 Joint Interoperability Division helps training take flight
U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Ft. Mcpherson, Ga.-based Joint Interoperability Division recently sent mobile training teams to Korea and Germany to deliver courses aimed to teach and better equip the joint warfighter in current capabilities and how to manage information to support real world operations.
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By MC2 (AW) Nikki Carter
USJFCOM Public Affairs
(FT. MCPHERSON, Ga. – April 8, 2008) -– U.S. Joint Forces Command’s (USJFCOM) Joint Interoperability Division (JID), based here, has recently taken its interoperability training on joint information management and exchange to Korea and Germany.
Teaching the intricacies of the month-long Joint Interface Control Officer (JICO) course in Korea came in tandem with Foal Eagle, an exercise designed to demonstrate the ability of the Republic of Korea and the United States militaries to work together, according to JICO instructor Army Lt. Col. Kyle Kolthoff.
Kolthoff said all JICO courses are taught in conjunction with a major joint exercise.
“By combining the class and the exercise we provide a real world perspective to the students,” Kolthoff said. “This mixing of training provides the opportunity for the students to experience link establishment and operations in a very real but controlled environment.”
Kolthoff explained JICOs plan and manage timely and accurate information flow among the various sensors, shooters and decision makers, according to the instructor.
“The JICO is responsible for the accuracy of the information, the timeliness of delivery and is charged with designing and monitoring the architecture to ensure delivery to each key user,” Kolthoff said. “Each of our services in the past has followed their own interpretation of the joint standards for data link procurement and implementation. The differences in the legacy systems will have to be managed with tactics, techniques and procedures for the foreseeable future. This standardization of training across the services enhances warfighter capabilities and effectiveness.”
Kolthoff said only 321 specialists in the U.S. armed forces have received JICO training. He said the joint warfighter requires specific information from critical nodes throughout the theater of operations. This information exchange requirement gives the JICOs a domain they have used in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq
According to Kolthoff, JICOs deployed for the first time to support commanders in 2001. “This small team of specialist value was quickly recognized and moved into Afghanistan as soon as the airfield in Kandahar was cleared to land a C-130” he said
This "trial by fire" in Afghanistan resulted in these small JICO teams deploying in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
For the students, these real-world efforts have informed and improved the training of what JICOs have to do on a daily operational basis.
“I have a better appreciation for the details required to coordinate a common tactical picture,” JICO course student Air Force Maj. Blake Richardson said following the training.
“The hands on equipment training provided is imperative to joint integration in the theater,” JICO student, Army Warrant Officer Dennis Clayton said.
The training in Korean comes on the heels of a recently deployed JID Mobile Training Team (MTT) to Stuttgart, Germany to train the joint warfighter on Link 16 and Multi-Tactical Data Link (TDL) capabilities.
Course instructor Air Force Master Sgt. Pierre Brown said Link 16 provides a jam-resistant, spread-spectrum, secure communications, identification and navigation system for automatic data and voice links among air, sea and ground tactical forces in real time.
During the training, each participant receives data on the overall tactical situation, which is compiled from position location, tactical air navigation and target acquisition data generated by the platform and one or more other linked platforms.
“These courses allow the warfighter from each of the services to become interoperable with their sister service counterparts. By working together in classroom lab exercises and problem solving laboratories, they gain a keen understanding of how each service operates in a tactical data link context,” Brown said. “They use the knowledge and experience gained in these classes to enable their units to become more interoperable with the joint community across the spectrum of military operations — everything from peacekeeping and disaster relief to full combat.”
The Link 16 Joint Interoperability Course, Brown said, sets a baseline on how to use Link 16 capabilities specifically and how they apply out in the field. The course is designed to put all joint warfighters on one level with one another across the armed forces.
Brown explained that the Multi-TDL Advanced Joint Interoperability Course (MAJIC) is a foundational interoperability training course, providing knowledge of multi-tactical data link operations and hands-on planning.
“The Joint Interoperability Division continuously updates the courseware to keep in line with current and emerging technology and tactics, techniques and procedures in the field,” Brown said.
Brown said there are a variety of interactive student experiences throughout the courses.
“I receive calls from our students all the time, some are expressing their thanks and other just have questions about the JMTS next class offerings,” said Brown.
“I’m very thankful that I was selected to be an instructor here at the Joint Interoperability Division, because we are here to support the joint warfighter and I love the impact our training is making within the joint community.”
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