COMCAM Train-Up Preparation Guide

Checklist 2 min
Follow this checklist to ensure you're ready and have completed all necessary tasks before deployment.

Part of the Combat Camera mission is documenting and telling the DoD story, giving an accurate perspective on military operations while also providing essential battlefield information in support of strategic, operational and tactical mission objectives. This vital imagery provides commanders and staff with visual tools to accomplish operational assessments, reconnaissance, decision-making and terrain analysis. Use this checklist to train-up for your COMCAM deployment.

  • Gather all tasking messages, requests, Request for Forces (RFFs), deployment orders, amendments and documentation on the deployment.
  • Identify VI/COMCAM team personnel, particularly the leader, then establish/verify VISION ID accounts for the team.
  • Establish contact with the unit you are replacing and make inquiries:
    • Discuss the mission, concept of operations, locations and intelligence update, After Action Reports (AARs) and lessons learned.
    • Learn the themes and messages.
    • Discuss activities to be documented/documentation priorities.
    • Learn points of contact, dates, times, place, duration, etc.
    • Discuss billeting/messing (male/female), transportation and office space.
    • Discuss equipment storage, internet access, resupply, equipment requirements, uniform and weapons requirements.
    • Learn about pre-deployment training requirements from theater through unit.
    • Discuss the procedures for shipping/transmitting imagery and release authority.
  • Process foreign travel requirements, shots, passports, customs/security clearance, special access requirements, IT access requirements, operator licenses and government travel cards.
  • Create and execute a deployment training plan.
  • Schedule unit leave as appropriate.
  • Conduct training on all weapons systems in theater (as applicable).
  • Ensure you have digital and hard copies of a brief for the unit commander explaining the advantage of COMCAM and what these assets bring to the fight:
    • Explain the mission.
    • Explain capabilities.
    • Explain equipment and training.
    • Explain a list of common missions.
    • Explain the logistic support requirements.
    • Explain the imagery workflow.

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