Interoperability Demonstration Hits the Mark
July 2005, SIGNAL Connections
Event organizers laud ability to share information.
By Maryann Lawlor

Network-centric operations came closer to becoming reality with the successful completion of Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (CWID) 2005 at the end of June. Event leaders were impressed with the demonstrated ability to share information and the amount of collaboration that took place. The next step is to determine which capabilities can fulfill current shortfalls and be moved into the field quickly. Virtual private network technology was one capability that stood out and that could facilitate the transition from the need-to-protect to the need-to-share information paradigm.

For the first time, the U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) was in charge of planning and execution oversight for CWID; for the second consecutive year, the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) hosted the event. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) led the demonstration, as it has since 2003.

Col. Michael Lebiedz, USAFR, CWID director, JFCOM, explains that collecting technology assessment data was a top priority from the very beginning of event planning. While some of the interoperability trials show great promise, others will still require work, he says. Lt. Col. Buddy Dees, USAF, DISA’s CWID director, allows that a few of the trials experienced some problems at the beginning of the demonstration primarily because developers did not provide adequate training personnel; however, by the second week, training was provided and these trials were up and running.

Interoperability trials took place at several sites in the United States as well as at locations in Europe, Korea, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Technologies were chosen to participate based on their ability to meet at least one of eight objectives including information sharing across multiple domains and collaborative planning across a bandwidth-constrained operational environment.

Over the years, the network configuration for the demonstration has evolved to reflect changing needs. This year, the requirement for scalability and flexibility called for the creation of a new classified coalition space called the Purple Enclave. Although the enclave was classified Secret, information was releasable to all nations participating in the demonstration. Countries were grouped into communities of interest that were separated by a virtual private network.

According to Lt. Col. James A. “Tony” Hill, New Zealand Army, the availability of information was impressive. Having worked in a lot of coalitions, the essential element that’s common among all militaries throughout the world is the need to know. From my perspective on the Purple network here, everything I needed to see was there. There was nothing held back,” he notes.

To examine the capabilities within an operational environment, an integrated scenario was created that on one hand involved national emergency situations within the continental United States and on the other featured a coalition task force addressing multinational tensions abroad.

The U.S. homeland defense challenges included both manmade and natural disasters such as terrorist attacks, floods, an earthquake, a tropical storm threat and wild fires. The coalition task force setting entailed fictional countries facing the threat of invasion and the need for humanitarian aid. This scenario was divided into three phases: setting up bases of operation, executing operations and delivering humanitarian assistance.

Col. Timothy Cassidy, USMCR, coalition task force commander, relates that vendors commented about how the demonstration increased their understanding of military requirements. In addition, because participants were from different services as well as from different countries, CWID revealed what these organizations have in common—and what issues still need to be addressed, he states.

Interoperability trials were observed throughout CWID by the assessment working group that comprised three analyst teams: warfighter/operator utility, interoperability and security capability. These teams evaluated the capabilities, pointing out issues that needed to be resolved as well as offering appropriate corrective actions. These assessments will be combined with participant input, and results will be included in the CWID assessment report.

Although there was reluctance to share information at first, Col. Dees notes that the virtual private network capability increased confidence in more open communications. However, for coalitions formed to address real-world conflicts, it will be important that partners agree about which information to share and with whom when the coalition is being formed.

Plans for CWID 2006 already are underway. The U.S. European Command will host the event, and the focus will be on more traditional military-to-military and military-to-civilian authority activity concerning the global war on terrorism. NORTHCOM’s participation will continue to be geared toward homeland defense and homeland security issues.

Interoperability trial proposals for CWID 2006 are due to the CWID Joint Management Office by September 30, 2005, and participants will be selected by November 7, 2005. The event is scheduled to begin with setup on May 30, 2006, and to conclude June 23, 2006. Additional information on CWID 2006 can be obtained at http://199.57.1.137/public/CWID 2006 Website FBO.doc.