HQ Marines take command, control outside wire

Story and photos by Cpl. Ryan Turnage

COP HAWAS, Iraq – Marines with Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 6, disembarked from their armored vehicles in a remote stretch of Iraqi desert near Combat Outpost Hawas, manned by soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, May 8, 2009.  
Within a few hours, the Marines had set up a tactical combat operations center, an intricate network of satellites, computers and radio assets from which a headquarters controls operations in their area of operations.
A combat operations center is the command and control hub for the regiment; the nexus of coordination where all elements of the RCT deconflict operations and coordinate support for one another. The Marines maintain the ability to quickly set up such a sophisticated center all under the roof of a collapsible tent.  
The mission for the Headquarters Company Marines was to select a remote location, post 360-degree security, set up the combat operations center, and take command of operations throughout RCT-6’s area of operations in eastern Anbar province.  This operation was geared toward maintaining abilities that are the hallmark of the Marine Corps – their expeditionary skills.  The Marines proved they are proficient at operating and exercising command and control of the entire RCT from a remote location.
The Headquarters Company Marines had conducted a similar operation in April, in which they chose an empty location in the desert and set up the forward tactical combat operations center. They controlled all operations in eastern Anbar from within the collapsible tent while the main command center remained on standby, ready to assume control should the tactical command center experience any unforeseen difficulties.   
Once on site, the Marines had four hours to unload the equipment, establish communication with the main combat operations center, and gain command and control of the area of operations, said Capt. Aaron Lloyd, the senior watch officer.
The Marines accomplished the mission in less time than the allotted four hours and controlled operations for nearly 24 hours from inside the tent.
 It was a true demonstration of Marines maintaining their expeditionary skills, ensuring they have the ability to move rapidly across the battlefield and maintain command and control should future conflicts call for such skills, said Capt. John K. Hood, commanding officer of Headquarters Company, RCT-6.
“This is not only an excellent example of our capabilities as a unit, but it is also training for these Marines for future deployments,” added Hood.  
Several Iraqi Army officers, to include Staff Brig. Gen. Bassem Hussein Ali, commander of 1st Iraqi Army Division, stopped by to tour the command center before the Marines disassembled the tents and packed their gear.  They were given a detailed description of each Marine’s role in the operation and how to react if that individual can no longer perform his duties.
“Every Marine has a replacement standing by,” said Lt. Col. Nicholas Davis, the operations officer for RCT-6.
Although the Iraqi Army officers have all worked in a combat operations center, many have not seen a forward tactical center of this complexity.  The concept of mobile combat operations centers could strengthen the Iraqi Security Forces ability to further increase the level of security throughout eastern Anbar province.  As Coalition Forces continue its responsible drawdown of troops and equipment, the Marines of RCT-6 continue to prepare for whatever the future holds.
For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, visit www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.