Unit stands up to improve communications across, for Iraq

  • Published
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFPN) --  Multi-National Force - Iraq officials here have recently established a new team of experts to help improve coordination of communications policy, services and infrastructure initiatives throughout Iraq.

The Iraq Communications Coordination Element recently began operating under the direction of Brig. Gen. Steven J. Spano, Multi-National Force - Iraq's deputy chief of staff for communications and information systems.

Members of the ICCE will help the Iraqi government identify gaps and opportunities in current and future communications initiatives and then help with prioritizing, integrating, and synchronizing these different efforts across the country. The idea is to assist in making all the telecommunications initiatives in Iraq work together better.

Telecommunications play a vital role in the country's stability, security, governance, health, education and business. It also plays a critical role in the command and control of Iraq's military and first responders. Improvements in telecommunications will also help coalition operations with increased bandwidth, reduced reliance on expensive satellite leasing, and greater interoperability with military forces.

An array of organizations influence the investment in and management of Iraq's communications, executing their programs and resources independently. The ICCE staff will provide a common understanding of the government of Iraq's communications objectives and a shared situational awareness of infrastructure programs, policy development, service delivery initiatives and other endeavors.

Rather than an ad-hoc collection of separate efforts, the ICCE members will work with the Iraqi government and coalition forces, to serve as a central source for developing a single, comprehensive communications picture for Iraq. Such efforts will improve planning and management of current and future telecommunication projects. Additionally, ICCE members aim to eliminate duplication of effort and focus on strategic information technology investment.

The goals of the ICCE team include helping improve the delivery of communication services to the Iraqi public, supporting economic development and job creation in Iraq, and more efficiently transferring technical and managerial knowledge to improve workforce capabilities within the ministry, Iraq Telecommunications and Postal Company, and the State Company for Internet Services.

Key to the team's role will be collaboration with Iraqi counterparts throughout the process and the progressive transition to an Iraqi-led process and structure.

"The character of warfare is changing, erasing the lines between military operations and civil rebuilding efforts," General Spano said. "Today, leaders must plan and execute both as part of a comprehensive strategy, and ICCE efforts to engage and assist the government of Iraq in building an enduring and robust national information infrastructure is but one important element of this strategy." 

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

View the comments/letters page