Signals Intelligence in Full Spectrum Operations "Outside the Wire? What Wire?''

Introduction

The tactical Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) missions and resultant observations from the 3/82 ABN full spectrum operations (FSO) rotation in October 2010 at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) were considerably different from our "normal" counterinsurgency (COIN) centric mission rehearsal exercises (MRE) missions and observations. The three major lessons learned were:

* There is a lack of a comprehensive SIGINT Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB).

* There is too much focus on "sophisticated" communication methods.

* There is a lack of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) to use SIGINT collection systems tactically.

COIN is but a small part of FSO, it is nonetheless driving how the Army is currently training SIGINT Soldiers.

There are three underlying reasons why FSO has become a lower SIGINT training priority over the last 10 years. The first major challenge involves live environment training and the Relief in Place /Transfer of Authority (RIP/TOA) process. Units focus their SIGINT platoon entirely on their future battle space where the SIGINT operational environment (OE) is fully matured. Also, traditional SIGINT IPB is not taught as part of the larger Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) . The second challenge is that units experience a large personnel turnover in the tactical SIGINT platoon and do not set priorities for home station training focusing on traditional FSO requirements. As a result, units default to their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan and train accordingly. This focus on the CENTCOM mature theater eliminates the training on much of the SIGINT spectrum necessary for FSO.

The final challenge is time (operational tempo). Leaders do not have time to prioritize the necessary SIGINT training for FSO. Time between deployments is limited and focused on their future battlespace. SIGINT platoons do not train on maneuvering and employing tactical SIGINT assets and focus instead on their next deployment. 3/82 ABN experienced all of these challenges before their rotation and experienced the effects of these challenges during their FSO rotation.

OE Tunnel Vision

In the current COIN operational environment, traditional IPB is deemed unnecessary as units RIP and "fall in on" a mature SIGINT enterprise. Tactical SIGINT platoons deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq commonly do not complete an IPB of the SIGINT environment; relying instead on products already developed by the outgoing...