data is one of the few clear ways U.S. forces could collaborate with these partners on the ground with limited expenditure.
A Possible Fictional Scenario Involving
Remote CIM
Regionally aligned CA forces focused at defending
national interests by conducting CMO and security
cooperation operations is a current reality seen across
the globe. The following example uses a fictional scenario but realistic challenges from the current U.S.
Africa Command area of responsibility and highlights
the significant increase in capability CA forces could
have with a remote CIM tool to link SMEs with requirements in theater.
A Peacekeeping Troop Contributing Country (TCC)
staff officer at battle group headquarters deployed in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)
has just received several daily civil information situation
reports. He notices in the reports there are several request
for information (RFI) from a recent civil reconnaissance
conducted by two coalition infantry companies. Included
is a request for a SME on zoonotic diseases to help with a
strange virus effecting goat herds in Beledweyne, a call for
advice from a water plant manager on what types of pumps
should be used at a new public works agricultural water
distribution system in Kismaayo, and a question from an
education administrator in Mogadishu on methods to improve administration of 15 different elementary schools in
his district. He passes these reports to his CIM cell who
posts these RFI to a digital portal on a COTS automation
platform via an unclassified commercial internet connection. The next morning at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, a CA
officer assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Af-
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