Headquartered in the International Zone (IZ), Baghdad, Iraq, the Directorate of Communications (J6), part of the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, is meeting its mission to help the government of Iraq design and build a new and effective communications infrastructure to support the military and police forces protecting innocent Iraqi citizens from terrorists.
The Iraqi network program managers of the MNSTC-I J6 command, control, communications and computers (C4) capabilities branch provide daily oversight for the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and Ministry of Defense (MoD) command and control networks. Figure 1 below shows the networks under discussion.
Building for Now and into the Future
Over the past two years, MNSTC-I J6's role evolved from providing communications capabilities to the Iraqi government to serving as advisers, educators and mentors to the chief information officers in the ministries of Interior and Defense as they assume greater leadership roles in network management.
In the past year, focus for J6 centered on ensuring the communications infrastructure was ready to sustain the networks.
Initially, MNSTC-I funded these networks and managed them, but the CIOs of the Interior and Defense ministries, working with the MNSTC-I J6, are now providing management and the funds necessary to keep the networks operational, and growing and positioned for the future.
A great example of this shift is the recent successful assessment of MoI's enterprise architecture. The MoI architecture assessment is a joint venture between the Iraqi communications coordination element (ICCE) of the Multi-National Force-Iraq (MNF-I), the MNSTC-I J6 staff and the MoI transition team.
The assessment is designed to identify information technology gaps in the Ministry of the Interior. The assessment will be followed by a series of meetings with MoI officials to identify recommendations to improve Iraqi IT infrastructure and key business practices.
With additional engagements, coalition members continue to earn the respect of key MoI leaders and industry professionals. Teamwork is critical to these efforts, and all stakeholders worked together to identify the strengths and areas for improvement within the Iraqi IT architecture.
Experience and expertise are important ingredients for success in these efforts, so coalition mentors continue to offer sound advice and recommendations for improvement.
The Iraqi police forces are the primary asset of the MoI, and these forces rely on the Iraqi Command and Control Network (IC2N). The coalition funded and procured the necessary hardware for IC2N in 2004. The Ministry of the Interior remains committed to IC2N and has established its own contracts with an industry network provider.
Iraqi networks are growing rapidly and expanding to many sites on Iraq's borders. At the same time, upgrades such as video teleconferencing capability are being added.
"These results show great promise, clearly showing the GoI's (government of Iraq) high level of commitment. Initially, the coalition did most of the managements tasks, but the Iraqis are rapidly assuming the decision-making processes," explained Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Mark Henderson, the C4 capabilities branch senior enlisted advisor.
The Defense Ministry uses the Iraqi Defense Network (IDN), which provides the same capabilities as the IC2N to the Iraqi army, navy and air force.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Christopher Wiley, the coalition IDN program manager, was instrumental in the training of his Iraqi counterpart, the MoD IDN program manager. Wiley is justifiably proud of the training's success.
"MoD's IT staff now plans and coordinates their network efforts independently. This is what we have been working toward for the last few years."
The MoD is also funding the operations and maintenance of IDN, and it is actively managing the network and expanding its coverage, making great strides toward self-sufficiency. For example, the MoD is now using indigenous Iraqi installation teams.
The MoD successfully installed three major network nodes and has plans to install at least five more by December 2008. The MoD is also training its staff to manage the network operations center.
Eight MoD students recently graduated from a rigorous four-month systems engineering course. The students are completing on-the-job training to assume complete control of IDN which will eliminate the need for foreign contractors.
MNSTC-I uses a five-phased approach to transition current capabilities to the Iraqi government. In phases one and two, coalition forces manage the networks while the Iraqis observe and learn. In the third phase, coalition forces and the Iraqi government will work together to build and manage the networks.
In the fourth and vital transition phase, the Iraqi government takes over management of its networks while coalition forces observe and mentor.
Finally, in the fifth phase, the government of Iraq manages its networks independently. Each phase includes measurements to quantitatively and qualitatively measure the progress of the transition.
"The J6's goal is for all of the Iraqi security forces and their networks to reach the fifth phase," Henderson said.
Building Confidence
The Advanced First Responder Network (AFRN) is Iraq's equivalent to the American 911 system. The Interior Ministry has managed and funded AFRN since 2006.
"AFRN is close to phase five. [The] MoI has committed to maintaining this AFRN, and they are looking for ways to expand it effectively and efficiently," said Air Force Capt. Antonio McNutt, AFRN program manager for the coalition forces.
The Iraqi government is eager to be self-sufficient and pleased about its ability to provide public services to its citizens, according to Iraqi government officials.
"We take pride in ownership and accomplishing our missions on our own. We have an Iraqi-operated AFRN network operations center where we are able to respond to trouble tickets and monitor the network remotely.
"We were unable to accomplish this two years ago, but with the help of the coalition, we are now providing an invaluable service to our citizens," said Iraqi Brig. Gen. Ahmed, MoI AFRN program manager.
An effective communications capability is essential to Iraqi's defense forces and national self-sufficiency. The MNSTC-I J6 has an enormous responsibility to ensure the Iraqi government has an unassailable and battle-tested communication infrastructure that the Iraqis can manage and operate long after coalition forces depart from Iraq.
"We are not at the finish line yet, but we've made significant headway in getting the Iraqis to operate independently and professionalize their security forces," McNutt said.
Air Force Maj. Daniel Steele, MNSTC-I J6 chief of strategic operations, agreed with McNutt, but said that the program built more than networks for the Iraqis.
"This mission is more complex than simply building networks for sending and receiving data. It involves rebuilding a nation's confidence in their government, military and police. It involves developing long-term productive relationships inside and outside Iraq.
"It involves creating an atmosphere where the Iraqi people have the self-confidence to actively guide the evolution of their nation's future."
Lt. Damian R. Taylor is the C4 Capabilities Branch Chief/IC2N program manager MNSTC-I J6 for U.S. Central Command at Camp Phoenix.
The Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq was established June 28, 2004, building on previous efforts under the Coalition Provisional Authority. The command helps Iraq organize, train and equip its military and police forces.
In the past 15 months, working closely with the Iraqi ministries of Defense and Interior, the command assisted in forming more than 115 army and police combat battalions. There are now more than 600,000 trained and equipped members of the security forces, with more to come. These troops are in the field today, defending the Iraqi people. In the months ahead, the command will continue to assist in strengthening the Iraqi security forces as they take the fight to the enemy.
MNSTC-I's mission is to assist the Iraqi government in the development, organization, training, equipping and sustainment of Iraqi security forces and ministries so they can defeat terrorism and provide a stable environment in which representative government, individual freedom, the rule of law, and the free market economy can evolve and which, in time, will contribute to Iraq's external security and the security of the Gulf Region.
For more information about Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, contact the public affairs officer at PAO@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL.
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