15 (UK) PSYOPS Group Annual Report - PsyWar.Org

15 (United Kingdom) Psychological Operations GroupAnnual Report 2007/08DEAD PAGE

Psychological OperationsA weapon of mass communicationA weapon of precision communicationA line of action to manoeuvre effect

To subdue the enemy without resort to force is the acme of skill’-Sun Tsu, Ancient Chinese military strategistForeword by the Commanding OfficerLieutenant Colonel Jim SuggitThe military philosophy of manoeuvre focuses on an enemy’scentre of gravity, the source of his freedom of action,his physical strength and will to fight. Emphasis is placedon attacking enemy cohesion and its defeat and disruption,rather than attempting to take or hold ground.Psychological operations (PSYOPS) - meticulously calculatedand resolutely applied to persuade an enemy, or otherauthorised target audience, to think and act in a way for ouradvantage - are a central tenet of Manoeuvrism. The UnitedKingdom’s current and foreseeable commitments on expeditionarymissions have given emphasis to the significance of PSYOPS in close, deep and rearlines of action against those who challenge us and also in supporting that which is popularlytermed as “winning hearts and minds.”This is 15 (UK) PSYOPS Group’s first Annual Report since it attained Initial Operating Capabilitywith new multi-media equipment supplied through MOD DEC ISTAR Project DRUMGRANGEduring 2007. These comprise mobile AM and FM commercial radio broadcast systems, TVediting suites and large-volume print production units, together with antennæ, power generatorsand various other ancillary needs.DRUMGRANGE has coincided with the Group being brought close to full Establishment manning.The combined circumstances represent a substantial improvement of UK PSYOPS contingencyproduction capability, marking progress towards realizing scales set out in policy and tomeeting hitherto identified gaps.In broad terms, the UK now has the conditional capacity to field two doctrinal multi-media PSY-OPS Support Elements - one regular and one reserve, or permutations of both - subject to manning,training and mobilisation factors. The Group has restructured and is addressing evolutionarytraining for optimal exploitation of new systems and to support other Defence PSYOPSoutputs, principally operations and associated external training.The technology of our new systems creates considerable training obligations. Whilst receivingand training with our new equipments has been of critical importance for future contingencyneeds – our capacity to be able to respond to the unexpected - our main focus has remainedour support to Operations. This support has been through both the deployment of a multimediaPSYOPS Support Element to Afghanistan, manned advanced PSYOPS practitioners from theGroup, and by training regular and reserve reinforcements for PSYOPS staff and associatedInformation Operation functions. These augmentees have been predominantly British, but ourstudents have also routinely included Servicemen and women from NATO, European Union andother partner nations.In consequence, 2007 has been a particularly busy and challenging year. We expect 2008 tobe even more demanding. Enough said.

‘To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supremeexcellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting’Sun Tsu, The Art of War 6th Century BC15 (UK) PSYOPS GroupSince 1945, various ad hoc military and civilianPSYOPS organisations have been formed in the UKto support Operations and subsequently disbanded.Following the Gulf War of 1991, the UK formed ashadow PSYOPS capability called 15 (UK) PSYOPSGroup (Shadow). A double-digit prefix number wasselected to identify the Group to avoid any confusionwith US counterparts; the Roman numeral 15was chosen, as PSYOPS activities in support of 21Army Group during WWII were conducted by AmplifierUnits numbered 10-14. The Group adopted thestags head formation sign in recognition of the sterlingwork carried out by the Indian Field BroadcastUnits that supported the Chindit campaign againstthe Japanese in South East Asia. The deer’s antlersrepresent the combat support function of PSYOPSand the antennae associated with radio, a majormeans of disseminating PSYOPS messages.15 (UK) PSYOPS Group is the custodian of PSY-OPS expertise and exists to ‘provide a PSYOPSplanning and production capability to deployed UKforces undertaking both multinational and nationalJoint Operations in order to enhance their militaryeffectiveness’. Lodged at the Defence Intelligenceand Security Centre at Chicksands near Bedford,the Group is a Tri-Service unit under Army command,subordinate to 1 Military Intelligence Brigade,Theatre Troops and LAND. Currently manning isdrawn from 37 regulars and 28 reservists from theRoyal Navy, Royal Marines, Army combat and combatsupport arms, Royal Air Force and RAF Regiment.Equipped with advanced Print productionand Broadcast equipment, the Group is able to plan,produce and disseminate PSYOPS messages withoutcensorship or interference, which is one of thecrucial factors that separates the aim and conduct ofPSYOPS from that of Media Operations. The Groupprovides training for PSYOPS practitioners and individualaugmentees and is maintained at HighReadiness for Operations. The Group also augmentsthe Joint Force HQ and other formation HQsto provide PSYOPS planning support during majorExercises and is an essential element of formationpre-deployment training and mission rehearsals.The Group has recently restructured to accommodateadvanced production equipment, vehicles andthe uplift in regular manning, such that the Groupnow comprises 2 deployable multimedia PSEs, withan HQ element at Chicksands. This brings withit the flexibility to configure a PSE to incorporateappropriate planning and production elements withconsiderable reach, tailored to meet the demands ofa particular Operation.

Target Audience AnalysisThe bedrock underpinning effective PSYOPS isTarget Audience Analysis (TAA) linked to timelyintelligence support. TAA involves the systematicstudy of people in order to enhance our understandingof a military psychological environment.TAA is crucial to the PSYOPS Estimate processand aims to: identify Target Audience attitudes,vulnerabilities and susceptibilities, developinglines of persuasion, key communicators and appropriatesymbology and media to exploit a line ofpersuasion.Tactical PSYOPS Teams (TPTs)TPTs enable the tactical commander to directlycommunicate and empathise with Target Audiences.Although usually found from appropriatelytrained soldiers within each Battlegroup, TPTstake their PSYOPS direction from the PSE andare a useful adjunct for gathering and assessingatmospherics and other relevant intelligence.In addition to providing PSYOPS advice to unitcommanders, TPTs engage with the Target Audience,gather information and disseminate PSY-OPS products and assess PSYOPS effects.

‘ The major assets for this phase... are my Division’s media, psyops and civil affairs unitsand, at this time, these groups are as powerful as the big guns.’Maj Gen J Kiszely, quoted in Jane’s Defence Weekly, 18 December 1996Internal TrainingThe Group has a robust internal training regimethat prepares regulars and reservists alike tobecome PSYOPS practitioners to meet the manyand varied tasks they are required to undertakeat home base or on Operations. Personnel aretrained in the planning and conduct of PSYOPS,both operationally and tactically, and cross train onthe operation and maintenance of specialist Printand Broadcast equipment, as well as developingtheir physical fitness and core military skills to acommon high standard. The multinational natureof contemporary operations also requires Grouppersonnel to liaise and train with allied PSYOPSunits in order to enhance UK support to combinedoperations. Accordingly, Group personnel attend,support or instruct on NATO and other nationalPSYOPS courses and Exercises.The Group comprises combat and combat supportpersonnel from all 3 Services. To develop the commonlevel of military skills required when deployedon Operations and Exercises, both regular and reservistpersonnel undertake Army Military AnnualTraining Tests and Annual Personal Weapons Testas a basis for development during pre-deploymenttraining; these are over and above single Servicerequirements. The Group also deploys into thefield at home or abroad to conduct a testing AnnualBattle Camp to ensure and evaluate individualand team competencies of its regular and reservistpersonnel.In order to be able to fight and operate effectivelyon Operations, often under arduous and stressfulconditions, all personnel develop and maintaina high level of physical fitness through regularrunning and participation in team sports and gymwork, leading to formal military physical tests andassessments. The Group also places great importanceon personal and leadership development.Opportunities to introduce regulars and reserviststo new skills and challenges are exploited whereverpossible, including staff rides, driver training,project management and command and stafftraining. To develop self-confidence, fighting spirit,teamwork and a spirit of adventure, a high priorityis given to the organisation of, and participation inall kinds of adventurous training.

Exercise PHOENIX RISING‘152 PSE is to deploy into the Task Force AORto provide PSYOPS effects in order to destroythe enemy’s will to fight, convince the indigenouspopulation to cease hostilities and encouragepopular support for the establishment of the UNrecognised transitional administration as the legitimateGovernment’.proving the new equipment to achieve best practice,underpinned by development and evaluationof military skills. A success, the Exercise allowedthe declaration of an initial operating capability ofthe new equipment and proved the utility of theGroup’s reorganisation.Exercise PHOENIX RISING comprised theGroup’s Annual Battle Camp and was based onthe deployment of a full, multi-media PSE to supporta deployed Brigade HQ. It was an iterativelearning process, providing the first opportunity tofamiliarise and consolidate with the Group’s newlyintroduced equipment and refresh the militaryskills required to operate a PSE in the field. Emphasiswas placed on teamwork and adapting and

‘ A river is formed drop by drop’Pashtu ProverbExternal TrainingThe growing recognition of PSYOPS as a keyeffects enabler and force multiplier has causeda significant increase in PSYOPS support andtraining requirements. In addition to supportingOperations, the Group provides several other keyoutputs; PSYOPS education and indoctrination,development of PSYOPS doctrine, capacity building,support to the Joint Force HQ and to deployingformation pre-deployment training and missionrehearsals.Tactical PSYOPS Team Training (TPTT)This 3-day package is delivered by Group personnelat the Battlegroup location. Training encompassesPSYOPS awareness training and practicescounter-PSYOPS, face to face engagement,use of interpreters, measurement and assessmentof effects and other skills necessary to engageand empathise with the Target Audience.Military PSYOPS Planners Course(MPOPC)The bulk of UK PSYOPS training is conductedduring the 2-week MPOPC that the Group conducts4 times each year. This multinational courseis aimed primarily at those joining the Group andthose others taking up a PSYOPS appointment,including individual augmentees. In addition toproviding a comprehensive understanding ofPSYOPS principles and procedures, students areexposed to some of the many nuances of PSY-OPS planning and employment to prepare themfor employment as part of a PSE in support of aformation HQ at the operational and tactical levels.The multinational nature of the course also providesa useful forum for exchanges of ideas andprocedures. The MPOC is under constant reviewto ensure that it best meets Operational needs.Target Audience Analysists Course (TAAC)This one-week course provides a foundation inthe fundamentals of TAA, including: psychologicalprofiling; assessment of vulnerabilities andsusceptibilities; developing lines of persuasion;questioning and interview techniques; conductingfocus groups and surveys; using an interpreter;product testing; and measures of effect collectionand analysis.

15 (UK) PSYOPS GroupContribution to OperationsOPERATION TELICFrom the outset, the Group provided a PSE thateventually located at the Basra Contingincy OperatingBase in Southern Iraq.Today the Group trains individual augmentees forthe PSE and provides a ‘Reachback’ capabilityfrom Chicksands. Surge support is provided by theGroup as required, with periodic in-Theatre rotationconducted by Group Staff.

‘ He who can be killed by sugar, should not be killed by poison’Pashtu Proverb15 (UK) PSYOPS GroupContribution to OperationsOPERATION HERRICKFollowing the PSYOPS planning team that wasintegral to UK preliminary operations for HelmandProvince in Southern Afghanistan, the Group nowprovides the bulk of the planning, TAA and productionelements of the Helmand Task Force PSE inLashkar Gar, augmented by individual augmenteesand TPTs trained by the Group.The Group also provided the Commander andsome production staff at the Regional PSE basedat Kandahar Airfield, supporting the MultinationalDivision HQ, to direct and coordinate PSYOPSacross Southern Afghanistan. These posts arenow found from Individual Augmentees trained bythe Group prior to their deployment.

15 (UK) PSYOPS Group ReservistsThe Group combines regular and reservist personnelseamlessly into a unified Operational organisation.The role of its reserve personnel is exactly the sameas that of the regular cadre; providing staff officersand PSYOPS teams on Operations or in support ofExercises around the world. From the Balkans toIraq and Afghanistan, reservists have integrated withtheir regular counterparts both within the Group andin various HQs, national and multinational. Althoughprimarily deployed on Operations and Exercisiesas PSYOPS generalists, their civilian occupations,ranging from psychologists and marketing executivesto technical and broadcast engineers haveproven invaluable.RecruitingNew applications are always welcome candidatesattend the Group’s selection process, which takesplace over a weekend twice a year. The reserveswithin the Group are drawn from all ranks of the TerritorialArmy and the Royal Auxilary Air Force whohave specific professional skills and experience tosupport the Group, ranging from graphic designersto film editors and radio broadcasters and as well asother vital technical and support trades.Training CommitmentThe Group’s reservists must meet an annual commitmentof a minimum of 19 days. Further to this,they may volunteer to participate in a wide rangeof Operations, Exercises, adventurous training andcourses, such as those mentioned in this report.Employer BenefitsGroup members recieve training in a range of transferableskills and activiies in a comprehensive packageof high level training as part of their continuousprofessional development, including:. Negotiation, Mediation and Arbitration. Leadership. Project Management. Presentation and Communication. Media Awareness. Assesments. Report and Proposal Writing. LiaisonGroup members also benefit from networking, teambuilding, teamwork and fitness training. Many aspectsof civilian employment would be enhanced bythe individuals trained in these skills.Entry Age Limits(May be waived in certain circumstance)OfficerRankLt/Capt/MajWith previousserviceWithout previousserviceRemarks21-50 18-45 Primarily recruited from within the regular/reserveforces but previous civilian experiencemay allow for direct entry.Soldier All 21-50 18-45

PSYOPS on OperationsSince 19451. The Suez Campaign 19562. Mau-Mau uprising (Kenya) 1952 - 19603. Malaya 1948 - 19604. Borneo 1962 - 665. Cyprus 19636. Hong Kong 19677. Dhofar Campaign 1970-768. The Liberation of Kuwait:Op DESERT SHIELD 1990Op DESERT STORM 19919. Former YugoslaviaOp PALATINE (Bosnia)Op JOINT ENDEAVOUR 1995 (Bosnia)Op LODESTAR 1996 (Bosnia)Op AGRICOLA (Kosovo)Op OCCULUS (Albania)10. Op SILKMAN (Sierra Leone)11. Op VERITAS (Afghanistan/Pakistan)12. Op TELIC (Iraq)13. AfghanistanOp ENDURING FREEDOMOp HERRICK10954121211 12118 137364

For further information regarding 15 (UK) PSYOPS Group contact:Chief Clerk15 (UK) PSYOPS GroupChicksandsSheffordBedfordshireSG17 5PRTel Civil: +44 (0)1462 752839Tel Mil: 94649 2839E-mail: 15pogchfclk-e1@disc.mod.ukWebsite: www.army.mod.uk/15psyops