Vital connections: 434th CS exercises emergency communications capabilities Published Sept. 20, 2013 434th Communications Squadron GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- In an emergency, communications between first responders can be absolutely critical, and coordinating multiple agencies can be a daunting task when they use different communication platforms. To solve this problem, the 434th Communications Squadron has a joint incident site communications capability, or JISCC, system, which they recently deployed to the Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Facility in Littleton, Colo., to participate in Vital Connection 2013. Vital Connection 2013 is a major communications exercise sponsored by U.S. Northern Command in conjunction with the Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, which included various participants from state, federal and local agencies. "With many connected to the Internet through a smartphone these days, it can be easy to take for granted access to the outside world," said 1st Lt. Dustin Schimp, 434th CS director of operations and leader of the Joint Communications Support Element team that deployed the JISCC system. The system features satellite IP connectivity and radio-frequency network interoperability between Department of Defense and civilian emergency response network systems. In addition, it includes a voice interoperability gateway, enabling first responders to use handheld radios to communicate with each other. Using the JISCC, Grissom's communication Airmen were tasked with providing Internet service and radio connectivity to the Denver Fire Department, Denver Police Department and Douglas County Sheriff's Office during the exercise. "The challenge in this type of environment is to enable all of these various police and fire departments the ability to talk to one another," explained Schimp. "Of course, it's always ideal when everything goes perfectly smooth in an exercise, but it's when things go wrong that we are presented with the most learning opportunities. "At Vital Connection, the 434th CS had plenty of learning opportunities," he added. After setting up a tent and generators, Grissom's team went to work connecting the various communication modules that make the JISCC tick. However, after everything was put together the team experience serious problems with power distribution, satellite reception and radio connectivity. "Nearly every aspect of the communications hub was having trouble, and it was up to the technical expertise of Grissom's communications specialists to fix it in the hot Colorado sun, with very few tools and other supplies available," explained Schimp. "Despite these setbacks, the mission had to go on." To immediately provide Internet service to the civilian agencies responding to a simulated disaster, the JCSE team set up a microwave-based Internet signal from their satellite link to Grissom's terminal. This signal could then be distributed to whoever needed it, while Grissom's technicians worked to repair their own satellite signal. After a great deal of troubleshooting, operators were able to narrow the issue down to a faulty component deep within the JISCC satellite module. "When you're out in the field you have to improvise--sometimes, a lot," said Mark Jensen, USNORTHCOM exercise planner who was on-site at the time. "I was most impressed with how they addressed their satellite issue; they were repairing a satellite receiver module in the hot Colorado sun with a dental tool and a Leatherman." After acquiring an Internet connection from a satellite orbiting 42,000 miles overhead and restoring service, the JCSE turned its attention to its radio systems. Because of high tension power lines overhead, high frequency radio signals couldn't get through to other units, limiting the radio communication capability. "Some quick thinking and a lot of creativity brought the solution," recalled Schimp as he explained the team used a man-portable PRC-150 radio with the JISCC instead of a fixed radio antenna that came with the unit, allowing them to bypass the overhead radio interference. With these and other solutions in place, the exercise went off successfully and Grissom was lauded as a resilient unit that was able to adapt to tough circumstances. "It took some creativity and ingenuity to overcome the obstacles that our team faced in Colorado--and I'm very proud of what they were able to accomplish despite these setbacks," said Maj. Ulrich Adams, 434th CS commander. The 434th CS is part of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. 434th ARW Airmen frequently deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
