MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., Nov. 22, 2004 – U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Shane Willoughby observes tactical data flashing across his computer monitor. Numerous maps and navigational coordinates dot different areas on his screen.

Excitedly, the company clerk with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, points to a red square blip on his tactical display as the Marine next to him looks over.

Enemy position sighted.

Simultaneously, the same signal appears on all the other operators’ screens. Every Marine command in the area of operation now knows the location of this group of terrorists.

But it wasn’t any real-time computer strategy game these Marines were engaged in; rather, learning how to operate a cutting-edge force tracking system that will contribute to a victorious outcome in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“It’s good to know where everyone is at, both friendly and enemy forces,” stated the native of Cleveland. “This system is really easy to use and augments (existing radio communications technology).”

The former Cleveland State University student referred to the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below – Blue Force Tracker system, which American troops in Iraq have taken to calling the “Fuzzy Bunny Chocolate Bunny 2.”

Willoughby’s parent command, II Marine Expeditionary Force, is currently offering a five-day training class to learn how to operate this system to Marines deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in February 2005.

The tracking system was created to allow unit commanders at the brigade level, and even down to the individual squad, enhanced tactical situational awareness.
“Knowing where friendly and enemy forces are at makes the environment safer for everyone,” Willoughby stated.

This knowledge is vital in combat, as 24 percent of casualties in the Gulf War, and 12 percent of the initial deaths in Operation Iraqi Freedom, were due to fratricide, according to Ed M. DeSoto, Marine Air-Ground Task Force systems trainer.

To prevent future incidents, the system’s computer consoles track friendly units carrying miniature transmitter devices. These portable black boxes are GPS-enabled, and send a signal via satellite detailing an individual or unit’s location. Troops can program the transmitter devices to send location updates every five seconds. The boxes weigh 1.2 pounds, and are small enough to be carried in an individual’s patrol pack.

On the system operator’s computer display, friendly forces appear as blue squares, hence the name “blue force tracker.”

Units also have the capability to input enemy coordinate positions and obstacles on patrol routes. Enemy units appear as red squares, and obstacles as green ones.

“Anyone can input data into the system,” Willoughby said. “If units on the ground run into an enemy position, they can send that information to the system, and everyone who is connected on that network will be able to see that new data. (By right-clicking on the unit-obstacle marking square), the system also allows users to see exactly what kind of threat or obstacle they’re dealing with.”

The tracking system gives detailed information on friendly and enemy units up to a range of 5,000 miles. As long as the systems are connected through the satellite network, commanders can see the activities of their brigade and below-sized units in Iraq. During upcoming Operation Iraqi Freedom operations, they will use these visibility capabilities to track convoys and plan patrol routes.

“I’ll be working with my commanding officer to help him track our patrols,” Willoughby stated. “This system will be a great help in watching the Marines’ progress and being able to see what areas they’ve hit, and what areas they need to patrol next.”

Because he’s always had an interest in computers and reverse engineering, the former information technology student said using this system comes second nature to him. He learned the BASIC programming language on graphing calculators when he was 6 years old and personally developed a customer tracking system for the Cleveland Jewish News newspaper. The tracking system, however, is “great to use and easy to set up for anyone,” he added.

“It will definitely improve our visibility of convoys in Iraq, and it’s so easy to use that anyone can learn how to do it,” Willoughby continued. “It’s really important that we have a good picture of enemy locations to keep our convoys and patrols safe from ambushes and attacks.”

To help units plan out their patrol routes, troops can use known area reconnaissance to determine where there might be possible obstacles, such as minefields or structures, and place them on the common operational picture as green objects.

“This system would’ve been great to have during my previous deployment to Haiti where we ended up sometimes going down random roads on our patrol routes,” Willoughby said. “We can make better use of our resources and people and be more efficient if we know where we’re going.”

With a final click of the mouse, the Marine plots a patrol route, steering clear of a nearby minefield and avoiding a collapsed enemy bridge. He powers down his computer and prepares to leave the classroom for the day.

Although the threat level to the warriors in Iraq remains high, the Marines may rest assured that their unit commanders remain vigilant of these dangers with the help of this new tracking system.