DEPLOYMENT OF MILITARY INFORMATION SUPPORT TEAM TO

S E C R E T AMMAN 001128 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2019 TAGS: MARR MASS PGOV PREL KPAO JO SUBJECT: DEPLOYMENT OF MILITARY INFORMATION SUPPORT TEAM TO JORDAN Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for Reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Post requests deployment of a military information support team (MIST) to plan, conduct and execute information programs coordinated through the Embassy Public Affairs Section. MIST programs will support goals of the Embassy's MSP. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) The MIST team will provide planning, product development, production, and distribution in support of key mission objectives and goals. The complete MIST team would operate under the supervision of the Public Affairs Officer (PAO),Acting PAO or Information Officer. All products developed by the team will be coordinated through the Embassy Public Affairs Section, in conjunction with appropriate Embassy sections and approved by the Ambassador prior to distribution and dissemination. Program Support -------------- ¶3. (S/NF) The MIST team would engage with appropriate Jordanian government and military counterparts, as approved by Jordanian authorities, to support U.S.-Jordanian objectives, including the following: -- Support efforts related to the sixtieth anniversary of U.S.-Jordanian diplomatic relations. The MIST could analyze, design, develop and produce media materials to promote sixtieth anniversary events. -- Engage with the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) to develop its media and public diplomacy skills. This could include enhancement of the JAF magazine. -- Assist in developing a strategy to encourage qualified Jordanian students to apply for admission to U.S. Military academies (West Point, Naval Academy, AIR FORCE Academy and Coast Guard Academy). These are elite four-year universities offering bachelors degrees in engineering and the sciences. -- Produce industry standard videos and materials that encourage regional governments to enroll appropriate military personnel in the King Abdullah Special Operations Training Center (KASOTC). Recommended themes and messages would promote the capacities, professionalism and regional leadership of Jordanian Special Operations Forces (SOF) and help make KASOTC an international SOF center of excellence ¶4. (S/NF) MIST will provide support to the USSOCOM Rewards for Justice Program and the DOS Rewards for Justice Program as determined by the Ambassador. Team Deployment -------------- ¶5. (C) Length of deployment is six-months or until the completion of their mission as determined by SECDEF, the Ambassador, and COMUSCENTCOM. ¶6. (C) Number of personnel is four. Civilian clothing is authorized and required. Team OIC rank requested senior O3 or O4. All MIST members will follow normal embassy practices and procedures. The MIST members will arrive trained in media development, marketing techniques, graphic design and other media skills. They will be well versed in culturally sensitive issues, and it is preferable that team members have working knowledge/fluency in Arabic. ¶7. (U) DOD agrees to cover all costs directly related to these new positions. DOD will provide funding for any and all construction costs related to the renovation of office space used by its staff and for any other costs incurred if it is necessary to displace other Embassy staff or functions to accommodate DOD offices. DOD will fund housing in approved hotels. Other shared ICASS support services, as appropriate and authorized for these positions, such as health unit, cashier, accommodation exchange, and mailroom (pouch and DPO) will be provided under the Post's ICASS agreement with funding from DOD. Additional costs may include, but are not limited to: office furniture, supplies, equipment, computers and licenses, telephones and rQios. ¶8. (U) Embassy conducts ongoing FORCE protection (FP) assessments for Jordan. Team training is conducted in accordance with USASOC AT/FP measures and any other requirements as determined by specific mission requirements. ¶9. (U) Embassy POC is Public Affairs Officer Phil Frayne; email addresses are fraynepa@state.sgov.gov (SIPR) and fraynepa@state.gov (NIPR). Visit Amman's Classified Website at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman Beecroft