An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 15 Force Commander's rapid decision-making process in determin- ing the location of future NAIs and their possible development into TAIs (target areas of interest). Overall, the Defence Forces' participation in Joint Action 14 proved remarkably beneficial to all elements of the ISTAR TF. The expeditionary logistical deployment of the Irish personnel and their equipment, which consisted of 20 containers and over 50 ve- hicles, including APCs, MRVs, LTAVs, and a multitude of logistical vehicles, from Collins Barracks, Cork, to Hägshult Airbase, Swe- den, was in itself an impressive feat of planning and organisation by ISTAR TF logistic personnel in conjunction with J4 personnel from DFHQ. As well as testing the logistic capabilities of the DF, the ISTAR TF is adding to the DF's capability development through the IT infrastructure it has developed. This includes utilising a virtual private network (VPN) to send encrypted data, in particular photos and video, from mounted and dismounted sensor teams on the ground to the ISTAR TF HQ and on to the BG HQ in NRT, thus facilitating a common opera- tion picture (COP) across the ISTAR TF and Battle- Group HQ. In addition to this new capabil- ity development, the ISTAR TF has taken the SITAWARE command-and- control software and sig- nificantly developed and enhanced its capabilities. Both of these develop- ments have been tested in Ireland and Sweden and have worked flawlessly. (These new capability developments have appli- cability to other DF areas, particularly overseas missions, and will be the subject of a capability development paper to GOC 1 Bde.) Joint Action 14 saw the staff officers and NCOs of the ISTAR TF HQ rigorously exercised and tested 24/7 over the 12 days. This involved dealing with a variety of multinational combat units, combat support units and an expeditionary air wing, which re- sponded to the intelligence outputs produced by the ISTAR TF. Taskings included ensuring all ISTAR information collected was streamlined to the appropriate cells for analysis; ensuring 9-liner medevac reports received resulted in the air assets getting to the casualty immediately; ensuring personal recovery procedures were implemented correctly and tasking the QRF Latvian Infantry Coy to provide support; analysing reports submitted by ISTAR EW assets, whose sensors picked up encrypted adversary commu- nications, and processing this into actionable intelligence; and, crucially, providing logistical support to all ISTAR TF multinational assets located inside a high-threat environment. It is important to mention that although the Irish ISTAR TF was one of the smallest in number for this exercise, it was approached by larger nations for assistance relating to logistical, CIS and op- erational matters. This was best reflected when the NBG Comd, Col Larsson, requested Lt Col Carey to host the final planning brief inside the Irish ISTAR TF HQ for the purpose of developing the plan of action for a combined- arms offen- sive assault (involving 1,200 soldiers) on the adversary forces (terrorist training camp and an organ- ised criminal organisation supply camp). This allowed the ISTAR TF to utilise not only its ability to produce live feed from the target site but also to provide NRT target packages, in digital format, on the opposition force, utilising the SITA- WARE system. This system was further developed by the ISTAR TF during its training period and fully utilised in Sweden, allowing the TF to operate in a digital environment as opposed to the old paper one. ISTAR TF staff briefed other commanders involved in the opera- tion on the most current intelligence picture, which included live footage of the TAIs from covert ISTAR Coy sensors operating in freezing conditions on the snow-covered ground. The final assault was very impressive, as Swedish artillery and an infantry battal- ion, using Leopard 2 MBTs, broke through the defensive positions of the adversary forces with ISTAR Coy conducting continuous information gathering operations throughout. In addition, elements of ISTAR Recce Coy deployed their Javelin missiles to take out an armoured threat that was identified mo- ments prior to the Swedish battalion's attack. During DV (distinguished visitors) day at the end of the exer- cise, ISTAR TF was visited by Minister of State at the Department of Defence Mr Paul Kehoe TD, D COS Ops, GOC 1 Bde, D Ops/ Plans and a number of DoD officials, who expressed themselves extremely satisfied with the performance of the ISTAR TF, its professionalism, and its technical ability. Nordic Battle-Group 15 is now on standby for any EU-designat- ed missions until 30 June 2015. The ISTAR TF is on five days' notice to have its equipment and vehicles ready and all personnel are on four days' notice to report to barracks, and to be ready to deploy within 20 days. During the standby period the ISTAR TF will continue to run courses for its own personnel and also 1 Bde. In addition, two major exercises are planned for the TF in March and June, both of 12/14 days' duration in order to keep up the skills developed during training in 2014. It is expected that the NBG FC will visit the final exercise in June to thank Irish personnel for their valued contribution. ISTAR MRV Troops Model in detail of 'Nobok' terrorist training camp. Latvian QRF Troops ISTAR Coy covert sensors monitoring adversary forces.

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