Joint Combat Camera-Iraq

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The Joint Combat Camera-Iraq (JCC-I) Team distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service to the United States under Multi-National Corps-Iraq, Baghdad, from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. As the Department of Defense’s (DoD) largest deployed Combat Camera unit, the outstanding combined efforts of 96 Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force personnel at 54 forward operating bases ensured flawless and continuous coverage over Iraq’s 169,000 square miles. In the face of significant danger these combat warriors joined the most elite DoD units to document over 2,900 high-threat combat and life-saving humanitarian missions supporting four Divisions, resulting in the transmission of 160,000 quality images and 180 hours of video becoming DoD’s largest contributor of combat imagery to world media reaching millions of people globally.

The JCC-I team conducted numerous night-raids, insurgent disruption operations and counter-terrorism missions. The crucial evidential images led to the capture of the top 9 Al Qaeda members and 62 insurgents, seizure of 76 IEDs, closure of 4 IED factories, and ultimately cut IED attacks by 48% saving countless lives.

Developing future security, the team documented several Iraqi Police (IP), Army (IA) and Security Forces (ISF) operations and training missions. The IP training mission images were used to analyze mistakes and synchronize training efforts for future classes cutting errors and training time by 15%. Showing the valiant efforts of the IA raised the Iraqis’ confidence in the IA by 20%. Finally, JCC-I developed a documentation plan to show IA and IP civilian interaction showing their compassion for the Iraqi public. Once the images were publicized serious crime reporting raised from 66 to 77%.

During Operation Liberator, the U.S. military’s largest personnel recovery operation, JCC-I team expeditiously documented different recovery sites. The analysis of the detailed imagery led to the recovery of coalition members and of Captain Scott Speicher, a Navy pilot shot down during the first Gulf War, 1991.
As part of the drawdown, the team was cut by 44%, but still increased output by 19%. During the June 2009 U.S. Security Agreement, coalition forces turned over forward operating locations to Iraqi forces. The team masterfully led negotiations between U.S. and British forces leaders in Basra to initiate a critical personnel swap, and the swap out of key Iran-Iraq border security to ISF. The team also planned for the Government of Iraq’s future by documenting and planning for the nationwide parliamentary elections raising Iraqi’s election confidence from 42 to 68%. As part of Campaign Plan 09-02, JCC-I optimized support for the strategic reposturing of forces, parliamentary elections, relief in place and the transition force sending a clear message of converting from a combat to an advising force proving the U.S.’s commitment to the security agreement.

The unit organized the first-ever Multinational Corps-Iraq’s Iraqi Combat Camera training program, reviewing lesson plans, coordinating Iraqi media coverage and leveraging the most experienced U.S. Combat Camera personnel in country to teach their Iraqi counterparts. After the program was instituted they expanded it nationally resulting in exponentially increasing the ISF’s capability to leverage imagery to discredit enemy propaganda and raising the Iraqi public’s confidence in the ISF from 69 to 94%.
The team also implemented a new satellite transition plan saving DoD $600,000 per year in transmission costs, reused the old system saving $3.7 million and freed up three satellite channels saving another $1.2 million. The enhanced transmission capability led to the successful completion of Information and Psychological Operations products seen by 29 million Iraqis showcasing the progress of Iraq.

The combined distinctive and heroic accomplishments of the Joint Combat Camera-Iraq team reflects great credit upon themselves, the Department of Defense, the Government of Iraqi, and the United States. This book is dedicated to the true professional Combat Cameramen. They had the clearest vision of what was before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding they bravely met it. No person is truly great who is great only in their lifetime…the test of greatness is the page of history. Each time history repeats itself, the price goes up. What is caught on film is captured forever…it remembers the little things, long after we have forgotten everything. Combat Camera made, captured and proved history time and time again!