CAMP RIPPER, Iraq -- CAMP RIPPER, Iraq (June 11, 2008) -- Members of the Iraqi Security Forces spent June 10 and 11 here to learn the fundamentals of a joint communication center so that they can teach other ISF personnel JCC operations.
A JCC allows the different elements of the ISF to communicate with each other and function together to accomplish missions or to handle emergency situations. There are several JCCs operating in western Anbar province, Iraq.
“The purpose of the JCC Course was to develop the student’s capability to train JCC personnel in their respective districts,” said Maj. Jarrod Stoutenborough, ISF coordinator, Regimental Combat Team 5.
The group that attended the inaugural course included members of the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and Provincial JCC personnel from across western Anbar. The group started the course by receiving their first class from Col. Patrick Malay, commanding officer, RCT- 5.
Standing in front of the group of Iraqis, Malay explained the similarities of a JCC to a cup of chai tea with the help of an interpreter. He explained that the tea or water by themselves do not make chai tea, it’s only when all the ingredients are mixed together that a cup of chai tea is made. Similarly, a JCC is only functional when all the parts work together.
For the next two days, the Iraqis had classes on topics such as JCC standard operating procedures, operating a radio, computer operations and capped off the class by running through several JCC scenarios. The classes were all given by members of the Provincial JCC.
“The only way to truly maximize all the elements of force is to channel our efforts, particularly with the focus on communication, is through the JCCs,” said Stoutenborough, who is from Decatur, Ill.
The ISF personnel took great pride in attending the course and will now be able to return to their respective districts and pass on the knowledge they learned.
“The class was outstanding, it was perfect for us,” said Capt. Rafed Adi Hassan, a police officer with the Haditha JCC.
The concept of the JCC was summed up by Malay when he said, “One team, one fight.”