelyn Hunter/Released).
Soldiers of the Hungarian Defense Forces stood watch as Troopers assigned to 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, conducted a deliberate water crossing in their M1126 Stryker Combat Vehicles using a bypass bridging site during Dragoon Crossing, a tactical road march starting out at Rose Barracks, Germany and continuing through the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic ending in Hungary on Sept. 17, 2015. The purpose of the exercise is to reassure NATO Allies of the U.S. intent during Operation Atlantic Resolve while demonstrating interoperability and freedom of movement throughout Eastern Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William A. Tanner/released)
Soldiers from the Hungarian Defense Forces test a temporary bypass bridge built to cross over the Danube River using one of their tracked vehicles during Dragoon Crossing, a tactical road march conducted by Troopers assigned to 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, starting out at Rose Barracks, Germany and continuing through the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic ending in Hungary on Sept. 17, 2015. The purpose of the exercise is to reassure NATO Allies of the U.S. intent during Operation Atlantic Resolve while demonstrating interoperability and freedom of movement throughout Eastern Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William A. Tanner/released)
Troopers from the 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment and German National Guard Soldiers from the Regional Security and Support Company, Saxony conduct interoperability training on Range 11 in Oberlausitz, Germany June 2, 2016. This training was conducted during 2nd Cavalry Regiments "Dragoon Ride 2016" which focuses on acknowledging and strengthening the relationship between the United States and its NATO allies.(Photos by U.S. Army Spc. Sarah-Jane Guest)
MUANG KOM, Kingdom of Thailand – A Royal Thai Marine holds an assault position with fellow Royal Thai Marines and U.S. Marines during a bilateral combined arms live fire exercise Feb. 15 during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. The training provided the opportunity for the Royal Thai and U.S. to implement techniques and procedures learned throughout the week including maneuvering under fire conducting small arms, artillery and machine gun fire. Cobra Gold is an annual Royal Thai and U.S. co-hosted multinational exercise designed to advance security throughout the Asia-Pacific region and increase interoperability with participating nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ronald K. Peacock/Released)
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mark M. Walter, left, deputy commander, U.S. Marine Forces Balikatan 2014, discusses the setup of the ammunition supply point with U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. David S. Wright, right, the noncommissioned officer in charge for the ammunition supply point, May 3, 2014 in Crow Valley, Philippines. Walter visited the base camp where Balikatan 2014 will hold part of its field training exercise with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Balikatan is an annual training exercise that strengthens the interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military in their commitment to regional security and stability, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Wright is assigned to 3rd Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joey S. Holeman, Jr./Released)
U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to Special Operations Command Europe, board a U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft during a combined U.S. and German monthly airborne jump, at Stuttgart Army Airfield, March 11, 2020. Monthly jumps at SOCEUR are designed to assess the readiness of paratroopers, maintain currency and to promote interoperability with participating allies and partner nations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort)
Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force point out targets while training with U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 7, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is an amphibious exercise that brings together Marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, other I Marine Expeditionary Force units, and soldiers from the JGSDF, to promote military interoperability and hone individual and small-unit skills through challenging, complex and realistic training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anna K. Albrecht/Released)
Philippine Marines assigned to 311th Marine Company, 11th Marine Battalion, pose for a photo during Balikatan 2014 prior to performing squad level exercises with their U.S. Marine Corps counterparts May 9, 2014, at Crow Valley, Philippines. Balikatan is an annual training exercise that strengthens the interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military in their commitment to regional security and stability, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joey S. Holeman, Jr./Released)
Troopers from the 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment and German National Guard Soldiers from the Regional Security and Support Company, Saxony conduct interoperability training on Range 11 in Oberlausitz, Germany June 2, 2016. This training was conducted during 2nd Cavalry Regiments "Dragoon Ride 2016" which focuses on acknowledging and strengthening the relationship between the United States and its NATO allies.(Photos by U.S. Army Spc. Sarah-Jane Guest)
MUANG KOM, Kingdom of Thailand – A U.S. Marine utilizes his Rifle Combat Optic (RCO) with fellow U.S. Marines and Royal Thai Marine counterparts during a bilateral combined arms live fire exercise Feb. 15 during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. The training provided the opportunity for the Royal Thai and U.S. to implement techniques and procedures learned throughout the week including maneuvering under fire and conducting small arms, artillery and machine gun fire. Cobra Gold is an annual Royal Thai and U.S. co-hosted multinational exercise designed to advance security throughout the Asia-Pacific region and increase interoperability with participating nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ronald K. Peacock/Released)
U.S. Soldiers with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment react to contact during an assault in an urban environment at the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command's Distinguished Visitors Day for Exercise Allied Spirit IV at Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, Jan. 27, 2016. The Allied Spirit IV Exercise focuses on unified land operations and enhancing fires interoperability and integration of NATO Allies. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Nathanael Mercado/ Released)
U.S. Army Africa photo by David Ruderman
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) hosted its second annual C4ISR Senior Leaders Conference Feb. 2-4 at Caserma Ederle, headquarters of U.S. Army Africa, in Vicenza, Italy.
The communications and intelligence community event, hosted by Brig. Gen. Robert Ferrell, AFRICOM C4 director, drew approximately 80 senior leaders from diverse U.S. military and government branches and agencies, as well as representatives of African nations and the African Union.
The conference is a combination of our U.S. AFRICOM C4 systems and intel directorate,” said Ferrell. “We come together annually to bring the team together to work on common goals to work on throughout the year. The team consists of our coalition partners as well as our inter-agency partners, as well as our components and U.S. AFRICOM staff.”
The conference focused on updates from participants, and on assessing the present state and goals of coalition partners in Africa, he said.
“The theme for our conference is ‘Delivering Capabilities to a Joint Information Environment,’ and we see it as a joint and combined team ... working together, side by side, to promote peace and stability there on the African continent,” Ferrell said.
Three goals of this year’s conference were to strengthen the team, assess priorities across the board, and get a better fix on the impact that the establishment of the U.S. Cyber Command will have on all members’ efforts in the future, he said.
“With the stand-up of U.S. Cyber Command, it brings a lot of unique challenges that we as a team need to talk through to ensure that our information is protected at all times,” Ferrell said.
African Union (AU) representatives from four broad geographic regions of Africa attended, which generated a holistic perspective on needs and requirements from across the continent, he said.
“We have members from the African Union headquarters that is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; we have members that are from Uganda; from Zambia; from Ghana; and also from the Congo. What are the gaps, what are the things that we kind of need to assist with as we move forward on our engagements on the African continent?” Ferrell said.
U.S. Army Africa Commander, Maj. Gen. David R. Hogg, welcomed participants as the conference got under way.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be the host for this conference, and we hope that this week you get a whole lot out of it,” said Hogg.
He took the opportunity to address the participants not only as their host, but from the perspective of a customer whose missions depend on the results of their efforts to support commanders in the field.
“When we’re talking about this group of folks that are here — from the joint side, from our African partners, from State, all those folks — it’s about partnership and interoperability. And every commander who’s ever had to fight in a combined environment understands that interoperability is the thing that absolutely slaps you upside the head,” Hogg said.
“We’re in the early stages of the process here of working with the African Union and the other partners, and you have an opportunity to design this from the end state, versus just building a bunch of ‘gunkulators.’ And so, the message is: think about what the end state is supposed to look like and construct the strategy to support the end state.
“Look at where we want to be at and design it that way,” Hogg said.
He also admonished participants to consider the second- and third-order effects of their choices in designing networks.
“With that said, over the next four days, I hope this conference works very well for you. If there’s anything we can do to make your stay better, please let us know,” Hogg said.
Over the following three days, participants engaged in a steady stream of briefings and presentations focused on systems, missions and updates from the field.
Col. Joseph W. Angyal, director of U.S. Army Africa G-6, gave an overview of operations and issues that focused on fundamentals, the emergence of regional accords as a way forward, and the evolution of a joint network enterprise that would serve all interested parties.
“What we’re trying to do is to work regionally. That’s frankly a challenge, but as we stand up the capability, really for the U.S. government, and work through that, we hope to become more regionally focused,” he said.
He referred to Africa Endeavor, an annual, multi-nation communications exercise, as a test bed for the current state of affairs on the continent, and an aid in itself to future development.
“In order to conduct those exercises, to conduct those security and cooperation events, and to meet contingency missions, we really, from the C4ISR perspective, have five big challenges,” Angyal said.
“You heard General Hogg this morning talk about ‘think about the customer’ — you’ve got to allow me to be able to get access to our data; I’ve got to be able to get to the data where and when I need it; you’ve got to be able to protect it; I have to be able to share it; and then finally, the systems have to be able to work together in order to build that coalition.
“One of the reasons General Ferrell is setting up this joint information enterprise, this joint network enterprise . . . it’s almost like trying to bring together disparate companies or corporations: everyone has their own system, they’ve paid for their own infrastructure, and they have their own policy, even though they support the same major company.
“Now multiply that when you bring in different services, multiply that when you bring in different U.S. government agencies, and then put a layer on top of that with the international partners, and there are lots of policies that are standing in our way.”
The main issue is not a question of technology, he said.
“The boxes are the same — a Cisco router is a Cisco router; Microsoft Exchange server is the same all over the world — but it’s the way that we employ them, and it’s the policies that we apply to it, that really stops us from interoperating, and that’s the challenge we hope to work through with the joint network enterprise.
“And I think that through things like Africa Endeavor and through the joint enterprise network, we’re looking at knocking down some of those policy walls, but at the end of the day they are ours to knock down. Bill Gates did not design a system to work only for the Army or for the Navy — it works for everyone,” Angyal said.
Brig. Gen. Joseph Searyoh, director general of Defense Information Communication Systems, General Headquarters, Ghana Armed Forces, agreed that coordinating policy is fundamental to improving communications with all its implications for a host of operations and missions.
“One would expect that in these modern times there is some kind of mutual engagement, and to build that engagement to be strong, there must be some kind of element of trust. … We have to build some kind of trust to be able to move forward,” said Searyoh.
“Some people may be living in silos of the past, but in the current engagement we need to tell people that we are there with no hidden agenda, no negative hidden agenda, but for the common good of all of us.
“We say that we are in the information age, and I’ve been saying something: that our response should not be optional, but it must be a must, because if you don’t join now, you are going to be left behind.
“So what do we do? We have to get our house in order.
“Why do I say so? We used to operate like this before the information age; now in the information age, how do we operate?
“So, we have to get our house in order and see whether we are aligning ourselves with way things should work now. So, our challenge is to come up with a strategy, see how best we can reorganize our structures, to be able to deliver communications-information systems support for the Ghana Armed Forces,” he said.
Searyoh related that his organization has already accomplished one part of erecting the necessary foundation by establishing an appropriate policy structure.
“What is required now is the implementing level. Currently we have communications on one side, and computers on one side. The lines are blurred — you cannot operate like that, you’ve got to bring them together,” he said.
Building that merged entity to support deployed forces is what he sees as the primary challenge at present.
“Once you get that done you can talk about equipment, you can talk about resources,” Searyoh said. “I look at the current collaboration between the U.S. and the coalition partners taking a new level.”
“The immediate challenges that we have is the interoperability, which I think is one of the things we are also discussing here, interoperability and integration,” said Lt. Col. Kelvin Silomba, African Union-Zambia, Information Technology expert for the Africa Stand-by Force.
“You know that we’ve got five regions in Africa. All these regions, we need to integrate them and bring them together, so the challenge of interoperability in terms of equipment, you know, different tactical equipment that we use, and also in terms of the language barrier — you know, all these regions in Africa you find that they speak different languages — so to bring them together we need to come up with one standard that will make everybody on board and make everybody able to talk to each other,” he said.
“So we have all these challenges. Other than that also, stemming from the background of these African countries, based on the colonization: some of them were French colonized, some of them were British colonized and so on, so you find that when they come up now we’ve adopted some of the procedures based on our former colonial masters, so that is another challenge that is coming on board.”
The partnership with brother African states, with the U.S. government and its military branches, and with other interested collaborators has had a positive influence, said Silomba.
“Oh, it’s great. From the time that I got engaged with U.S. AFRICOM — I started with Africa Endeavor, before I even came to the AU — it is my experience that it is something very, very good.
“I would encourage — I know that there are some member states — I would encourage that all those member states they come on board, all of these regional organizations, that they come on board and support the AFRICOM lead. It is something that is very, very good.
“As for example, the African Union has a lot of support that’s been coming in, technical as well as in terms of knowledge and equipment. So it’s great; it’s good and it’s great,” said Salimba.
Other participant responses to the conference were positive as well.
“The feedback I’ve gotten from every member is that they now know what the red carpet treatment looks like, because USARAF has gone over and above board to make sure the environment, the atmosphere and the actual engagements … are executed to perfection,” said Ferrell. “It’s been very good from a team-building aspect.
“We’ve had very good discussions from members of the African Union, who gave us a very good understanding of the operations that are taking place in the area of Somalia, the challenges with communications, and laid out the gaps and desires of where they see that the U.S. and other coalition partners can kind of improve the capacity there in that area of responsibility.
“We also talked about the AU, as they are expanding their reach to all of the five regions, of how can they have that interoperability and connectivity to each of the regions,” Ferrell said.
“(It’s been) a wealth of knowledge and experts that are here to share in terms of how we can move forward with building capacities and capabilities. Not only for U.S. interests, but more importantly from my perspective, in building capacities and capabilities for our African partners beginning with the Commission at the African Union itself,” said Kevin Warthon, U.S. State Department, peace and security adviser to the African Union.
“I think that General Ferrell has done an absolutely wonderful thing by inviting key African partners to participate in this event so they can share their personal experience from a national, regional and continental perspective,” he said.
Warthon related from his personal experience a vignette of African trust in Providence that he believed carries a pertinent metaphor and message to everyone attending the conference.
“We are not sure what we are going to do tomorrow, but the one thing that I am sure of is that we are able to do something. Don’t know when, don’t know how, but as long as our focus is on our ability to assist and to help to progress a people, that’s really what counts more than anything else,” he said.
“Don’t worry about the timetable; just focus on your ability to make a difference and that’s what that really is all about.
“I see venues such as this as opportunities to make what seems to be the impossible become possible. … This is what this kind of venue does for our African partners.
“We’re doing a wonderful job at building relationships, because that’s where it begins — we have to build relationships to establish trust. That’s why this is so important: building trust through relationships so that we can move forward in the future,” Warthon said.
Conference members took a cultural tour of Venice and visited a traditional winery in the hills above Vicenza before adjourning.
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