Photo By Master Sgt. Eugene Lewan | Pictured is the desktop of a deployable laptop computer from T-83 JISCC, 242nd Combat...... read more read more
YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, Wash. - “Condor Two-Six, Condor Two-Six. This is Tango Eight-Three do you copy? Over.” Tech Sgt. Josh Nibler, of the 242nd Combat Communications Squadron, JISCC (Joint Interoperable Site Communications Capability) team, awaited a reply from the RC-26 aircraft flying above. Its mission was to provide an aerial view of operations being conducted as part of Evergreen Ember 13.
Operation Evergreen Ember was designed to test, evaluate, and train the men and women of the Washington National Guard responding in a joint effort of military and civilian agencies. Their common goal was to respond to multiple disaster situations which could quickly consume the efforts of various State agencies and require National Guard support. Multiple specialized response teams were deployed across the state and activities were coordinated and monitored from the Joint Task Force Tactical Operations Center located at the Yakima Training Center, in Yakima, WA. Three specialized JISCC teams were deployed to provide communications support.
JISCC consists of a communications suite of equipment designed specifically for domestic operations and disaster response. The JISCC provides satellite connectivity anywhere, allowing for command and control to be established just hours after any disaster.
It provides deployable VOIP telephones, and Internet connectivity. It also enables voice interoperability for first responders. This is accomplished through cross banding of frequencies allowing various communications systems to talk to each other to improve situational awareness and cross-agency productivity that are crucial to disaster response efforts.
Each of the three JISCC teams had a specific assignment. T-04, with members from the Washington Air National Guard 141st Communications Squadron, was assigned to assist with operations supporting the CBRNE Emergency Response Force – Package (CERF-P) in Richland, Wash. T-55, operated by the Washington Army National Guard, supported the Homeland Response Force headquarters located at the Yakima Readiness Center. T-83, of the 242nd Combat Communications Squadron, sent eight members to support the Tactical Operations Center encamped on the Yakima Training Center.
Collectively, these members operated and deployed equipment needed to keep the military senior staff and civilian agencies updated on status of operations across the state.
The 242nd Team consisted of specialists in each area that JISCC encompasses – i.e. radios, computers, telephones, generators. They also train and increase proficiency on components outside their expertise to become a cohesive group capable of providing any and all services that the JISCC offers.
The team consisted of Master Sgt. Scott Cleveland, a Cyber Transport specialist, Staff Sgt. Victor Hartman and Staff Sgt. Tommy Bryan, both Cyber Systems Operations specialists, Tech Sgt. Josh Nibler and Senior Airman Andrew Luiten, who were the teams RF Transmission Systems specialists, and Master Sgt. Eugene Lewan, Electrical Power Production specialist and noncommissioned officer in charge of the JISCC team. The team was supplemented by Capt. Duane Franks who was acting as an LNO for the 194th Regional Support Wing J6-Communication Staff and newly appointed 242nd Detachment Commander Capt Chuck Parsons who was observing the deployed team’s operations.
T-83 provided the Tactical Operations Center with phones and computers for multiple sections of the Joint Command Post. It also verified and provided UHF, VHF, and HF radio communication, along with streaming video from the RC-26 aircraft being distributed by T-04 JISCC operating in Richland under the direction of Maj. Curtis Puckett, Senior Master Sgt. Steve Cox, Master Sgt. Leo Hubbard, Tech Sgt. Mark Miller, Tech Sgt. Scott Hauck and Staff Sgt. Brandon Flynn. T-55, was operated by Sgt. Rich Warner, Staff Sgt. Travis Ernsdorff, Sgt. Rich Klutz, and Spc. Mark Pfaus.
During operations, the sites were visited by Gov. Jay Inslee and members of his executive cabinet. This enabled the newly elected governor to get a glimpse of the operational capabilities of the Washington National Guard under his control, serving the citizens of Washington. Also arriving toward the culmination of the exercise was Maj. Gen. Brett Daugherty, the state adjutant general (TAG) along with senior enlisted adviser for the Washington National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Tim Tyvan. Daugherty expressed his satisfaction to the personnel involved in the operation and took time to talk with the 242nd CBCS’s Cyber Systems personnel, Staff Sgts Hartman and Bryan, on the accomplishments of the JISCC teams that deployed. As a sign of appreciation the 81st Battalion commander, Col. Weitzel presented T-83 JISCC team members with brigade commander’s coins for their excellent work.
T-83 JISCC stands ready to respond to assist in the joint efforts required to save lives, property and safeguard the citizens of Washington State and the interests of the United States.
| Date Taken: | 06.21.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.01.2013 16:08 |
| Story ID: | 109581 |
| Location: | YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 699 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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