Lee, Doowan

SOF operators who deployed to Iraq in June 2014 were constrained by US National policy which prevented SOF from accompanying Iraqi partners into combat to fight ISIL. As a result, SOF operators developed the Remote Advise and Assist (RAA) concept utilizing available ad-hoc cellular mobile networking, BLOS (BGAN) communications technology, Android mobile devices, and intuitive software interfaces to remotely connect with partner forces and virtually 'reach forward' to advise and enable them. The initial Virtual Accompany Kits (VAKs) worked astoundingly well assisting operations, but had many prototypical shortcomings and are now require additional research for improved performance and expanded use beyond kinetic operations.
Defense Analysis
Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office
DoD
2017