Joint Maritime Information Center expands enhanced maritime domain awareness efforts across Middle East

USS Laboon , shown here operating in the Red Sea, was sent to the region to ensure secure transit against missile and drone attacks. JMIC was also established to maintain freedom of navigation. (Janes/Michael Fabey)

The United States-managed Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) has expanded its maritime domain awareness mission beyond its initial Red Sea charter to encompass the entire Middle East region, Captain Lee Stuart, JMIC director, recently confirmed.

Now in its second year of operations, JMIC has become a permanent part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

Based in Bahrain, the CMF's area of responsibility (AOR) covers 3.2 million sq miles (8.2 million sq km), with JMIC providing top-level information, analysis, and tools to help commercial shipping make prudent and timely decisions, mitigate risks, and keep seafarers safe in a region threatened by Houthi missile and unmanned attacks.

Pattern of life

“We are building a ‘pattern of life' [maritime domain awareness] picture a typical system of tools can't do,” Capt Stuart told Janes during a 27 March interview.

In this region, a pattern-of-life understanding of such a cluttered and complex maritime environment is critical for naval security operations, Capt Stuart noted.

Naval leaders need that kind of understanding to plan missions to counter Houthi operations. Commercial companies need that understanding to make decisions on how, when, and even whether to attempt transits in such a risky region, according to Capt Stuart.

“We may have classified information we can't put out there,” he acknowledged. “But we can provide recommendations and guidance to industry in advance of some known potential risk.”

JMIC can combine open-source intelligence (OSINT) with its own public affairs operations. “We make sure of our messaging.”