Dstl Support to Operations

Analysis in Africa

Analyst David Cooley deployed to Kenya for two weeks to support Exercise Civil Bridge in November 2012. David has previously deployed to Afghanistan as an analyst in three separate tours between 2010 and 2012, and has worked for the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) for eight years. 

The Military Stabilisation Support Group (MSSG), a tri-service unit, works to facilitate civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) and provides military assistance to stabilisation and development in many countries. MSSG also partners with allies around the world to help develop capability overseas and this is often done closely aligned with its civilian counterparts in the Cabinet Office Stabilisation Unit (SU). 

MSSG have units widely deployed across the world to support a variety of operations and exercises and consist of primary military stabilisation practitioners who provide expert advice and support on deployed operations such as Afghanistan. 

One of the key activities MSSG carries out on operations is gathering a detailed understanding of local people from a social, economic and political perspective. This requires gathering, analysing and sharing a variety of data which feeds into the overall military and civilian planning to ensure the needs of the local people are included in military decision making.  In addition, through building these relationships with locals, MSSG can help support local people. 

Part of MSSG’s collective training is Exercise Civil Bridge, a joint military-civilian exercise allowing stabilisation practitioners to train and exercise under realistic conditions. 

With the support of the MSSG, Dstl used this exercise to trial the suitability of software running on laptops and tablet computers to collect data and conduct analysis while out on the ground, assessing the benefit tablets have over the more traditional pen and paper. The intent was to assess whether using software and tablets provide a useful capability in the field. 

Apart from the odd interruption of monkeys stealing food or giraffes wandering around the HQ, a typical work day was consistent with that of a standard deployment; starting at 0800 and usually finishing around 2200.  However, as the HQ was based on a game reserve the view was significantly better than all the other HQs I’ve worked in.

My role on the exercise was to support Dstl’s trial, assisting the military with using the technology, supporting and conducting analysis on the collected data as necessary and gathering feedback from the users on their views of new technologies, such as the tablet computers.

Being embedded in the HQ meant I was able to provide instant support to the MSSG by assisting with Centres of Gravity analysis, producing network and influence maps and drawing out conclusions and recommendations that the tools helped identify. These contributions help to provide a solid evidence base to inform decisions and I was also able to solve technical issues and advise on how to use the software. 

The MSSG were keen to trial the software and tablets and during the exercise and I received very useful feedback. This will help inform future decisions on developing software and whether to continue to use tablets as a means for data capture.  In addition, the analysis capabilities provided by the software better enabled MSSG to operate on the ground and understand the complex environment they were operating within.

Cougar in Corsica

Rod Bell works for the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) Policy and Capability Studies Department at the Maritime Warfare Centre at HMS Collingwood. In a small, specialist team undertaking Operational Analysis on Land and Littoral Manoeuvre (LLM) at the tactical level, the team is tasked directly by Navy Command Headquarters (HQ) LLM Division to conduct Capability Development Operational Analysis for UK Amphibious forces out to 10 years ahead.

Our work is objective, impartial and evidence based and we are frequently tasked to deploy with the Response Force Task Group or 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines to either record/evaluate events or plan and manage experimentation during deployments.

A recent task from Navy Command HQ was to evaluate a new combat identification system for use on Royal Marine surface manoeuvre craft and to evaluate a number of situational awareness systems for use by the coxswains and crews of those craft and for discrete tactical beach reconnaissance tasks. A team of four analysts, including two Dstl colleagues, travelled to Corsica for a short phase of EX COUGAR 12.

Day one involved meeting ashore with Commander UK Task Group staff and their French counterparts to discuss our requirements and to ensure access through the French airbase at Solenzara to RED beach where HMS BULWARK's 4th Assault Squadron Royal Marines was establishing its beachhead as part of the exercise scenario. This turned out to be a fairly involved process with locked gates and attack dogs running loose at night. A friendly Royal Marine mentioned a track along the beach so we took our two-wheeled drive Dacia Duster hire car along the pebbles and sand instead to ensure a quick no-fuss route.

After a brief meeting with colleagues and participants, we started the combat identification experimentation utilising a landing craft with two analysts on the shore managing test equipments to evaluate the combat identification system's effectiveness. After the last experimental measurement was taken I was amazed while watching the coxswain controlling this craft - his head glanced back and forth between the view of darkness and the navigation radar plot as he adjusted the left and right pulsejets to keep a straight course.  

Over the next four days we conducted further situational awareness and combat identification experiments by day and night. The landing craft coxswain, his crew and the signaller were fantastic to work with and their commitment and determination ensured 100% of all planned experimentation was achieved.

Now the real work starts. We’ll analyse the data, draw observations/conclusions and present this to Navy Command HQ with our recommendations on the usefulness of the systems we tested. The end goal is to provide objective, scientific evidence on the performance of both systems which will benefit the man on the front line, in this case, the men of 4th Assault Squadron Royal Marines.

Analysis supporting deployment

Ian Perry is a Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Operational Analyst (OA) currently embedded in the Scientific Adviser brand in the Directorate of Land Warfare (DLW) at Warminster. Prior to this, he completed a six month tour as a deployed operational analyst at Task Force Helmand HQ in Lashkar Gar, Afghanistan, and before that he spent 2 and a half years in the Scientfic Adviser (SCIAD) branch at Permanent Joint HQ at Northwood. I’m writing this towards the end of a busy year as an embedded analyst in the Scientific Adviser (Land) team at Warminster. In that time my colleague Matt (also Dstl) and I have been involved in training two Brigade headquarters going off to their six-month tours of duty in Afghanistan, and the two logistic headquarters which went to support them. We’ve also responded to multiple requests for analysis and advice from the doctrine and operational lessons branches at DLW, as well as Army HQ at Andover, covering everything from the design of small arms ranges, to the optimal use of military working dogs. In addition we took part in war-gaming to develop a new tactics handbook and are currently analysing data from Army training exercises, to work out how to exploit the data to underpin technical research programmes. To cap it all, Matt and I have just spent two weeks with HQ 1 (UK) Armoured Division on Exercise Rhino Charge, providing OA input to the HQ’s planning for a generic overseas operation. The Brigade training is the most absorbing part of the SCIAD(Land) role and has the biggest and most immediate impact. Having previously spent six months working in HQ Task Force Helmand in 2010/11, I now spend a lot of time mentoring the Brigade HQ staff to make best use of their deployed analysts and scientists – just learning how to ask the right questions is vital, as what they initially ask is often only a small part of the true problem. Military planners are accustomed to working with a lot of uncertainty, as a result their planning typically carries some spare capacity to mitigate risks. Our analysis is intended to increase their understanding of those uncertainties and risks, so that they can plan more accurately and operate more efficiently. The obvious question at this moment is “What does 2013 have in store?” The great thing about Support to Operations is that you never know.

Operation Christmas

René Nevola is a principal scientist in the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl’s) human systems group. He has supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Scientific Adviser and an Operational Analyst on several occasions and continues his twenty-two year scientific career as a specialist in human performance and survivability.

It’s that magical time of year again when we can put aside any differences, be sociable, have time off work and make a fuss of everyone and everything that we care about.

So spare a thought for our colleagues who are working 24/7 throughout the festive period without their loved-ones beside them. Better still, send an e-bluey to friends and colleagues overseas and make them laugh by including a photo of the boss wearing a Santa’s hat or donning a dodgy moustache for the Movember charity. E-blueys are free to send to British Forces Post Office addresses and they get delivered as paper letters even during times when lines are down.

I was working in Iraq or Afghanistan for three of the last five Christmas’ and it absolutely made my day to get a handwritten card from friends at work as well as my family. This time last year I was lucky enough to receive four gift parcels (which are free to post if they weigh < 2kg) from friends at work as well as cards, it was truly terrific and a boost to morale just when I needed it most! Every day is a work day when you are deployed and our adversaries don’t give up, so neither do our exceptionally professional Armed Forces or the support to operations staff back in the UK (the unsung heroes who do an outstanding job not only working with deployees to operational tempo but who look after us and deal with any concerns from our families).

To the military everything is an ‘OP’, so by now the HQ will be heavily involved with OP CHRISTMAS, arranging for the parcel box (with donated gifts from sponsors) that every deployed sailor, soldier, airman and civil servant gets on the big day, ensuring that mail gets delivered (to and from theatre), organising a full Christmas dinner, sorting out some entertainment and negotiating an extra 70 minutes free phone time for everyone to ring their loved ones. It doesn’t matter where you are, Christmas just brings such a great feeling of good will and even though that spirit always exists on deployment even the grumpiest staff officers raise a smile and like kids, can’t wait to open their presents! Visitors tend to like this period and some are appreciated by the troops more than others (dare I say that the ‘Nuts’ girls tend to be the most popular visitors with our younger troops).

Last year I donned my Santa’s hat and temporarily left my desk to attend my scheduled meal in the new indoor super kitchen at Camp Bastion. In keeping with tradition, the Commander and his senior staff served the food and turned a blind eye (and a deaf ear) to the morale-boosting jokes at their expense. The food was amazing and plentiful and the laughter was much needed. I managed to get onto an ‘e-postcard’ facility which let me record 60 seconds of video to e-mail to my fiancée. A superb surprise was the Fijian Choir and the Band of the Royal Scots who played Christmas Carols and even got the Brigadier to join-in with a rendition of the ‘12 days of Christmas’. You know that you aren’t in the UK when you see the choir wearing military kit with automatic weapons slung over one shoulder, mind you the temperature is a hint. After the food and a few Carols it was back to work ... but (at the request of the Brigadier) with an early finish of 21:00 hrs for good behaviour, to phone home or go to a religious service in the Padre’s tent. Hearing voices from home made the day very special, and I was ready for the remainder of my six and a half month tour.

Enjoy the festive period, whatever your beliefs, but consider sending a card, letter, free 2kg gift box or an e-bluey to someone you know who is deployed overseas at this time. It takes a few minutes of your time but it gives many hours (even days) of happiness to those lucky enough to receive your kind gesture. If you want to send something to the Armed Forces to show your support or gratitude, please use the MOD approved charity, UK4U Thanks!

Season’s Greetings to you all.

Fighting IEDs from London

David West has worked as an Operational Analyst within the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Effects Team in London since October 2011.  He is on detachment from the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (Dstl), and is normally based at Portsdown West near Portsmouth. This is David’s second posting to Whitehall; he has also been posted to Defence Equipment and Support in Bristol and during 2010 - 2011 he led the Operational Analysis team in Bahrain supporting Maritime Security Operations.

I return to my computer, having been distracted by the sound of horses’ hooves as the Household Cavalry change the guard outside my window. On the screen is analysis of the ongoing fight in far-off Afghanistan against the threat of the Improvised Explosive Device (IED). 

Not all supporting operations require physically facing the heat and dust of Helmand. The Counter-IED Effects Team consists of five analysts from Dstl who work in Whitehall. Our remit is to provide the MOD with an understanding of progress in the UK’s fight against the IED threat in Afghanistan, and better appreciate the threat and associated risks.

While our military colleagues in theatre have a vast array of equipment to detect and protect themselves against IEDs, away from the firing line we analysts come armed with nothing much more than a computer and an enquiring mind. The questions we answer vary but tend to help inform decisions about current and future capability requirements, and are based around understanding ‘how are things changing on the ground?’ and perhaps more importantly ‘why are things changing?’ It is not always easy to produce clear answers as there are many factors to take into account - our own capability to counter the threat is continually evolving, the insurgents who lay the IEDs get better at doing so, and there are also external influences such as the varying seasons.

We work particularly closely with our analyst colleagues posted out to Afghanistan, who regularly send us tasks via the Dstl reachback process, when they may not have the required analysis tools or time. For example, we were recently asked to look whether a range of IED detection methods were still effective.  We were able to show that the systems in question were having a positive effect and our study helped justify their continued use. 

It’s not just about equipment though; we also look at other factors such as the impact of training. A study earlier this year compared the ability of different teams to find and make safe IEDs. This showed clearly that introducing new equipment on its own is not the answer – you also need integrated training to maximise the benefit.

Aside from the technical satisfaction of doing what we do, it can be very rewarding working at the centre of defence in Whitehall, alongside the senior MOD staff as part of the team. I am also lucky enough to work in the grandeur of the Old War Office Building, (used as a backdrop in the latest Bond movie and brilliantly reconstructed by the team). Many of the sights and sounds of central London lie just outside the door; Trafalgar Square and the Houses of Parliament are within walking distance. 

But all good things come to an end, I will shortly return to Dstl.

Re-entry

Neil Higson deployed to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan as a Defence Science Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Scientific Adviser (SCIAD) for six months from November 2011.  This was Neil’s first deployment and second visit to Afghanistan. Neil has now returned to Dstl following a two year secondment at Permanent Joint HeadQuarters (PJHQ) and his deployment.  He currently leads the MOD’s Homeland Security research programme.

The last year feels like a bit of a blur, such a lot was undertaken and completed throughout my six month scientific adviser tour in Afghanistan. It’s important that I thank the significant team effort that goes into enabling a successful theatre deployment. The pre-tour briefings that the Dstl experts provide are essential; the S2O team back in the UK ensure your deployment goes as smoothly as possible.  The science and technology reach-back co-ordinators who provide access to 3,500 technical colleagues back in Dstl and across Government make our deployed roles possible and finally the other staff, scientific and military in theatre provide a great mix of skills. I often get asked what a typical day was like, well there is no typical day; I spent my time between performing trials with new and emerging technology or equipment; supporting the HQ or other ISAF colleagues on any scientific or technical aspect of the operation, ranging from threat advice to force protection measures; feeding technical information back to the UK in support of evidence-based decision making related to key equipment programmes and their underpinning research, writing weekly reports, digging holes in the ground to prepare for C-IED trials, or simply bantering over whose turn it is to make the next brew. The closest to a typical day would start at 0800 and finish between 2200-2300 so days are long, but challenging and fruitful.  Dstl, working with MOD colleagues, has rapidly progressed and developed numerous equipments to support Operation HERRICK. I was fortunate during my tour to be involved with several theatre trials and tests of a variety of these equipments.  An example that stands out was the deployment of a specific prototype detection unit across the UK area of operations. This equipment was evaluated, developed and rapidly trialled as an operational concept demonstrator at Dstl’s Porton Down site and in Afghanistan using both the UK Infantry Trials Development Unit Staff from Warminster and deployed SCIADs. The Dstl technical team focussed on making the most of commercially available products and rapidly created a capability that was deployed within a very short timeframe. As a theatre focal point for this work I helped train infantry troops from 2 MERCIAN and 1 YORKS regiments to deploy the equipment in Nad e Ali on a number of their upcoming patrols and operations. One of the biggest highlights of my tour was when my phone rang and the Nad e Ali battlegroup Liaison Officer provided unsolicited positive feedback for the equipment and requested whether we could provide any additional units ASAP (See photo of general trials activities in SCIAD compound). This really indicated the practical value that Dstl provides with focussed technical support to operations and what can be achieved in short order when all parties align and pull together. There are numerous other examples of the excellent technical support Dstl provided to operations in Afghanistan during my tour, but the final rewarding aspect of my time in theatre came from the friendship and camaraderie that is generated from the military and civilian staff being thrown together within an Operational Headquarters for six months. I was privileged to work alongside very capable and professional colleagues from Dstl and have made new friends both at home and abroad. Encouraged by our Brigadier, we fostered an exemplary relationship with our ISAF partners, and I was routinely able to assist allies in the same way that I provided input to UK Forces. Since arriving back in the UK at the end of May 2012 I have enjoyed my post tour leave with a day at the Ascot races and some much needed DIY fitting a new kitchen at my home.

Confessions of a serial 'deployee'

Felicity House deployed to Task Force Helmand Headquarters in Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan as the Deputy Scientific Adviser in August 2012. This is her third deployment, following a tour as an Operational Analyst (OA) in 2009 and a technical trial in Kandahar in 2010. When not abroad, Felicity works at the MOD’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), a position that she has held for six years. Had I been told, when I finished University, that I would be working for Dstl on my third deployment to Afghanistan and, more importantly, that I would be excited about doing so, I would never have believed you. Yet this is the position that I find myself in. My first tour was as Operational Analyst for the Brigade Headquarters. This was a challenging role and was a huge culture shock, though it didn’t take long to acclimatise to the military sense of humour, the constant noise of helicopters overhead, wearing body armour, exercising every day and working seven days a week. I already had OA experience within my day job at Dstl, so there was not a huge amount of training required before I deployed. Within a month, I felt like an integral part of the Brigade and was constantly busy, buzzing from the atmosphere and the ‘can do’ attitude that emanates from the military on operations.  By the time I returned home, I knew that I would miss this working environment and the job satisfaction that is so easy to come by when working in support of operations.   I am currently deployed as Deputy Scientific Adviser, which is more challenging for me as the work that I am involved in is so broad. I undertook training over a period of six weeks. I had to get an overview of each of the work areas within Dstl, understand operational and research priorities and explore technology that could have an impact on my six month tour. It was really interesting to learn so much more about other work areas of Dstl and MOD and I felt well prepared by the time I set off for Lashkar Gah. I have now been deployed with 12 Brigade for two months, and 4 Brigade are shortly taking over. Already the work has been really interesting. I have been involved in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, windscreen protection, force protection and personal protective equipment to name but a few work themes. It’s good to be back working in a military environment and I am looking forward to seeing what the next four months bring.