Ground Rules Agreement

The following is a listing of ground rules which have been developed to protect members of the Armed Services from the release of information which could potentially threaten their security or safety during ongoing operations.

These ground rules recognize the inherent Constitutional right of the media to cover military operations and are in no way intended to prevent release of derogatory, embarrassing, negative or non-complimentary information. During an operation or exercise, specific information on friendly force troop movements, tactical deployments and dispositions that would jeopardize operational security or lives will not be released. This would include unit designations, names of operations, and size of friendly forces involved, until released by USCENTCOM or its designated release authority. Acceptance of these ground rules is an agreement between you and the granting commands. You agree to follow the ground rules and the command will provide support, access to military members, information and other privileges. Violation of ground rules, however, may result in the revocation of your credentials.

News media personnel must carry and support any personal and professional gear they take with them, including protective cases for professional equipment, batteries, cables, converters, etc. Media members should be physically fit and prepared to withstand the rigorous conditions required to operate in a desert environment.

1. All interviews with soldiers will be on the record. Security at the interview source is the policy. Interviews with pilots and aircrew members are authorized upon completion of missions; however, release of information must conform to media ground rules.

2. Print or broadcast stories will be datelined by general geographical description such as northern Arabian Peninsula, Northern Arabian Gulf, etc. No specific locations will be used when filing stories.

3. Because of host-nation requirements, media must stay with public affairs escorts while on host nation bases. At other U.S. tactical or field locations and encampments, a public affairs escort may be required because of security, safety and mission requirements as determined by the host commander. Media will remain with military escorts at all times until released, and follow instructions regarding their activities.

4. Media will not carry personal weapons.

5. External Media Coverage of Detainees:

5A. Group or wide area photo/video coverage of detainees in and about detainee facilities may be permitted by the camp commander, subject to security requirements and the following restrictions:

5B. Media coverage, including photo/video coverage, will not identify detainees by name or by image. (i.e., close up images of individual face(s) that would allow individuals to be identified will not be permitted.).

5C. Coverage may show groups of detainees, but only in compliance with the restrictions in Para. 5B.

5D. Coverage of detainees in transit is not permitted, including ground and air movement between detention facilities, or movement between detention facilities and transportation (buses, ferries, planes, etc).

6. Coverage of detainee interrogations or interviews is not permitted. Media interviews with detainees are not permitted.

7. Media will not capture imagery of deployed Special Operations Forces (SOF) without prior approval through USCENTCOM in co-ordination with USSOCOM.

8. The following categories of information are not releasable since their publication or broadcast could jeopardize operations and endanger lives.

a. For U.S. or coalition units, specific numerical information on troop strength, equipment or critical supplies (e.g. artillery, tanks, landing craft, radar, trucks, water etc.).

b. Specific number of aircraft in units below wing level, or identification of mission aircraft points of origin, other than land or carrier based. Number and type of aircraft may be described in very general terms such as "large flight," "small flight," "many," "few," "fighters," "fixed wing," etc.

c. Names of military installations or specific geographic locations of military units in the USCENTCOM area of responsibility, unless specifically released by the Department of Defense.

d. Information regarding future operations, current operations or strikes including postponed or cancelled operations, or information regarding security precautions at military installations or encampments.

e. Photography that would show level of security at military installations or encampments, especially aerial and satellite photography which would reveal the name or specific location of military units or installations.

f. Details of rules of engagement.

g. Information on intelligence collection activities including targets, methods and results.

h. Information on special operations units, unique operations methodology or tactics, for example, air operations, angles of attack, and speeds; naval tactical or evasive maneuvers, etc. General terms such as "low" or "fast" may be used.

i. Information on effectiveness of enemy electronic warfare.

j. Information on effectiveness of enemy camouflage and cover.

k. Additional guidelines may be necessary to protect tactical security.

9. The following categories of information are releasable.

a. Arrival of U.S. military units in the USCENTCOM area of responsibility when officially announced. Mode of travel (sea or air), dates of departure and home station.

b. Approximate friendly force strength figures.

c. Non-sensitive, unclassified information regarding U.S. air, ground and sea operations, past and present.

d. Size of friendly force participating in an action or operation will be disclosed using general terms such as "multi-battalion." Specific force or unit identification may be released when it no longer warrants security protection.

e. Generic description of origin of air operations, such as "land-based."

f. Date, time or location of previous conventional military missions and actions as well as mission results.

g. Types of ordnance expended in general terms.

h. Number of aerial combat or reconnaissance missions or sorties flown in USCENTCOM's area of operation.

i. Type of forces involved (e.g., air defence, infantry, armour, Marines).
j. Weather and climate conditions.

k Allied participation by type of operation (ships, aircraft, ground units, etc.), after approval of host nation government.

l. Conventional operation code names.

m. Names and hometowns of U.S. military units or individuals.

source: "The War We Couldn't Report" by Mike Vernon, CBC News (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), 13 Aug 2002.

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