Photo By Staff Sgt. R. Alex Durbin | At the Combined Air and Space Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, the...... read more read more
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CIFC is a diverse multinational team that plans, coordinates, develops and disseminates timely, relevant and accurate information among international partners and divisions within the CAOC. The team of international partners remains committed to facing Da’esh on all fronts, dismantling its networks and countering its global ambitions – a goal set forth in September 2014.
“In the fight against Da’esh, every Coalition nation brings valuable assets, personnel and perspective to the table,” said Lt. Gen. Jeff Harrigian, Combined Forces Air Component Commander. “Only together will we secure the region and finally dismantle Da’esh. The Coalition Intelligence Fusion Cell is a shining example of what the combined forces of the Coalition can accomplish.”
The cell employs a multinational team of intelligence personnel, analysts and targeteers to provide effective information to international leaders to promote interoperability across Coalition nations. Leveraging this intelligence helps Coalition decision makers develop targets to achieve campaign objectives, ultimately supporting the defense of the Middle East and the dismantling of Da’esh.
The cell originally formed in 2014 with U.S. and another two European nations pioneering the mission. In the two years since its inception, the cell has grown to encompass personnel from 12 NATO and Middle Eastern nations. The growth improved the team’s ability, allowing them to provide more than 9,000 imagery products and 240 full-motion videos to international military leaders.
Unlike other sections within the CAOC where divisions are U.S.-led and include international augmentees, the CIFC takes a completely multinational approach to intelligence gathering and information sharing.
“The most amazing thing about the CIFC is the organization is almost entirely non-U.S. Coalition nations,” said Lt. Col. Michele, CIFC director. “The CIFC shows the will and the effort of all the nations to provide their contribution to the Coalition.”
The CIFC director said this unique approach and diversity provides the team with a better ability to achieve its mission.
“[The cell] is effective because we are all different,” he said. “We all provide our own perspective when we discuss intel, problem solving and the commitment to do something. It’s powerful when so many people with the same mission can provide different and fresh ideas. In the end, the final idea with be the very best it can be.”
Leading up to the counter offensive to retake the city of Mosul, Iraq, from Da’esh militants, the cell worked to gather intelligence on high-value targets to help the air Coalition support Iraqi-led forces now closing in on the city.
Diversity within the CIFC will continue to provide impact.
“This cell is important because the U.S. alone has a lot of assets and capabilities, but when you have the opportunity to use all of the other countries’ capabilities, you are stronger, not just at the military level,” he said. “Terrorists see the commitment and the cohesion of so many countries against [them], they might think twice or three times before acting.”
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 12.29.2016 03:49 |
| Story ID: | 218871 |
| Location: | AL UDEID AIR BASE, QA |
| Web Views: | 159 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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