The BCT’s military intelligence company provides a diverse set of capabilities to a Brigade Combat Team. Whether facilitating the execution of HUMINT operations in a local urban area, SIGINT operations by attaching small teams forward with reconnaissance elements, or information collection activities with UAV assets, every MICO should allow the Commander to better understand the tactical situation. Yet, to employ this formation effectively, it should be intimately comfortable operating in small teams, dispersed throughout the organization, trained to provide capability when and where it is needed to facilitate intelligence operations. Too often, Commanders relegate the training of these small teams to a series of command post exercises without critically thinking through how to best employ these crucial Soldiers on a modern battlefield.
Location of the MICO Commander and MICO Command Post
Observation
Organic to the Brigade Engineer Battalion, some units fail to capitalize on the capabilities of the MICO Commander and the MICO Command Post. As a result, this critical C2 node is positioned away from the Brigade, unable to assist the BCT Commander and staff with the intelligence effort.
Best Practice
Locating Company Command Posts (CPs) at the BCT Main CP location maximizes the MICO Commander’s ability to tie in to the brigade planning process and enable the brigade’s Information Collection Plan. With this location, the MICO commander can be used in numerous ways: in a direct FUOPS capacity with brigade Intel Planners and Collection Manager, in a direct CUOPS capacity by managing his/her assets on the CUOPS floor, and/or in a support capacity by ensuring the MICO assets are resourced and in position for each phase of operations.
Broad PACE Plan
Observation
Due to a lack of organic comms platforms, many MICOs fail to develop a robust communications plan (PACE) that enables organic elements to report effectively.
Best Practice
The development of a broad PACE plan for each MICO team is critical to the MICOs ability to effectively support the larger intelligence enterprise. JCR/JBC-P is the most effective means for the company CP to communicate with collection teams and the UAS platoon. Due to frequent enemy jamming capabilities, however, the MICO cannot limit their PACE to simply JCR/JBCP. The MICO must have a broad PACE plan to include upper T/I, TACSAT, HF, and FM systems. Additionally, this PACE plan must be trained and verified prior to NTC Rotations.
Collection Team Link Up With Maneuver Units
Observation
MICOs frequently re-organize small teams of Soldiers throughout operations to facilitate intelligence operations and answer information requirements. Quickly detaching from one unit, navigating to the next, and re-integrating into operations with a new unit is a critical skill. Often, units waste time without adequately tracking these teams and purposely building an SOP to quickly facilitate their movement to the next area of operations.
Best Practice
MICOs must develop a plan to successfully link up collection teams with maneuver units for each phase of the operation. One successful technique to achieve this is to have collection teams present at the brigade Information Collection Rehearsal and brigade Combined Arms Rehearsal.
This allows the team to observe and/or participate in the rehearsals and then link up with a leader from the maneuver unit the team will be supporting. The collection team can then move with that leader back to the battalion TAA and rehearse at the battalion-level prior to pushing out to the company-level.
Positioning and Securing the UAS Platoon
Observation
The UAS Platoon represents a significant information collection and targeting capability for the BCT; however, employment of the platoon in a DATE scenario consistently challenges BCTs to find a suitable position and, just as importantly, secure the platoon against threats in the consolidation area.
Best Practices
A significant struggle MICO and BEBs often have is securing and sustaining the UAS platoon due to lack of security resources and the distance between the BEB’s FSC and the UAS platoon. Given that only 15 Soldiers comprise the average UAS platoon, securing their entire UAS strip internally presents a struggle. One technique to minimize this burden is to locate the UAS platoon with the Aviation Task Force. By co-locating, the BCT can task the AVN Task Force to secure and resupply the UAS Platoon. Additionally, co-location provides an alternate means of communication to the brigade and MICO in the event the UAS platoon’s internal PACE fails. Another technique involves positioning the UAS Platoon adjacent to or near the BSB and support area assets. This technique enables units within the support area to consolidate protection assets. Finally, the BEB Commander can consider, based upon the tactical situation, providing military police support as part of a dedicated mission to secure assets in the consolidation area. Regardless of the technique chosen, Commanders must ensure they position the UAS platoon properly to support the BCT and provide the means to allow the unit to operate securely.
HCT Security
Observation
In a DATE scenario, HCTs continue to collect. They are not a COIN specific formation. The security of these assets in a DATE scenario is critical to their ability to support the BCT.
Best Practice
In a Decisive Action environment, HUMINT Collection Teams will have opportunities to conduct Military Source Operations; however, these meets are conducted within a highly-contested area of operation. Leaders must consider who will secure these source meets. Ideally, the BCT should task a Military Police element or another type of element to provide security. If this is not the case, however, the MICO must be prepared to provide internal security. To be prepared, the MICO must ensure adequate equipment weapons are resourced to the teams and the teams are trained to operate the weapon systems.
POC: Sidewinder 11 (MICO) Team
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