Google Earth

[jcustis]

Anyone used Google Earth in conjunction with SIPR SIGACTS on a local computer to conduct pattern anaysis? Does anyone else see the utility in this?

I know that there is a system coming online which is similar to Google Earth for SIGACT tracking as I tested it for the Army in October. However, has anyone used existing technologies to do the same thing in the interim?

Having used GE, Falconview, and C2PC, I would not use GE as a stand-alone SIGACTS platform. I haven't seen functionality like you have on Falconview, which is actually a pretty easy piece of gear to use and is almost a must these days for ops in an urban environment.

I use GE currently as a training tool, where I produce SIGACTS overhead views as a product given out with FTX opords (developing the enemy sit). It's met with acceptance because the training audience knows they'll have to work with near-real time imagery in the future.

I'm not sure a GEOINT guy is necessary for integration into current ops. It would be a nice thing, but we've pulled a lot of capability out without even tapping into heavy GIS. I hear what you're saying Jedburgh, just believe a lot of capability is already there.

It's pretty easy to tie this stuff into Kilcullen, but that's for another post (and likely lengthy).

[Jedburgh]

...I'm not sure a GEOINT guy is necessary for integration into current ops. It would be a nice thing, but we've pulled a lot of capability out without even tapping into heavy GIS. I hear what you're saying Jedburgh, just believe a lot of capability is already there....

JC, I didn't mean that we needed a lot of dedicated GEOINT specialists - any good intel soldier can do the job, if he possesses a decent familiarity with GEOINT.

On the other hand, referring to your last statement about capabilities, I'd have to agree wholeheartedly. Combat ops tend to separate the wheat from the chaff, and there are plenty of "trained" intel soldiers out there who don't really have a knack for the job - and plenty of soldiers in other fields that, when given the opportunity, truly shine.

An example of the former would be the NCOIC of the terrain team at CJTF-180 in Afghanistan a while back - when I requested tac terrain products for certain sites, he just kept repeating "I can get ya overhead imagery". When I explained that I wanted an analytic product, he looked at me like I had something growing out of my forehead.

An example of the latter would be the young FA CPT at a large FOB in Iraq who, with no prep or specialized training, was thrust into the FP officer position. He did an outstanding job of conducting a pattern analysis of friendly patrol activity and threat mortar attacks - complete with the most important part of all, a concise written report specifying the exact nature of the threat and a recommendation for a direct and simple solution. Unfortunately, the CPT's solution required a COL to change the way he did business, which didn't happen - and the rounds kept coming in, and a few more troops were wounded before outsiders with weight came in and made a recommendation which couldn't be refused...

Although I belive that both cases tend to be the exception (although not so rare) rather than the rule, it is those non-MI soldiers who are the latter exception that really provide us with a huge advantage at the company level - when their leaders are wise enough to discover and exploit their talents.

[makatak]

There are already programs on line in Iraq for this purpose. A couple I'm aware of include Combined Information Data Network Exchange (CIDNE) and Marine-Link. FusionNet also provided this capability. I know MNF-W is also looking at NASA WorldWind.

[Uboat509]

Arc View is a phenomenal piece of software. It has incredible tools for analysis. The only real limitations are the price which should not be an issue because Uncle Suger should be providing this and the computer that runs it needs to have a) a fairly large hard drive b) a lot of ram and c) a good graphics card. Oh and you will definitely need some training on it. It is not something you figure out by trial and error.

SFC W

[dusty]

Our S2 shop has a variety of different machines to choose from- ASAS-L, CIDNE, JIOC, Falconview and ArcGis. We are supposed to be getting a new one next week, CPOF. The problem with these machines is that they all utilize SIPR, and as soon as you discover that it doesn't have the map datum for the area that you need, a contractor has to be called etc etc. Our S6 can't fix it because of the classification. Frustrating.

A 96B who had some emphasis on GEOINT training would be incredibly useful, but I don't see that happening unless I figure out a way to teach them.

[Jedburgh]

FYI:

The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) is now accepting applications for its 2007 USGIF Scholarship Program. USGIF will award more than $50,000 in scholarships this year. The deadline is 01 June 07.

All graduate and undergraduate students studying fields relating to the geospatial intelligence tradecraft are encouraged to apply.

Applications can be found on the Foundation's website at www.usgif.org/Education_Scholarships.aspx.

USGIF is also awarding scholarships to well-qualified high school seniors planning to enter a geospatial intelligence or GIS-related program at the college or university level.

Questions can be directed to scholarships@usgif.org.

[Jedburgh]

...another educational FYI:

The Departments of Geography, Psychology, and Justice Studies at the University of Regina have developed an institute for the advanced training of participants in the statistical and geographical information systems (GIS) analysis of crime and justice data. (with the support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRCC) and Statistics Canada).

The National Summer Institute (NSI) is an intensive, hands-on workshop held in Regina, Canada's "Queen City", over seven days: June 17-23, 2007.

The NSI is open to approximately 40 participants, including academics, researchers, graduate students, and practitioners in the field (such as police, justice workers, etc.) Participants should have some background preparation in statistics (such as a university course), however, no background in GIS (mapping data) is required.

Funding, academic credit, and RCMP continuing education credit are available.

More information and an application form can be found at: http://www.uregina.ca/arts/NSI/