Public Affairs Qualification Course

The Role of Combat Camera

Combat Camera

The iconic photograph of the raising of the
flag on Iwo Jima, the sailor kissing a woman in
Times Square on V-J Day, or even the shocking
image of General Nguyen Mgoc Loan executing
a Viet Cong prisoner in Saigon were all taken by
photographers.
Even today some of the most memorable
images coming out of Iraq, Afghanistan and
military operations around the world are not
captured by CNN, FOX or even NBC-they were
taken by Combat Camera.
In this lecture we will talk about the
COMCAMS’s mission, structure and operation.

Photo courtesy of /usarmy.vo.llnwd.net

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 Public Affairs Qualification Course
Definition and Mission
Combat Camera is defined as the acquisition and
use of still and motion imagery to support operational
and planning requirements across the range of
military operations and during joint exercises. The
imagery produced provides operational information
for internal and external use. The deployment of
joint COMCAM teams offer a capability to enhance
operational and PA missions. COMCAM teams
often have access to events and areas unavailable
to public affairs, other visual information personnel or
media representatives.
Mission
Combat Camera units provide the President, Office
of the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, combatant commands, and joint task
forces with a directed imagery capability in support
of operational and planning requirements during
wartime operations, worldwide crises, contingencies
and joint exercises. COMCAM visual documentation
enhances the commander’s situational awareness
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The Role of Combat Camera
and establishes a historical operations record.
Imagery
COMCAM forces perform a unique and highly
specialized mission. Their capabilities range from
aerial photography and airborne qualification to special
forces reconnaissance and underwater photography.
COMCAM forces are assigned to J-3 Operations under
the direct control of the J-39 Global Operations staff
officer. While their efforts and products routinely support
the intelligence and public affairs missions, COMCAM
exists as a separate and distinct operational entity with
a clearly defined documentation mission.
COMCAM documentation often yields intelligence upon
which operational decisions are made. The mission of
COMCAM photographers requires access to all military
events, regardless of unit mission sensitivity or whether
or not the resultant visual material may become
classified or eventually cleared for public release.
 Public Affairs Qualification Course The Role of Combat Camera

Definition and Mission (continued)

Directed Imagery Capability
Combat Camera provides a direct imagery capability
based on orders, needs, strategic value and desired
end state to any military operation. Combat Camera
forces are not freelance photographers competing for
commercial use of imagery obtained while in the line
of duty. The imagery belongs to the United States
government, not the individual. COMCAM provides
VI in support of the JFC’s operational and planning
requirements (JP 3-61, p. II-9, para. c.1).
visit, board, search and seizure, and maritime security
operations; fast rope procedures; rappelling; and
other specialized combat skills. Integrated COMCAM
assets provide commanders a visual account of
tactical actions (MSTTP, p. H-1). COMCAM provides
historical documentation of ongoing military operations
and supports strategic communication objectives by
integrating and synchronizing the acquisition and
distribution of still and motion imagery.

COMCAM forces perform unique and highly

specialized missions with VIDOC capabilities
supporting the full range of military operations in Photo courtesy of www.calguard.ca.gov
all operational environments. COMCAM personnel
maintain qualifications enabling them to operate with
airborne forces, special operations forces (SOF), and
military divers. Their capabilities range from aerial
photography to underwater photography (MSTTP, p.
I-1, para. 2.c).
You now know COMCAM's basic definition and
mission. Let's use this information to look at service
assets and capabilities.
Service Assets and Capabilities
The individual service capabilities vary and are
consistent with respective service roles and missions.
All COMCAM units receive specialized training to
effectively integrate with any combat unit in austere
Photo courtesy of 2.bp.blogspot.com
and hostile environments. All COMCAM personnel
complete advanced field training and weapons
qualifications (MSTTP, p. H-1).
Service members obtain other specific qualifications
to document specialized operations of any type, such
as divers; airborne, fixed, and rotary wing aircrew;

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 Public Affairs Qualification Course
Service Structure
Air Force
The primary role of Air Force COMCAM
units is the VIDOC of Air Force combat
operations as tasked by the commander
of Air Force forces. Air Force COMCAM
teams are trained, equipped, and organized for rapid
global deployment to provide documentation of Air
Force air and ground operations.
They are qualified and equipped for day and night
operations with certified and qualified aircrew
members for aerial documentation. Their secondary
role is the centralized collection, management, and
distribution of imagery including weapons system
video.
Here’s a link for Air Force tasking and support
information: http://www.defenseimagery.mil/
community/taskcomcam/airforce.htmi
Army
The Army COMCAM units provide still
and video acquisition of all operations
to include land, static airborne, and air
assault operations. They are trained
and equipped to operate under all weather and
lighting conditions with both conventional and special
operations units. They maintain airborne qualified
soldiers and conduct other advanced tactical
training to include Air Assault, Combat Lifesaver,
and advanced marksmanship techniques. They can
deploy on very short notice to support any level of
combat force projection.
Army COMCAM units are under the operational
control of US Forces Command (FORSCOM) until
they are deployed.
Here’s a link for Army tasking and support
information: http://www.defenseimagery.mil/
community/taskcomcam/army.htmi
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The Role of Combat Camera
Navy
The Navy COMCAM units include aircrew
and diver qualified personnel to provide
specialized day and night all-weather
aerial for fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
They provide maritime operations and battle-space
imagery acquisition and transmissions.
When not deployed, COMCAM units are under the
operational control of the Commander, US Fleet Forces
Command and Commander, US Pacific Fleet,
respectively.
Here’s a link for Navy tasking and support information:
http://www.defenseimagery.mil/community/
taskcomcam/navy.htmi
Marine Corps
The Marine Corps COMCAM units are
organized to support the warfighters’
imagery requirements at all levels
within the Marine air-ground task force
(MAGTF). Marine Corps operational COMCAM units
provide the MAGTF commander with videography,
direct imagery tactical printing support in the form of
photography, graphic arts, and lithography. The MAGTF
COMCAM teams deploy with man pack systems
capable of all-weather, day and night digital acquisition.
Operational COMCAM assets are organic to all Marine
divisions, Marine aircraft wings, Marine logistics groups,
and all Marine expeditionary units.
Marine Corps COMCAM personnel are resident within
the supporting established COMCAM centers, stations,
and recruit training depots. They are also the personnel
replacement resource for the MAGTF COMCAM teams
for sustainment.
Now that you understand a little bit about combat
camera’s mission at the service
Level, let's take a look at it as a part of a joint force.
Here’s a link for Marine tasking and support information:
http://www.defenseimagery.mil/community/
taskcomcam/marinecorps.htmi
 Public Affairs Qualification Course The Role of Combat Camera

COMCAM Operations
The joint COMCAM operational mission is assigned
to the J-3 (all from MSTTP, p. III-2, para. 3).
Operational control for the JCCT typically is
retained at the joint force or JTF level. Components
may retain OPCON of their assigned COMCAM
forces not attached or OPCON to the JCCT.
Tactical control for joint COMCAM forces is
generally provided by the locally supported tactical
commander.
When requesting COMCAM, use established request
for forces (RFF) procedures. Upon initiation of crisis
action planning for the development of a joint force,
contact the Combat Commander COMCAM planner
to plan COMCAM integration into joint operations.
In the absence of a Combat Commander COMCAM
planner, contact the Joint COMCAM Program
Manager at Defense Visual Information Center for
assistance.

Force Packages
COMCAM force packages are adaptive and fully
qualified and equipped to document sustained day
and night operations. Their modular design facilitates
the tailoring of support packages for lesser regional
conflicts, small-scale contingencies, and other
operations in the spectrum, such as peacekeeping
and foreign humanitarian relief operations.
Imagery is provided to the JTF commander and
supported elements, while simultaneously and
expeditiously transmitted to the DIMOC for historic
storage.

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 Public Affairs Qualification Course The Role of Combat Camera

Conclusion
Combat camera offers a tremendous capability both You can support your unit commander's communication
to the operational commander and the public affairs and reporting priorities by working with and sometimes
mission supporting the operational commander. directing COMCAM unit use.

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 Public Affairs Qualification Course The Role of Combat Camera

References and Additional Resources

Multi-Service Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for Combat Camera Operations (MSTTP). Air Land Sea
Application Center (2007).

JP 1-02: Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms (2012, as amended).

JP 3-61: Public Affairs(2010).

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