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Fact Sheet: SAF C4I Community
2 April 2012
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Introduction The inauguration of the SAF Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence, or C4I community marks a major milestone in the SAF's transformation into a networked and knowledge-enabled force. The C4I community brings together C4 and Intelligence units and personnel from across the SAF, including Image Analysts, UAV Operators, Communications Operators and Naval Intelligence Analysts.
Their common mission is to operate the networks that provide the SAF with its edge in information superiority. Genesis of the Community The SAF's C4 network and intelligence communities have thus far existed as separate entities across the Army, Navy and Air Force. While this structure has served the SAF adequately, the complexity of the modern battlefield will place more exacting and challenging demands on the 3rd Generation SAF. The progress that the SAF has made in developing and validating our networked concept of operations and doctrines, as seen in Ex Forging Sabre 2011 and the Imagery Analysis Team's operations in Oruzgan, Afghanistan, has positioned the SAF to bring the various C4I entities across the Services into a community, to support and grow the SAF's C4I capabilities and expertise. The SAF C4I is organised as a "community of practice" instead of a command or formation as C4I practitioners will continue to remain under the command of their respective Formation/Command HQs for continued operational effectiveness.
Roles The C4I community will be primarily responsible for developing the professional competencies, expertise and knowledge of the C4I practitioners under its charge. It will also raise, train and build upon the existing capabilities of the C4I entities within the various Services. The C4I community will focus on maintaining the SAF's networks, delivering knowledge and developing its people.
Value Proposition An integrated C4I Community serves as a key enabler of the 3rd Generation SAF networked capabilities. C4I systems and skills will enhance the effectiveness of the SAF's war-fighting capabilities by delivering information to the fighting forces faster, enabling them to make the right decisions at the right time during critical phases of operations. The cascading impact on the individual soldier at the frontline is multiplied many times when he is able to coordinate manoeuvre, and activate the fire-power of the SAF at his disposal. The SAF will then be able to create an overall fighting system that is more effective than the sum of its individual parts.
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