U.S. European Command joint demonstration hones homeland security, defense communication

Michael S. Brown, Sr. Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration Joint Management Office

A Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Staff Information Sharing and Homeland Security/Homeland Defense demonstration is taking place at sites around the globe, including Kelley Barracks here, June 12-22.

The Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration is an annual event that features interoperability trials focused on selected core objectives defined by combatant commanders. The trials that are approved for participation are required to provide a new capability or to improve on an existing capability in support of the demonstration's prioritized objectives.

"This demonstration emphasizes information sharing between the Department of Defense and coaliton forces, as well as with our homeland security and homeland defense partners," said Navy Rear Adm. Dick Gallagher, director of the European Plans and Operations Center, U.S. European Command. EUCOM is this year's host combatant command.

"This year we examine a range of technologies enhancing our ability to share and improving our situational awareness, collaboration, decision-making, and command and control responsibilites," he said. "The accompanying concept of operations and tactics, techniques and procedures to implement solutions quickly also are emphasized this year."

The demonstration tests and evaluates technologies and capabilities for exchanging information among agencies, services and EUCOM. Through the demonstration, U.S. combatant commands and the international community investigate communications and coordination solutions, focusing on targeted objectives to enhance coalition interoperability. Coalition interoperability seeks solutions that can be applied to the operational community, and enables a standard procedure for information sharing between coalition partners.

The training also offers a challenging scenario that examines trial capabilities. The setting has two parts: one for the Combined Task Force and one for homeland security and homeland defense. For the Combined Task Force portion, the demonstration provides a framework that facilitates participation of information technology through a full range of military operations conducted by U.S. and coalition forces. The operations are set in a notional context in fictitious countries. During the homeland security, defense portion of the scenario, federal, state and local agencies respond to terrorist attacks within the U.S. These fictitious attacks are tied to the conventional U.S.-led joint operations on another continent.

U.S. Northern Command, Colorado Springs, Colo., manages the homeland security and homeland defense portion of the demonstration. The command uses the interoperability demonstration as a proving ground for emerging technology application through the entire spectrum of first responders.

U.S. operational sites include Colorado Springs, Colo.; the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and National Guard Bureau at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Va.; the U.S. Navy at Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego; and the U.S. Air Force at Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.

The global network includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and many NATO nations. There are more than 20 international participants at more than 20 sites around the world.