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CAMP HANSEN, Japan – Command and control systems have become a way of life for the Marine Corps, and the Marine Corps Systems Command is ensuring Marines know how to get the most out of them.
Command and control systems are computer and network systems that allow fast and reliable information gathering and dissemination, both in garrison and on the battlefield.
For the Marine Corps to effectively use the systems, the Marine Corps Systems Command developed Marine Air Ground Task Force Integrated Systems Training Centers to provide command and control operator training for each MEF and Expeditionary Warfare School.
The III MEF MISTC, located on Camp Hansen, provides training to personnel with III MEF and its subordinate units, which includes units on Okinawa, Iwakuni, Hawaii and Korea. The training provided is some of the most important training in the Marine Corps because command and control systems are what help win wars, said Chad Hartman, director of III MEF MISTC.
The III MEF MISTC provides Marines several ways to receive their training. They provide training at the center, but they also provide on-site training during small unit exercises and large command level exercises on a case-by-case basis, Hartman said. They also have mobile training teams to provide the same training to Marines stationed outside of Okinawa.
The III MEF MISTC provides 13 courses dealing with command and control systems.
System operator courses include Command and Control Personal Computer, Blue Force Tracker, Blue Force Tracker Unit Level Maintenance, Joint Automated Deep Operations Coordination System, Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems, Biometric Automated Toolset and SharePoint End User.
Each course serves its own purpose in providing Marines with better battlefield situational awareness specific to the command and control system it is designed for, Hartman said.
For example, Marines use AFTADS to assist them with artillery fire support and fire direction. The JADOCS provides Marines with tools to provide ground and air information, improve joint operability and better situational awareness across the military decision-making process; and SharePoint provides Marines with a way to store information available to all necessary personnel.
The systems are vital to the mission and are excellent tools, according to III MEF Marines that attended the AFTADS Course Feb. 8.
"As a field artillery fire control man, AFTADS is excellent because once it is set up and the information is inputted, it can do all the work for you," said Cpl. Nolan Sullivan with Headquarters Battery, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. "It allows us to see enemy forces, friendly forces and whatever other information is relayed back to us so we can accurately coordinate and process artillery, air support and naval gun fire missions."
Advanced courses for staff non-commissioned officers and officers and are also provided by MISTC. Courses include Regimental and Below Combat Operations Center Watch Officer and Watch Chief, Commanders' Command and Control Systems Overview, Intelligence Operations Server Version 1 Common Operational Picture Manager Course and Joint Automated Deep Operations Cooperation Systems System Administrator.
"All the advanced courses are just as important as the operator courses because without Marines in these positions, the entire operation and purpose of command and control systems would not operate proficiently," Hartman said.
| Date Taken: | 02.22.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 02.23.2008 05:20 |
| Story ID: | 16625 |
| Location: | CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 969 |
| Downloads: | 26 |
This work, III Marine Expeditionary Force provides command and control systems training for Okinawa Marines, by LCpl Daniel Todd, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
