Engagement Operations Center Modernization and Mobility
By LTC Trey Guy and 1LT Ian R. Stanford
Article published on: 2023 in the Air Defence Artillery issue 1
Read Time: < 7 mins
The Engagement Operations Center is the command-and-control node for all indirect fire protection capability
operations. EOCs utilize a wide array of equipment to intercept rocket, artillery and mortars; counter-unmanned
aerial systems and provide sense and warn capabilities in support of critical asset protection.
For over a decade, deployed IFPC EOCs have been housed in makeshift structures, improved and hardened over time
while protecting vital static locations throughout the United States Central Command region. As the Army shifts
its primary focus from counterinsurgency operations to Large-Scale Combat Operations, mobility stands at the
forefront of modern warfare. Reforming IFPC systems for the increased lethality and mobility in LSCO
environments is vital. It is common practice for garrison units to establish EOCs in non-hardened structures,
such as Deployable Rapid Assembly Shelters, presenting unique challenges not faced in a deployed environment. In
their current configuration, IFPC units are incapable of sustaining the operational tempo required in LSCO
warfare. In preparation for future LSCO operations, the onus is on the Air Defense Artillery Branch to adapt to
the modern battlefield.
Two potential solutions exist and are already used by a myriad of Army units. The M1078 Expandable Van
Shelters (See Appendix 1) and the Army Hardside Expandable Light Air Mobile Shelter systems (See Appendix 2)
provide the necessary capability to modernize IFPC EOC operations for future combat. Utilization of either of
these systems would not only enhance our mobility and the survivability of our Soldiers and equipment but would
also allow our crews to train as we fight. Reconnaissance, Selection and Occupation of Position, followed by
site setup and Full Operational Capability, could be standardized across the Air Defense Artillery Corps through
the adjustment of equipment. Introducing the M1078 or HELAMS shelters to an IFPC Battery would also enhance
training as the EOC can be driven to any location and would give units the flexibility to execute training and
certification in any weather at any time, with reduced risk of environmental damage.
Utilization of either of these systems would not only enhance our mobility and the survivability of our
Soldiers and equipment but would also allow our crews to train as we fight.
The main purpose of a DRASH tent for IFPC operations in a field environment is to provide housing in support of
environmental control regulation for EOC equipment. The M1078 Expandable Van Shelter or “expando van” would
negate the need for DRASH tents. Not only do DRASH tents prove unreliable at adequately protecting equipment
from the elements in field environments, but DRASH tents also take approximately 30 minutes to set up and tear
down. Expando vans can be pre-configured with all necessary equipment to provide a functioning EOC, cutting time
to approximately 10 minutes. With its expanded capacity, it can easily accommodate a crew of four to six,
depending on the configuration. With internal cooling and environmental control, all EOC electronics can be
safely stored inside the expando van, bridging the gap between the hardened structures utilized in CENTCOM and
the light field tents utilized in garrison training. Additionally, expando vans have a mobility advantage over
the current setup due to their ability to be air loaded with all essential EOC components inside and ready to be
connected once at its destination. This decreased timeline enhances an IFPC unit’s ability to provide quick
sense and warn capabilities to any supported unit, increasing the ground commander’s overall awareness and
ultimately creating a force multiplier.
The Army Hardside Expandable Light Air Mobile Shelter system was previously utilized by IFPC units in Iraq and
Afghanistan when hardened structures were unavailable. The Army HELAMS system can be towed with the appropriate
wheel accessory kit or transported utilizing M1120 HEMTT Load Handling System vehicles. The HELAMS is a mobile
hardened structure providing ample space for all necessary EOC equipment, internal environmental controls and
increased protection for equipment against inclement weather damage. The M1078 Expandable Van Shelter and the
Army HELAMS system provide increased benefits and protection to equipment, personnel and operational capability.
The addition of an M1078 Expandable Van, at approximately $455,000 per unit, will decrease the year-to-year
maintenance costs associated with EOC operations, resulting in less damage from environmental conditions or
transit and setup. This streamlined EOC setup and tear-down also create an incalculable number of man-hours
saved. Furthermore, utilizing a lockable vehicle in which equipment is stored and maintained will improve
overall command supply discipline as the EOC operating through expandable vans would not require the removal and
replacement of equipment during transit and setup.
The HELAMS system, at the cost of $170,000 per unit, would provide a substantially lower initial bill and offer
many of the cost-saving measures afforded by the expando van. The one major benefit of the HELAMS is its
capacity to be Sling Loadable — external transportation of equipment by helicopter — the primary method of
equipment transportation in Air Assault Operations. Due to the HELAMS capacity for sling-load operations, some
equipment would require removal before the flight — sacrificing some of the benefits of pre-staged equipment.
The added benefit of sling loadable equipment drastically increases the EOC’s capacity to support Air Assault
units and provides sense and warn capabilities in farther-reaching and more austere environments.
IFPC units face daily challenges in an ever-changing environment. Any attempt to increase operational capability,
force readiness, training value, and deployability must be evaluated to further refine the protection of
friendly assets and the ability to engage threats in an LSCO environment. While further consideration and a full
DOTMLPF-P breakout on the feasibility of M1078 Expandable Van Shelters or HELAMS systems as a DRASH tent
replacement is warranted, one of these systems should be fielded, for testing, at the earliest opportunity.
Application of lessons learned will increase the ability of EOC crews to integrate in any environment, at any
time, faster and more reliably. As Integration of IFPC units into the maneuver force for training and deployment
becomes more commonplace, IFPC units’ ability to keep pace with Brigade Combat Teams becomes greater. Increased
mobility enhances Soldier safety and lethality. As new and advanced enemy technology becomes more diverse,
supported units will reap the benefits of an integrated, highly mobile EOC.
Authors
LTC Trey Guy received his commission through Virginia Military Institute’s Army ROTC program in 2003,
commander of the 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment and is currently a student at the Army
War College. He is a career Air Defense Artillery officer and has served in a multitude of C-RAM and SHORAD
units as well as joint and combined assignments. He is a proud and loving husband and devoted father of
four. He is active on Twitter @shoraddad.
1LT Ian R. Stanford received his commission through the University of Utah’s Army ROTC program in 2020, the
Adjutant for 108th ADA BDE and is currently the Assistant S3 for 2nd Bn, 44th Air Defense Artillery
Regiment. His previous assignments include Counter-Rocket Artillery and Mortar Platoon Leader for Alpha
Battery, 2-44th ADA Battalion and EOC Battle Captain. As one of 12 active-duty CRAM platoon leaders,
Stanford was an observer/coach trainer for the 1-101st Massachusetts Army National Guard’s 2021 Mission
Rehearsal Exercise. He is a proud Air Defense Artillery Officer who pursues his intellectual curiosity
through professional reading, writing and travel.