Analytics for Smarter Defence
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Michael McCracken spent 1,512 days in Iraq and Afghanistan working on various intelligence roles. He held positions analyzing counter-IED tactics, mentoring Afghan forces, and working as an intelligence analyst for ISAF headquarters. Some lessons he learned included the need for host nation buy-in for programs, ensuring training is properly aligned with objectives, and controlling vetting processes. Intelligence efforts were often challenged by a lack of resources, security issues, and conflicting priorities but became more effective through improved collaboration and a focus on building sustainable capabilities for local forces.
Analytics for Smarter Defence
- 1. Michael McCracken, Major, USAFR and Military Intelligence Strategy Leader, IBM 10 October 2012 Intelligence Analysis for Smarter Defence Lesson’s Learned from 1,512 Days in Iraq and Afghanistan © 2009 IBM Corporation
- 2. 41,512 days 422,680 hours 410 unforgettable missions To help intelligence drive operations, build a bigger box. © 2009 IBM Corporation
- 3. Organize information the way you want it to be found (Visually, Verbally, or Numerically) L by Location • Atlas • Maps • Latitude and Longitude A by Alphabet • Dictionary • Maps • Latitude and Longitude T • Historical timeline by Time C • Time Magazine • History Novel H by Category • Encyclopedia • Department Store • Yahoo Search Engine • Largest to Smallest by Hierarchy • Darkest to Lightest • Densest to Least Dense © 2009 IBM Corporation
- 4. August 2006 – February 2007 MNF-I CJ2X Detainee Operations, Bagdad, Iraq Officer-In-Charge, Combined Review and Release Board (Capt, USAFR) 1 Mission • Vetting Detainees Scheduled for Release • Determine AQ-IZ • Coordinate with TF-134 CG 2 Problem • Mission 3x with NO additional resources • Rising Political Pressures • High Intelligence Analysts Turnover 3 Lesson • Controlled Vetting Process • Shop Standards • Performance-based Metrics © 2009 IBM Corporation
- 5. June 2008 – August 2008 MNC-I Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Cell, Iraq Explosively Formed Projectile Intelligence Analyst (US DoD Contractor) 1 Mission • Analyze C-IED Tactics, Techniques and Procedures • Analyze EFP Tactics, Techniques and Procedures • Develop link analysis of IED cells in MNF-Ds 2 Problem • Analysis miss-aligned with analysis areas of focus • Duplicative efforts of MNF-I Intel Teams • Lack of cohesive intelligence strategy 3 Lesson • C-IED Cell disbanded / realigned with area teams • MNC-I / MNF-I combined • Comprehensive C-IED efforts imbedded across AO © 2009 IBM Corporation
- 6. August 2008 – March 2009 MNSTC-I Intelligence Transition Team, Green Zone, Iraq Information Technology / Intelligence Analyst (US DoD Contractor) 1 Mission • Branch of MNF-I • Develop, Organize, Train and Equip MoD/MoI • Build sustainable intelligence model for IZ forces 2 Problem • IZ forces lacked basic technical / intelligence skills • IZ skeptical of western assistance • Rapid build-up of capabilities pushed by CF 3 Lesson • Progress requires host-nation buy-in • Fundamental education required to build forces • Sustainable capabilities require financial foundation © 2009 IBM Corporation
- 7. March 2009 – February 2010 NTM-A RC-North Coordination Center, Mazar-e Sharif, AF Intelligence Mentor to RC-North Coordination Center for ANA/ANP/NDS (US DoD Contractor) 1 Mission • Branch of ISAF-A • Develop, Organize, Train and Equip MoD/MoI • Build basic intelligence skills of 209th Corp 2 Problem • ANA/ANP lacked skills / desire to learn • AF Forces have weak vetting process • Challenged by basic intelligence skill sets 3 Lesson • ISAF/USFOR-A unable to measure results • DoD/DoS difficulty developing training program • Security efforts continue to plague training mission © 2009 IBM Corporation
- 8. March 2010 – June 2010 Biometric Enabled Intelligence, Kandahar (RC-S), AF BEI Intelligence Analyst for 2 SCR Brigade HQ/FOBs in RC-S (US DoD Contractor) 1 Mission • Easiest method to establish positive identification • Develop comprehensive biometric program • Build base of biometrically enrolled AF citizens 2 Problem • Lack of priority and conflicting mission requirements • ANA/ANP contamination of IED Explosions / F&C • Slow reach-back support and low bandwidth 3 Lesson • Improved training and leadership buy-in • Stronger education / combined C-IED efforts • Enemy tactics discovered and exploited across AO © 2009 IBM Corporation
- 9. July 2010 – February 2012 Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence ISAF HQ, Kabul, AF Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Analyst for US ISR-Task Force (US DoD Contractor) 1 Mission • Support COMISAF on all Intelligence matters • Develop comprehensive ISR mission • Train and equip ISAF-A/USFOR-A on all intel 2 Problem • Personality lead efforts / Fix Intelligence • Intelligence Assessments / Tactical Employment • Intelligence Fusion or Hidden Agendas 3 Lesson • Right person for the right job • Aerostats / Continue to ISR Surge / Build capes • Be careful what you ask for (and get) © 2009 IBM Corporation
- 10. Intelligence Assessment External focus (Intelligence Community) Collaboration Interconnected objectives Data Training Discoverability Internal focus (agency) © 2009 IBM Corporation
- 11. © 2009 IBM Corporation