Photo By OR-5 Mark Doran | Lance Cpl. Emily Goeman of the Combined Team Uruzgan Geospatial Intelligence Cell...... read more read more
TARIN KOT, Afghanistan - Australian Army geospatial technicians in Tarin Kot are responsible for the collection, analysis and dissemination of geospatial intelligence for Combined Team Uruzgan (CTU).
“We do more than just make maps – modern software lets us analyze and display geospatial information in new and evolving ways in order to provide intelligence and planning support needed for mission success.”
This is how Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Pat Austine, Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Supervisor CTU, describes the role of his team at Multi National Base – Tarin Kot.
GEOINT is intelligence derived from the exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial information about features and events, with reference to space and time.
The three Australian Army Geospatial Technicians in Tarin Kot are responsible for the collection, analysis and dissemination of geospatial intelligence for Combined Team Uruzgan (CTU).
WO2 Austine, said data sources for GEOINT include commercially available imagery collected by satellites and aircraft, existing mapping data and databases and can also include information collected by the soldiers on the ground.
“We supply the most accurate and up to date maps we can so the CTU commander and his staff, in particular those venturing outside the wire, can complete their missions successfully,” he said.
“Most of the software we use is off the shelf, such as ArcMap, which is an ESRI geospatial processing program used worldwide to view, edit, create, and analyse geospatial data.
“I have a young team of two technicians on this deployment, whose training at the School of Military Engineering has definitely provided them with the skills required for this challenging environment.
“They have good computer skills and are proficient with the software applications we use on our high-end workstations, servers and printing systems.”
Products and services provided by the GEOINT cell to support CTU include route studies, line-of-sight/threat analysis, geospatial data and mapping products which are customized to suit the end-user.
One of the basic analysis maps produced by GEOINT is called a line-of-sight or viewshed product which shows what is visible at different heights from different vantages points.
These maps inform planning for overwatch positions and can be adapted to analyze radio transmission and reception ranges.
WO2 Austine said there was a high operational tempo and significant workload in supporting the deployed forces in Uruzgan.
“Our reach-back capability to Australia includes the 1st Topographical Survey Squadron and the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation and is utilized to supplement our production capabilities,” he said.
“I deployed with Reconstruction Task Force One in 2006, which pioneered Australia’s reconstruction mission, so it is a highlight to be in Tarin Kot again as we end our mission in Uruzgan.
“It has been worthwhile to work with a good crew as well as our coalition partners and other elements of the ADF.”
| Date Taken: | 07.16.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.23.2013 08:44 |
| Story ID: | 110634 |
| Location: | TARIN KOWT, AF |
| Web Views: | 659 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Combined Team Uruzgan’s Geospatial Intelligence Team, by OR-5 Mark Doran, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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