Team Enabler: Combining Capabilities During the Execution of Full-Spectrum Operations

The current operational environment in Iraq is more dynamic than ever, as we work to transition lines of operation, such as security and governance, to the government of Iraq. Units must have the ability to conduct full-spectrum operations across their entire area of operations. Battalion- and brigade-sized organizations are challenged by the numerous tasks associated with providing security to the local populace, creating effective government systems that work within the government of Iraq’s structure, providing or improving essential services, creating enduring employment, and bolstering the local economy. Combining attachments, such as civil affairs teams, tactical psychological operations (PSYOP) teams, and human intelligence collection teams, into a cohesive, separate maneuver element under command and control of the battalion allows units to attack problem sets across all lines of operation (see Figure 1). Our unit, 3d Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment (3-1 Cavalry), 3d Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division, formed an element, Team Enabler, that combined these capabilities during the execution of full-spectrum operations in the Mada’in Qada (southeast of Baghdad) during Operation Iraqi Freedom V. Team Enabler allowed line companies/ troops and platoons to focus on the security lines of operation and the critical tasks of securing the local population from extremist elements and preventing sectarian violence. Team Enabler supplemented traditional combat forces by providing avenue to build initial trust and relationships with local civil and tribal leaders. This was accomplished through combined spheres of influence engagements with maneuver or “ground-owning” commanders and focused efforts to improve local government organizations and essential services. Within a few months of implementing the Team Enabler concept, 3-1 Cavalry saw a visible improvement and an increase in trust between coalition forces and the Iraqi population. Building or improving Iraqi government institutions is critical to the success of our mission in Iraq. The Team Enabler organization allows units to not just conduct spheres of influence with leaders, but to devote the time necessary to build and improve government structure and efficiency. Civil affairs teams are experts in assisting civil leaders in making community improvements using existing government structures and promoting efficiency in executing basic governance tasks. They also provide the support channels to coordinate directly between brigade-level partners at the Qada level and Iraqi provincial reconstruction teams (PRT) that coordinate efforts with the Iraqi provincial and national government. This partnership allows maneuver commanders to focus on establishing security and

“...the team made enormous progress in the small village of Hollandia by securing medical treatment for a 3-year-old boy whose intestines were outside of his body at birth. He was the darling of the village, but his life expectancy was very limited due to his condition. Team Enabler coordinated surgery for the young boy with an Iraqi medical clinic in Najaf, and by doing so, won over the village’s entire population.” keeping pressure on extremist elements who may try to disrupt coalition force and Iraqi government efforts. Team Enabler successfully developed a project plan by using water delivery contracts and drilling artesian wells along Butler Range Road, a key line of communication (LOC) that connected the entire brigade combat team (BCT) with logistics support from division and corps, which significantly improved the quantity and quality of drinking water for several villages. This rapid and visible improvement created a relationship with local leaders and citizens that greatly enhanced the security environment along that vital LOC. Tactical PSYOPS teams conducted aggressive information operations (IO) campaigns that focused on building support for local government institutions and agendas as they began the process of “winning hearts and minds” by reducing popular support for extremist elements. Through a close working relationship with local leaders, human intelligence collection teams were able to provide units with information that allowed for the accurate targeting of high-value individuals. During multiple operations, the human intelligence collection team that was embedded with Team Enabler engaged and developed sources that provided significant intelligence on squadron targets. This information was used to kill or capture extremist leaders and greatly reduce the security threat to coalition forces and local citizens. The synergistic effect of the reduced security threat encouraged locals to come forward and provide useful information to Team Enabler and the collection team. Multiple tailgate medical operations (MEDOPs) and larger medical capacity (MEDCAP) operations involving Iraqi doctors and medicines provided by the ministry of health were particularly effective. These operations, along with water and school-supply drops, provided opportunities for the human intelligence collection team to engage local citizens in a secure environment without endangering themselves or their sources. Providing essential services, creating enduring employment, and building the local economy were key tasks that Team Enabler had the greatest ability to affect. Civil affairs teams, through project development and prioritization, identified what was needed to achieve the desired effects of the unit and the local government. These teams have trained individuals within their organization to provide the right amount of knowledge, time, and energy to properly develop economic near- and long-term plans within an area of operations. Additionally, this relieves maneuver commanders at the company/troop and platoon level from having to provide combat power to escort these teams. It also allowed a singular focus on achieving “visible improvement” through out the area of operations. Tactical PSYOPS teams collected atmospherics and determined the problem areas in which projects were necessary to deny extremists sanctuary and safe haven. They were also able to determine if a unit was achieving its effects on a population over time. Human intelligence collection teams once again provided information on extremists in an area through a nonthreatening environment. We found that information is sometimes easier to collect by a Team Enabler organization using the “carrot” instead of the “stick,” which validates the human intelligence collection team being apart of Team Enabler. Team Enabler was extraordinarily successful at making connections with local citizens that the more kinetically oriented combat forces were unable to make. For example, the team made enormous progress in the small village of Hollandia by securing medical treatment for a 3- year-old boy whose intestines were outside of his body at birth. He was the darling of the village, but his life expectancy was very limited due to his condition. Team Enabler coordinated surgery for the young boy with an Iraqi medical clinic in Najaf, and by doing so, won over the village’s entire population. The entire atmosphere and attitude of Hollandia permanently changed as a result of Team Enabler’s efforts, paving the way for the ground-owning commander to develop a relationship with the village leader, who provided significant intelligence on extremist activities. Team Enabler was not without potential drawbacks, which, unless properly identified and mitigated, could have caused serious problems within our area of operations. Team Enabler, as its own maneuver element, increased the risk of “spheres of influence fratricide” and “broken promises” in the event the maneuver commander and the civil affairs team leader were not synchronized — the ma- 44 — Figure 1

CA Team Leader CA Team Member CA Team Member Translator TPT Team Leader TPT Team Member TPT Team Member Translator HCT Team Leader HCT Team Member HCT Team Member Translator Security Team Leader Security Team Member Security Team Member Security Team Member CAT (Civil Affairs Team) TPT (Tactical Psychological Operations Team) HCT (Human Intelligence Collection Team) neuver commander promises one thing and the civil affairs team leader promises another. Iraqis are quick to identify seams in the command structure and when they do not get what they want from one person, they will go to another. It is imperative that civil affairs team leaders and maneuver commanders work closely together through detailed reporting and regular meetings to achieve desired effects. There is also a risk of maneuver commanders not being completely involved in their areas of operation because they see Team Enabler and the lines of operation that do not relate to security as “their responsibility.” In the end, conducting full-spectrum operations in an area of operations is the maneuver commander’s responsibility and Team Enabler supported the ground-owning commander. When correctly employed, combining capabilities, such as civil affairs teams, tactical PSYOP teams, and human intelligence collection teams into a cohesive, separate maneuver element is a powerful combat multiplier. Captain David J. Smith is currently the troop commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3d Squadron, 1st Cavalry, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division (ID), Iraq. He received a B. A. from Western Michigan University. His military education includes Armor Officer Basic Course, Armor Captains Career Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Airborne School, and Cavalry Leaders Course. He has served in various command and staff positions, to include commander, B Troop, 3d Squadron, 1st Cavalry, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 3d ID, Iraq; officer in charge, military transition team, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry, 3d ID, Iraq; XO, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (CD), Fort Hood, TX; XO, A Company, 2d Squadron, 12th (2-12) Cavalry, 1st CD, Fort Hood; and platoon leader, C Company, 2-12 Cavalry, 1st CD, Fort Hood. First Lieutenant Jeffrey S. Ritter is currently serving as the S5, 3d Squadron, 1st Cavalry, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division (ID), Iraq. He received a B. A. from the University of Northern Iowa. His military education includes the Chemical Officer Basic Course. He has served as chemical officer, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry, 3d Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3d ID, Fort Benning, GA. Team Enabler successfully developed a project plan by using water delivery contracts and drilling artesian wells along Butler Range Road, a key line of communication (LOC) that connected the entire brigade combat team (BCT) with logistics support from division and corps, which significantly improved the quantity and quality of drinking water for several villages. This rapid and visible improvement created a relationship with local leaders and citizens that greatly enhanced the security environment along that vital LOC.