Photo By Master Sgt. Jonathan Young | WASHINGTON -Members of the 119th Command and Control Squadron with the Tenn. National...... read more read more
The Airmen, with the 119th Command and Control Squadron, deployed their Mobile Joint Incident Site Communication Capabilities (JISCC) package that assisted communications between the National Guard and other support agencies during the inauguration events.
The JISCC’s main tasking was to provide communications to one of the many task forces supporting the event. Capt. Tim Nash, JISCC officer In charge, said that once on the ground they were asked to support a second task force.
“We’re providing capabilities that the task forces wouldn’t typically have in this kind of scenario and enabling effective communications," Nash said. "Secondarily, we would provide communications in the event of an emergency that caused traditional communications to go down."
The group arrived last week and began preparing for the event in the Baltimore area, and arrived in the District of Columbia yesterday to set up their equipment. The JISCC was assigned to a government building that was also being used to stage and house Airmen and Soldiers from the National Guard.
The parabolic dish and an antenna were set up on the roof of the building, which had a beautiful view, according to Staff Sgt. David Farmer, a radio frequency transmission specialist with the 119th CACS. The equipment, set up within view of the Washington Monument, provides essential phone, data, and radio communications via satellite between commanders and their troops to assure everyone is able to complete their missions during Inauguration Day.
“The greatest capability of the JISCC package is the knowledge and expertise of our Airmen," Nash said. "That is what makes it so valuable."
The 119th Airmen showcased the value of their skills and equipment recently by assisting emergency responders during the Gatlinburg, Tenn., wildfires. During the response, the responders in charge of the command center were not able to communicate with firemen on the ground. Officials were contemplating relocating the command center until 119th members figured out a work-around that mitigated the communication issues and aided the disaster response teams.
This was the third time the 119th CACS was called upon for equipment and expertise in support of a presidential inauguration. This year's team of Airmen said they felt honored to be a part of such a historic event while also providing support to the new Commander and Chief.
“I’m proud to represent the 119th CACS and the Tennessee Air National Guard,” Farmer said.
| Date Taken: | 01.20.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 02.15.2017 14:51 |
| Story ID: | 223170 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DC, US |
| Web Views: | 65 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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