USMC

PCN 143 000105 00

MCWP 3-33.7

US Marine Corps

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Marine Air-Ground Task Force

Combat Camera
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Additional copies: A printed copy of this publication may be obtained from Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, GA 31704-

5001, by following the instructions in MCBul 5600, Marine

Corps Doctrinal Publications Status. An electronic copy may be

obtained from the MCCDC Doctrine World Wide Web home

page: https://www.doctrine.usmc.mil.
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

Headquarters United States Marine Corps

Washington, D.C. 20380-1775

19 October 2010

FOREWORD

Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP) 3-33.7, Marine

Air-Ground Task Force Combat Camera, informs the Marine airground task force (MAGTF) commander and staff planners on

combat camera (COMCAM) capabilities. Combat camera is an

information resource that provides a timely, accurate, “you-arethere” imagery perspective on military operations. It is essential

to internal and external communications. The need for

COMCAM capabilities will increase as the Marine Corps

reaches Marine families, interacts with domestic and

international media, and provides tactical imagery to enhance

force protection and situational awareness. To expedite their

decisionmaking processes and operational requirements,

commanders must have a successful COMCAM program.

Lessons learned during Operation Enduring Freedom prove that

COMCAM units are not fully used due to a lack of understanding

of the COMCAM mission and capabilities. Therefore, commanders must realize that COMCAM units make a valuable contribution to the MAGTF and the Marine Corps when COMCAM is

understood and the COMCAM officer is supported. Combat camera also provides a visual record for high-level briefs and internal

and external communications or historical records.
MCWP 3-33.7

This publication supersedes MCWP 3-33.7, Combat Camera and

Visual Information in Expeditionary Operations, 1 October 2002.

Reviewed and approved this date.

BY DIRECTION OF THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE

CORPS

GEORGE J. FLYNN

Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps

Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration

Publication Control Number: 143 000105 00

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release;

distribution is unlimited.
Marine Air-Ground Task 

Force Combat Camera 

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Fundamentals 

Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1

Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1

Policy Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2

Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3

Combat Camera Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4

Principles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6

Information Operations and Combat Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-8

Archiving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9

Chapter 2. Organizations and Responsibilities

Combat Camera Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1

4612, Combat Camera Production

 Specialist, E1 to E6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1

4616, Reproduction Equipment 

Repairer Specialist, E4 to E6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2

4641, Combat Photographer, E1 to E6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2

4671, Combat Videographer, E1 to E6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2

4691, Combat Camera Chief, E7 to E9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2

4602, Combat Camera Officer, 

Warrant Officer 1 to Major . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
MCWP 3-33.7

iv

Marine Corps Forces Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

MAGTF Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

Ground Combat Element . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4

Aviation Combat Element . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5

Logistics Combat Element . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5

Supporting Establishment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5

Headquarters Element Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6

MAGTF Commander’s Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7

Marine Corps Information Operations Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8

Secretary of the Navy Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9

Defense Imagery Management Operations Center . . . . . . . . . .2-9 

Chapter 3. Planning

Levels of War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1

Combat Camera Officer’s Role. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2

Early Deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4

Operation Plans and Operation Orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5

Combat Camera Products and Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6

Who Uses Combat Camera Products?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6

Chapter 4. Operations

Mission Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1

Information Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2

Strategic Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3

Civil-Military Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4

Foreign Humanitarian Assistance 

and Disaster Relief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
MAGTF Combat Camera

v

Counterdrug Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6

Peacekeeping Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7

Psychological Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7

Intelligence and Counterintelligence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-8

Public Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-8

Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9

Joint Combat Camera Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-10

Chapter 5. Systems and Equipment

Individual Acquisition Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1

Tactical Imagery Production System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1

Communications Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2

Appendices

A Sample Appendix 9 (COMCAM) to

Annex C (Operations). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

B Sample Concept of Employment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

C Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

Glossary

References 
Chapter 1

Fundamentals

OVERVIEW

Combat camera (COMCAM) is the acquisition and utilization of

still and motion imagery in support of operational and planning

requirements across the range of military operations and during

exercises. Official visual documentation is used for operational

and combat support as well as public information purposes. It is

an essential visual record of Marine Corps commands throughout

significant and often historical events. Therefore, complete

access to areas of operations and timely exploitation of collected

imagery are keys to COMCAM success.

MISSION

The mission of COMCAM is to provide the President, Secretary

of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), Military

Departments, combatant commanders, and on-scene commander

with a directed image capability in support of operational and

planning requirements during world crisis, contingencies, exercises, and wartime operations per Marine Corps Order (MCO)

3104.1A, Marine Corps Combat Camera Program.
MCWP 3-33.7

1-2

A fundamental tool of commanders and decisionmakers,

COMCAM— 

z Provides commanders with combat trained documentation

teams that are primary suppliers of operational imagery. 

z Supports combat, information, humanitarian, special force;

intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); engineering; legal; and public affairs (PA) missions. 

z Provides valuable imagery at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels of war. 

z Speeds decisionmaking and facilitates the execution of missions at lower levels through vertical and horizontal information flow.

POLICY DOCUMENTS

Policy governing the Joint COMCAM Program is found in

Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 5040.04, Joint Combat Camera (COMCAM) Program, which— 

z Assigns Joint Combat Camera Program responsibilities. 

z Updates COMCAM in support of joint, combined, and Servicespecific military operations of joint interest. 

z Establishes the Joint Combat Camera Planning Group. 
MAGTF Combat Camera

1-3

Policy governing visual information is found in DODI 5040.02,

Visual Information (VI), which— 

z Assigns responsibilities for managing the Department of

Defense (DOD) visual information resources. 

z Establishes the Joint Visual Information Services Distribution

Activity and the Defense Visual Information Center and continues establishment of the DOD Visual Information Steering

Committee. 

FUNCTION

Marine Corps COMCAM teams are organized, trained, and

equipped to provide rapid deployment of COMCAM assets in

support of exercises, operations, and contingencies that support

the operating forces and are available for tasking by— 

z The Secretary of Defense, the CJCS, and federal agencies as

directed. 

z Unified and subunified combatant commanders. 

z Joint and combined task force commanders and their staffs. 

z Marine Corps component commanders and their staffs. 

Challenges faced by commanders on today’s battlefield make

COMCAM operations more critical and more difficult to execute.

Commanders will exploit imagery at various times and from various sources such as ISR, PA, coalition forces, or civilian media.
MCWP 3-33.7

1-4

Therefore, Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) COMCAM

Marines must be prepared to incorporate COMCAM assets into

missions across the full range of military operations, and they

must be flexible and able to task-organize COMCAM for any size

MAGTF and operation. 

Combat camera Marines support a commander’s situational

awareness, information operations (IO), PA, and civil affairs

objectives to include ISR, battlefield damage assessment, military

deception, legal, and history functions. Combat camera supports

the commander’s imagery requirements and produces timely products supporting the commander’s intent and mission objectives.

COMBAT CAMERA PRODUCTS

Combat camera provides the MAGTF commander with imagery

(video and still), graphics, and printing/reproduction capabilities

to facilitate his decisionmaking process and, ultimately, mission accomplishment.

Types of COMCAM products are— 

z Still photographic imagery (digital and conventional) (see fig.

1-1). 

z Motion imagery (video) (see fig. 1-2 on page 1-6). 

z Combat lithography, such as flyers, leaflets, orders, or documents (see fig. 1-3 on page 1-7). 

z Combat art (see fig. 1-4 on page 1-9). 

z Multimedia digital graphics.

Note: The above types of COMCAM products are hereafter

collectively referred to as COMCAM products.
MAGTF Combat Camera

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Figure 1-1. Still Photographic Imagery.
MCWP 3-33.7

1-6

PRINCIPLES

Marine Corps COMCAM personnel, the MAGTF commander,

and small unit leaders must know the principles that guide the

planning and execution of COMCAM operations. These principles include the following:

z Imagery’s worth is increased by the number of viewers. Imagery

becomes useful when it is viewed, shared, used, and

understood. Acquisition and production must be synchronized

with dissemination options and quickly retrievable archives.

z Several missions can be supported simultaneously.

Understanding strategic, operational, tactical, immediate, and

future COMCAM requirements will empower the COMCAM

officer to support concurrent missions, often with the same

imagery.

Figure 1-2. Motion Imagery (Video).
MAGTF Combat Camera

1-7

z The COMCAM applications are boundless. The application

of combat camera requires creative thought to enhance the

value of COMCAM units and imagery for mission accomplishment.

z Combat camera personnel must practice and provide

security at the source. This principle means not sharing

information inappropriate for release.

Figure 1-3. Combat Lithograph—Reproduction
MCWP 3-33.7

1-8

INFORMATION OPERATIONS

AND COMBAT CAMERA

The imagery captured by COMCAM units can be used to

influence information operations and multiple types of other

missions, from major combat operations to small wars. The

MAGTF COMCAM organizations— 

z Maximize support throughout the MAGTF. 

z Must be considered throughout all phases of planning and execution. 

z Ensure and maintain operations security. 

z Obtain and maintain the commander’s trust. This involves

anticipating requirements and providing COMCAM products in

a usable, understandable, relevant, and timely manner. It also

involves restricting access to imagery in accordance with the

commander’s intent. 

z Support DOD and joint COMCAM operations and organizations, including augmenting a joint/combined COMCAM management team. 

z Provide camera skills sustainment training for ISR Marines. 

z Provide technical advice and guidance on equipment to PA

and ISR personnel.
MAGTF Combat Camera

1-9

ARCHIVING

The Marine Corps Combat Camera Management Support Center

at the Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC),

Quantico, VA, archives COMCAM products forwarded by

COMCAM personnel. Imagery, which may have a broader

significance to the history of the United States, is submitted to the

Defense Imagery Management Operations Center (DIMOC) at

the Pentagon. From there, it is available to the general public.

Figure 1-4. Combat Art.
Chapter 2

Organizations and Responsibilities

COMBAT CAMERA PERSONNEL

Occupational field (OccFld) 4600 is comprised of Marines

located in COMCAM billets at the— 

z Marine Corps forces. 

z Marine expeditionary forces (MEFs). 

z Marine expeditionary brigades (MEBs). 

z Marine expeditionary units (MEUs). 

z Ground combat elements (GCEs). 

z Aviation combat elements (ACEs). 

z Logistics combat elements (LCEs). 

z Supporting establishment’s base and station COMCAM units

and training commands.

The following military occupational specialties (MOSs) comprise

OccFld 4600.

4612, Combat Camera Production Specialist, E1 to E6

Combat camera production specialists operate and maintain printing and reproduction equipment. They prepare original layout and

design, print multiple formats and sizes, and produce large quantity reproductions.
MCWP 3-33.7

2-2

4616, Reproduction Equipment Repairer Specialist, E4 to E6

Reproduction equipment repairer specialists maintain all tables of

equipment (T/E), reproduction-related equipment, and perform

administrative and planning functions to include equipment

maintenance records.

4641, Combat Photographer, E1 to E6 

Combat photographers possess the skill and expertise to document operations in any environment using the latest in still imagery acquisition and production equipment. They are capable and

equipped to produce field expedient, still imagery products.

4671, Combat Videographer, E1 to E6

Combat videographers possess the skill and expertise to document operations in any environment using the latest in video

imagery acquisition and production equipment. They are capable

and equipped to produce field expedient, edited video products.

4691, Combat Camera Chief, E7 to E9 

Combat camera chiefs assist the COMCAM officer in supervising, coordinating, administering, and managing COMCAM units

and assets. They provide advice and technical expertise to the

COMCAM officer and/or MAGTF commander on COMCAM

capabilities and deployment and employment of assets.

4602, Combat Camera Officer, Warrant Officer 1 to Major

Combat camera officers supervise, coordinate, administer, and

manage COMCAM units and assets. They provide advice and
MAGTF Combat Camera

2-3

technical expertise to the MAGTF commander on COMCAM

capabilities and deployment and employment of COMCAM

assets. Officers are an integral part of the planning process,

working closely with other staff sections within MAGTF

commands to ensure the proper employment of COMCAM and to

ensure COMCAM actions and missions support the commander’s

intent. The COMCAM officer writes appendix 9 (COMCAM) to

Annex C (Operations) to the Operation Order (OPORD). See

appendix A for additional information. 

MARINE CORPS FORCES STAFF

The COMCAM officer develops policy, guidance, and standards

for the COMCAM effort throughout the area of operations. The

COMCAM officer is the focal point for planning, monitoring,

and coordinating COMCAM efforts that support air, ground, and

combat service support operations. The COMCAM officer assists

the principal staffs and provides guidance to the commander, and

specific combatant commander, for all joint exercises, operations,

and deployments, requiring COMCAM support. The COMCAM

officer is responsible for estimating, recommending, and determining requirements and preparing COMCAM annexes and

detailed plans for publication. See appendix B for a sample concept of employment.

MAGTF STAFF

The MAGTF COMCAM officer serves as a battlestaff officer

who advises the MAGTF commander on issues, capabilities, and
MCWP 3-33.7

2-4

requirements pertaining to COMCAM operations. According to

the MCO 3120.10, Marine Corps Information Operations

Program (MCIOP), issues, capabilities, and requirements

pertaining to COMCAM operations are normally assigned to the

assistant chief of staff, operations staff officer (G-3) or the IO

cell; the COMCAM officer manages all the MAGTF

commander’s COMCAM assets to include table of organization

and equipment and augmentation tasks from higher command.

They task-organize COMCAM personnel for any operational

commitments and develop MEF/MEB operational annexes and

OPORDs pertaining to COMCAM.

Combat camera personnel are assigned to the MEU command

element (CE). Additional assets within the GCE, ACE, and LCE

may be tasked to support MEU COMCAM personnel based on

operational requirements. Regardless of size, COMCAM units

maintain the capability to acquire, edit, disseminate, archive,

manage, and transmit imagery. All COMCAM units are equipped

to acquire imagery in darkness and inclement weather.

Ground Combat Element

The Marine division’s COMCAM unit is the division commander’s organic COMCAM capability. Combat camera provides rapid, deployable assets for the execution of operational

imagery documentation. The unit supplies task-organized GCEs

with COMCAM support to meet the commander’s critical information requirements during offensive and defensive operations.

This includes direct support to regimental landing teams and battalion landing teams in support of the MAGTF.
MAGTF Combat Camera

2-5

Aviation Combat Element

The ACE must be capable of operating from sea-based and shorebased airfields. Operating in a variety of forward-based environments requires a full range of COMCAM capabilities that are

organic to the ACE. When an ACE operates from the sea or a forward base, COMCAM is essential to operations. Examples of

COMCAM support are site surveys prior to occupation by wing

units or targeting folders used to plan strike missions, air assault,

or helicopter/parachute landing zones.

Logistics Combat Element

The COMCAM tasks required to support air and ground forces

far exceed the organic COMCAM capabilities of the Marine divisions and Marine aircraft wings. All facets of LCE support (such

as foreign humanitarian assistance operations and disaster relief)

must be documented for historical relevance. Imagery produced

by these units has long lasting significance that is vital to lessons

learned, training, and future deployments.

SUPPORTING ESTABLISHMENT

Combat camera units exist at major Marine Corps bases and stations and at Headquarters, Marine Corps (HQMC). Each unit is

task-organized based on assets available and supports the command’s unique mission. Supporting establishment personnel are a

vital part of operational sustainment when the requirement for

support exceeds the ability of the operational forces’ organic

assets. Supporting establishment personnel are globally sourced

when component commanders identify the need.
MCWP 3-33.7

2-6

Marine Corps base or Marine Corps air station COMCAM units

provide support to the supporting establishment and have a dual

mission of— 

z Providing the means for the Marine Corps to develop, train, and

maintain a modern force that is prepared to win the Nation’s

battles. 

z Supporting the quality of life for Marines and their families. 

The supporting establishment COMCAM units do not maintain a

T/E; therefore, the commander is responsible for equipping and

maintaining the centers based on this mission. Commanders must

equip Marines with the same systems used in the operating

forces. Combat camera offices in HQMC agencies support standardization of COMCAM equipment across the Marine Corps.

Combat camera units should follow guidance set forth in— 

z Marine Corps Reference Publication 3-0A, Unit Training Management Guide. 

z Navy/Marine Corps Departmental Publication (NAVMC)

3500.26, Combat Camera Training and Readiness Manual.

This publication is used to set up a unit training plan (UTP) to

ready supporting establishment COMCAM personnel. 

See appendix C for additional information on training.

HEADQUARTERS ELEMENT STAFF

Combat camera personnel in HQMC agencies develop

COMCAM warfighting concepts and determine associated
MAGTF Combat Camera

2-7

required capabilities in the areas of doctrine, organization,

training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, and

facilities to enable the Marine Corps to field combat ready

COMCAM forces. They also participate in and support other

major processes of the Expeditionary Force Development

System. Marine Corps Combat Camera Management Support

Center is located at Quantico, VA. It is the central point for all

imagery archived for Marine Corps COMCAM units.

MAGTF COMMANDER’S RESPONSIBILITIES

The MAGTF commander should ensure that COMCAM assets

are tailored to support missions across the full range of military

operations. They should also consider imagery requirements that

support the Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and all HQMC departments.

Combat camera assets are in all MAGTF elements (see fig. 2-1 on

page 2-8). Special requirements may arise where additional personnel are required. The MAGTF commander should request

COMCAM personnel augmentation to their unit via higher headquarters CE. The local COMCAM officer will be the action

officer for all COMCAM personnel and asset requirements by the

commander. The local COMCAM officer will provide personnel

and equipment recommendations to the CE staff for approval. 

A thorough mission analysis and situational assessment of anticipated COMCAM requirements will assist the higher unit MAGTF

commander in deciding how to deploy COMCAM assets. The

MAGTF commander should exercise COMCAM capabilities during training exercises, paying particular attention to coordinating
MCWP 3-33.7

2-8

with the operational staff, deploying and using all COMCAM

functions, and identifying and addressing operations security.

MARINE CORPS

INFORMATION OPERATIONS CENTER 

The Marine Corps Information Operations Center (MCIOC) will

provide MAGTF commanders and the Marine Corps a responsive

and effective full range IO planning and psychological operations (PSYOP) delivery capability by means of deployable

support teams and a comprehensive general support IO reachback

capability in order to support the integration of IO into Marine

Corps operations. This includes, but is not limited to IO subject

matter experts in COMCAM. 

Figure 2-1. Marine Air-Ground Task 

Force Combat Camera Tasking Matrix.

MARFORPAC/

MARFORCOM

CE

MEF

GCE ACE LCE MEB

MARFORPAC Marine Corps Forces Pacific

MARFORCOM Marine Corps Forces Command

MEU
MAGTF Combat Camera

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The MCIOC shall— 

z Provide IO specific training to COMCAM personnel assigned

to the MCIOC. 

z Provide the MAGTF with guidance on the proper employment

and use of COMCAM capabilities in support of IO.

See Marine Corps Warfighting Publication 3-40.4, Marine AirGround Task Force Information Operations, for additional information on IO. 

SECRETARY OF THE NAVY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Secretary of the Navy shall ensure the availability of— 

z COMCAM personnel with shipboard experience. 

z Aircrew and diver-qualified COMCAM personnel with appropriate equipment to support operational requirements. 

z MAGTF COMCAM personnel to support operational requirements.

DEFENSE IMAGERY

MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS CENTER

The DIMOC provides the CJCS with current imagery transmitted

from the Military Services involved in the ongoing operation or

training exercise. The DIMOC is the central imagery reception

point for all joint field documentation. It also distributes joint
MCWP 3-33.7

2-10

imagery to the Secretary of Defense and other local DOD users.

In a joint operation, imagery must be transmitted to the DIMOC

according to established DOD timelines. The DIMOC serves as

the Pentagon’s imagery resource center and provides all imagery

received from field locations. Every image sent to the DIMOC

has the potential to reach thousands of DOD and executive

branch members.

There is no standing joint COMCAM management team; joint

COMCAM management teams are task-organized for each joint

contingency. Commanders involved in joint and multinational

operations shall plan for, sustain, and employ COMCAM forces.

Commanders shall expeditiously process and forward COMCAM

imagery with captions to the DIMOC.
Chapter 3

Planning

A good COMCAM plan of employment significantly enhances

the commander’s decision-making process. Therefore, the

COMCAM officer must— 

z Understand the overall operation plan (OPLAN). 

z Understand the commander’s intent. 

z Envision COMCAM’s role and how to exploit COMCAM

assets in support of the commander’s intent. 

z Understand the value, composition, and life cycle of imagery. 

z Be involved in the planning process at all times and at all levels from the earliest possible moment.

LEVELS OF WAR

Combat camera is critical to the ability of the MAGTF to

accomplish its mission at all levels of war. This is especially true

because the global information environment spans the strategic,

operational, and tactical levels of war. The operational aim for

COMCAM is to acquire and disseminate COMCAM products to

the MAGTF commander, his planners and staff, and higher

headquarters. As with combat operations, speed and concentration

of effort are paramount to operational planners; therefore,

COMCAM products that support mission planning and identify

critical information (such as convoy routes, danger zones, or

ingress and egress routes) must be received in a timely and

expedious manner. Commanders have a responsibility to include

COMCAM as they conduct operations. Imagery supports
MCWP 3-33.7

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command and control and enhances IO initiatives and strategic

communication requirements. It can also be key in maintaining

public support. Combat camera footage is often the only imagery

of key events. This can significantly enhance media exposure.

The impact that emerging technologies and the evolving global

media environment will have on all aspects of future military

operations is difficult to fully anticipate or grasp. One thing is

certain: information will become exponentially more abundant

and potentially overwhelming. The MAGTF’s COMCAM can be

a force multiplier by supporting key objectives, providing accurate, easy-to-use imagery and printed or digital products, and providing these products to commanders based on a clear

understanding of priorities and requirements. Commanders must

realize that the information they control at the tactical level is the

most time sensitive and must be used while valuable. This

requires an aggressive acquisition and dissemination plan. Imagery not seen is imagery wasted; the first imagery seen is generally

the most believed by global audiences. Commander’s need to

understand that battles are fought on the physical battlefield as

well as on the Global Information Grid. Accurate, believable

imagery will support mission IO objectives and strategic themes

and messages.

COMBAT CAMERA OFFICER’S ROLE

Commanding officers with COMCAM assets will designate a

COMCAM officer or director with releasing authority for all

COMCAM products per MCO 3104.1A. The COMCAM officers

cannot release imagery outside of the tasking command without

the commander’s written authorization. The COMCAM officer

cannot release imagery to the public directly. This generally falls
MAGTF Combat Camera

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under the PA officer’s duties. The commander designates the

command’s releasing authority.

Communication—internal and external—must be constantly

monitored and adjusted. The COMCAM officer must consider

multiple customers, competing timelines, long-term usefulness,

and specific customer requirements. For instance, while supporting an ISR mission, the COMCAM officer should consider targets for the brigade or higher intelligence staff officer (G-2) or

battalion or brigade intelligence staff officer (S-2). During an

Operation Restore Hope, a single visual reconnaissance flight

produced imagery for target folders, direct action missions, force

protection, and convoy planners. It was used later to brief followon forces. 

The COMCAM officer should also understand that commanders

and their staffs rely on them to use COMCAM as a— 

z Critical information provider. 

z Force multiplier. 

z Aid to force protection efforts. 

z Situational awareness tool. 

z Training critique tool.

The COMCAM officer must do more than simply produce photographs. He must provide meaningful images that are objective,

thorough, accurate, timely, relevant, ready for use, and easy for

customers to understand. This may require— 

z An overlay with key information. 

z A quickly edited video clip of a route reconnaissance. 

z A Web-based imagery archive for use by planners, briefers, or

analysts.
MCWP 3-33.7

3-4

The COMCAM officer must understand the importance of tactical intelligence, which is the level of intelligence Marines need,

generate, and use most often. The COMCAM officer should find

ways to support the formulation of the commander’s estimate of

the situation, such as— 

z Provide as accurate an image of the hostile situation as possible. 

z Aid in situation development. 

z Develop IO products. 

z Provide support to force protection. 

z Support targeting and combat assessment; e.g., battle damage

assessment.

EARLY DEPLOYMENT

Personnel in support of COMCAM must deploy early to support

various potential customers. Imagery of areas and facilities during initial site surveys can help advanced echelon forces plan

logistical requirements. Imagery of approach lanes and landing

zones can familiarize pilots and aircrews with terrain features and

obstacles they may encounter. Imagery can help commanders

visually describe the tactical situation to higher headquarters.

Analysts need to see imagery of certain target areas, which over

time, provide long-term insight to evolving situations. Historians

usually want to see before and after imagery and detailed aspects

of the Marines’ environment (living conditions, fighting holes,

weapons carriage, terrain, chow, or mail).
MAGTF Combat Camera

3-5

OPERATION PLANS AND OPERATION ORDERS

Combat camera must be included in OPLANs and OPORDs

based on projected tasking and focus of effort. The COMCAM

Marines must train with their assigned units and be included in

the units’ OPLANs and OPORDs. Guidance for conducting

COMCAM operations comes from several sources. The standard

contingency documentation plan (SCDP) establishes procedures,

at the national level, for documenting military operations. This

documentation normally supports COMCAM requirements.

Tasking is referred to as programmed requirements. Deploying

COMCAM teams will use the SCDP as a guide until the theater

COMCAM representative provides further guidance, which is

based on the theater commander’s needs and the combat

situation. The SCDP addresses documentation of combat and

combat support operations. From this information, deploying

COMCAM teams must be able to adapt COMCAM operations to

almost any similar situation.

At the theater level, the combatant commander issues plans and

orders to establish a joint COMCAM management team or other

COMCAM guidance. Combat camera plans and orders are prepared by the COMCAM officer and appear as Appendix 9

(COMCAM) to Annex C (Operations) to the OPORD (see app. A

for additional information). A COMCAM plan is required when

preparing for exercises, operations, or routinely planned events.

Combat camera planning will be carried out concurrently with

operational planning. With minor modifications, Appendix 9 can

also be used by the command to form the COMCAM plan for

garrison use.
MCWP 3-33.7

3-6

COMBAT CAMERA PRODUCTS USAGE

The value of COMCAM products is based on a combination of

timeliness and content. Timely COMCAM products act as force

multipliers. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Marine Corps

COMCAM teams documented actions in the cities of the of Al

Anbar province. These images were made available daily through

an online searchable database and, within hours, utilized by IO

officers, planners, and commanders to plan for current operations

and the development of IO/PSYOP products. Additionally, the

aggregate of imagery was used to show progress in the streets of

Al Anbar from 2005 to 2008, also known as the “Awakening.”

The imagery collected provided valid information for

commanders, staffs, and planners to prepare their units for the

upcoming conflict and foster a greater understanding of the areas

of operation their units would be operating in. Additionally,

imagery was provided to worldwide news agencies as the “first

imagery,” many times providing visual proof to stories and at

times dispelling our adversary’s misinformation. Historically,

significant imagery is archived as a permanent record of what

occurred at a specific time and place. Compelling, historical

imagery has repeatedly been used to champion the Marine Corps’

existence or need for resources. Failure to use COMCAM in

training and operations will result in a lack of historical imagery. 

WHO USES COMBAT CAMERA PRODUCTS?

Combat camera products directly or indirectly support the

warfighter whether planning the next operation, being used for a

brief at HQMC or higher, and a myriad of functions in between.
MAGTF Combat Camera

3-7

Combat camera imagery from World War II, Vietnam, and Iraq,

which was originally gathered to support a commander’s imagery

requirements, is repeatedly used to produce training manuals,

lessons learned, historical programs, and Commandant of the

Marine Corps-produced motivational videos or recruiting posters.

Understanding the varied multitude of personnel who use

COMCAM products and the uses of these products help planners

determine equipment requirements and the best mix of

COMCAM assets, required to document any event.

The DODI 5040.04 requires the Services to provide imagery of

current operations to the DOD; these images are eventually

routed to the National Archives in Washington, DC. Combat

camera imagery is routinely used to support a multitude of individuals or organizations simultaneously; e.g., the on-scene commander, the CJCS, joint COMCAM efforts, planners, analysts,

civil affairs personnel, engineers, military police, and PA efforts.

As society becomes more visually oriented in communications,

the demand for timely imagery will increase and a wider variety

of personnel will need to access the same COMCAM products

for support. Therefore, commanders must make COMCAM

products available and useful to as many users and planners as

possible. With the quantity of information available at any one

time, the value of quality information has grown tremendously.

Combat camera provides commanders with a directed imagery

acquisition and production capability that is comparable to any

civilian imagery professional.
Chapter 4

Operations 

A principal aim of command and control is to enhance the commander’s ability to make sound and timely decisions. Quality

information adds value to the decisionmaking process and is critical to the success or failure of an operation. Therefore, the commander must determine his information requirements and ensure

that information is managed effectively. Combat camera assists

the MAGTF commander in the decisionmaking process by making a major contribution to the understanding of the battlespace

and the threat. Combat camera should also be an integral element

of the decisionmaking process through which the commander

implements decisions. The COMCAM Marines also need to

know the mission, tactical situation, tasks to be accomplished,

support available, and the communications required to accomplish the mission.

MISSION REQUIREMENTS

Combat camera products support various mission requirements

simultaneously. Combat camera officers train with commanders

and staffs and develop relationships during planning and exercises. These established working relationships produce streamlined communication, anticipation of a commander’s

requirements, and fine-tuned COMCAM support. Throughout the

MAGTF, COMCAM is organized to support the COMCAM

requirements of the warfighter. Tasking for COMCAM support

can come from the combatant commander, on-scene commander,

local commander, or personnel within the chain of command.
MCWP 3-33.7

4-2

Combat camera is an integral feature of the MAGTF and its operations and should not be considered an independent entity. Combat camera missions are in direct support of the commander’s

critical information requirements and provide products that assist

in gaining the advantage against the enemy. Through the specialized assets that COMCAM brings to the commander, it supports

the many different missions of the MAGTF to include— 

z IO. 

z Strategic communication. 

z Civil-military operations (CMO). 

z Foreign humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. 

z Counterdrug operations. 

z Peacekeeping operations. 

z PSYOP. 

z Intelligence and counterintelligence. 

z PA. 

z Training.

Information Operations

Decisionmakers use IO to affect adversary information and information systems while defending their own information and information systems (see fig. 4-1). The force that best controls, shapes,

and safeguards information and information systems will enjoy a

decided military advantage. Information operations interact with

the global information environment and exploit or deny the

adversary’s information and decision capabilities. Units conduct

IO across the full range of military operations. Information operations continue beyond the end of hostilities and into the pacification and nation-building phase. 
MAGTF Combat Camera

4-3

Strategic Communication

Strategic communication is defined as focused [US] Government

efforts to understand and engage key audiences to create,

strengthen, or preserve conditions favorable for the advancement

of [US] Government interests, policies, and objectives through

the use of coordinated programs, plans, themes, messages, and

products synchronized with the actions of all instruments of

national power (Joint Publication 1-02, Department of Defense

Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms). Combat camera

supports strategic communications by providing imagery incorporated into strategic communication themes and messages,

images depicting all US Government efforts, and still and video

evidence of military engagements of counter adversaries that

cause civilian casualties. Combat camera imagery and printed

Figure 4-1. Information Operations.
MCWP 3-33.7

4-4

materials may also be used to support CMO and PSYOP efforts

to inform the populous of US Government efforts to minimize

civilian casualties, employ appropriate rules of engagement to

minimize civilian casualties, and to help support awareness of the

effects that cause civilian casualties.

Civil-Military Operations

Civil-military operations activities encompass the relationship

between military forces, civil authorities, and people in a friendly

or foreign country or area (see fig. 4-2). They support national

policy and implement US national objectives by coordinating

with, influencing, developing, or controlling indigenous infrastructures in operational areas. Civil-military operations secure

local acceptance of and support for US forces. Civil-military

operations are important for gaining information dominance

because of its ability to interface with key organizations and individuals in the global information environment; e.g., CMO’s traditional relationship with nongovernmental organizations and

international organizations. Combat camera can influence ideas,

concepts, and issues via printed fliers, photographs, video productions, or Web-based graphics.

Foreign Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief

Combat camera is an invaluable asset during foreign humanitarian assistance missions, not only as a tool to document US efforts

to aid countries hit by natural and manmade disasters, but also as

an aid to IO efforts (see fig. 4-3 on page 4-6). Combat camera

Marines assigned to a MEU can provide time-sensitive imagery

to on-scene commanders and higher commands during noncombatant evacuation operations.
MAGTF Combat Camera

4-5

Combat camera can be attached to the civil engineer battalion to

document conditions before and after civil engineer battalion

Figure 4-2. Civil-Military Operations.
MCWP 3-33.7

4-6

operations, capturing the improvements in living conditions and

foreign humanitarian assistance provided during operations.

Imagery collected by COMCAM assets can also be used to determine levels of destruction in the event of natural disasters.

Counterdrug Operations

Many factors are unique to counterdrug operations, such as a high

degree of interagency and international coordination. Most

significantly, the legal and law enforcement aspects are extremely

sensitive. Commanders use COMCAM imagery to familiarize

their Marines with terrain features, show facilities for use in

planning command posts, document seizures and evidence, and

protect US forces from legal reprisal.

Figure 4-3. Foreign Humanitarian

Assistance and Disaster Relief.
MAGTF Combat Camera

4-7

Peacekeeping Operations

Because of the nature of peacekeeping operations, COMCAM is

often the only means to provide imagery to higher headquarters

and the press (see fig. 4-4). Imagery collected can provide proof

of military involvement if and when false accusations are presented. Imagery collected can also demonstrate the successes

involved during peacekeeping operations. These images can

enhance the commander’s decisionmaking process and maintain

public support for the mission.

Psychological Operations

One of the five pillars of IO is PSYOP. Combat camera is an

invaluable resource to support efforts to shape the battlefield and

execute a PSYOP campaign plan. Psychological operations are

planned operations that convey selected information and

indicators to foreign audiences to influence their emotions;

motives; objective reasoning; and, ultimately, the behavior of

foreign governments, organizations, groups, and individuals. A

Figure 4-4. Peacekeeping Operations.
MCWP 3-33.7

4-8

major element of PSYOP is propaganda, which is any form of

communication in support of national objectives designed to

influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes, or behavior of any

group to benefit the sponsor either directly or indirectly.

Intelligence and Counterintelligence

Combat camera supports the commander’s intelligence and counterintelligence requirements by providing COMCAM products to

support the following actions: 

z Identify and evaluate existing conditions and capabilities. 

z Aid in identifying friendly critical vulnerabilities. 

z Assist in developing and evaluating friendly courses of action. 

z Enhance tempo through effective information flow, taking

advantage of all available communication means to disseminate imagery. 

Public Affairs

Public affairs informs and educates the target audience whether it

is within the Marine Corps or part of the general public (see fig.

4-5). Public affairs influence is a by-product—the result or effects

of people being informed—rather than the design or intent of the

communication. Combat camera can support PA missions with

graphics, photography, video products, and digital and printed

media. Public affairs credibility is based on truthfulness. Combat

camera is not a function of PA, but a separate discipline and entity

that can support PA requirements. 
MAGTF Combat Camera

4-9

Training

Training is a professional and moral imperative (see fig. 4-6 on

page 4-10). It is the Marine leader’s responsibility to ensure that

his Marines are properly trained and prepared for combat. Combat camera provides products that facilitate the leader’s evaluation of the effectiveness of the training package and whether or

not the training objectives have been met. Safety is a major concern during the training process. Combat camera products can

assist in identifying unsafe conditions or procedures. Combat

camera can also provide materials to be used for training evolutions in the form of video and still imagery assets and/or printed

materials.

Figure 4-5. Public Affairs.
MCWP 3-33.7

4-10

JOINT COMBAT CAMERA REQUIREMENTS 

Combat camera forces are tasked, deployed, and employed as an

integral part of joint/combined and multinational operations to

ensure documentation of the entire scope of US military activities

and DOD components during wartime operations, worldwide crises, contingencies, joint exercises, and other events of significant

national interest. 

Figure 4-6. Training.
MAGTF Combat Camera

4-11

Combat camera is an operational mission assigned to the J-3

[operations directorate of a joint staff]. The joint force

information operations chief (J-39) is responsible for COMCAM

activities. The J-39 generates COMCAM mission assignment

tasking and receives mission assignments from higher authority

and within the joint task force. The J-39 will establish priorities

and coordinate support for COMCAM missions with requesting

commanders within the joint force. It is important that the joint

COMCAM team’s officer in charge work to keep the J-39

informed of all COMCAM activities. The COMCAM operation

in support of the joint force’s plan expands beyond the role of the

IO plan. When Marine Corps commands are the lead for joint or

combined task forces, the Marine Corps commander will assign a

COMCAM officer to be the joint combat camera management

team officer in charge.
Chapter 5

Systems and Equipment

Marine Corps operational COMCAM capabilities provide the

MAGTF commander direct support in the form of photography,

videography, graphic products, and lithography. Teams use

organic Marine Corps communications systems to disseminate

COMCAM both horizontally and vertically throughout the

MAGTF. The MAGTF COMCAM systems produce products that

interoperate with joint imagery requirements.

INDIVIDUAL ACQUISITION SYSTEMS

The MAGTF’s COMCAM personnel deploy with equipment and

systems capable of all-weather, day and night digital imagery

acquisition. These systems are MOS-specific and include still

and video digital cameras, limited printing and video duplications, night vision, and communications equipment provided by

the communications section.

TACTICAL IMAGERY PRODUCTION SYSTEM

The tactical imagery production system (TIPS) is a selfcontained, deployable production unit designed for use by

COMCAM teams. It provides high volume visual information,

production, reproduction, and transmission in direct support of

the MAGTF commander. The TIPS is deployed and employed at

major subordinate commands or higher levels within the MAGTF.
MCWP 3-33.7

5-2

During Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, TIPS

was used as a direct support asset to the MAGTF commander and

major subordinate commands.

COMMUNICATIONS REQUIREMENTS 

Communications capabilities must be seamless. Imagery collected on the battlefield may be accessible to operational planners, with a justifiable requirement for ongoing imagery

collection and IO, regardless of location. Combat camera communications requirements must be integrated into organic Marine

Corps communications systems and interface with all current and

future imagery production systems.

Communications connectivity requirements center on interoperability with the MAGTF’s organic tactical data network. It is

imperative that the COMCAM officer work closely with the

MAGTF communications staff to ensure connectivity requirements are met with as little impact as possible on the network.

The COMCAM mission to disseminate imagery is vital, but

should never degrade the tactical data network. The TIPS and

other COMCAM systems are organic to the MAGTF, but should

be managed to ensure the commander’s critical information

requirements are supported, not hindered.
Appendix A

Sample Appendix 9

(COMCAM) to Annex C (Operations)

CLASSIFICATION

Copy no. __ of __ copies

OFFICIAL DESIGNATION

OF COMMAND

PLACE OF ISSUE

Date-time group

Message reference number

APPENDIX 9 (COMBAT CAMERA) TO ANNEX C

(OPERATIONS) TO OPERATION ORDER (NUMBER) (U) 

(U) REFERENCES: 

(a) Regulations

(b) Required maps and charts

(c) Other relevant documents

(U) TIME ZONE:

1. (U) Situation. This paragraph includes a brief general description of the situation; i.e., information and COMCAM support that

paragraph 1 of the OPLAN does not cover and the intended purpose of this appendix.

Page number

CLASSIFICATION
MCWP 3-33.7

A-2

a. (U) Friendly Forces. Outline the higher headquarters’

plan, the COMCAM annex, and adjacent unit COMCAM

plans. Provide information on friendly coalition forces that

may affect the COMCAM mission. Note COMCAM

resources supporting the unit.

b. (U) Attachments and Detachments. Identify all augmenting COMCAM units supporting this command and all

attached/assigned subordinate units. Include effective dates,

if applicable.

c. (U) Enemy Forces. List information on the threat force,

its relationship to COMCAM mission, and any information

not included in the OPLAN/OPORD that may affect the

COMCAM mission.

d. (U) Assumptions. List any additional assumptions or

information not included in the general situation that will

affect the COMCAM mission. Include a communications

appraisal of tactical imagery transmission requirements.

2. (U) Mission. There must be a clear, concise statement of the

COMCAM mission. This statement should reflect the broad

COMCAM mission during the particular operation or event, not

the overall military mission. Communications goals should be

clearly stated in appropriate detail. For a plan that supports combat operations, a determination should be made for direct support,

general support, and priority of support.

CLASSIFICATION

Page number

CLASSIFICATION
MAGTF Combat Camera

A-3

3. (U) Execution. This paragraph provides a summary of the

overall intended course of action.

a. (U) Concept of Operation. Briefly summarize the

COMCAM OPLAN, include COMCAM imagery and

printing priorities.

b. (U) Tasks. Identify and assign supporting tasks to each

COMCAM element of subordinate and supporting units.

Route tasks through the G-3 or S-3 as appropriate.

c. (U) Coordinating Instructions. Provisions for combat

documentation shall be included in the plan. Include support

provisions for COMCAM teams, priorities, and other

instructions. Give details on coordination, task organization, and groupings. List instructions that apply to two or

more subordinate elements or units. Include all details in

direct support of commanders, operators, analysts, and other

customers; details on embarkation schedules, any restrictions because of weight or equipment, imagery transmission

and dissemination plans; or any other details.

4. (U) Service Support. Service support includes statements of

administrative and logistical arrangements.

a. (U) Administration. Provide a statement of the

administrative arrangements applicable to this operation. If

they are long or not ready for inclusion in the OPLAN,

CLASSIFICATION

Page number

CLASSIFICATION
MCWP 3-33.7

A-4

arrangements may be issued separately and referenced

there. Release authority will be named in annex F (Public

Affairs). Refer to it accordingly. Special consideration

should be given to the chain of custody of imagery with

evidential value; e.g., imagery of war crimes, atrocities

against civilians.

b. (U) Logistics. Provide a statement of the logistical

arrangements applicable to this operation. Specific coordination should be included, if possible, but arrangements

may be issued separately and referenced there if they are

too long.

5. (U) Command and Signal. List signal, visual imaging, and satellite communications policies; headquarters/joint COMCAM

team and military media center locations or movements; and code

words, code names, and liaison elements.

ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT

 Name

Rank and Service

 Title

Page number

CLASSIFICATION

CLASSIFICATION
Appendix B

Sample Concept of Employment

Marine air-ground task force commanders are free to distribute

COMCAM assets as they see fit. However, to provide them with

as much flexibility as possible, the following concept of employment has been developed. 

MAGTF AND MAJOR 

SUBORDINATE COMMAND COMCAM TASKS

z Manage and coordinate imagery taskings with GCE, ACE, and

Marine logistics group (formerly force service support group)

COMCAM assets throughout the MEF/MEB area of operations.

z Dispatch, as needed, MEF/MEB COMCAM teams to events of

interest for the tactical, operational, and strategic decisionmaking processes for the CE and to support the IO campaign plan. 

z Use available communications assets to transmit imagery vertically from the major subordinate commands to higher headquarters and horizontally from adjacent and coalition

commands. 

z Provide reliable archival capability of imagery for use in briefings and command chronological records for situation assessments and after action information.

z Provide rapid reproduction of various media formats for information dissemination.
MCWP 3-33.7

B-2

PROPOSED TABLES

The MEF/MEB CE, GCE, ACE, Marine logistics group, radar

control terminal, and MEU will provide imagery of interest to

CEs and higher commands to support the tactical, operational,

and strategic decisionmaking processes. For all of these units,

table or organization (T/O) personnel have organic still and video

acquisition gear and ruggedized laptops with transmission capability. The TIPS contains imagery acquisition, transmission, and

print/production capabilities; is mobile and self-powered; and can

displace rapidly. 

Note: The MEU does not have a resident TIPS capability. 

No current T/E for a MEF COMCAM team exists. The current

T/O only supports a captain 4602 MOS. Personnel assets

required to support the MEF CE will have to come from organic

COMCAM assets in the MEF or globally sourced through the

respective Marine Corps forces.
MAGTF Combat Camera

B-3

Legend: 

Capt captain 

Cpl corporal 

CWO chief warrant officer 

GySgt gunnery sergeant 

HMMWV high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle 

LCpl lance corporal 

MSgt master sergeant 

Marine Expeditionary Force/Marine

Expeditionary Brigade Command Element

Personnel:

1 to 8 (task-organized)

1 COMCAM officer (CWO/Capt)

1 COMCAM chief (GySgt/MSgt)

2 combat photographers (Cpl/LCpl)

2 combat videographers (Cpl/LCpl)

2 combat production specialists (Cpl/LCpl)

1 combat (Cpl/LCpl)

Equipment:

2 digital still imagery kits

2 video imagery kits

2 acquisition/transmission kits

1 TIPS

Initial consumable stock of 180 days

2HMMWVs
MCWP 3-33.7

B-4

Legend: 

Cpl corporal 

GySgt gunnery sergeant 

HMMWV high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle 

LCpl lance corporal 

MSgt master sergeant 

Sgt sergeant

Ground Combat Element

Personnel:

1 to 13 (organic assets)

1 COMCAM officer

1 COMCAM operations chief (MSgt/GySgt)

3 combat photographers (Sgt/Cpl)

3 combat videographers (Sgt/Cpl)

4 combat production specialists (Cpl/LCpl)

Equipment:

Requisite T/E equipment per listed T/O

1 TIPS

Consumable stock for 60 days

Initial consumable stock of 180 days

2 HMMWVs
MAGTF Combat Camera

B-5

Legend: 

Cpl corporal 

CWO chief warrant officer 

GySgt gunnery sergeant 

HMMWV high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle 

LCpl lance corporal 

SSgt staff sergeant

Aviation Combat Element

Personnel:

1 to 7 (organic assets)

1 COMCAM officer (CWO)

1 COMCAM operations chief (GySgt/SSgt)

2 combat photographers (Cpl/LCpl)

2 combat videographers (Cpl/LCpl)

2 combat production specialists (Cpl/LCpl)

Equipment:

Initial consumable stock of 180 days

2 HMMWVs

Requisite T/E equipment per listed T/O

Consumable stock for 60 days
MCWP 3-33.7

B-6

Legend: 

Cpl corporal 

GySgt gunnery sergeant 

HMMWV high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle 

LCpl lance corporal 

SSgt staff sergeant

Marine Logistics Group

Personnel:

1 to 5 (organic assets)

1 COMCAM operations chief (GySgt/SSgt)

2 combat photographers (Cpl/LCpl)

1 combat videographer (Cpl/LCpl)

1 combat production specialist (Cpl/LCpl)

Equipment:

Requisite T/E equipment per listed T/O

Consumable stock for 60 days

Initial consumable stock of 180 days

2 HMMWVs
MAGTF Combat Camera

B-7

Legend: 

Cpl corporal 

GySgt gunnery sergeant 

LCpl lance corporal 

SSgt staff sergeant

Sgt sergeant

Regimental Combat Teams

Personnel:

1 to 6 (task-organized)

1 COMCAM operations chief (GySgt/SSgt)

2 combat photographers (Sgt/Cpl)

2 combat videographer (Sgt/Cpl)

1 combat production specialist (Cpl/LCpl)

Equipment:

Requisite T/E equipment per listed T/O

Consumable stock for 60 days

Initial consumable stock of 180 days
MCWP 3-33.7

B-8

Legend: 

Cpl corporal 

GySgt gunnery sergeant 

HMMWV high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle 

LCpl lance corporal 

SSgt staff sergeant

Marine Expeditionary Unit

Personnel:

1 to 3 (organic assets)

1 COMCAM operations chief (GySgt/SSgt)

1 combat photographer (Cpl/LCpl)

1 combat videographer (Cpl/LCpl) no T/O

Equipment:

Requisite T/E equipment per listed T/O

Consumable stock for 60 days

Initial consumable stock of 180 days

2 HMMWVs
Appendix C

Training

Combat camera personnel apply the training principles of— 

z The building block approach. 

z Focus on expected combat missions. 

z Focus on unit core capabilities and individual core skills. 

z Organization of tasks into executable events. 

z Sustainment of training.

These principles are key to successful training during peacetime

and in combat. As an integral part of the MAGTF commander’s

decisionmaking process, COMCAM personnel must train to

enhance individual skills learned at formal schools and to become

combat-ready as units and teams. The NAVMC 3500.26 provides

a centralized repository of training requirements for OccFld 4600,

allowing for the development of continuous and progressive

training accomplished by individual, team, and collective training.

INDIVIDUAL AND INITIAL TEAM TRAINING

Currently all OccFld 4600 formal school instruction is conducted

at Defense Information School. Marine COMCAM personnel

receive core training in individual skills for MOS qualification.

Initial team training is accomplished on the TIPS, preparing

Marines for operational COMCAM units. 
MCWP 3-33.7

C-2

TEAM TRAINING

Upon the arrival of COMCAM Marines at their assigned unit,

they are assimilated into the existing UTP. The COMCAM officer

and senior staff noncommissioned officer in charge follow

NAVMC 3500.26, enhancing the individual and initial team training learned at Defense Information School. Individual and initial

team training is further expanded based on the UTP and current

mission requirements defined by the MAGTF commander.

COLLECTIVE TRAINING 

Collective training is accomplished through the UTP. Because

collective readiness and individual readiness are closely related,

NAVMC 3500.26 contains individual and collective training

events. Collective training encompasses those events that require

two or more personnel for successful completion. The COMCAM

officer develops the mission essential task list based on lists of

higher headquarters.
Glossary

Section I: Acronyms and Abbreviations

ACE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .aviation combat element

CE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .command element

CJCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

CMO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . civil-military operations

COMCAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . combat camera

DIMOC . . . . . .Defense Imagery Management Operations Center

DOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Department of Defense

DODI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Department of Defense instruction

G-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . brigade or higher intelligence staff officer

G-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . brigade or higher operations staff officer

GCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ground combat element

HQMC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Headquarters, Marine Corps

IO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . information operations

ISR . . . . . . . . . . . . intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance

J-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . information operations chief of a joint staff

LCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . logistics combat element

MAGTF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marine air-ground task force

MCCDC . . . . . . Marine Corps Combat Development Command

MCIOC . . . . . . . . . Marine Corps Information Operations Center

MCO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marine Corps order
Glossary-2

MCWP 3-33.7

MCWP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marine Corps warfighting publication

MEB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marine expeditionary brigade

MEF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marine expeditionary force

MEU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marine expeditionary unit

MOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .military occupational specialty

NAVMC. . . . . . . . . Navy/Marine Corps departmental publication

OccFld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . occupational field

OPLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .operation plan

OPORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . operation order

PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .public affairs

PSYOP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . psychological operations

S-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .battalion or brigade intelligence staff officer

 (Army; Marine Corps battalion or regiment)

S-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .battalion or brigade operations staff officer

 (Army; Marine Corps battalion or regiment)

SCDP . . . . . . . . . . . . . .standard contingency documentation plan

T/E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . table of equipment

TIPS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tactical imagery production system

T/O. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .table of organization

US . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . United States

UTP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . unit training plan
MAGTF Combat Camera

Glossary-3

Section II. Definitions

area of operations—An operational area defined by the joint

force commander for land and maritime forces. Areas of operation do not typically encompass the entire operational area of the

joint force commander, but should be large enough for component commanders to accomplish their missions and protect their

forces. (JP 1-02)

battle damage assessment—The estimate of damage resulting

from the application of lethal or nonlethal military force. Battle

damage assessment is composed of physical damage assessment,

functional damage assessment, and target system assessment.

(JP 1-02) The timely and accurate estimate of the damage

resulting from the application of military force. Battle damage

assessment estimates physical damage to a particular target,

functional damage to that target, and the capability of the entire

target system to continue its operations. (MCRP 5-12C)

battlespace—All aspects of air, surface, subsurface, land, space,

and electromagnetic spectrum which encompass the area of influence and area of interest. (MCRP 5-12C)

civil-military operations—The activities of a commander that

establish, maintain, influence, or exploit relations between military forces, governmental and nongovernmental civilian organizations and authorities, and the civilian populace in a friendly,

neutral, or hostile operational area in order to facilitate military

operations, to consolidate and achieve operational US objectives.

Civil-military operations may include performance by military

forces of activities and functions normally the responsibility of

the local, regional, or national government. These activities may

occur prior to, during, or subsequent to other military actions.
Glossary-4

MCWP 3-33.7

They may also occur, if directed, in the absence of other military

operations. Civil-military operations may be performed by designated civil affairs, by other military forces, or by a combination

of civil affairs and other forces. Also called CMO. (JP 1-02)

combat camera—The acquisition and utilization of still and

motion imagery in support of operational and planning requirements across the range of military operations and during exercises. Also called COMCAM. (MCRP 5-12C)

combined operation—An operation conducted by forces of two

or more Allied nations acting together for the accomplishment of

a single mission. (JP 1-02)

command and control—The exercise of authority and direction

by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached

forces in the accomplishment of the mission. Command and control functions are performed through an arrangement of personnel, equipment, communications, facilities, and procedures

employed by a commander in planning, directing, coordinating,

and controlling forces and operations in the accomplishment of

the mission. (JP 1-02) The means by which a commander recognizes what needs to be done and sees to it that appropriate actions

are taken. (MCRP 5-12C)

commander’s intent—A concise expression of the purpose of

the operation and the desired end state. It may also include the

commander’s assessment of the adversary commander’s intent

and an assessment of where and how much risk is acceptable during the operation. (JP 1-02) 
MAGTF Combat Camera

Glossary-5

component—1. One of the subordinate organizations that constitute a joint force. Normally a joint force is organized with a combination of Service and functional components. (JP 1-02, part 1 of

a 2 part definition)

coordination—The action necessary to ensure adequately integrated relationships between separate organizations located in

the same area. Coordination may include such matters as fire

support, emergency defense measures, area intelligence, and

other situations in which coordination is considered necessary.

(MCRP 5-12C)

counterintelligence—Information gathered and activities conducted to protect against espionage, other intelligence activities,

sabotage, or assassinations conducted by or on behalf of foreign

governments or elements thereof, foreign organizations, or foreign persons, or international terrorist activities. (JP 1-02) The

active and passive measures intended to deny the enemy valuable

information about the friendly situation, to detect and neutralize

hostile intelligence collection, and to deceive the enemy as to

friendly capabilities and intentions. (MCRP 5-12C)

dissemination—Conveyance of intelligence to users in a suitable

form. (MCRP 5-12C) 

force protection—Preventive measures taken to mitigate hostile

actions against Department of Defense personnel (to include family members), resources, facilities, and critical information. Force

protection does not include actions to defeat the enemy or protect

against accidents, weather, or disease. (JP 1-02) 
Glossary-6

MCWP 3-33.7

foreign humanitarian assistance—Department of Defense

activities, normally in support of the United States Agency for

International Development or Department of State conducted outside the United States, its territories, and possessions to relieve or

reduce human suffering, disease, hunger, or privation. (JP 1-02) 

general support—1. That support which is given to the supported force as a whole and not to any particular subdivision

thereof. (JP 1-02, part 1 of a 2-part definition) 

helicopter landing zone—A specified ground area for landing

assault helicopters to embark or disembark troops and/or cargo. A

landing zone may contain one or more landing sites. (JP 1-02)

intelligence—1. The product resulting from the collection, processing, integration, evaluation, analysis, and interpretation of

available information concerning foreign nations, hostile or

potentially hostile forces or elements, or areas of actual or potential operations. The term is also applied to the activity which

results in the product and to the organizations engaged in such

activity. (JP 1-02) Knowledge about the enemy or the surrounding environment needed to support decisionmaking. This knowledge is the result of the collection, processing, exploitation,

evaluation, integration, analysis, and interpretation of available

information about the battlespace and threat. (MCRP 5-12C)

intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance—An activity that

synchronizes and integrates the planning and operation of sensors, assets, and processing, exploitation, and dissemination systems in direct support of current and future operations. This is an

integrated intelligence and operations function. Also called ISR.

(JP 1-02).
MAGTF Combat Camera

Glossary-7

joint force—A general term applied to a force composed of significant elements, assigned or attached, of two or more Military

Departments operating under a single joint force commander.

(JP 1-02).

joint operations—A general term to describe military actions

conducted by joint forces or by Service forces in relationships

(e.g., support, coordinating authority), which, of themselves, do

not create joint forces. (JP 1-02)

joint task force—A joint force that is constituted and so designated by the Secretary of Defense, a combatant commander, a

subunified commander, or an existing joint task force commander. Also called JTF. (JP 1-02)

multinational operations—A collective term to describe military

actions conducted by forces of two or more nations, usually

undertaken within the structure of a coalition or alliance. (JP 1-02)

psychological operations—Planned operations to convey

selected information and indicators to foreign audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately

the behavior of foreign governments, organizations, groups, and

individuals. The purpose of psychological operations is to induce

or reinforce foreign attitudes and behavior favorable to the originator’s objectives. Also called PSYOP. (JP 1-02)

public affairs—Those public information, command information, and community relations activities directed toward both the

external and internal publics with interest in the Department of

Defense. Also called PA. (JP 1-02)
Glossary-8

MCWP 3-33.7

situational awareness—Knowledge and understanding of the

current situation that promotes timely, relevant, and accurate

assessment of friendly, enemy, and other operations within the

battlespace in order to facilitate decisionmaking. An informational perspective and skill that foster an ability to determine

quickly the context and relevance of events that are unfolding.

Also called SA. (MCRP 5-12C)

strategic communication—Focused United States Government

efforts to understand andengage key audiences to create,

strengthen, or preserve conditions favorable for the advancement

of United States Government interests, policies, and objectives

through the use of coordinated programs, plans, themes, messages, and products synchronized with the actions of all instruments of national power. (JP 5-0)

tactical intelligence—Intelligence required for planning and

conduct of tactical operations. (JP 1-02) Intelligence concerned

primary with the location, capabilities, and possible intentions of

enemy units on the battlefield and the tactical aspects of terrain

and weather within the battlespace. (MCRP 5-12C) 

target—1. An entity or object considered for possible engagement or other action. 2. In intelligence usage, a country, area,

installation, agency, or person against which intelligence operations are directed. 3. An area designated and numbered for future

firing. (JP 1-02, parts 1 through 3 of a 4-part definition)

visual information—Various visual media with or without

sound. Generally, visual information includes still and motion

photography, audio video recording, graphic arts, visual aids,

models, display, and visual presentation. Also called VI. (JP 1-02) 
References

Department of Defense Instructions (DODIs)

5040.02 Visual Information (VI) 

5040.04 Joint Combat Camera (COMCAM) Program

Joint Publication (JP)

1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and

Associated Terms

Navy/Marine Corps Departmental Publication (NAVMC)

3500.26 Combat Camera Training and Readiness Manual

Marine Corps Orders (MCOs)

3104.1A Marine Corps Combat Camera Program 

3120.10 Marine Corps Information Operations

Program (MCIOP)

Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP)

3-40.4 Marine Air-Ground Task Force

Information Operations

Marine Corps Reference Publication (MCRP)

3-0A Unit Training Management Guide