JULY 20, 2009

Marine Corps Information Operations Center (MCIOC) Stands Up

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, VA -- (July 15, 2009) The Marine Corps Information Operations Center (MCIOC) officially opened aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, establishing a hub for a critical Marine Corps and Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Information Operations (IO) integration capability.

In June 2008, General Conway signed the Marine Corps Order 3120.10 that established the Marine Corps Information Operations Program (MCIOP) and designated the MCIOC as the program executive agent. The Order states that MCIOC will help the MAGTFs employ IO by “integrating the core capabilities of electronic warfare, computer network operations, psychological operations, military deception, and operations security, in concert with specified supporting and related capabilities, to influence, disrupt, corrupt, or usurp adversarial human and automated decision making while protecting our own.”

Mr. Tim Hale, the MCIOC training officer said that “we are here to help others understand that IO is an integrating function that is a force multiplier for the warfighting functions. We aim to provide our operating forces with the tools necessary to integrate the effects of all of our information-based capabilities in order to achieve information superiority in the joint operating environment.”

During contingency operations and exercises, the MCIOC will provide current and future MAGTFs with regionally-specific IO support teams to assist MAGTF staffs in the development, planning and execution of IO. MCIOC support teams are comprised of IO subject matter experts, specifically trained in the regional cultures in which the MAGTF is operating, so as to influence adversarial information and decision-making systems while protecting the MAGTF from enemy IO attacks.

In addition to providing operational support, the MCIOC also enables MAGTF IO personnel to leverage other Services, joint and federal agency IO capabilities and IO-centric intelligence expertise using reach-back mechanisms facilitated by enhanced relationships developed by MCIOC staff.

The MCIOC Operations Officer, LtCol Thomas Welborn, stated “Today, our adversaries know they cannot match our combat capability going ‘toe-to-toe’ with us using conventional methods, so instead, they embrace asymmetric/hybrid warfare tactics, using targeted misinformation, disinformation or deception to shape and influence the battlespace and global audiences. The MCIOC will work to enable our MAGTF planners to eliminate or mitigate this threat while integrating IO into all aspects of MAGTF operations.”

Once fully operational in FY 2010, the MCIOC will be staffed with more than 165 Marines and civilians, specializing in IO-related fields. For more information on the MCIOC, contact Mr. Tim Hale at timothy.hale@usmc.mil.