GIS at War by Seth LeMaster

From Bunker Hill to Gettysburg; from the Beaches of Normandy to the jungles of Vietnam; from
the streets of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan; geographic data has played a key role in every
military conflict throughout our nation’s history. With the ongoing development of GIS technology,
geographic data can assist our military leaders in keeping the tactical advantage over our enemies.
GIS is used on the modern battlefield to analyze and study helicopter landing zones, compounds
of interest, line of sight assessments, engineering projects, route planning, damage assessments
and many more. With such an assortment of projects and data, GIS analysts who support military
operations must become proficient with a variety of software programs and applications. Ultimately,
with the collaboration of different military branches and government agencies, GIS paints a complete
picture of the battlefield for leaders and policy makers alike.

Transcript

2. Seth LeMaster, GIS Lead Arkansas Geographic Information Office Email: seth.lemaster@arkansas.gov Phone: 501-682-2929
3. Why Geographic Data Matters in War • Location
5. Why Geographic Data Matters in War • Location • Terrain
7. Why Geographic Data Matters in War • Location • Terrain • Movement
9. Why Geographic Data Matters in War • Location • Terrain • Movement • Boundaries
11. Why Geographic Data Matters in War • Location • Terrain • Movement • Boundaries • History
14. Digitizing Hydration Systems
16. Helicopter Landing Zones (HLZ) • Mission Details and Requirements – Aircraft (Determines Size of HLZ) – Distance from target – Aircraft travel direction – Obstacles – Soil/Surface – Troop movement
17. Legend Compound of Interest (COI) Possible HLZ -2 UH-60 Blackhawks -Traveling from South to North -Less than 600 meters ground distance from COI Requirements N
18. Legend Compound of Interest (COI) Possible HLZ N Slope 0-5% 5.1-15% >15.1%
19. Legend Compound of Interest (COI) Possible HLZ -2 UH-60 Blackhawks -Traveling from South to North -Less than 600 meters ground distance from COI Requirements N
20. Legend Compound of Interest (COI) Possible HLZ -2 UH-60 Blackhawks -Traveling from South to North -Less than 600 meters ground distance from COI Requirements N
21. Legend Possible HLZ N Obstacles
22. Legend Compound of Interest (COI) Possible HLZ N 120m 150m Approach/Departure Ground Route: 515 Meters
23. FOB Selection • Near main Road • 300 meter visibility around site • Multiple entrances in/out of site • Width of Roads • Size • Similar to business site selection
24. Targeting • Finding enemy locations/equipment • Tracking Taliban and Insurgents • Grid Reference Graphic
25. Targeting
26. Line of Sight
27. Line of Sight
28. Miscellaneous
29. Other GIS Products • Compound of Interest Studies • Route Studies • Engineer/Construction Missions • Vegetation/Surface Studies • Collaboration with Other Intelligence Disciplines
30. Advantages • Top priority • Limited/Unlimited resources • Direct feedback • Satisfaction
31. Seth LeMaster, GIS Lead Arkansas Geographic Information Office Email: seth.lemaster@arkansas.gov Phone: 501-682-2929