Public Affairs Qualification Course The Role of Combat Camera. Combat Camera. Home Definition Service Structure Operations

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1 Combat Camera The iconic photograph of the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima, the sailor kissing a woman in Times Square on V-J Day, or even the shocking image of General Nguyen Mgoc Loan executing a Viet Cong prisoner in Saigon were all taken by photographers. Even today some of the most memorable images coming out of Iraq, Afghanistan and military operations around the world are not captured by CNN, FOX or even NBC-they were taken by Combat Camera. In this lecture we will talk about the COMCAMS s mission, structure and operation. Photo courtesy of /usarmy.vo.llnwd.net The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 1

2 Definition and Mission Combat Camera is defined as the acquisition and use of still and motion imagery to support operational and planning requirements across the range of military operations and during joint exercises. The imagery produced provides operational information for internal and external use. The deployment of joint COMCAM teams offer a capability to enhance operational and PA missions. COMCAM teams often have access to events and areas unavailable to public affairs, other visual information personnel or media representatives. Mission Combat Camera units provide the President, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, combatant commands, and joint task forces with a directed imagery capability in support of operational and planning requirements during wartime operations, worldwide crises, contingencies and joint exercises. COMCAM visual documentation enhances the commander s situational awareness and establishes a historical operations record. Imagery COMCAM forces perform a unique and highly specialized mission. Their capabilities range from aerial photography and airborne qualification to special forces reconnaissance and underwater photography. COMCAM forces are assigned to J-3 Operations under the direct control of the J-39 Global Operations staff officer. While their efforts and products routinely support the intelligence and public affairs missions, COMCAM exists as a separate and distinct operational entity with a clearly defined documentation mission. COMCAM documentation often yields intelligence upon which operational decisions are made. The mission of COMCAM photographers requires access to all military events, regardless of unit mission sensitivity or whether or not the resultant visual material may become classified or eventually cleared for public release. 2 The Center of Excellence for Visual Information and Public Affairs

3 Definition and Mission (continued) Directed Imagery Capability Combat Camera provides a direct imagery capability based on orders, needs, strategic value and desired end state to any military operation. Combat Camera forces are not freelance photographers competing for commercial use of imagery obtained while in the line of duty. The imagery belongs to the United States government, not the individual. COMCAM provides VI in support of the JFC s operational and planning requirements (JP 3-61, p. II-9, para. c.1). visit, board, search and seizure, and maritime security operations; fast rope procedures; rappelling; and other specialized combat skills. Integrated COMCAM assets provide commanders a visual account of tactical actions (MSTTP, p. H-1). COMCAM provides historical documentation of ongoing military operations and supports strategic communication objectives by integrating and synchronizing the acquisition and distribution of still and motion imagery. COMCAM forces perform unique and highly specialized missions with VIDOC capabilities supporting the full range of military operations in all operational environments. COMCAM personnel maintain qualifications enabling them to operate with airborne forces, special operations forces (SOF), and military divers. Their capabilities range from aerial photography to underwater photography (MSTTP, p. I-1, para. 2.c). Photo courtesy of You now know COMCAM's basic definition and mission. Let's use this information to look at service assets and capabilities. Service Assets and Capabilities The individual service capabilities vary and are consistent with respective service roles and missions. All COMCAM units receive specialized training to effectively integrate with any combat unit in austere and hostile environments. All COMCAM personnel complete advanced field training and weapons qualifications (MSTTP, p. H-1). Photo courtesy of 2.bp.blogspot.com Service members obtain other specific qualifications to document specialized operations of any type, such as divers; airborne, fixed, and rotary wing aircrew; The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 3

4 Service Structure Air Force The primary role of Air Force COMCAM units is the VIDOC of Air Force combat operations as tasked by the commander of Air Force forces. Air Force COMCAM teams are trained, equipped, and organized for rapid global deployment to provide documentation of Air Force air and ground operations. They are qualified and equipped for day and night operations with certified and qualified aircrew members for aerial documentation. Their secondary role is the centralized collection, management, and distribution of imagery including weapons system video. Here s a link for Air Force tasking and support information: community/taskcomcam/airforce.htmi Army The Army COMCAM units provide still and video acquisition of all operations to include land, static airborne, and air assault operations. They are trained and equipped to operate under all weather and lighting conditions with both conventional and special operations units. They maintain airborne qualified soldiers and conduct other advanced tactical training to include Air Assault, Combat Lifesaver, and advanced marksmanship techniques. They can deploy on very short notice to support any level of combat force projection. Army COMCAM units are under the operational control of US Forces Command (FORSCOM) until they are deployed. Here s a link for Army tasking and support information: community/taskcomcam/army.htmi Navy The Navy COMCAM units include aircrew and diver qualified personnel to provide specialized day and night all-weather aerial for fixed and rotary wing aircraft. They provide maritime operations and battle-space imagery acquisition and transmissions. When not deployed, COMCAM units are under the operational control of the Commander, US Fleet Forces Command and Commander, US Pacific Fleet, respectively. Here s a link for Navy tasking and support information: taskcomcam/navy.htmi Marine Corps The Marine Corps COMCAM units are organized to support the warfighters imagery requirements at all levels within the Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF). Marine Corps operational COMCAM units provide the MAGTF commander with videography, direct imagery tactical printing support in the form of photography, graphic arts, and lithography. The MAGTF COMCAM teams deploy with man pack systems capable of all-weather, day and night digital acquisition. Operational COMCAM assets are organic to all Marine divisions, Marine aircraft wings, Marine logistics groups, and all Marine expeditionary units. Marine Corps COMCAM personnel are resident within the supporting established COMCAM centers, stations, and recruit training depots. They are also the personnel replacement resource for the MAGTF COMCAM teams for sustainment. Now that you understand a little bit about combat camera s mission at the service Level, let's take a look at it as a part of a joint force. Here s a link for Marine tasking and support information: taskcomcam/marinecorps.htmi 4 The Center of Excellence for Visual Information and Public Affairs

5 COMCAM Operations The joint COMCAM operational mission is assigned to the J-3 (all from MSTTP, p. III-2, para. 3). Operational control for the JCCT typically is retained at the joint force or JTF level. Components may retain OPCON of their assigned COMCAM forces not attached or OPCON to the JCCT. Tactical control for joint COMCAM forces is generally provided by the locally supported tactical commander. When requesting COMCAM, use established request for forces (RFF) procedures. Upon initiation of crisis action planning for the development of a joint force, contact the Combat Commander COMCAM planner to plan COMCAM integration into joint operations. In the absence of a Combat Commander COMCAM planner, contact the Joint COMCAM Program Manager at Defense Visual Information Center for assistance. Force Packages COMCAM force packages are adaptive and fully qualified and equipped to document sustained day and night operations. Their modular design facilitates the tailoring of support packages for lesser regional conflicts, small-scale contingencies, and other operations in the spectrum, such as peacekeeping and foreign humanitarian relief operations. Imagery is provided to the JTF commander and supported elements, while simultaneously and expeditiously transmitted to the DIMOC for historic storage. The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 5

6 Conclusion Combat camera offers a tremendous capability both to the operational commander and the public affairs mission supporting the operational commander. You can support your unit commander's communication and reporting priorities by working with and sometimes directing COMCAM unit use. 6 The Center of Excellence for Visual Information and Public Affairs

7 References and Additional Resources Multi-Service Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for Combat Camera Operations (MSTTP). Air Land Sea Application Center (2007). JP 1-02: Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms (2012, as amended). JP 3-61: Public Affairs(2010). Home Goal Objectives Strategies Tactics Publics The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 7