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Joint Intelligence training with US, Morocco, Mauritania strengthen tactical level intelligence

U.S. Marine Corps 1stLt. Jack Lowder addresses an audience on intelligence practices alongside U.S. Army Col. David Jones, the chief of J29 engagements, and Royal Moroccan Armed Forces General Benlovali during the Basic Intelligence Course at the Moroccan Southern Zone Headquarters, March 3-25, 2016. The Basic Intelligence Course consisted of U.S. service members from several organizations to include the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response- Africa instructing members of the Moroccan and Mauritanian armed forces in intelligence gathering, reporting, concepts, and disciplines to help their commanders make informed decisions when faced with uncertainty. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1stLt. Jack Lowder/Released.)

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Photo by: U.S. Marine Corps Forces 1st Lt. Jack Lowder 

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Joint Intelligence training with US, Morocco, Mauritania strengthen tactical level intelligence

Instructors and participants in the Basic Intelligence Course prepare pause before a graduation ceremony in outside of their classroom at the Moroccan Southern Zone Headquarters March 25, 2016. The Basic Intelligence Course consisted of U.S. service members from several organizations to include the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response- Africa instructing members of the Moroccan and Mauritanian armed forces in intelligence gathering, reporting, concepts, and disciplines to help their commanders make informed decisions when faced with uncertainty. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1stLt Jack Lowder/Released)

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Photo by: U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Jack Lowder 

AGADIR, Morocco—U.S. service members completed a Basic Intelligence Course for members of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of Mauritania, March 3-25, at the Moroccan Southern Zone headquarters in Agadir, Morocco.

The three-week course is the first of what U.S. service members are hoping will be more intelligence training events with Moroccan partners. It is designed as both an introduction to the intelligence process, particularly in support to tactical operations, and as preparation for students participating in the upcoming exercise, African Lion 2016.

“I envision that the knowledge gained from this course will help the Moroccan and Mauritanian students become proficient with basic intelligence concepts and be better able to reduce uncertainty for their commanders,” said the U.S Marine intelligence security cooperation officer with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa.

A joint instructor cadre from the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, and instructors from the Regional Joint Intelligence Training Facility instructed 14 Moroccan Officers, six Moroccan NCO’s, and eight Mauritanian Officers in several methods of intelligence gathering and analyzation methods.

“[The course] will also help them thrive in uncommon, complex environments, and be better prepared to support African Lion 2016. And lastly, I hope that this will continue to grow and build on our enduring relationship with Moroccan and Mauritanian intelligence leadership,” stated the intelligence security cooperation officer.

Marines from the SPMAGTF-CR-AF and supporting units focused on tactical-level intelligence such as intelligence concepts, the intelligence cycle, intelligence disciplines, briefing fundamentals, intelligence reporting and intelligence writing during the first week. “It is imperative that the students have a solid grasp on the fundamentals of intelligence before they move on to more complex concepts,” said U.S. Army Capt. Sadikou Kaba.

The second week consisted of analytical tools, collection management, Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) steps 1 and 2, and practical applications. The third week consisted of IPB steps 3 and 4 and student briefings. Students conducted extensive practical exercises as well as practice briefings focused on reducing their commander’s uncertainty in order for him/her to make better decisions.

“When it comes to briefing your commander, you need to be confident,” said A U.S. Marine instructor with the course, “It does not matter how good your intelligence is if you do not have the ability to convey it properly and confidently. You need to be brief, be right, and be gone.”

“At the conclusion of this course, Moroccan and Mauritanian military officer trainees have demonstrated a great appreciation of the role of intelligence in their mission success,” said Dr. Chafiq Moummi, one of the instructors for the course, “and they look forward to applying their new knowledge to enhance the intelligence capabilities of their respective commands.”