ISAF INFORMATION OPERATIONS

G'day Guys n Gals. I've recently acquired some more variants on the INFORMATION OPERATIONS theme.
All items from Multinational staff assigned to ISAF / NATO Info Ops units in Afghanistan.
Enjoy - DREW

Great looking collection! I like the variations you have but it makes me wonder how many variations there are. Do you know any detail on their mission, location and so on from this organization? Thanks for sharing them!

The Information Operations patches shown are a reflection of the frequent rotations by staff in the ISAF HQ Kabul and the multinational aspect of Regional Command staffs across A-STAN. So the variations are a reflection of the years in country and the slight adjustments made to the logos by those rotational staffs manned by the Germans, Poles, Americans and numerous others across A-stan. The patches reflect the HQ and Regional Commands IO staffs. The IJC patches reflect the ISAF Command re-structure and the importance that Information Operations requires / attained. IO is the overarching desired control over all the information domain and includes integration and coordination of computer network security, military operations security, deception operations, electronic warfare, PSYOPS and CIMIC. It also includes Public Affairs, Human Terrain Analysis etc and more often than not gets easily associated with PSYOPS, if not often confused with PSYOPS. PSYOPS is a more visually identifiable end product function - i.e. you can see loudspeaker units, TPT'S in theatre, leaflet distribution etc etc...... IO is coming under a lot of fire as being ineffective in Afghanistan. The US Army has changed it's terminology of IO to that of Inform and Influence Activities. You may also be aware that US ARMY PSYOP is now Military Information Support Operations.
NATO / ISAF and US are struggling with terminology and messages and narratives at the moment. Control over the information domain is essential but it appears we are struggling with how this is applied in modern warfare and in conflicts other than war. PM me if you want more info. Drew

drewchaneyaustralia wrote:The Information Operations patches shown are a reflection of the frequent rotations by staff in the ISAF HQ Kabul and the multinational aspect of Regional Command staffs across A-STAN. So the variations are a reflection of the years in country and the slight adjustments made to the logos by those rotational staffs manned by the Germans, Poles, Americans and numerous others across A-stan. The patches reflect the HQ and Regional Commands IO staffs. The IJC patches reflect the ISAF Command re-structure and the importance that Information Operations requires / attained. IO is the overarching desired control over all the information domain and includes integration and coordination of computer network security, military operations security, deception operations, electronic warfare, PSYOPS and CIMIC. It also includes Public Affairs, Human Terrain Analysis etc and more often than not gets easily associated with PSYOPS, if not often confused with PSYOPS. PSYOPS is a more visually identifiable end product function - i.e. you can see loudspeaker units, TPT'S in theatre, leaflet distribution etc etc...... IO is coming under a lot of fire as being ineffective in Afghanistan. The US Army has changed it's terminology of IO to that of Inform and Influence Activities. You may also be aware that US ARMY PSYOP is now Military Information Support Operations.
NATO / ISAF and US are struggling with terminology and messages and narratives at the moment. Control over the information domain is essential but it appears we are struggling with how this is applied in modern warfare and in conflicts other than war. PM me if you want more info. Drew

Perfect! Thanks for sharing a bit more of what the patches are for and their missions. Makes me appreciate the patches more.

Another variation from a Canadian vet.

Doctrinal terms (and employment of capabilities) varies vastly from service to service.. Drew Chaney's description varies slightly from mine, but this is certainly not to suggest he is wrong - he absolutely has some expertise in the field.

In the US, PSYOP, Cyber, Public Affairs, Combat Camera, and Deception are Information Related Capabilties. IO merely synchronizes and deconflicts these functions. IO can help plan operations, but S/G/J7's are staff - not commanders of forces. IO is often used incorrectly, as a term to cover one of the IRC functions. This typically means PSYOP when misused.

Yes, IO is also IIA (but the Functional Area 30 course is still called IO, as are the joint publications. for now) Army PSYOP soldiers, in PSYOP units, conduct MISO.

There is significantly more to PSYOP than just loudspeakers and leaflets, especially in the Cyber and Deception realm but this is an accurate summarization given this being a public website.. ultimately it is about Influencing behavior change or altering beliefs - and print products and loudspeakers are the most recognizable forms.

In the US, IO has been at odds with the IRCs for a while, out of fear of "mission creep" (it growing into some type of Command or controlling organization). At the Tactical level, IO may be unneeded (in a Brigade, nothing should keep one IRC from talking to the sister IRCs or the Commander). At the Operational and Strategic levels, IO is a much needed asset.

Drew, welcome back, I hadnt seen you post in a while.

G'day folks - an update on the variety of multinational forces patches (on rotation) at ISAF JOINT COMMAND INFORMATION OPERATIONS.

hi,

very nice patches

hughes