Austere Challenge 2009 (AC09) Planning Lessons Learned S/CRSEUCOM JCISFA Joint Center for International Security Force Assistance COL Scott Wuestner Chief, Operational Integration Division, PKSOI

Interagency Representatives in AC09

Austere Challenge 2009 AC 09: EUCOM Area Of Responsibility JCS Directed Crisis Response training exercise Training Audience: EUCOM staff, Joint Task Force (JTF), Interagency Partners AC 09 Vital Statistics 6 Person Replicated Embassy - 25 Civ ACT White Cell – 8 person CRS plus JFCOM and EUCOM hires

Interagency Management System “ACTIVATION” in AC09 Country Reconstruction & Stabilization Group (CRSG) - Developed USG Strategic Plan and Country Plan with 8 Major Mission Elements - Drove policy decisions Country Reconstruction & Stabilization Group (CRSG) - Developed USG Strategic Plan and Country Plan with 8 Major Mission Elements - Drove policy decisions Integration Planning Cell (IPC) - Assisted drafting of EUCOM Planning Order - Provided planning guidance during execution Integration Planning Cell (IPC) - Assisted drafting of EUCOM Planning Order - Provided planning guidance during execution Advance Civilian Team (ACT) - Updated Country Plan based on conditions on the ground, - Conducted planning for and execution of objectives, and embedded with JTF to assist with short, medium and long-term planning Advance Civilian Team (ACT) - Updated Country Plan based on conditions on the ground, - Conducted planning for and execution of objectives, and embedded with JTF to assist with short, medium and long-term planning AC09 was the most mature IMS exercise to date

“Austere Challenge 09 was the most fully- integrated exercise in which I have ever participated… …the synergy derived from our collective strengths will prove decisive in future full spectrum operations….” “AC09 may well prove to be the launching point for ever – increasing cooperation between the military and non-military instruments of US national power.” General Carter F. Ham, U.S. Army From the AC09 JTF Commander: Austere Challenge 2009

AC Education LL 2009 Sustain pay it forward training between COCOMs and JTFs (VTCs on LL and procedures) Ensure best practices are reviewed between UA, BA, AC and other exercises Civilian Mini-Ex’s are necessary to work planning and execution procedures (military assist – walk through of JTF prior to startex etc) Expand IMS training during COCOM/JTF training JFCOM DTTs as well as planners should attend CRS training courses if possible prior to event Development of a Senior Mentor for Civ IA participants

AC Exercise Design 2009 Concept of Operations – WoG Plan nested with JCS Orders – Injects developed along MME Objectives and Sub- Objectives – 28 pages of PMESII data developed based on Post Combat set (guess) – Replicated Embassy with ACT developing Country Plan (Team got steam-rolled into execution and RFIs) – White Cell with JFCOM Controllers, 8 CRS agency reps, plus EUCOM hired SMEs (role was provide real data to Embassy)

AC Exercise Design 2009 Exercise Strategy and Conceptual Design – The CDC is the most critical event for civilian IA participation – Civilian Training Objectives must be understood by not only the planner but also the training audience at Strategic Level – The CRS E&E strategy is vital in providing collective WoG resources, personnel and training objectives for the CDC on a predictive schedule JELC Modification – The current JELC does not take into account the development of the following tools within the planning framework: ICAF, Policy Memos, WoG Strategic Plan, Situational Analysis, Country Plan and R&S Injects Scripting – Pre Combat Data must be adjudicated prior to development of scenario. Embassy and White Cell crushed with RFIs – Post Combat Set data critical for success and must cover Political, Military, Economic, Social, Information, Infrastructure and Essential Services metrics and other regional factors – Develop FACT book for execution – Entire IA must participate in development

AC Exercise Design 2009 Scenario Execution – Last minute decision to have more SO play at the end had significant impact on development of comprehensive Country Plan – Key lesson for planners is that you have less flexibility in modification of scenario due to complex R&S scripting and 2d/3d order effects White Cell and Role Players – Role players must be tied to White Cell current operations and they must be vetted prior to interaction with training audience – Role Players must have same skill set as civilian counterparts – White Cell requires significant rehearsal and pre-training prior to execution

AC Exercise Design 2009 WoG R&S Exercises – AC09 identified that current JFCOM/Military/Civilian systems to execute complex R&S scenarios need revision Planning – Limited planners on both Civ-Mil side Scripting – Lack of IA participation Simulation – No modeling that reflects post combat data and R&S conditions Execution Design/Control - Very complex management requirements to control events Key Take Away for Planners – This is not business as usual for JCS Directed Exercises – Procedures require comprehensive review – Recommend R&S Exercise Summit to improve Complex R&S training

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