Photo By Lance Cpl. Erick Galera | U.S. Marines with 2nd Intelligence Battalion and British soldiers pose for a photo as...... read more read more
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EDINBURGH, Scotland - U.S. Marines with 2nd Intelligence Battalion and British soldiers concluded an intelligence exercise between the two nations Nov. 6, 2015.
Bringing both forces together for the second consecutive year, Exercise Phoenix Odyssey II was designed to build on joint intelligence operations and further develop the relationships started in 2014.
“The first iteration was more about sharing what technology we had and what techniques, tactics and procedures we brought to the table,” said Marine 1st Lt. Joseph Ryan, a signals intelligence officer with 2nd Intelligence Battalion. “This exercise was more about working in tandem for a potential real world scenario.”
“During Phoenix Odyssey I, we didn’t meet our American counterparts until later in the exercise, which didn’t give us enough time to know who we were working with at a social level,” said British Army Cpl. Robert Heeges, an intelligence analyst participating in EPO II. “This time we were integrated from day one, and I think that had the biggest impact on allowing us to work more closely together.”
The two-week exercise enabled the forces to continue fine-tuning the processes vital for possible contingencies.
“We tried to find some middle ground on determining what kind of intelligence both the British and the U.S. Marines could find that was comprehensive and both sides could understand,” said Ryan.
Both forces have worked together in theater before, and as dangerous scenarios develop throughout the world, EPO II provided a unique opportunity to learn, understand and practice common tactics, techniques and procedures to ultimately reach the same goal.
“Our countries have a long history of working together,” said Heeges. ”Although we have standardized practices, there are still some differences in the ways we work, and this kind of exercise gives us an excellent opportunity to outline those differences and get accustomed to how we work.”
Hoping to build from a successful exercise, both forces are looking forward to enhance the experience and involve more elements into it, said Ryan.
“The intent is for EPO to continue to grow while incorporating other intelligence apparatuses within II Marine Expeditionary Force as well as some of the active duty British Armed Forces,” said Ryan.
| Date Taken: | 11.06.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2015 14:15 |
| Story ID: | 181594 |
| Location: | EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, GB |
| Web Views: | 126 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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