Operation Enduring Freedom 12Command & Control Architecture

Colonel Roger D. Standfield

Assistant Chief of Staff G-6

14 August 2013

Orientation

Helmand ProvinceCapital: Lashkar GahTotal Area: 58,584 km2 (22,619 sq mi)Population: 1.4 million (in 2010)Districts: 14Languages: Pashto & Dari

~75% of world’s opium production.

Camp Leatherneck & BastionTotal Area: 6.47 km2 (2.5 sq mi)Population: 28,000 (Military & Contractors)Runway: 3,500 mOccupants: US Armed Forces

UK Armed ForcesEstonian MilitaryDanish Defense ForcesTonga Defense ServicesGeorgian MilitaryAfghan National Army

Primary coalition command and control node in Regional Command (SW).

Helmand Province Network Connectivity

UNCLASSIFIED 3

External (World Wide Web) Connectivity PLANNED: Afghan Fiber Optic cable (upwards of 1 Gbps) (2) Commercial Line-of-Sight Microwave links (2x 150 Mbps) Commercial Ku-band Satellite link (40 – 60 Mbps) Military Ku-band Satellite link (10 – 20 Mbps)

Intra-province Connectivity Commercial Line-of-Sight Microwave links Military Line-of-Sight Microwave links Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) Ku-band SATCOM Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) Ku-band SATCOM Adaptive Networking Wideband Waveform (ANW2) radios

Camp Leatherneck & Camp Bastion Local Area Network (LAN) (2) primary communications nodes & server farms (11) Area Distribution Nodes (ADNs) Over 17,000 personal computers & other user devices Fiber Optic Cable backbone with CAT-5e to the desktop

Employed Technologies & Services

UNCLASSIFIED 4

Concepts & Procedures BlackCore transport network (EoIP, IP multiplexing) (3) User Networks -- SIPR, NIPR, and CX-I Quality of Service (QoS) for voice & video traffic

Hardware Suites Cisco Unified Call Managers & VoIP phones NETAPP Filers for Data Storage & Virtualization

Software Tools & Solutions VMware with full Site Recovery Manager (SRM) capability Network device access controlled by TACACS Microsoft Server 2008 R2 and Exchange 2010 Client administration & operating system migration from Win

XP to Win 7 via System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)

Information Around the Battlefield

UNCLASSIFIED 5

Full Motion Video Captured by camera platforms (static, aerostat, UAS) Encoded into an IP compatible format (H.264) Disseminated to users throughout the area of operations Aggregated on a central webserver for archiving

Collection of Biometrics data Data is collected by patrols or at entry control points The profiles are checked against potential insurgents as well as

against unmatched forensics data Operators are notified if the individual is a potential target and

should be detained

Mobile Command and Control (C2) Normal, static services are extended to the forward edge of the

battlefield through non-traditional means such as gimbaled SATCOM antennas and radio re-transmission equipment on aerostat payloads

Full Motion Video

UNCLASSIFIED 6

The goal is deliver near real-time video to decision makers throughout the battlefield in order to facilitate rapid response. Authorizations for actions can be obtained faster as the requestor and authorizer can see the same real-time image even if they are at different locations. Also major Combat Operations Centers (COCs) can maintain common situational awareness for planning and analysis.

Video Analog to

Digital Converter

Satellite Downlink

System

Webserver:Archives Video

&Disseminates to

Users

Biometrics Data

UNCLASSIFIED 7

The Secure Electronic Enrollment Kit (SEEK) II, allows for rapid enrollment and comparison against pre-loaded watch lists of potential enemy targets. Additionally, high capacity networking solutions such as the Harris PRC-117G with ANW2 provide lightweight connectivity and facilitate direct submissions of biometrics data into the central data storage for immediate analysis. The process permits quick validation of newly submitted data against evidence gathered by forensics experts and not yet integrated into the enemy watch lists.

Biometrics Data Store

Tactical WAN &

LAN

Mobile Command & Control (C2)

UNCLASSIFIED 8

The synergy of several high-tech assets allowed innovative methodologies for extending C2 capabilities to the forward edge of the battlefield:

1. Harris 117G radios included in the aerostat payloads facilitated the extension of ANW2 networks to extreme distances; allowing an infantry commander aboard a flying V-22 Osprey to maintain live chat and VoIP connectivity with his ground forces as well as his higher command echelon.

2. The Mobile Modular Command & Control (M2C2) Vehicle provides commanders with complete network access while on the move via a gimbaled satellite antenna. This capability facilitates high quality communication between forward operation centers and the main headquarters ensuring better coordination of supporting forces and faster decision making ability.

Closing Remarks

UNCLASSIFIED 9

The maturity of the network facilitates resiliency and stability COTS solutions provide increased capacity and capabilities

Tactical network in Afghanistan is non-doctrinal: complex and static Marine personnel must be supplemented with contracted support User expectations still exceed available capacity

Question & Answer Session

Colonel Roger D. StandfieldAssistant Chief of Staff G-6

Captain Michael R. AgamirSpecial Projects Officer

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Eddie L. BenjaminTransmissions Control Planning and Engineering

Officer

Staff Sergeant Zachary B. MottData Networking & Systems Chief