Photo By Ken Stephens | 126th Communications Flight equipment is inventoried and positioned prior to being...... read more read more
An Illinois Air National Guard communications unit deployed today to Puerto Rico in support of Hurricane Maria recovery efforts.
The 126th Communications Flight left Scott Air Force Base to assist with search and rescue efforts according to Master Sgt. Eric Peterman, the Joint Incident Site Communications Capability superintendent.
“We’re being called to support search and rescue efforts in Puerto Rico. This self-contained package will allow for the responders to communicate with other areas and locations even though their commercial network may be down,” Peterman said.
Staff Sgt. Helmut Woodberry, a fiber transport specialist, said their capabilities allow for voice, data, radio and video connections.
“We are bringing laptops, phones, radios and even webcams for video teleconferencing. We can allow the rescue teams to coordinate in real time through video and voice calls. We’re also bringing extra laptops to set up an internet café. We hope to allow people to contact families and friends to let them know they’re safe,” Woodberry said.
The communicators are expecting an austere location when they land.
“We were told to bring everything we need for the first seven days. Food, water, tents and cots are all coming with us, along with an air conditioner and generator to keep the equipment cool enough to operate,” Peterman said.
The Joint Incident Site Communications Capability is intended to assist disaster response teams by giving task force commanders a vital tool to assist with search and recovery efforts, according to Peterman.
| Date Taken: | 09.23.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2017 11:16 |
| Story ID: | 249897 |
| Location: | SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 141 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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