Using computer sofware and GPS cameras to map enemy activilty along a supply route

Intelbriefs:

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As the CLB-2 Intelligence Officer for seven months in Iraq, 1st Lt Ben Hodgins' job was to gain a thorough knowledge of enemy activities within the battalion's area of operations. Supported by a staff of two Marine intelligence analysts (collectively known as the Intelligence Section), his objective was to report, understand, and analyze enemy activity and ensure that information was disseminated to the right people within the battalion as well as to supported, adjacent, and higher units. Typically, this process involved sorting through hundreds of e-mail and verbal reports that came in from a variety of information sources. The most up-to-date data resulted from mission debriefs from subordinate units and their own troops, while higher headquarters supplied information from other sources.

The Intelligence Section condensed this information into situational awareness briefings for the battalion commander and premission briefs for convoy commanders and the security element. The briefs detailed enemy activity along the convoys' intended routes and analyzed possible enemy action.

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For intelligence purposes, the software plotted the locations of known enemy activity on a map, allowing the Intelligence Section to visualize geographically how and where the enemy might affect proposed operations on any given day.

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The Intelligence Section embedded photo locations in digital maps, allowing analysts and planners to match a photo with its relationship to surrounding terrain and enemy and friendly activity (also displayed on the map).

Intelligence personnel, unit commanders, and staff use these photos to acquaint themselves with the perspective of the Marine so they can better plan future missions. During briefings, the photos are displayed to drivers and crews along with maps and other imagery so they can anticipate potential problem areas and know where to take special precautions. With troops constantly rotating in and out of the area, ground photos are especially useful to Marines who are preparing to embark on a particular route for the first time.

The advent of digital cameras has streamlined this entire process because there is no need for film development. What's more, photos can be stored and sorted on a computer. Until GPS receivers and photo-linking software became available, however, the downside to field acquisition of photography was that the photographer often forgot, or was not able, to note the exact location and other details of each picture. Photos without locations have limited value.

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There is much more.