User:Jlcaltrider/sandbox

Coalition Interoperability Assurance & Validation (CIAV)

In Afghanistan, the Afghanistan Mission Network (AMN) is the primary Coalition, Command, Control, Communications and Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) network for all International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) assets and operations. It consists of an ISAF SECRET network as the core to which all troop-contributing nations (TCNs) connect to share critical operational data. Coalition forces in Afghanistan struggled when trying to share information prior to the AMN. They could not communicate effectively nor could they share leadership’s operational guidance, information and intelligence. The operational requirements for each individual TCN were specific to that nation, so each nation had its own set of standards and procedures based on its national network. This resulted in multiple networks with inadequate cross-domain solutions. The result was poor operations, planning and intelligence exchanges between the United States (U.S.), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and other TCN forces within the ISAF. Within this operational environment, simple enterprise services like e-mail, chat and voice were not compatible among Coalition forces. Significant planning, coordination and work-a-rounds were required to make even these basic command and control services work. Not only did these communication gaps among the Coalition forces cause inefficient use of resources, they also increased the risk to life. These challenges and problems were the driving force behind the development of CIAV. As described by the Commander ISAF (COMISAF), “AMN is the most important enabling capability that I have as a commander. It has to work across all Coalition partners.” CIAV consists of a multinational team dedicated to solving mission-based interoperability issues among Coalition forces. Currently within the Afghanistan operation, CIAV consists of 14 nations, both NATO and non–NATO members. In future coalitions, the mix of nations will change based on the missions. This can result in the creation of new mission networks anywhere in the world. The CIAV Mission is to: “Increase the exchange of critical Coalition Mission Thread (CMT) warfighting information and improve overall interoperability, allowing Coalition forces to fight more effectively and efficiently.” Its Vision is to: “Improve overall global interoperability through the implementation and execution of a Coalition-focused, mission-based interoperability process enabling multiple nations to fight as one.” “Ensure a succinct exchange of critical warfighting information to multiple Coalition partners.” “Assure & Validate interoperability of authorized mission threads and capabilities through standardized operational requirements.” To fullfill its mission and vision, CIAV is driven by the warfighter‘s needs in addressing interoperability issues that affect Coalition forces engaged in current and future operations. CIAV takes into accout the operational needs of the warfighter and translates the needs into technical requirements and implementations which are then utilized to build mission templates and mission profiles. Using that documentation, Coalition forces will be better prepared to implement mission networks for future engagements anywhere in the world. The multinational CIAV team is becoming more involved in the planning phase of operations and the acquisition phase of system development. The more CIAV can do up-front in the planning and acquisition processes, the more interoperability that will be delivered to critical warfighter systems across the Services, Components and Coalition Partners. To identify interoperability issues among Coalition forces, CIAV uses defined processes and methodologies that focus on validating CMTs and Coalition Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (CTTP). Eight principal CMTs have been defined in Afghanistan: Battlespace Awareness, Joint Fires, Joint ISR, MEDEVAC, Counter-IED, Freedom of Movement, Force Protection, and Service Management. As identified by senior leadership, these CMTs make up the key functional areas of warfare in Afghanistan operations; that have also been accepted as the principal CMTs for the Mission Partner Environment (MPE) that is being developed. The CIAV process assesses information exchanges and operational exchange processes within and between the CMTs and provides Capabilities and Limitations reports to theater commanders along with operational impact statements. The operational impact statements provide commanders the information needed to make informed decisions such as mission limitations of existing systems and the risk to fielding of software/system changes to the current theater architecture. CIAV utilizes the Coalition Test & Evaluation Environment (CTE2) to conduct its assessments. This dedicated and distributed environment emulates as closely as possible the operational network where the actual mission is being executed. CTE2 connects U.S. and Coalition partner test labs for distributed assessments and interoperability evaluations. Currently, CTE2 is operating in 19 different global locations. The current configuration of CTE2 emulates the AMN, but future CTE2 configurations can replicate any network for any Coalition operation or exercise. So, where is CIAV going? Even though the Afghanistan mission has begun retrograde operations, CIAV remains actively engaged in Coalition interoperability issues that arise as headquarters are combined and disestablished. With the rebalance of forces supporting the Asia-Pacific area of operations, CIAV is establishing liaisons with the Navy and U.S. Pacific Command to support its operational tempo and associated interoperability challenges. The CIAV team is engaging in upcoming Coalition exercises around the world, as well as ensuring that CIAV is postured for success when it comes to the next mission network as is being planned in the U.S. Mission Partner Environment and NATO Future Mission Network. CIAV has numerous endorsements from multiple nations, Commands, Services, and Agencies. The endorsement from the Joint Staff J6, as well as those from U.S. and other nation’s operations, intelligence and communications communities, validates the need for CIAV services now and into the future.

CONTACT For more information on CIAV, please contact Mr. Jeff Phipps, U.S. CIAV National Lead and CIAV Working Group Chairman, Jeffery.c.phipps.civ@mail.mil, 301-743-4242 or Mr. Todd Rissinger, U.S. CIAV Operations Chief / U.S. CIAV Deputy National Lead, Todd.k.rissinger.civ@mail.mil, (301) 743-4243.