CIMIC

CIMIC (Civilian and Military Co-operation) is the co-ordination and co-operation in support of the mission between the joint commander and civil actors, including the national population and local authorities, as well as international, national and non-government organizations and agencies. It is not a new concept, but commanders are quickly realising the benefits that can be gained from CIMIC, and trained teams are now being used on most deployments.

2010 Overview

Key priorities for the Squadron in 2010 have been to work towards formalising the establishment of CIMIC as a capability within the ADF; to establish a UE; to plan and deliver a CIMIC Tactical Operators Course and continuation training.

The Squadron has lived up to its mission with many varied roles for its members. CIMIC Squadron members have participated in Talisman Sabre 2009, provided support to AACAP 16, conducted a 9 mm weapons course, participated in the Joint CIMIC Staff Planning Courses in 09 and 10, plus provided the CIMIC staff for Ex Maestro Monash 09. Members deployed to OP ANODE Rotation 20 and Rotation 21; to East Timor, and to the MEAO.

The Squadron provided instructor assistance to 1 Div's CIMIC Tactical Operators Course (TOC) course and crossed the Tasman twice to deliver two CIMIC Tactical Operators Courses to NZDF members in New Zealand. The NZDF CIMIC TOC was the initial phase of the NZ CIMIC team's Pre Deployment Training. The team consisted of tri-service personnel from a variety of backgrounds, with the majority of the team recently deployed as Liaison Officers in Bamiyan Province, Afghanistan.

In May the Squadron participated in the 5 Bde TEWT, and with Squadron members spread throughout the many different syndicates, they were able to raise the awareness of what CIMIC is and the best way to employ it.

In June the CIMIC TOC was conducted in Canberra. This was the first time the course had been run in Canberra and it provided its own challenges but also enabled the use of the local facilities. During the first week of the course, students were taught all of the necessary skills to be an effective CIMIC Operator. In the second week, a field phase allowed students to practice essential CIMIC tasks such as conducting site assessments, presenting briefs, negotiating and managing a CIMIC Centre. Role players, including media and interpreters, made the scenarios seem more realistic and alerted students to real problems that could occur in the field. As a result of the CIMIC TOC, the capabilities of CIMIC Squadron have increased significantly, enabling them to deploy more personnel on operations.

Lastly the Joint CIMIC Staff Officers Planning Course was also conducted over July. The Staff Course is the next level of development for CIMIC Officers and SNCOs as this develops their skills in contributing the CIMIC components of the Military Appreciation Process. CIMIC Sqn provided one member on the course and the CO, Lieutenant-Colonel Casey, was an instructor and syndicate facilitator for the course.

The focus for the Squadron for the remainder of 2010 is support to the 1 Div TOC, EX Hamel and Ex Maestro Monash.

History

The Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Squadron was initiated under direction of the Commander 2nd Division Major General Ian Flawith in Jan 2007. The Commander directed that the Squadron come under command of the 21st Construction Regiment and in February 2007 the Squadron moved into its office accommodation within the Depot at Gallipoli Lines, Holsworthy.

CIMIC is essentially the interface between the military, government and non-government agencies and the population within which the task force may find itself operating. The Squadron is primarily made up of Officers and SNCOs from almost all the Corps and collectively has an extraordinarily wide range of experience.

The Squadron is operationally focussed with all members required to maintain deployability levels equivalent to the ARA. While demanding on the members it allows us to supply CIMIC trained members at very short notice. This has been put into good effect by the continual deployment of personnel on Operations Anode and Astute.