United States Central Command Historical/Cultural Action Group: Mission & Charter Serena Georgia Bellew DFPO, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Installations & Environment)
CHCAG Mission Improve cultural awareness within DOD, at the senior leadership, command and tactical levels, with emphasis on Iraq & Afghanistan. Ensure CPP is considered during full spectrum operations, enabling U.S. personnel to act in accordance with U.S. laws and regulations, and international laws and treaties. Enhance military capacity by promoting Cultural Property Protection (CPP) as a force multiplier.
Cultural Property Protection U.S. Cultural Resources Laws National Historic Preservation Act (1966) Sections 106 & 110 Native American Graves Protection & Repatriation Act (1990) Archaeological Resources Protection Act (1979)
Cultural Property Protection International Cultural Resources Laws/Regulations National Historic Preservation Act (1966) Section 402 CENTCOM Regulation The 1954 Hague Convention
Created in 2008 Committees created as needed (Geospatial Data Committee) Membership: Representatives from all military services (primarily installation level) DoD (Office of the Secretary of Defense) International military observers Academic & Private Sector Subject Matter Experts CHCAG Background
CHCAG Charter Formalize CHCAG mission and framework and obtain recognition from CENTCOM command structure “The CHCAG supports the war fighter and the military mission through the development of reference, education, and training tools for military and DoD civilian personnel and contractors.”
CHCAG Charter 5 goals of the Charter: To advise CENTCOM on Cultural Property Protection To provide education and training to CENTCOM personnel To develop a network of Subject Matter Experts To provide proactive mission support To develop domestic and international outreach capabilities
CHCAG Stakeholders Stakeholders are vital to success of CHCAG Internal DoD External subject matter experts (archaeology, architectural, cultural landscapes, GIS, geography, anthropology, etc.) Professional & Academic partnerships CHAMP International Military partnerships IMCuRWG
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