Courtesy Photo | Members of the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command's Joint Public Affairs Support...... read more read more
NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. – For the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, 2013 was a year marked by numerous operational accomplishments and steady advancement of training and readiness programs. The JECC celebrated its fifth anniversary in October and as the command began to really find its stride; the lessons learned over the past five years continued to influence and shape the JECC’s mission and capabilities.
While the JECC’s operational tempo steadily increased throughout 2013, the following article highlights a few of the command’s most notable deployments, training opportunities and events over the past year.
JECC support to real-world operations
In 2013, each of the JECC’s subordinate joint commands – the Joint Planning Support Element, the Joint Communications Support Element and the Joint Public Affairs Support Element – deployed on multiple occasions for various real-world operations and missions across the globe. From emerging contingencies to humanitarian assistance/disaster relief missions, the JECC provided critical capabilities across the full spectrum of joint operations.
The year opened with a significant mission in January, as U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) requested capabilities from JPSE, JPASE and JCSE to fill operational planning, public affairs and communications gaps during Operation Juniper Micron, the Department of Defense’s named operation to support French combat operations in Mali.
The JECC provided joint expertise at both the strategic and operational levels with some members assisting USAFRICOM headquarters while others were forward deployed to integrate with component commands. A team of JPASE and JCSE members deployed to Istres Air Base, France, where they supported the Air Forces Africa Public Affairs Office by conducting initial joint public affairs requirements. The JCSE team was also on-site at Istres Air Base to provide direct communications support to the JPASE team. Additionally, some JPSE members re-located to Vicenza, Italy to provide joint planning assistance to U.S. Army Africa as they stood up Task Force Juniper Micron.
The JECC’s joint planning and public affairs expertise combined with the USAFRICOM staff’s understanding of their area of operations proved to be a good blend right from the start. Since the JECC personnel were already familiar with the planning efforts at the theater-strategic level, when the teams moved forward, they were able to provide recommendations and insight which accelerated execution at the operational-level.
The JECC also responded to an urgent HA/DR requirement in U.S. Pacific Command’s (USPACOM) AOR following Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda which caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure in the Philippines in mid-November. A total of 12 members from JPSE, JCSE and JPASE provided capabilities to USPACOM headquarters and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC) to support Operation Damayan – the Philippines humanitarian relief mission.
A team of four JPSE knowledge management experts assisted USPACOM headquarters in developing a battle rhythm and synchronizing efforts of component and forward deployed commands while six JPASE members assisted MARFORPAC on the ground in the Philippines providing media relations and information products on relief efforts. Two JCSE personnel were also on hand to provide a dedicated communications capability to JPASE so that the team could effectively operate in the austere environment.
The JECC’s collective joint expertise was particularly valuable to Operation Dayaman, which included participation from multiple Service branches, coalition partners and non-governmental organizations. The JECC has extensive experience collaborating with mission partners and ensured the integrated employment of various capabilities across the operational environment.
Training to enhance expertise and readiness
With a mission which requires the JECC to deploy at a moment’s notice anywhere on the globe, the command must continually train and prepare for the unexpected. In 2013, the JECC further enhanced its training program via participation in priority combatant command exercises and continued improvement to the command’s Mission Readiness Exercise (MRX) program.
Some CCMD exercises, like USPACOM’s Exercise Talisman Saber 13 (TS13), which took place July 15 – Aug. 5, also offered opportunities to demonstrate the versatility of the JECC’s capabilities. More than 30 JECC members were dispersed among various sites in the U.S. and Australia supporting the various facets of TS13 including two unique locations; afloat on USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) and en route aboard a C-17.
Particularly noteworthy were those JPSE and JPASE personnel who were integrated with Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet and members of the Australian Defence Force aboard USS Blue Ridge. TS13 offered an ideal environment to practice and employ JPSE and JPASE’s core skill sets. From leading and participating in Operational Planning Teams to developing public affairs guidance and preparing senior leaders for media engagements; the JPSE and JPASE members employed their full range of capabilities.
JCSE also demonstrated their unique skill sets including capabilities both in the air and on the ground. JCSE first provided en route communications aboard a C-17 allowing senior officers in the air to communicate directly with leadership on the ground throughout the duration of the flight. The JCSE team then parachuted into Australia with two small communications packages, to provide classified network connectivity and communications support for exercise participants on the ground.
TS13’s complex scenario, which included numerous training objectives designed to test the multilateral collaboration of U.S. and Australian forces, illustrated not only the JECC’s flexibility but the command’s ability to employ its versatile capabilities across multiple mission sets. By maximizing training and exercise opportunities in 2013, the JECC increased the level of global awareness members can deliver to the joint force commander.
Internally, the JECC continued to use its quarterly MRX program to validate the employment readiness of personnel assigned to the Ready JECC Package - an alert-postured force consisting of members from JPSE, JCSE and JPASE. Each MRX in 2013 included a tailored scenario with an accompanying set of objectives designed to test specific skill sets of each JECC subordinate joint command with the priority being the ability of its members to rapidly deploy and integrate within a joint force headquarters.
The JECC worked diligently to devise scenarios which would challenge participants while also providing relevant and timely problem sets. With the completion of each MRX; the JECC was able to ensure that an experienced and proficient team was standing ready to respond.
The JECC’s enhanced training requirements along with regular participation in the CJCS exercises and MRXs ensured that all JECC personnel maintained the highest standards of professional knowledge and experience. As the JECC looks to future challenges, the command’s multi-faceted training program will continue to posture the command for success.
New perspectives for the future
In September, the JECC welcomed U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Bret C. Batchelder, as its new commander in a ceremony aboard Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Batchelder brought a wealth of knowledge and experience from his extensive naval aviation career and offered a new outlook on the execution of the JECC’s important mission. With Batchelder in command, the JECC continued to search for new and innovative ways to better support the joint warfighter and adapt to the ever-changing operational environment.
Moving forward, the JECC’s continued participation in real-world deployments and CCMD exercises will offer an opportunity to hone skills and integrate across all elements to ensure the command remains agile, flexible and rapidly deployable. The JECC will strive to remain well-postured to meet requirements and continue to demonstrate an enduring value to the joint force commander in 2014 and beyond.
| Date Taken: | 01.10.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 01.10.2014 14:59 |
| Story ID: | 119030 |
| Location: | NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 80 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Looking Back: The JECC year in review 2013, by Whitney Katz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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