Foreign Material Intelligence Battalion

Foreign Material Intelligence Battalion, In support of OPERATION DESERT SHIELD / STORM the Foreign Material Intelligence Battalion was responsible for establishing the Joint Collection Materiel Exploitation Center. The center was in turn tasked with acquiring

1) When alerted on August 6, 1990 the battalion began to immediately formulate plans for the establishment of the Joint Captured Materiel Exploitation Center (JCMEC). To accomplish this representatives-from the Army Navy, Air Force, Marines and United Kingdom were integrated into the battalion's operations. This made mission planning extremely challenging since very little joint training had been

2) Another challenge that the battalion faced was the fact that Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) was a TDA organization, which lacked the required TA-50, radios, and other vital equipment required to operate in a desert environment for an extended period. The challenge was met when the requested equipment was quickly received and an intense training program was instituted to prepare the unit for combat operations.

3) Planning for the establishment of the JCMEC began to take on a new focus when the Air Force Systems Command agreed to send representation immediately upon notification. However, The Naval intelligence Center did agree to send representation. But not until

4) The battalion also attempted to have an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attached to the JCMEC. EOD personnel are essential to the overall mission success of this organization. But, assets were not committed due to the limited number of EOD elements available. Once the main body deployed to Saudi Arabia co-ordination with local Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine EOD control teams were very successful. As a result EOD support throughout the entire operation was superb. Suffice it to say, the JCME operated in support of the headquarters and

had three field collection teams in support of each of the three Corps of the Coalition Forces. Let us turn our attention to the captured material that was recovered.

The technical intelligence team's dozen or so soldiers cautiously approached the knocked-out, Soviet-made T55 tank that sat on the "hot" battlefield near Compchi, Iraq. Upon closer scrutiny, the team discovered that what looked from a distance like explosive-filled reactive armor was nothing more than heavy metal boxes added to reinforce the tank's vulnerable sides, said SGM Donald Bailey, who then served as first

The information forwarded to battlefield commanders was some of the most valuable gathered by U.S. forces during the Gulf war," said Lt. Col. William Fillman, commander of the Foreign Materiel Intelligence Battalion at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., to which the 11th MI Co. belongs.

"That information prevented the coalition forces from having to revamp their entire tactics on the ground," Fillman added. Fewer than 200 soldiers are assigned to the FMIB, the only active-duty technical intelligence battalion in the Army. While in size it more closely resembles a large company, its mission is brigade-size, said Fillman. Most critical is its mission to collect foreign military equipment and weapons from the battlefield, analyze them and provide commanders with real-time intelligence and recommendations on how best to counter or eliminate them.

That mission is carried out primarily by three teams of soldiers from the 11th MI Co. who take photos and jot down notes about the equipment's

physical characteristics and performance. Often, they refer to one of dozens of reference books and pamphlets in their mobile intelligence library. During Operation Desert Storm, the three teams took the library on the road as they deployed with the XVIII Airborne Corps, VII Corps and 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

While in Southwest Asia the teams collected some 1,800 pieces of foreign military equipment including tanks, artillery, radar, boats, rifles and radios -from 30 different Iraqi divisions.They also confiscated tons of ammunition and gathered nearly 400 environmental and biological samples in an effort to identify the enemy's use of chemical weapons, said battalion spokesman 1st Lt. Tony Wiggins.

"We recovered the Scud missiles that hit Riyadh and Dhahran," added Capt. Alan Alvey, who served as officer in charge of all intelligence gathered on Iraqi equipment for Third Army at the time. "One very bad experience for me was having to analyze the crater left by the Scud that demolished the barracks in Dhahran and killed 14 U.S. soldiers," Alvey reflected.

On a more positive note, 11th MI Co. soldiers obtained 35 types of equipment that topped the Defense Department's "wish list" of foreign materiel, Fillman said.

In war, the company's mission is always joint. They support all the battlefield commanders by establishing what's called the "joint captured foreign materiel exploitation center."

There, each of the military services and about 35 agencies, collectively, share the information gleaned from the captured equipment. "We all work for the common goal, to avoid technological surprise," said Alvey, who's now assigned to the 5th Bn., 7th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, in Hanau, Germany.

One of the greatest challenges for FMIB leaders is to teach their soldiers how to think like the enemy, said Bailey. "Most of them possess MOSs other than intelligence. So, we have to turn them around 180 degrees to make them foreign equipment experts."

After about six months with the battalion, they earn the technical intelligence skill identifier. But they continue honing their skills by working closely with intelligence personnel from throughout the scientific community, both in the military and civilian sectors.

The battalion's expertise includes the skills of the 11th MI Co.'S team three, known as "the junkyard dogs." Among its members is Sgt. Thomas Meyer, who goes into a combat zone to collect intelligence documents and identify any major changes the enemy has made to its equipment. SSGT. Gary Carey, a communications analyst, finds radio systems, antennas and cryptographic equipment. And SSGT. Burt Zosa, a foreign missiles analyst, identifies various types of missiles and their warheads. Others check out tank turrets, vehicles, aviation fire control and electronic warfare systems, while chemical and medical analysts assigned to the teams collect samples that would indicate the presence

of toxic agents on the battlefield. But training to stay abreast of the constant changes in foreign military equipment isn't the FMIB soldiers' only job. They also teach the two-week Technical Intelligence Analyst Course and one-week courses about foreign military vehicles and weapons.

Their students include active and reserve-component personnel from all services and Defense Department civilians. In the vehicle course, students learn to identify and operate former Soviet-Bloc vehicles such as T72 and T55 tanks, BMP-1 and BMP-2 armored personnel carriers,

ZSU-23 antiaircraft guns and a Chinese variant of the BMPs, the BTR-70, said course spokesman CWO 2 Rickey Miller. The foreign weapons course familiarizes students with some 80 different pistols, submachine guns and rifles, said CWO 2 Kurt Lawrence, an armament repair technician at the battalion and a course instructor. Students experience four days of hands-on training with machine guns, rocket launchers

and assault rifles before actually firing the weapons. And, because some weapons are vehicle mounted, students learn the characteristics of foreign military vehicles before they drive them around a nearby track.

"Drug enforcement, immigration and Secret Service personnel have attended this course because it introduces them to the types of weapons they're now facing," said Fillman. The FMIB also conducts the Army's opposing force training program for the Intelligence and Security Command, both at Aberdeen and at the National Training Center.

Fillman said. The yard houses Soviet-made BMP infantry fighting vehicles, MTLB armored personnel carriers, BRDM-2 reconnaissance vehicles and MT-12 100mm towed guns, among other things.

Part of the FMIB's role is to keep the foreign equipment and weapons operational and to maintain inventories. Capt. Neal Daniels is responsible for an inventory of about 2,000 types of parts worth an estimated $18 million, everything from huge tank engines and transmissions to tiny nuts and bolts. "Last year alone, the battalion obtained approximately $14 million in foreign weapons and spare parts," said Spec. David

Jefferies, a small-arms repairman who performs ballistics tests to certify foreign weapons are safe to fire. It's the FMIB's responsibility to certify the safety of all foreign military weapons used by Army units for OPFOR training purposes. Additionally, the battalion regularly produces foreign military materiel intelligence brochures and continually updates its lobby "museum" that boasts impressive displays of captured equipment.

"Most people don't know anything about what we do," said one FMIB soldier. "Most soldiers have never even heard about us." That's ironic, because the unit's role is one of the most critical in the Army, Fillman said. "The more our soldiers know about the capabilities, vulnerabilities and limitations of enemy equipment, the better they'll be able to overcome the enemy in war."

Seventeen Soldiers from the 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion received medals for their performance while deployed to Iraq during an award ceremony in Victory Hall, Jan. 11. Lt. Col. James Young, battalion commander was among seven of the awardees who received the Bronze Star medal. The other 10 received Army Commendation Medals. In addition, Young’s father, retired Col. James Young, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, was on hand to pin the medal on his son. “It makes me very proud,” Young said. “This is a great outfit, and they did a great job.” “This day is not about us,” he added, “it’s about all these soldiers and what they’ve done for our country.”

Aberdeen Proving Ground Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Elvis Irby, family members and dozens of Soldiers looked on as the awardees received their medals. Col. Dalton Jones, National Ground Intelligence Center, the battalion’s higher headquarters, presented the ARCOMs.

“This unit did an outstanding job,” Jones said. “In accomplishing their mission, they provided current analysis and valuable information about future capabilities.” Headded that the multi-component unit consisting of active duty and reserve Soldiers, responded well to battlefield

“Technicians such as these are vital in determining equipment modifications,” he said. “In the event of any kind of crisis, elements from this unit will likely support it.” Col. Jake Jones, 513th Military Intelligence Battalion, presented the Bronze Stars. He offered his congratulations to all

recipient’s noting that the medal was the highest awarded given to anyone in the unit. “This was earned by giving every fiber of your being to supporting Soldiers and accomplishing the mission,” Jones said. He said the 203rd is an “amazing battalion that did an

“You trained here, deployed into theater, got on the ground and attacked your mission,” he said.“The greatest compliment to you is that you did it so aggressively. Be proud of yourselves for the contributions you made.”

The 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion (Technical Intelligence) U.S. Army Reserve, welcomed its 19th commander during a change of command ceremony at the Aberdeen Area Athletic Center Jan. 22. Lt. Col. Alan Ott assumed command of the battalion, a multi-component

Ott comes to APG from the Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Va., where he served as a Drilling Individual Mobilization Augmentee from February 2002 to November 2004. Young moves on to head the newly formed Military Intelligence and Readiness Command as the

Operational Readiness Group commander. Col. John J. Skoll, commander, 656th Area Support Group, and Col. Dalton R. Jones, commander, National Ground Intelligence Center, Charlottesville, Va., served as co-hosts.

Jones praised both the incoming and outgoing commanders, first praising Young for leading the battalion's deployment to and return from Iraq, then charging Ott with the task of maintaining the 203rd tradition. "As commander of the 203rd, Lt. Col. Young really earned his mettle," Jones

said. "He took over command with less than 60 days notice, formed a unit with over 50 percent of his soldiers coming from other units or organizations, and successfully deployed into combat."

He credited Young with establishing the Coalition Joint Captured Materiel Exploitation Center in Iraq, an international group of agencies tasked with collecting technical intelligence equipment and munitions. "Lt. Col. Young is a man who is dedicated to mission accomplishment, responds to challenges, and isn't afraid to take necessary risks for the good of his Soldiers and their mission," Jones said. "Thank you for all you did for the 203rd, the Soldiers and their families, for the Army, and for your country."

Jones welcomed Ott as one who "has the experience, skills, education, talent, and drive that we need in the 203rd." "I have no doubt that you are the right man at the right time for this command," he told Ott. "You have assumed a big responsibility and an important mission.“I challenge you to maintain the superior standards set in this unit, and I charge you to follow the example of many Soldiers before you," Jones said. "I am looking forward to working with you."


	Foreign Material Intelligence Battalion Foreign Material Intelligence Battalion, In support of OPERATION DESERT SHIELD / STORM the Foreign Material Intelligence Battalion was responsible for establishing the Joint Collection Materiel Exploitation Center. The center was in turn tasked with acquiring captured materiel and providing critical technical intelligence to field commanders. Foreign Material Intelligence Battalion, Challenges: 1) When alerted on August 6, 1990 the battalion began to immediately formulate plans for the establishment of the Joint Captured Materiel Exploitation Center (JCMEC). To accomplish this representatives-from the Army Navy, Air Force, Marines and United Kingdom were integrated into the battalion's operations. This made mission planning extremely challenging since very little joint training had been conducted in the past. The organization and deployment of the JCMEC was to be-a first since W.W.II. 2) Another challenge that the battalion faced was the fact that Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) was a TDA organization, which lacked the required TA-50, radios, and other vital equipment required to operate in a desert environment for an extended period. The challenge was met when the requested equipment was quickly received and an intense training program was instituted to prepare the unit for combat operations. 3) Planning for the establishment of the JCMEC began to take on a new focus when the Air Force Systems Command agreed to send representation immediately upon notification. However, The Naval intelligence Center did agree to send representation. But not until after four weeks of continuous contact did they agree. At that point they provided both Navy and Marine representatives. 4) The battalion also attempted to have an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attached to the JCMEC. EOD personnel are essential to the overall mission success of this organization. But, assets were not committed due to the limited number of EOD elements available. Once the main body deployed to Saudi Arabia co-ordination with local Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine EOD control teams were very successful. As a result EOD support throughout the entire operation was superb. Suffice it to say, the JCME operated in support of the headquarters and had three field collection teams in support of each of the three Corps of the Coalition Forces. Let us turn our attention to the captured material that was recovered. Knowing Enemy Weapons, Story by Heike Hasenauer Published from an article in Military Intelligence Magazine The technical intelligence team's dozen or so soldiers cautiously approached the knocked-out, Soviet-made T55 tank that sat on the "hot" battlefield near Compchi, Iraq. Upon closer scrutiny, the team discovered that what looked from a distance like explosive-filled reactive armor was nothing more than heavy metal boxes added to reinforce the tank's vulnerable sides, said SGM Donald Bailey, who then served as first sergeant of the 11th Military Intelligence Company. The information forwarded to battlefield commanders was some of the most valuable gathered by U.S. forces during the Gulf war," said Lt. Col. William Fillman, commander of the Foreign Materiel Intelligence Battalion at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., to which the 11th MI Co. belongs. "That information prevented the coalition forces from having to revamp their entire tactics on the ground," Fillman added. Fewer than 200 soldiers are assigned to the FMIB, the only active-duty technical intelligence battalion in the Army. While in size it more closely resembles a large company, its mission is brigade-size, said Fillman. Most critical is its mission to collect foreign military equipment and weapons from the battlefield, analyze them and provide commanders with real-time intelligence and recommendations on how best to counter or eliminate them. That mission is carried out primarily by three teams of soldiers from the 11th MI Co. who take photos and jot down notes about the equipment's physical characteristics and performance. Often, they refer to one of dozens of reference books and pamphlets in their mobile intelligence library. During Operation Desert Storm, the three teams took the library on the road as they deployed with the XVIII Airborne Corps, VII Corps and 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. While in Southwest Asia the teams collected some 1,800 pieces of foreign military equipment including tanks, artillery, radar, boats, rifles and radios -from 30 different Iraqi divisions.They also confiscated tons of ammunition and gathered nearly 400 environmental and biological samples in an effort to identify the enemy's use of chemical weapons, said battalion spokesman 1st Lt. Tony Wiggins. "We recovered the Scud missiles that hit Riyadh and Dhahran," added Capt. Alan Alvey, who served as officer in charge of all intelligence gathered on Iraqi equipment for Third Army at the time. "One very bad experience for me was having to analyze the crater left by the Scud that demolished the barracks in Dhahran and killed 14 U.S. soldiers," Alvey reflected. On a more positive note, 11th MI Co. soldiers obtained 35 types of equipment that topped the Defense Department's "wish list" of foreign materiel, Fillman said. In war, the company's mission is always joint. They support all the battlefield commanders by establishing what's called the "joint captured foreign materiel exploitation center." There, each of the military services and about 35 agencies, collectively, share the information gleaned from the captured equipment. "We all work for the common goal, to avoid technological surprise," said Alvey, who's now assigned to the 5th Bn., 7th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, in Hanau, Germany. One of the greatest challenges for FMIB leaders is to teach their soldiers how to think like the enemy, said Bailey. "Most of them possess MOSs other than intelligence. So, we have to turn them around 180 degrees to make them foreign equipment experts." After about six months with the battalion, they earn the technical intelligence skill identifier. But they continue honing their skills by working closely with intelligence personnel from throughout the scientific community, both in the military and civilian sectors. The battalion's expertise includes the skills of the 11th MI Co.'S team three, known as "the junkyard dogs." Among its members is Sgt. Thomas Meyer, who goes into a combat zone to collect intelligence documents and identify any major changes the enemy has made to its equipment. SSGT. Gary Carey, a communications analyst, finds radio systems, antennas and cryptographic equipment. And SSGT. Burt Zosa, a foreign missiles analyst, identifies various types of missiles and their warheads. Others check out tank turrets, vehicles, aviation fire control and electronic warfare systems, while chemical and medical analysts assigned to the teams collect samples that would indicate the presence of toxic agents on the battlefield. But training to stay abreast of the constant changes in foreign military equipment isn't the FMIB soldiers' only job. They also teach the two-week Technical Intelligence Analyst Course and one-week courses about foreign military vehicles and weapons. Their students include active and reserve-component personnel from all services and Defense Department civilians. In the vehicle course, students learn to identify and operate former Soviet-Bloc vehicles such as T72 and T55 tanks, BMP-1 and BMP-2 armored personnel carriers, ZSU-23 antiaircraft guns and a Chinese variant of the BMPs, the BTR-70, said course spokesman CWO 2 Rickey Miller. The foreign weapons course familiarizes students with some 80 different pistols, submachine guns and rifles, said CWO 2 Kurt Lawrence, an armament repair technician at the battalion and a course instructor. Students experience four days of hands-on training with machine guns, rocket launchers and assault rifles before actually firing the weapons. And, because some weapons are vehicle mounted, students learn the characteristics of foreign military vehicles before they drive them around a nearby track. "Drug enforcement, immigration and Secret Service personnel have attended this course because it introduces them to the types of weapons they're now facing," said Fillman. The FMIB also conducts the Army's opposing force training program for the Intelligence and Security Command, both at Aberdeen and at the National Training Center. A 17-soldier FMIB detachment supports the NTC's OPFOR training brigade. "About 500 soldiers per month visit our display yard at the NTC," Fillman said. The yard houses Soviet-made BMP infantry fighting vehicles, MTLB armored personnel carriers, BRDM-2 reconnaissance vehicles and MT-12 100mm towed guns, among other things. Part of the FMIB's role is to keep the foreign equipment and weapons operational and to maintain inventories. Capt. Neal Daniels is responsible for an inventory of about 2,000 types of parts worth an estimated $18 million, everything from huge tank engines and transmissions to tiny nuts and bolts. "Last year alone, the battalion obtained approximately $14 million in foreign weapons and spare parts," said Spec. David Jefferies, a small-arms repairman who performs ballistics tests to certify foreign weapons are safe to fire. It's the FMIB's responsibility to certify the safety of all foreign military weapons used by Army units for OPFOR training purposes. Additionally, the battalion regularly produces foreign military materiel intelligence brochures and continually updates its lobby "museum" that boasts impressive displays of captured equipment. "Most people don't know anything about what we do," said one FMIB soldier. "Most soldiers have never even heard about us." That's ironic, because the unit's role is one of the most critical in the Army, Fillman said. "The more our soldiers know about the capabilities, vulnerabilities and limitations of enemy equipment, the better they'll be able to overcome the enemy in war." Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004 -2005+ Subject: 203rd M.I. Bn Seventeen Soldiers from the 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion received medals for their performance while deployed to Iraq during an award ceremony in Victory Hall, Jan. 11. Lt. Col. James Young, battalion commander was among seven of the awardees who received the Bronze Star medal. The other 10 received Army Commendation Medals. In addition, Young’s father, retired Col. James Young, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, was on hand to pin the medal on his son. “It makes me very proud,” Young said. “This is a great outfit, and they did a great job.” “This day is not about us,” he added, “it’s about all these soldiers and what they’ve done for our country.” Aberdeen Proving Ground Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Elvis Irby, family members and dozens of Soldiers looked on as the awardees received their medals. Col. Dalton Jones, National Ground Intelligence Center, the battalion’s higher headquarters, presented the ARCOMs. “This unit did an outstanding job,” Jones said. “In accomplishing their mission, they provided current analysis and valuable information about future capabilities.” Headded that the multi-component unit consisting of active duty and reserve Soldiers, responded well to battlefield conditions in providing a vital service. “Technicians such as these are vital in determining equipment modifications,” he said. “In the event of any kind of crisis, elements from this unit will likely support it.” Col. Jake Jones, 513th Military Intelligence Battalion, presented the Bronze Stars. He offered his congratulations to all recipient’s noting that the medal was the highest awarded given to anyone in the unit. “This was earned by giving every fiber of your being to supporting Soldiers and accomplishing the mission,” Jones said. He said the 203rd is an “amazing battalion that did an amazing job in the war.” “You trained here, deployed into theater, got on the ground and attacked your mission,” he said.“The greatest compliment to you is that you did it so aggressively. Be proud of yourselves for the contributions you made.” 203rd welcomes new commander Yvonne Johnson APG News The 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion (Technical Intelligence) U.S. Army Reserve, welcomed its 19th commander during a change of command ceremony at the Aberdeen Area Athletic Center Jan. 22. Lt. Col. Alan Ott assumed command of the battalion, a multi-component unit consisting of active and reserve Soldiers, from Lt. Col James V. Young Jr. Ott comes to APG from the Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Va., where he served as a Drilling Individual Mobilization Augmentee from February 2002 to November 2004. Young moves on to head the newly formed Military Intelligence and Readiness Command as the Operational Readiness Group commander. Col. John J. Skoll, commander, 656th Area Support Group, and Col. Dalton R. Jones, commander, National Ground Intelligence Center, Charlottesville, Va., served as co-hosts. Jones praised both the incoming and outgoing commanders, first praising Young for leading the battalion's deployment to and return from Iraq, then charging Ott with the task of maintaining the 203rd tradition. "As commander of the 203rd, Lt. Col. Young really earned his mettle," Jones said. "He took over command with less than 60 days notice, formed a unit with over 50 percent of his soldiers coming from other units or organizations, and successfully deployed into combat." He credited Young with establishing the Coalition Joint Captured Materiel Exploitation Center in Iraq, an international group of agencies tasked with collecting technical intelligence equipment and munitions. "Lt. Col. Young is a man who is dedicated to mission accomplishment, responds to challenges, and isn't afraid to take necessary risks for the good of his Soldiers and their mission," Jones said. "Thank you for all you did for the 203rd, the Soldiers and their families, for the Army, and for your country." Jones welcomed Ott as one who "has the experience, skills, education, talent, and drive that we need in the 203rd." "I have no doubt that you are the right man at the right time for this command," he told Ott. "You have assumed a big responsibility and an important mission.“I challenge you to maintain the superior standards set in this unit, and I charge you to follow the example of many Soldiers before you," Jones said. "I am looking forward to working with you."