JPASE "enabler", once the 101st Airborne Division was identified as the followon force (to replace USARAF personnel), a Request for Forces (RFF) was
submitted to deploy a Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD) to meet the
needs of the 101st and an estimated increase in Public Affairs requirements.
However, DoD did not resource the MPAD, but instead sourced a Public Affairs
Detachment (PAD) (with slightly le ss resources) to support the 101st. The PAD
arrived approximately three weeks after the USARAF-to-101st transition, but
ultimately provided an enduring capability that developed command information
products and contributed to media relations efforts. Overall, these JPASE and
PAD "enablers" greatly enhanced the deployed force's capability and credibility;
they also helped the local, U.S., and international media gain accurate information to report.
Focused Rear Detachment Support. The USARAF rear detachment Public
Affairs team in Italy was a key component for successful Public Affairs operations, doing a great deal of 'behind the scenes' work in support of the forward
deployed force and other stakeholders. This rear detachment team proved to be
vital for coordinating Public Affairs actions between the forward deployed JFCOUA, USAFRICOM, U.S. European Command (USEUCOM), Army Public
Affairs, Army National Guard, DoD Public Affairs, the Joint Staff, the 101st
Airborne Division, and III Corps Public Affairs. The USARAF rear detachment
Public Affairs team continuously monitored the media environment, coordinated
Public Affairs operations/actions, developed products, gained clearance for the
products to be released, and helped disseminate them. Also, a single document
produced by the rear detachment Public Affairs team which tracked the status of
these Public Affairs actions on a daily basis was invaluable for providing
situational awareness to all stakeholders and for sustaining successful Public
Affairs support throughout OUA.
Recommendation.
During Foreign Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (FHA/DR) missions:
1. Public Affairs teams / leaders from the State Department, USAID, and DoD
(i.e., the GCC's lead Service Component Command or Joint Forces Command)
should consider conducting media interviews together. This would allow the
limited number of Public Affairs professionals on the ground to leverage one
another's capabilities, enable the combined team to field questions according to
areas of expertise, and portray a "whole of government" approach to the
audience.
2. The GCC and its designated lead Service Component Command should
coordinate for "enablers" to support the Public Affairs effort, such as a Joint
Public Affairs Support Element (JPASE) and Public Affairs Detachment (PAD)
[or Mobile PAD (MPAD)].
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