FORT BRAGG, N.C. - As part of the Military Information Support Command's ongoing military-to-military relationship building efforts, the 4th Military Information Support Group (Airborne) hosted a delegation from the Special Operations Command – Central (SOCCENT) and the Kazakhstani Ministry of Defense Psychological Operations (PSYOP) forces at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Four members from the Kazakhstani PSYOP unit, along with two representatives from SOCCENT, visited the 4th MISG (A) April 7-13, 2013. The purpose of the visit was to introduce the Kazakhstani's to U.S. Military Information Support Operations capabilities as well as to discuss future training opportunities.
This event and future MISO training are being conducted in conjunction with the Warsaw Initiative Fund Program.
The Warsaw Initiative Fund is a bilateral U.S. security cooperation program that provides support to developing countries that are members of the NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP) program.
WIF is the primary tool the Department of Defense uses to advance defense reform and institutions building in PfP partner countries, improve the interoperability of partner countries with U.S. and NATO, and promote partner country integration and accession to NATO.
Program activities are conducted in accordance with regional- and country-specific priorities established by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, U.S. European Command, and U.S. Central Command.
Within the Kazakhstani military, PSYOP forces and capabilities are relatively new, with the first unit being formed less than two years ago, under the direction of the minister of defense.
Members from SOCCENT and the 4th MISG (A) conducted the first information exchange event to Kazakhstan in January 2013, during which current Kazakhstani PSYOP capabilities and force structure were discussed.
Follow-on exchange events were then scheduled to continue the information sharing as well as to strengthen relationships between our two countries.
Future training events have tentatively been scheduled to occur in early 2015 with the focus on the continued capacity and capability building.
Opportunities like these represent unique opportunities for both U.S. and partner nation special operations forces to exchange information and ideas, as well as develop a deeper cultural understanding.
Furthermore, military-to-military events, such as these, are critical components of the relationship building between nations that aid in the understanding and interoperability of both U.S. and partner nation SOF elements.
Even though the Kazakhstani PSYOP forces are in the nascent stages of development, being able to provide recommendations as well as training for to this unit are both honors and privileges that we are humbled to be a part of.
The 4th MISG (A) looks forward to continuing and expanding our relationship and interaction with our fellow influence practitioners.