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and block GPS and communications
platforms, much of this interference
can be avoided by conducting simple
coordination. Another example is remote-
controlled garage doors; a garage door
opener can interfere with a neighbour’s
garage and a person could potentially
open two garages at one once without
knowing it. In many cases, interferences
are unknown by the person causing the
disturbance.
Militaries are under constant pressure
when working within the spectrum.
They must compete with the adversary,
commercial and other government
entities to create an environment that
friendly forces can communicate freely
with and with a minimum of disruption.
Every operation must consider that host
countries possess services that cannot be
interrupted. These include commercial,
military operations, air traffic control and
emergency services. As the commercial
industry continues to expand, militaries
will continue to ‘feel the squeeze’ in the
spectrum environment as host countries
look to profit from selling the spectrum
to civilian organisations. Host countries
must also realise the strain they are
putting on their own military organisations
and develop and guarantee allocation of
frequencies that militaries can operate
within and develop.
Shape. Once the area of operation is
determined, the spectrum manager must
begin initial discussions and negotiations
with the host country to determine the
frequency allotments the unit will receive
to conduct operations. Dominate. It is at this point that the unit
transitions to the dominate phase, which
is when major operations take place.
The spectrum, by this time, should be
completely understood and owned by
the unit.
Deter. Spectrum managers will shape
the early stages of the operation from
the moment small forces, such as
special operations, have entered the
environment. Stabilise. Once major operations have
been completed, units transition into the
final two stages of spectrum planning,
which are stabilisation and enabling civil
authority.
Seize. At this point the spectrum
manager should have already completed
host country coordination and have
moved on to frequency assignment.
This becomes critical as units prepare to
conduct major operations and are testing
their communications equipment. The
unit staging area can often become the
most congested part of the spectrum and
requires great focus to ensure that units
are using the correct frequencies and not
committing spectrum fratricide. Enable. During these phases of the
operation, military units begin to re-
deploy and the spectrum is gradually
handed back to the host country. This
will include ensuring the host country
has a responsible plan and policies to
help govern how the spectrum should be
used in the future.
Operational Planning
All spectrum managers must insert
themselves early into the operational
planning process. Failure to do so
could result in a lack of frequencies
and resources for an incoming unit
to use during operations. While it is a
commander’s responsibility to ensure
those under his or her command can
communicate, they must empower their
spectrum manager to manage and
coordinate the requirements for the
operation. Furthermore, organisations
need to realise spectrum management is
not just a G6 function. It is a collaborative
effort between the G2, G3, G6 and
JFIB staffs to ensure that all spectrum
requirements are understood and
coordinated. It is critical that the spectrum
manager speak with the different entities
that utilise the spectrum. Coordination
for frequencies to be protected, so
that operations can run smoothly and
all warfighting functions can use the
spectrum to gain an advantage, is vital.
The Spectrum Planning Phases Diagram
(Figure 1) depicts the various planning
phases a spectrum manager must
navigate during a major operation. 4
Figure 1 – Notional Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Management Operations across
Figure
1 – Operation
Notional Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Management Operations
the Phases
of the
the Phases of the Operation
4 Department of Defense, Joint Doctrine Note 3-16: Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (Suffolk, VA: Joint and Coalition Warfighting Center, 2016), VI 3-VI 4.
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across