Army Techniques Publication ATP 3-55.12 (FM 3-55.12) Combat Camera

This multi-Service Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (MTTP) publication for combat camera (COMCAM) establishes TTP for commanders, planners, and staffs at all levels with a single source document and addresses essential information to plan, employ and integrate COMCAM capabilities. Chapter I Overview of COMCAM Operations Chapter I provides an overview of COMCAM operations and how COMCAM assets provide commanders a unique, firsthand visual account of tactical actions. It describes how COMCAM supports commanders by acquiring, processing, and disseminating classified and unclassified imagery and multi-media products collected during all phases of military operations or campaigns. Chapter II Service COMCAM Assets and Capabilities Chapter II describes each Services' COMCAM capabilities, team make-up, and highlights specific attributes to assist the commander and planner during the force development process. This helps to facilitate the matching of mission specific requirements with the correct COMCAM capability. Chapter III COMCAM Roles and Responsibilities Chapter III highlights COMCAM roles and responsibilities of Service components, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Joint Combat Camera Program Manager, Imagery Operations and Coordination Center (IOCC) and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). COMCAM units have specific roles and responsibilities assigned to them to ensure combatant commanders are provided with the joint COMCAM forces and assets. Chapter IV COMCAM Operations Chapter IV describes how COMCAM forces are tasked, deployed, and employed as an integral part of operations to ensure visual information documentation of US military activities during wartime, worldwide crises, contingencies, joint exercises, and other events of significant national interest involving the Department of Defense. Chapter V COMCAM Training Chapter V provides an overview of the Services' COMCAM training. Integrating COMCAM assets into joint exercises is also addressed. Appendix A Joint COMCAM Tasking Process Appendix A provides key contact information and overviews the COMCAM tasking process. It notes that COMCAM requirements for joint operations must be vetted through the Global Force Management (GFM) process to the Service providers. Once the requirement is sourced to the respective Services, the details (personnel and logistics) will be loaded in the Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES) for assignment of unit line numbers (ULNs). Appendix B Joint COMCAM Examples Appendix B provides operational examples of COMCAM imagery used to support Commanders objectives. The photos and vignettes provide the Commander with explicit examples of how COMCAM can support mission objectives.