United Kingdom -
MCC Northwood
Intelligence Fusion Centre (IFC) - Unit History
IFC, Attention: (IFC member), UNIT 8845, BOX 300, RAF Molesworth,
Huntingdon, CAMBS, PE28 0QB, GBR
The origins of the Intelligence Fusion Centre (IFC) go back to the fall of 2003 when senior military leaders of the NATO member states recognized a shortfall in the intelligence process within the alliance, especially during operations. Since then, high importance was given to the creation of a unit to overcome the gap. Major drivers behind the plan were the United states and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). For practical reasons, the new unit was to be co-located with the Joint analysis Centre (JAC) of EUCOM at RAF Molesworth in the United Kingdom as most of the required logistical support and initial infrastructure was readily available there. The USA agreed to be the framework nation, the United Kingdom thus became the host nation.
IFC IOC Parade and Ceremony - 16 October 2006
As framework nation, the USA agreed to be responsible for the initial set-up, including a major part of the financial contribution. Other nations were invited to participate by signing a Memorandum of Understanding. While the IFC’s mission and manning are dedicated to NATO, it is (like the ARRC) not inside the NATO Command Structure. Rather, it is being established as an international military Headquarters with all NATO nations invited to participate.
IFC Ground Breaking Ceremony - 20 June 2007
In 2005, the first commander of the unit and a core group of US personnel started working on the realization of what would ultimately become the IFC as we know it today. During 2006 and 2007, most NATO member states followed suit. By the end of December 2007, the IFC had 114 members from 21 NATO nations.
IFC Change of Command Parade - 16 July 2007
The IFC reached a very important milestone on 16 October 2006, when then Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General James L. Jones, Mr. John Colston, Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning at NATO HQ in Brussels and the Honorable Adam Ingram, British Minister of State for the Armed Forces, officially declared the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the IFC, by now officially called: Intelligence Fusion Centre “in Support of NATO”. On 3 December 2007, another milestone passed when the IFC officially reached Full Operational Capability. The next step is the opening of our new dedicated facility in the summer of 2008.
Officers and analysts from around the alliance are now operating in a 24/7 setting capable of responding to requests for information from ISAF, KFOR and any other future NATO operation. The IFC is able to respond to crises quickly with a robust, flexible and responsive analytic organization, which is critical for successful NATO operations. The IFC shows every sign of meeting that need and becoming the transformational capability envisioned by its founders.
