FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. - More than 70 commanders, doctrine writers and training developers gathered recently at the McHugh Training Center here to discuss and produce Digital Liaison Detachment (DLD) doctrine, organizational, training and other solutions.
The Mission Command Center of Excellence hosted the first DLD Conference for representatives from the Active and Reserve components, including: Headquarters, Department of the Army; Forces Command (FORSCOM); U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC); the National Guard Bureau; and Theater Armies.
This conference marked the initial effort for the DLD proponent to establish a common framework and shared understanding of unit operations and DLD requirements. The participants reviewed current capability gaps and offered draft DLD doctrine, organization, and training solutions, including a revised DLD Mission Statement, Unit Task List (UTL), development of an Objective-T compliant DLD training model, and a proposed timeline for the delivery of ATP 3-94.1 DLD Operations, and a DLD handbook on best practices and lessons learned.
A Digital Liaison Detachment conducts liaison to enable Mission Command and achieve unity of effort between Army Forces and Unified Action Partners (UAP). DLDs provide tactical and operational situational understanding by providing a digital overlay of UAP actions and scheme of maneuver that directly feed echelons above brigade Army mission command information systems. This capability can enhance interoperability between Army forces and UAPs.
Digital Liaison Detachments are a fundamental building block of the Army's Global Force Pool of operational forces. DLDs are typically categorized as a globally available structure, deployed under combatant command authority and established for the primary purpose of fulfilling global operational requirements of both an enduring and rotational nature. DLD structure and functions may include:
• Detachment Headquarters provides:
o command, control, and coordination of the detachment's mission, training, administration, and logistical support. Plans, coordinates, synchronizes, integrates and provides force health protection to the detachment
o field level maintenance of vehicles assigned to the detachment
o specific guidance to the teams for missions during liaison support to joint, allied and coalition partners
• Operations/Maneuver Team provides:
o specific mission guidance and operational details for the teams when providing mission support
o coordination of reports to higher headquarters and adjacent units as required
o guidance for exchanging information with supported joint, allied and coalition partners.
• Intelligence Team maintains the joint, allied and coalition intelligence picture and determines the level of details that can be provided to supported units.
• Fire Support Team coordinates with joint, allied and coalition counterparts for fires information and determines the level of fires information that can be shared.
• Logistic Team coordinates with the supported units for additional support required. Determines the deployment and redeployment schedules and coordinates those activities.
• Air and Missile Defense Team coordinates with joint, allied and coalition counterparts for air defense information and determines the level of information that can be shared.
• Signal Team coordinates with the supported units for connectivity issues and concerns, and sets communication thresholds as appropriate. It also ensures that the digital connectivity is established so that joint, allied and coalition partners can receive timely information to conduct operations.
DLDs are not independent organizations. They require operational, communications and logistical support from supported units. Although commanded by a colonel, the DLD does not have a brigade-level equivalent staff, nor is it intended to supervise other units. Other typical dependencies may include linguists, as well as most administrative, financial, legal, religious, and medical matters. The DLD also is dependent upon its host unit for physical security and common use logistical support to include field feeding.
While the conference attendees achieved the DLD conference objectives, there is still much work to accomplish. The gaps and opportunities identified in the conference must and will be addressed. The MC CoE staff, DLD leadership, and other stakeholders will continue development of doctrine, training, organization, and materiel solutions to further the DLD formation's critical capability to synchronize Army and UAP efforts.
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