Milcom Blog Logs 8/30/2008

Here is the latest list of active military/government frequencies monitored in association with emergency operations on the Gulf associated with Gustav.

3349.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- WWLNNN USN/MC MARS Unknown location

4490.0 SHARES SCN Ch 3:- AAT3BF USA MARS Newark DE / KNY58 NTCN-HF Gadsden AL

4765.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- WKCNNN USN/MC MARS IL

4780.0 IN NG Primary:- INDOPS NG Indianapolis IN / FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

5015.0 USACE:- WUK Unknown location

5135.0 US Secure:- MA1NC NH EMA Manchester NH / NA1SH NH EMA Nashua NH / SEM003 NY EMA Glen Falls NY

5140.0 US Secure:- 0041MT Montana

5158.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- WKCNNN USN/MC MARS IL

5378.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

5402.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

5711.0 SHARES SCN Ch 4:- AAT3BF USA MARS Newark DE / KTQ313 US EPA Montgomery AL / ZLSNNN USN/MC MARS Yorktown VA

5817.0 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA / RLD NG Richland VA

5821.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

5847.0 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA

5878.5 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA

5961.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

6020.0 US Army Corps of Engineers:- G323 unknown location

6049.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

6106.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

6151.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

6785.0 USACE:- FCJ UV5 Unknown locations

6800.0 SHARES SCN Ch 9:- KTQ313 US EPA Montgomery AL

6803.0 SHARES:- KTQ313 US EPA Montgomery AL

6806.0 CAP ALE:- 0011ARCAP CAP AR / 0011OKCAP OK / 0048FLCAP CAP FL / 054NHQCAP CAP HQ Assignment / 101NCRCAP - CAP North Central Region Unit / 100SWRCAP Southwest Region Unit

6809.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

7348.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

7428.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

7480.0 US Secure:- 0041MT Montana

7642.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- OARNNN USN/MC MARS Bloomington IL / WKCNNN USN/MC MARS IL / ZLSNNN USN/MC MARS Yorktown VA

7806.4 US Secure:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

8012.0 CAP ALE:- RIC CAP Region 2 MER/CAP National Technology Center Richmond VA / 0004WICAP CAP WI / 0011ARCAP CAP AR / 0011OKCAP OK / 0048FLCAP CAP FL / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

8037.0 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA

8047.0 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA / L060AN - NG Baton Rouge LA / HQ703N - NG Readiness Center Arlington VA / T3Z238 - NG 2-238 AVN Shelbyville IN

8050.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

8093.0 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA

9025.0 USAF HF-GCS Scope Command ALE HF Network:- ADW Andrews AFB MD / DMLS Unknown station / MCC West Coast McClellan CA / OFF Offutt AFB NE
Mexican Army Net:- Jupiter / Venus

9106.0 SHARES SCN Ch 5:- AAT3BF USA MARS Newark DE / BF741 DOMS Washington DC

9143.5 NG STARC Net:- NGTROOPCMD - NG Columbus OH / NRK NG Norfolk VA / RLD NG Richland VA / VAB NG Virginia Beach VA

9224.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- 2PBAFA USAF MARS Arlington VA

9462.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

10194.0 FEMA FNARS:- 473FEMAUX Unknown location / FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865) / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

10202.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8 FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

10588.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

10816.5 NG STARC Net:- T060XN Camp Mabry (Austin) TX / A040LN Montgomery AL

10899.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

11108.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

11217.0 SHARES SCN Ch 6:- 043NCS US NCC Unknown location / AAT3BF USA MARS Newark DE
UK DHFCS TASCOMM ALE Network:- XSS Unknown location

11801.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

11226.0 USAF HF-GCS Scope Command ALE HF Network:- 290062 USAF C-17 Aircraft #99-0062 / ADW Andrews AFB MD / AED USAF Elmendorf AFB AK
AQC Send D4QCDM

12087.0 NG STARC Net:- T1Z147 NG 1-147 AVN, Madison WI / R27069 US Army aircraft

12216.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR3FEM Unknown location / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

13242.0 NIPR:- DL0005DAT Unknown

13446.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

13568.0 NG STARC Net:- T060XN Camp Mabry (Austin) TX / A040LN Montgomery AL

13935.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX

14450.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX

14776.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

15094.0 SHARES SCN Ch 7:- 043NCS US NCC Unknown location / PR13 unknown location / USARC5 - American Red Cross Unknown location

15708.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

More to follow...Chief Larry

Guard Aids New Orleans Evacuation, Braces for Storm Mission

With the full force of the Louisiana National Guard activated, more than 7,000 citizen-soldiers and -airmen are assisting local authorities with evacuation and security efforts in New Orleans and performing dozens of other missions across the state as Hurricane Gustav approaches. As the Guard and the state brace for the powerful storm, each day brings new challenges that all agencies involved must work together to overcome.

"Louisiana citizens and our governor needed the Guard, and we were there immediately, redirecting hundreds of troops to assist New Orleans with their evacuation plan," Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, Louisiana's adjutant general, said.

Guard soldiers began patrolling the streets of New Orleans yesterday, assisting with security as the area began evacuating citizens. They were scheduled to begin helping the state police with "contraflow" operations today, a process that converts normally inbound roads to handle outbound evacuation traffic.

About 400 National Guard soldiers and airmen are driving buses, transporting citizens to shelters across the state.

In other areas, convoys carrying more than 900 soldiers from the 225th Engineer Brigade arrived in Lake Charles, Napoleonville, Iowa, Breaux Bridge, Lake Charles and Rayne yesterday to assist civil authorities with evacuation and security of citizens moving from southwestern Louisiana on contraflow routes.

"One of our greatest strengths is that we are citizen-soldiers and live in the communities we serve, Landreneau said. "We are able to transition from our civilian careers to military roles quickly when called upon."

The activation of the 225th Engineer Brigade calls into service soldiers who are responsible for boat search-and-rescue missions, engineer assessment teams that will deploy to support coastal parishes, security teams and contraflow support.

As the Louisiana Guard activation has reached full potential, officials have called on sister states to support additional requirements created by Gustav's landfall, expected tomorrow afternoon. Battalions from Kentucky and Tennessee and 28 aircraft arrived in Louisiana yesterday, thanks to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual-support agreement among states.

A Guard military intelligence battalion already serving in hurricane operations has provided a Spanish-speaking soldier to relocate to New Orleans and assist residents in understanding instructions being given by the governor and other agencies.

In an advisory issued at 1 p.m. EDT today, the National Weather Service said Gustav was 270 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River, moving toward the northwest at 17 mph. Though maximum sustained winds had dropped to 115 mph with higher gusts, forecasters said, it could regain Category 4 status tonight or tomorrow. A Category 4 hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 131 to 155 mph.

More Gustav Info on the Btown

Just a quick reminder that I do have additional civilian related material concerning the emergency situation on the Gulf coast on my personal blog - The Btown Monitoring Post at http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/.

This includes a scanner stream from Lafouche/Terrebonne Parish, west of the NOLA area, and the WWL-AM broadcast feed. Will be adding more audio streams as they are brought up and reported to us.

73 de Larry
MT GlobalNet columnist

Governor Calls Louisiana National Guard to Full Operational Status

Members of the Louisiana National Guard's 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team stage their vehicles next to the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Aug. 29, 2008. The soldiers are activated for security missions in support of hurricane operations throughout the state. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael L. Owens, 241st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

As 1,500 National Guard members arrived in New Orleans yesterday to support the city's police department and assist in executing civil support missions, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal announced the activation of all available remaining Louisiana National Guard forces to assist with emergency operations in preparation for Hurricane Gustav.

With the newly activated troops coming on board today, the total of Louisiana Guard members activated reaches 7,000.

Gustav, which grew to a Category 3 hurricane overnight, is bearing down on western Cuba today with sustained winds of more than 120 mph, and is expected to make landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast late Sept. 1 or early Sept. 2.

The Guard troops who arrived in New Orleans yesterday will safeguard homes and businesses during evacuation and instill confidence in the citizens, state Guard officials said.

The state's adjutant general assured residents of a response to Gustav that's based on lessons learned three years ago, when back-to-back hurricanes struck the region.

"The Louisiana National Guard is fully prepared for a hurricane disaster and has improved reaction times, communication and equipment resources by learning from hurricanes Katrina and Rita," Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau said. "Throughout the year, the Louisiana National Guard, in coordination with other state and local agencies has conducted numerous statewide emergency response exercises testing capabilities, and validating plans to improve overall efficiency and reaction time. These coordinated efforts were and continue to be crucial to our current success."

As state forces in Louisiana have reached a full operational capability status, neighboring states are preparing assets in the event they are needed as well.

The Louisiana National Guard has requested additional aviation assets and personnel through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact -- a mutual-support agreement -- to assist with meeting potential mission requirements, with the Arkansas National Guard responding and moving into place.

Headquarters 1-114th Aviation Battalion of North Little Rock, Ark., is sending 44 personnel to Esler Field in Pineville, La., to fill in for Louisiana's 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the 204th Theater Airfield Operations Group, currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Other neighboring states also have National Guard forces ready to deploy if additional support is needed, officials said.

Milcom Blog Logs 8/29/2008

FEMA MERS vehicle (Photo courtesy of FEMA)

Logs on 8/29/2008 from Brasstown, NC. Primary receiver: Icom IC-706 MKIIG, PC-ALE, Rigblaster Pro, Full size 80 meter G5RV.

73 and hope all my friends and family along the Gulf remain safe and sound.

Larry Van Horn, N5FPW

4780.0 INDOPS - National Guard Indianapolis, IN, ALE/USB sounding at 1825 on IN NG Primary freq.

5402.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1548 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

5711.0
AAT3BF - US Army MARS Newark, DE, ALE/USB sounding at 1530/1558/1851 on SHARES SCN channel 4.
ZLSNNN - Navy/Marine Corps MARS, Yorktown, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1837 on SHARES SCN channel 4.

6806.0
0011ARCAP - Civil Air Patrol ALE/USB sounding at 1532 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.
054NHQCAP - Civil Air Patrol ALE/USB sounding at 1847 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.
101NCRCAP - Civil Air Patrol North Central Region Unit, ALE/USB sounding at 1531/1544/1556 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.

6809.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1548 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

8012.0
0004WICAP - Civil Air Patrol Wisconsin, Wing Communications Officer, ALE/USB sounding at 1537 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.
054NHQCAP - Civil Air Patrol ALE/USB sounding at 1848 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.
RIC - Civil Air Patrol CAP Region 2 MER/CAP National Technology Center Richmond, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1840 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.

8050.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1548 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

9025.0
DMLS - Unknown station, using ALE/USB on USAF HF-GCS Scope Command ALE HF Network at 1638.
MCC - West Coast, McClellan CA, using ALE/USB on USAF HF-GCS Scope Command ALE HF Network at 1634.
OFF - Offutt AFB, NE, using ALE/USB on USAF HF-GCS Scope Command ALE HF Network at 1631.
Mexican Army Net - Jupiter clg Venus, ALE/USB at 1600.

9106.0
AAT3BF - US Army MARS Newark, DE, ALE/USB sounding at 1525/1554/1818/1846 on SHARES SCN channel 5.
BF741 - Director of Military Support, Washington, DC at 1811 on SHARES SCN channel 5.

9143.5 NRK - US Army National Guard Norfolk, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1550 on the NG STARC nationwide net.

10194.0 FR5FEM - FEMA Chicago, IL (WGY9865) ALE/USB sounding at 1819 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

10588.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1847 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

11217.0
XSS - UK DHFCS TASCOMM ALE Network, ALE/USB sounding at 1836. I was really surprised to be hearing this station at this hour.
AAT3BF - US Army MARS Newark, DE, ALE/USB sounding at 1823 on SHARES SCN channel 6.

12087.0 R27069 - US Army aircraft calling T1Z147 - National Guard (WI) 1-147 AVN, Madison WI, ALE/USB at 1807.

12216.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1847 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

13446.0 FC6 - FEMA Region 6 Office Denton, TX, ALE/USB sounding at 1810 on FEMA FMARS net freq.

15708.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1846 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

National Guard Preps for Gustav

Blog Editor Note: HF Frequency List at end of article

On the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's devastating landfall on the Gulf Coast in 2005, the National Guard is preparing once again for what could be another massive storm.

As Tropical Storm Gustav gains strength and approaches the Gulf Coast, about 3,000 Louisiana citizen-soldiers and -airmen have been activated in support of emergency operations and are prepared to support civil missions and assist with various needs and emergencies expected to arise across the state.

"Our soldiers and airmen are staged and set to deploy to our coastal parishes without hesitation," Army Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau, adjutant general for the Louisiana National Guard, said. "Engineer and communications teams are reporting to coastal parishes and are set to assist our citizens and local parish emergency responders. Our security forces are deploying to ensure safety and security of homes and personnel. We are confident in our plans and ability to execute those plans on a moment's notice."

Louisiana Guard search-and-rescue assets are preparing for deployment to potential impact areas. Soldiers and airmen also are pre-positioning to support shelter security missions across the state, and teams are ready to support "contraflow" highway lane-reversal missions in coordination with the Louisiana State Police.

Louisiana National Guard security forces are preparing for deployment to potential impact areas, including deployment to New Orleans in support of the city's evacuation plan. The Guard is requesting additional helicopter assets with Emergency Management Assistance Compact states in preparation for potential search-and-rescue missions.

Soldiers of the Lake Charles-based 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, began the initial alert preparations for the possible landfall of Hurricane Gustav. The battalion, which consists of soldiers from all over southwestern Louisiana, has prepared vehicles and equipment for the deployment to New Orleans or any other area that may be affected.

"We're ready to go wherever we need to," said Lake Charles native Army 1st Sgt. Gary Burchfield of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3-156th Infantry Battalion.

The 256th IBCT's 199th Leadership Brigade Support Battalion located in Alexandria, La., sent 2,000 gallons of water to Colfax, La., in preparation for support missions. This potentially life-saving water will be distributed to citizens if the need arises.

Additionally, 160 soldiers from the 528th and the 527th Engineer Battalions in Ruston, La., have been directed to various security missions in the Jefferson Parish area and will be assigned to the Clearview evacuation site.

Two three-man engineer assessment teams from the 1023rd Engineer Company are on stand-by for possible missions in Ascension, St. James and St. Charles parishes. "The primary function of these teams will be damage assessment," Army Maj. Charles A. Hudson of West Monroe, administrative officer with the 528th, said.

About 30 soldiers from the Headquarters Support Company in Monroe will assist the Louisiana State Police Department's Troop A in Baton Rouge and Troop F in Monroe in traffic-control missions as the storm closes in on the coast. Six three-man boat teams from the 830th and 832nd Concrete and Asphalt Companies in Monroe have been placed on stand-by for possible damage assessment and search-and-rescue missions in potentially devastated areas.

The National Guard has also mobilized more than 100 members to act as bus drivers and provide transportation for evacuees and security to evacuation shelters throughout the state as needed.

Airmen have been activated to support operations and satellite communication in Terrebonne, Lafourche, Jefferson, Plaquemines, Saint Bernard, and Orleans parishes to assist in first-responder ground communications. Additional teams are ready to deploy to all other areas along the coast the storm may affect.As Tropical Storm Gustav gains strength and approaches the Gulf Coast, about 3,000 Louisiana citizen-soldiers and -airmen have been activated in support of emergency operations and are prepared to support civil missions and assist with various needs and emergencies expected to arise across the state.

"Our soldiers and airmen are staged and set to deploy to our coastal parishes without hesitation," Army Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau, adjutant general for the Louisiana National Guard, said. "Engineer and communications teams are reporting to coastal parishes and are set to assist our citizens and local parish emergency responders. Our security forces are deploying to ensure safety and security of homes and personnel. We are confident in our plans and ability to execute those plans on a moment's notice."

Louisiana Guard search-and-rescue assets are preparing for deployment to potential impact areas. Soldiers and airmen also are pre-positioning to support shelter security missions across the state, and teams are ready to support "contraflow" highway lane-reversal missions in coordination with the Louisiana State Police.

Louisiana National Guard security forces are preparing for deployment to potential impact areas, including deployment to New Orleans in support of the city's evacuation plan. The Guard is requesting additional helicopter assets with Emergency Management Assistance Compact states in preparation for potential search-and-rescue missions.

Soldiers of the Lake Charles-based 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, began the initial alert preparations for the possible landfall of Hurricane Gustav. The battalion, which consists of soldiers from all over southwestern Louisiana, has prepared vehicles and equipment for the deployment to New Orleans or any other area that may be affected.

"We're ready to go wherever we need to," said Lake Charles native Army 1st Sgt. Gary Burchfield of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3-156th Infantry Battalion.

The 256th IBCT's 199th Leadership Brigade Support Battalion located in Alexandria, La., sent 2,000 gallons of water to Colfax, La., in preparation for support missions. This potentially life-saving water will be distributed to citizens if the need arises.

Additionally, 160 soldiers from the 528th and the 527th Engineer Battalions in Ruston, La., have been directed to various security missions in the Jefferson Parish area and will be assigned to the Clearview evacuation site.

Two three-man engineer assessment teams from the 1023rd Engineer Company are on stand-by for possible missions in Ascension, St. James and St. Charles parishes. "The primary function of these teams will be damage assessment," Army Maj. Charles A. Hudson of West Monroe, administrative officer with the 528th, said.

About 30 soldiers from the Headquarters Support Company in Monroe will assist the Louisiana State Police Department's Troop A in Baton Rouge and Troop F in Monroe in traffic-control missions as the storm closes in on the coast. Six three-man boat teams from the 830th and 832nd Concrete and Asphalt Companies in Monroe have been placed on stand-by for possible damage assessment and search-and-rescue missions in potentially devastated areas.

The National Guard has also mobilized more than 100 members to act as bus drivers and provide transportation for evacuees and security to evacuation shelters throughout the state as needed.

Airmen have been activated to support operations and satellite communication in Terrebonne, Lafourche, Jefferson, Plaquemines, Saint Bernard, and Orleans parishes to assist in first-responder ground communications. Additional teams are ready to deploy to all other areas along the coast the storm may affect.

Separately, the Louisiana National Guard has requested 20 aircraft from eight states, in an apparent response to Louisiana's 20 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters being in Iraq. National Guards in the 54 states and territories have mutual-aid agreements in place to send troops and equipment to other states during disasters. Through such agreements, more than 50,000 Guard members converged on the region following
Hurricane Katrina.

The Louisiana Army National Guard's 1/244th Air Assault Helicopter Battalion deployed to Iraq this summer, taking the Black Hawk fleet and about 360 soldiers. The battalion was based at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport during Katrina and rescued as many as 16,000 people from the area. The battalion is now based in Hammond, La., from which the Louisiana Guard plans to manage its aviation response to storms.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal also ordered the Louisiana National Guard to be ready to deploy more than 1,500 Guardsmen to New Orleans as early as tomorrow to assist in securing the city as citizens begin to evacuate their homes.

Gustav, currently a tropical storm, is expected to make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane the morning of Sept. 2 along the Vermillion Bay area, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

(From a Louisiana National Guard news release.)

Alabama National Guard
State HQ ALE Address: A040LN
4724.5 4924.5 8047.0 8622.0 9141.5 10233.5 12087.0 13722.0 14653.0 16338.5 20906.0 kHz

Alabama NG 131 AVN
3345.0 4780.0 4961.5 5065.0 5118.0 5778.5 5850.0 6910.0 6911.5 7360.0 8040.0 9036.0 9122.5 9145.0 9295.0 11574.0 11578.0 12129.0 14483.5 kHz

Alabama NG 117 MedCo
8184.5 10530.0 11439.5 14757.0 kHz

Alabama NG 46th WMD-CST
8047.0 kHz

Lousiana National Guard
State HQ ALE Address: L060AN
4035.0 4924.5 5877.0 8047.0 12087.0 13722.0 14653.0 20906.0 kHz

Lousiana NG 1-244 AVN
5211.0 5778.5 5781.5 6906.5 11630.0 12129.0 kHz

Lousiana NG 62nd WMD-CST
8047.0 12087.0 14653.0 kHz

Mississippi National Guard
State HQ ALE Address: M040SN
4960.0 5847.0 8047.0 9121.0 9141.5 10796.0 10816.5 12087.0 13722.0 14653.0 20906.0 kHz

Mississippi NG 185 AVN
4960.0 10680.0 11578.0 11630.0 kHz

Texas National Guard Preps for Gustav

Members of the Texas National Guard are holding training exercises to make sure they're ready for Gustav's arrival in the Gulf Coast.

Known Texas NG frequencies:
State HQ ALE Address: T060XN, Camp Mabry, Austin, Txas
* indicates an ALE net frequency

4441.5 5821.5 6907.0* 7648.5* 8047.0* 8158.5 8161.5 8171.5* 9081.5* 9121.0* 10690.0* 10797.5* 12087.0* 12087.5* 13722.0* 14653.0* 16338.5* 17458.5* 20906.0* kHz

Apache Squadron Aids Iraqi Security Progress

By Army Sgt. Dale Sweetnam, Special to American Forces Press Service

An AH-64D Apache takes off from Camp Taji, Iraq. Pilots with 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, have enjoyed a less intense and less kinetic mission since arriving at Baghdad International Airport.

BAGHDAD - The view from the sky indicates the tide in Iraq may be turning.

Soldiers of 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, made the move from Camp Taji to Camp Stryker at the Baghdad International Airport about a month ago. Army Maj. Parker Frawley, the unit's operations officer, said the squadron already is seeing the difference U.S. forces are making across Iraq.

In Camp Taji, 4-3rd ACR was involved in an intense battle for Sadr City. The soldiers fought daily, to defeat Iranian-backed "special groups" in Baghdad's Sadr City district and to eliminate the indirect-fire threat to Baghdad.

"Obviously, during that time frame, the fight in Sadr City was a very kinetic fight," Frawley said.

The unit moved to Camp Striker and Multinational Division Center, where its AH-64D Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk pilots are experiencing a different pace. In its new home, the squadron is part of Task Force 49, Multinational Division Center Combat Aviation Brigade.

Frawley said threats from roadside bombs and direct and indirect fire are fewer in Multinational Division Center than what the squadron experienced in Sadr City. The aircraft that once fought constantly in a small geographic region now are responsible for a much larger area; they support ground forces by providing surveillance and reconnaissance.

"With the threat of these areas being lower and the ground guys focusing more on nonlethal operations, we, of course, conduct fewer lethal operations as well," he said. "If you look at the big picture, the less we have to shoot and destroy targets or kill insurgents indicates that we are getting closer to mission success in Iraq."

Frawley said the changing operational tempo in Multinational Division Center also has allowed the squadron to catch up on maintenance and give the pilots a break.

"The changing nature of our attack and reconnaissance missions reflects a greater level of security among the people, a demonstrated capability of the Iraqi police and army, and a general improvement in the daily lives of the population," Army Col. Chandler C. Sherrell, Task Force 49 commander, said. "This would not be possible without the continued efforts of our ground partners to transition security to the Iraqis and aid in the economic development of their areas. These positive trends have allowed us to provide a greater degree of overwatch and a reduced level of direct action."

This shift in focus for 4-3rd ACR was recently highlighted by its involvement in the Aug. 16 celebration of the Birth of the 12th Imam, an important Muslim holiday that draws hundreds of thousands of Shiia pilgrims to Karbala each year. In previous years, daily reconnaissance patrols were necessary to provide surveillance of the crowds and early warning of any potential threats to the Iraqis participating in the pilgrimage. This year, the squadron's mission remained more of an overwatch, as Iraqi ground and air assets led the security efforts.

"Because of the progress of the Iraqis and their ability to handle their own internal affairs with minimal coalition support, the decision was made to minimize our presence around Karbala," Frawley said. "It bolsters the Iraqi's confidence -- not only the Iraqi security forces' confidence, but [also] the confidence of the Iraqi population in the security forces' ability to do its job.

"It's a success story," he added. "Any responsibilities we can hand over to the Iraqis that they can execute with a degree of success, gets us closer to mission completion here."

(Army Sgt. Dale Sweetnam serves in the Task Force 49 Public Affairs Office.)

Florida Guard Prepares for Potential Hurricane Relief Mission

By Jon Myatt, Special to American Forces Press Service


Members of the 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, make their way past a makeshift tow truck in a high-water vehicle as they search flooded roads and properties Aug. 22, 2008, in search of people who need assistance or evacuation in Steen, Fla., in the wake of Tropical Storm Fay. The Florida National Guard continues to assist civilian agencies with nearly 500 soldiers and airmen supporting logistical operations and high-water vehicle rescue across central and northern Florida, and is preparing for more work as Tropical Storm Gustav zeroes in on the U.S. Gulf Coast. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Andrew Hillegass, 107th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., Aug. 29, 2008 - As central and northern Florida communities recover from Tropical Storm Fay's flood waters, Florida's Department of Military Affairs and the state's National Guard are refitting and shifting focus to the potential effects of other storms.

Florida National Guard leaders returned to the Joint Force Headquarters in St. Augustine on Aug. 25 from the state emergency operations center in Tallahassee expecting another weather threat.

While most of the 500 Guard members activated to help during Tropical Storm Fay had returned to their civilian jobs, the Florida National Guard core emergency support team continued to monitor weather conditions in "Hurricane Alley."

With forecasters eyeing two Atlantic storms -- Tropical Storm Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna -- as the Labor Day weekend approaches, the possibility of another activation of the Florida National Guard is becoming more probable, Guard leaders said. Gustav is expected to make landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane early Sept. 2.

"We are just entering the historically active part of hurricane season," said Army Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett, adjutant general of Florida. "Although Tropical Storm Fay did not produce damaging high-speed winds that a Category 3 or 4 [hurricane] would have, the resulting flood waters required a significant state response that was a very good tune-up for our emergency response team.

"The public got to see the National Guard at work -- Guard-members and vehicles moving from armories to affected communities, providing assistance to people in distress," he said.

The Guard continuously reviews its mix of personnel to ensure the right skills are placed at the right location, along with the right number of troops to do the tasks, he explained. These "after-action" assessments ensure the troops not needed are released from state active duty so they can return to their families, jobs and educational institutions.

"We are able meet our mission requirements by preparing sufficient numbers of Guardsmen to meet any anticipated weather event," Burnett said. "We have a great deal of recent experience and know that when one weather event has passed, we could have another on the horizon. It is critical to our long term success to have enough capable people available who are also rested and motivated."

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has ensured that the Florida National Guard and its leaders are included in all executive-level planning for emergencies. For Tropical Storm Fay, he declared a state of emergency for Florida, signing an executive order three days before the storm made landfall.

"The reason we do that is to be able to cooperate with state agencies and local authorities," Crist said Aug. 17, during his initial news conference for Tropical Storm Fay.

Guard leaders say they're committed to one primary task: ensuring the Florida National Guard adequately supports agencies directly responsible for taking care of Florida citizens. To accomplish this mission, the Florida National Guard has more than 9,000 soldiers and airmen available who can respond to various emergencies in Florida, including efforts to deter terrorist-related activities.

"The Guard has continuous contact and coordination with the Florida Division of Emergency Management in Tallahassee, and our joint emergency operations center and planning cells ensure the capability to rapidly build-up personnel and equipment if needed," Army Lt. Col. Ron Tittle, the Guard's chief spokesman, said. "We have extensive experience in responding to emergencies."

Florida National Guard soldiers and airmen are trained and equipped for a wide range of life support, security and public safety missions, he said.

Additional personnel and equipment can be mobilized quickly from other states if needed. The Florida National Guard can also request additional personnel and resources from other states through the National Guard Bureau, as part of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, Tittle explained.

Air Force, AMC officials poised for Hurricane Gustav support

by Mark Diamond, Headquarters AMC Public Affairs

Shawn Dahl, the lead meteorologist with the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center Weather Cell at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., keeps an eye on the satellite picture that shows the location of Hurricane Gustav Aug. 28. (USAF Photo)

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) -- In response to preliminary reports that possibly point Hurricane Gustav toward the Gulf Coast of the United States, Air Force officials are postured to support relief efforts, if needed.

Hurricane Gustav, which formed Aug. 25 about 260 miles southeast of Haiti, is the third hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. On Aug. 27, the hurricane was moving away from Haiti. Its tentative track pointed the storm toward the U.S. Gulf coast, including Louisiana, where Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.

Command and control coordination of any humanitarian airlift effort would be provided by the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center here. Personnel from the 618th TACC coordinate an average of 900 airlift and air refueling missions each day, and can seamlessly redirect these missions to support emerging requirements for contingency or humanitarian relief operations.

According to Maj. Gen. Mark S. Solo, the 618th TACC commander, as soon as a hurricane is identified as having potential to strike the United States, 618th TACC officials begin posturing mobility forces to be able to respond to various relief scenarios. He said this "posturing" may include placing aircraft and crews in Bravo alert status, meaning crews are on standby and ready to launch in three hours or less from notification.

Other forces used to open and operate temporary remote bases, known as Contingency Response Group elements, also may be postured for short notice response in these situations.

Humanitarian operations are a major significant emphasis for the 618th TACC team.

"The 618th TACC has a long history of preparing for and assisting civilian authorities following a natural disaster," General Solo said.

During hurricanes Katrina and Rita, 618th TACC personnel tasked nearly 900 sorties to support relief efforts, and mobility forces moved more than 14,600 passengers, nearly 3,000 patients and hauled the equivalent of 686 semi-truckloads of supplies to and from the Gulf Coast region.

After setting up the contingency response cell during Hurricane Katrina, TACC Airmen rapidly turned requirements into missions for humanitarian airlift assistance to people on the Gulf Coast. Within the first 24 hours of Katrina's landfall, TACC officials aggressively moved search-and-rescue teams and their equipment to Louisiana and then quickly shifted focus to a hub-and-spoke operation to bring in supplies and rescue patients.

Contingency Response Group elements from the 615th Contingency Response Wing at Travis AFB, Calif., and the 621st CRW at McGuire AFB, N.J., deployed to the Gulf Coast region to establish airfield operations in support of the massive hurricane relief effort.

During Pakistan earthquake relief operations in 2005, 621st CRW Airmen supported 273 U.S. missions and provided 15,294,000 pounds of relief supplies, including more than 93,000 sleeping bags and 292,000 blankets. Wing personnel also loaded 587 trucks and processed 4,481 pallets.

Navy Takes Delivery of New Hampshire Eight Months Early

The Navy took delivery of its newest attack submarine, Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) New Hampshire (SSN 778), from General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) Aug. 27, eight months early to its contract delivery date.

New Hampshire is the fifth Virginia-class submarine and the third delivered by GDEB.

New Hampshire's early delivery is an important milestone for both the submarine force and the Virginia-class program.

"Delivering ahead of schedule demonstrates the significant progress made by both the Navy and its shipbuilding partners GDEB and [Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding] toward reducing our construction span and therefore end costs," said Rear Adm. William Hilarides, program executive officer for submarines.

"Our shipbuilding partners have played an active role in reducing construction time and cost, both through the Capital Expenditures incentive program that improves facilities and 'lean' initiatives that make shipbuilding more efficient," said Rear Adm. (Sel.) Dave Johnson, Virginia-class program manager.

USS Hawaii (SSN 776) and USS North Carolina (SSN 777), the two submarines delivered prior to New Hampshire, completed construction after 86 and 82 months respectively. New Hampshire completed construction in just 71 months.

"New Mexico, our next submarine, is projected to be completed after 66 months of construction," added Johnson. "We're closing in on our goal to reduce construction time down to 60 months by our FY12 ships, a significant cost reduction milestone. The Virginia-class program has achieved real savings through economic order quantity purchases."

New Hampshire's delivery is the fourth of seven Virginia-class milestones planned for 2008. Earlier accomplishments include PCU New Mexico's (SSN 779) keel laying ceremony April 12; North Carolina's May 3 commissioning; and New Hampshire's christening ceremony held at GDEB June 21. GDEB will host PCU Missouri's (SSN 780) keel-laying ceremony Sept. 27 while New Mexico will be christened at NGSB Dec. 13.

In between those two events, the Navy will commission New Hampshire at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine, Oct. 25. This will mark the first time since 1996 that the Navy has commissioned two submarines of the same class in the same year.

Virginia-class submarines are flexible, multimission platforms designed to operate in both open ocean and littoral waters. Their inherent stealth, endurance, and firepower enable them to support the United States seapower core capabilities of forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection and maritime security.

Reagan Launches First Sorties in Support of OEF

By Lt. Ron Flanders, USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs

USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group assumed the duties as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 50 Aug. 28 and launched its first sorties into Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 departed the decks of the strike group's flagship, the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), bound for Afghanistan to support coalition ground forces.

"This is the mission we've been training for almost a year to carry out," said Rear Adm. Phil Wisecup, commander, Carrier Strike Group 7.

"Every Sailor in this strike group has tremendous focus right now; our pilots and maintenance crews are extremely sharp, and we'll do our part to help coalition troops and foster security in Afghanistan."

Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group relieved the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group who has operated in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations since April.

Other CSG-7 ships are supporting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) while deployed to the region. The guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Gridley (DDG 101), as well as the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) joined Coalition Task Forces 152 and 150 help deter destabilizing activities and ensure a lawful maritime order in the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden.

Ronald Reagan is joined by the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and relieves USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on station. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group performed the CTF 50 mission for more than four months.

"Abraham Lincoln and her Sailors performed incredibly well," said Capt. Kenneth Norton, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer.

"We received an outstanding turnover from Lincoln, and we're here to provide the same high level of support to our coalition troops."

The squadrons of CVW-14 include the "Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, the "Fist of the Fleet" of VFA-25, the "Stingers" of VFA-113, the "Eagles" of VFA-115, the "Black Eagles" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron 113, the "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 139, and the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 4.

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the region. Operations in the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command area of operations are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.

BTown Milcom/Gov Blog Logs - 8/28/2008

WC-130J Hurricane Hunters takes off from Biloxi for hurricane observation ops. (USAF Photo)

With the approach of tropical cyclones Gustav and Hanna, we are monitoring selected frequencies associated with SHARES, FEMA, Secure, National Guard, CAP, US Army Corps of Engineers, and other services that may be involved in any disaster response. All frequencies listed below are in kHz and times in UTC.

Keep an eye on this blog for any late breaking frequency information and you can see my latest list of frequencies to monitor at http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/search?q=hurricane.

4490.0 KNY58 - National Communications System - NTCN-HF Gadsden, AL, ALE/USB sounding at 1753 on SHARES SCN channel 3.

4780.0 INDOPS - National Guard Indianapolis, IN, ALE/USB sounding at 1811/1842 on IN NG Primary freq.

5378.0 FR5FEM - FEMA Chicago, IL (WGY9865) ALE/USB sounding at 1822 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

5711.0 AAT3BF - US Army MARS Newark, DE, ALE/USB sounding at 1652/1818/1916 on SHARES SCN channel 4.

5817.0 NRK - US Army National Guard Norfolk, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1800 on the NG STARC nationwide net.

5961.0 FR5FEM - FEMA Chicago, IL (WGY9865) ALE/USB sounding at 1821/1921 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

6106.0 FR5FEM - FEMA Chicago, IL (WGY9865) ALE/USB sounding at 1820 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

6806.0 0011ARCAP - Civil Air Patrol, Unknown location in Arkansas, ALE/USB sounding at 1836 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.

6809.0 FC6 - FEMA Region 6 Office Denton, TX, ALE/USB sounding at 1911 on FEMA FMARS net freq.

7348.0
FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1748 on FEMA FMARS
net freq.
FC6 - FEMA Region 6 Office Denton, TX, ALE/USB sounding at 1911 on FEMA FMARS net freq.

8012.0
RIC - Civil Air Patrol CAP Region 2 MER/CAP National Technology Center Richmond, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1801 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.
0011ARCAP - Civil Air Patrol, Unknown location in Arkansas, ALE/USB sounding at 1828 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.
0048FLCAP - Civil Air Patrol, Unknown location in Florida, ALE/USB sounding at 1922 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.

8037.0 NRK - US Army National Guard Norfolk, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1915 on the NG STARC nationwide net.

8047.0
NRK - US Army National Guard Norfolk, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1915 on the NG STARC nationwide net.
L060AN - US Army National Guard Baton Rouge, LA, calling HQ703N - NG Readiness Center Arlington, VA, ALE/USB at 1919 on the NG STARC nationwide net.
T3Z238 - National Guard (IN) 2-238 AVN Shelbyville, IN, ALE/USB sounding at 1859 on the NG STARC nationwide net.

8050.0 FR5FEM - FEMA Chicago, IL, ALE/USB sounding at 1819/1919 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

9106.0 AAT3BF - US Army MARS Newark, DE, ALE/USB sounding at 1650/1748/1817/1914/1943 on SHARES SCN channel 5.

9143.5
NGTROOPCMD - Ohio National Guard Columbus, OH, ALE/USB sounding at 1611.
NRK - US Army National Guard Norfolk, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1900 on the NG STARC nationwide net.

9462.0 FC6 - FEMA Region 6 Office Denton, TX, ALE/USB sounding at 1911 on FEMA FMARS net freq.

10194.0 FR5FEM - FEMA Chicago, IL (WGY9865) ALE/USB sounding at 1819 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

10588.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1747/1947 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

10816.5 T060XN - Texas National Guard STARC, Camp Mabry, TX, calling A040LN Montgomery, AL, ALE/USB at 1945.

10899.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1947 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

11108.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1847 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

11217.0 AAT3BF - US Army MARS Newark, DE, ALE/USB sounding at 1651/1748/1817 on SHARES SCN channel 6.

13446.0 FC6 - FEMA Region 6 Office Denton, TX, ALE/USB sounding at 1910 on FEMA FMARS net freq.

13568.0 T060XN - Texas National Guard STARC, Camp Mabry, TX, calling A040LN Montgomery, AL, ALE/USB at 1944.

14776.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1846/1946 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

15094.0 USARC5 - Probable US American Red Cross, Unknown location, calling PR13, another unknown location using ALE/USB at 1847 on SHARES SCN channel 7.

Combined Task Force 152 Conducts Exercise Goalkeeper

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Ships from Bahrain, the United Kingdom and the United States are conducting Exercise Goalkeeper in the Central and Southern Persian Gulf to train across the spectrum of Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

Led by Royal Navy Commodore Peter Hudson, commander, Combined Task Force (CTF) 152, the five-day exercise began Aug. 24 and seeks to ensure a lawful maritime order as well as improve relationships between regional countries.

"Exercise Goalkeeper provides coalition and regional navies an opportunity to fine tune their skills in conducting essential Maritime Security Operations," said Hudson.

In addition to familiarizing all forces with MSO, Goalkeeper provides participants an opportunity to exercise their abilities to locate and track various vessels, practice boarding techniques and work with the Bahraini Coast Guard.

Coalition units participating in the exercise include RBNS Al Fateh (PGGF 20), HMS Montrose (F 236) and USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168) as well as coalition maritime patrol aircraft.

Hudson explained the exercise's key focus is handling the command and control in locating and tracking specific vessels deemed to pose a threat to coalition nations in the Gulf region. During the exercise coalition teams will board the vessel and practice the procedures for handing them over to Coast Guard ships.

Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) conduct MSO in the region to help develop conditions for security in the maritime environment, which promotes stability and global prosperity. These operations complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel or weapons.

CMF has a common purpose and goal – to increase the security and prosperity of the region by working together for a better future.

927th Air Refueling Wing breaks ground at MacDill

MacDill Air Force Base has a new tenant. As part of the military's base restructuring, the 927th Air Refueling Wing has been moved from Michigan to Tampa.

They broke ground for the new headquarters for 927th at MacDill on Wednesday.

Col. Ken Lewis, the Wing Commander for the 927th, says over the next two years construction alone will bring in close to 50-million dollars to the Bay area.

As for jobs, Col. Lewis says the Air Refueling Wing will provide 800 full and part time military and civilian jobs which translates into an annual budget of 7 to 10 million dollars.

The new headquarters is expected to be finished by September of 2009

USS McFaul Brings Aid to Batumi, Georgia

USS McFaul (DDG 74) pulled into the port of Batumi, Georgia, Aug. 24 to deliver humanitarian relief supplies to the country as part of the larger United States response to the government of Georgia request for humanitarian assistance.

This represents the first U.S. Navy ship to arrive and deliver humanitarian assistance to Georgia.

"Our job was to get the supplies to Georgia as quickly as possible," said Capt. John Moore, commodore of Combined Task Force 367. "The entire crew of this ship realizes the significance of their efforts in helping to provide comfort to the people of Georgia."

McFaul delivered 82 pallets with about 155,000 pounds of supplies donated by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), including hygiene items, baby food and care supplies, bottled water, and milk. Ships can carry much more cargo per mission than aircraft, which have a capacity of three to 12 pallets per sortie.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas (WHEC 716) and USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) have also on-loaded humanitarian supplies destined for Georgia. Dallas left Souda Bay, Crete on Thursday with more than 76,000 pounds of relief supplies and will arrive in Georgia within a week. U.S. Navy C-9, C-40 and C-130 aircraft have flown tens of thousands of hygiene kits into the country over the past week.

McFaul, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, is home ported in Norfolk, Va., and is on a regularly scheduled deployment in the Sixth Fleet area of responsibility.

Russia Defies Calls for Withdrawal; U.S. Continues Georgia Relief

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2008 - Russia continues to defy international calls for the country to pull its forces out of Georgia, and humanitarian operations continue, a Pentagon official said here today.
Russian troops continue to occupy the breakaway region of South Ossetia, and Russian troops continue to maintain troops in Gori, a Georgian city that is the gateway to South Ossetia, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.

"It is fair to say they are still not living up to the terms of the cease-fire agreement," Whitman said during a meeting with reporters. The terms of the cease-fire include monitoring by military officers under the auspices of the Organization of Security Cooperation in Europe.

The Russian Duma – equivalent to the U.S. House of Representatives -- has called on the government to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia from Georgia.

Meanwhile, U.S. military personnel continue to deliver humanitarian aid to Georgia. Whitman said about 100 U.S. military and DoD civilian personnel are in Georgia coordinating the aid.

The Navy's USS McFaul docked in the Georgian port of Batumi over the weekend and began off-loading supplies as more humanitarian aid continued to arrive by airlift. "Over the weekend, we have 48 sorties that have flown in with 774 short tons of materials," Whitman said.

The Coast Guard Cutter Dallas has passed through the Dardanelles and entered the Black Sea with more supplies. The USS Mount Whitney is loading humanitarian supplies at Gaeta, Italy.

The United States has provided $18.3 million in aid, with the Defense Department's portion standing at $7.2 million so far for airlift and emergency supplies. DoD's "spend rate" -- the continuing contribution – is about $1 million per day, Whitman said.

Cots, bedding, mattresses, sleeping bags, small tents, mobile kitchen units and medical supplies are "still in need and are priorities," Whitman said.

A U.S. European Command assessment team remains in the country, working with Georgians and the U.S. Embassy in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.

Lifelong radio buff Tom Kneitel dead at 75

Many that read this blog knew my old friend and former editor of Popular Communications magazine, Tom Kneitel. I have the sad duty to report that Tom passed away on Friday. You can get the complete story on my personal blog at http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/2008/08/lifelong-radio-buff-tom-kneitel-dead-at.html.

NATO AWACS conducts Strike Eagle dogfights

by Airman 1st Class Marissa Tucker, 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
A NATO E-3A Sentinel, an airborne warning and control systems aircraft from Geilenkirchen, Germany, sits on the flightline Aug. 12 at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. The aircraft has crewmembers from Germany, Turkey, Greece, Denmark, United States, Portugal and Canada. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Makenzie Lang)

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFPN) -- A NATO E-3A Sentinel and its crew arrived here Aug. 8 to conduct training missions with 4th Fighter Wing aircrews.

The Sentinel, which is an Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft from Geilenkirchen, Germany, will conduct mock dogfights between the wing's fighter aircraft. Using its trademark 30-foot exterior satellite, the AWACS aircraft will provide Strike Eagle aircrews with "enemy" positions.

"Our sole purpose is to be the eyes for the aircraft so they can be forewarned if another aircraft is in their vicinity -- friend or foe," said Capt. Gurhan Tarman, the Sentinel's co-pilot from the Turkish Air Force.

The aircrews participating in the dogfight will separate into two teams -- the good guys and the bad guys, Capt. Bruce Douglas said, a crewmember on the Sentinel.

"Hopefully, the good guys win," he said.

The crew will stay until Aug. 27, and will help Strike Eagle aircrews in many ways, said Capt. Nicholas Suppa, assistant director of staff of the 335th Fighter Squadron.

"The greatest thing that we get from the exercise is the fact that we get face-to-face brief and debrief opportunities with one another, something that we normally do not get between ourselves and AWACS crews," he said.

The AWACS crew consists of 23 crewmembers from 15 European and North American nations.

Staff Sgt. Jolene Curphey, a surveillance operator on the Sentinel, said flying with an international aircrew provides a great learning experience that can transfer to the battlefield.

"It's really great to work with people from different places," Sergeant Curphey said. "The crew learns something new with every place we go."

The AWACS crew and Captain Suppa agree the training mission benefits both components in the long run, especially during deployments where units from different nations are called upon to fight side by side.

"The integration of our two systems is integral in our missions, and the more we are able to take from each occasion that we work together, the better we are able to execute our missions with precision," Captain Suppa said.

USS Dallas Returns from Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steven Myers, Commander Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

The Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine, USS Dallas (SSN 700), returned to Naval Submarine Base New London, Aug. 21, after a highly successful six-month deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Dallas lived up to her motto, "First in Harm's Way," by participating in several missions supporting U.S. strategic security objectives.

"I am really proud of them," said Capt. Emil Casciano, Submarine Squadron 2 commodore. "They deployed to the most challenging parts of the world and not only developed as a team, they exemplified the word 'teamwork' throughout their deployment. We are grateful to their families and friends for waiting as they did our nation's work."

Dallas Sailors lined up as a team on the pier and gave a "Dallas" cheer, which was echoed by waiting family and friends, before reuniting with loved ones.

"Being back is an unbelievable feeling. I am very proud of the crew and all they have accomplished during these last six months," said Cmdr. Dave Roberts, USS Dallas commanding officer. "Their ability to successfully deploy and execute required tasking was a direct reflection of their high state of readiness and extensive training."

During the deployment, Dallas' Sailors served as ambassadors for the Navy while visiting ports in Diego Garcia; Lamissol, Cyprus; Bahrain; Gibraltar and Rota, Spain.

With stealth, persistence, agility and firepower, submarines like Dallas are multi-mission capable – able to deploy and support special forces operations; disrupt and destroy an adversary's military and economic operations at sea; provide early strike from close proximity, and ensure undersea superiority.

Sixth Fleet Deploys Ships in Support of Humanitarian Assistance Mission

The guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) transits Souda Harbor headed to the Republic of Georgia. McFaul is carrying nearly 55 tons of supplies as part of the humanitarian assistance for the Republic of Georgia following the conflict between Russian and Georgian forces. The assistance will aid in alleviating human suffering in the Republic of Georgia. (U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley/Released)

Two U.S. Navy ships and a U.S. Coast Guard cutter are getting underway to transport humanitarian relief supplies to Georgia. These deployments are part of the larger United States response to the government of Georgia request for humanitarian assistance.

USS McFaul (DDG 74) departed from Souda Bay, Crete, Aug. 20, and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas (WHEC 716) will leave later this week. McFaul and Dallas are scheduled to transit into the Black Sea and arrive in Georgia within a week.

USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) is currently on loading humanitarian relief materials in her homeport of Gaeta, Italy, and will proceed to Georgia later this month.
The ships will deliver thousands of blankets, hygiene kits, baby food and infant care supplies to save lives and alleviate human suffering.

These surface ships represent the first from the U.S. to participate in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Georgia.

Both McFaul, based in Norfolk and Dallas, based in Charleston, S.C., are on regularly scheduled deployments in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group Departs Malaysia

By Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) 1st Class Bill Larned Carrier Strike Group 7 Public Affairs

Three ships and more than 5,000 Sailors of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 departed Malaysia Aug. 21 after routine port visits highlighted by displays of good will, community service and a variety of cultural tours.

The strike group's flagship, the Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), and the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) departed Port Klang.

While in Kuala Lumpur, more than 200 strike group Sailors volunteered to help make a difference in several Malaysian communities by participating in eight community relations projects at local children's homes.

Chief petty officer selectees from Ronald Reagan painted the Agathians Shelter Children's Home in Petaling Jaya, a neighboring city.

"The children's home is a very small house and is Hindu. It receives a lot less financial help than other children's homes in Petaling Jaya. Everyone at the home was grateful for our help," said Chief Religious Programs Specialist (FMF/AW/SW) Marcus Taylor, leading chief petty officer for Ronald's Reagan's Religious Ministries Department.

Sailors also embarked on tours offered by morale, welfare and recreation. Several buses traveled to the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, a shelter used to relocate elephants that disturb crops and farmland. Upon arrival, Sailors watched a 45-minute documentary about the sanctuary's mission supporting the elephants. Afterwards, many Sailors hand-fed the elephants and enjoyed escorted rides atop the elephants, which included a chance to bathe with them in a nearby river.

"The elephant sanctuary was peaceful. You won't get a chance to ride an elephant anywhere else," said Aviation Electrician's Mate Airman Apprentice Daniel Griffith, from VFA-115.

Some Sailors preferred the fast pace of the city to rural Malaysia.

During a tour of downtown Kuala Lumpur, Sailors perused Chinatown, the central market and Independence Square, all against the backdrop of the 88-floor twin Petronas Towers in the Golden Triangle business district.

"It was really interesting viewing different architecture, trying out the local cuisine and talking to the people of Malaysia," said Air Traffic Controller 1st Class (AW) Jaclyn Vargas.

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is in the U.S. 7th Fleet's area of responsibility as part of a routine deployment to promote peace, cooperation and stability in the region. Homeported in San Diego, Ronald Reagan is the Navy's newest Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.

USS George Washington Departs for Japan

A NATO E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft flies over the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington is participating in Tailored Ships Training Availability and Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP) before a permanent homeport change in Yokosuka, Japan. The AWACS is used to provide airborne battle management, surveillance, and weapons control. This is the first time that an AWACS has done a low-approach fly-by over a U.S. naval vessel. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 2nd Class Specialist Clifford L. H. Davis (Released)

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) with her crew of approximately 5,500 Sailors departed San Diego Aug. 21, to begin her journey to Yokosuka, Japan to replace USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the United States' only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier.

Commanded by Capt. John R. Haley, GW became the flagship for the Commander, Task Force 70 (CTF 70), Rear Adm. Richard B. Wren last week after he and his staff moved to GW from Kitty Hawk.

"The transition had been tremendously smooth and it's clear that we're passing an enormous milestone towards reaching USS George Washington's ultimate forward deployment assignment to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans," said Wren. "We are particularly excited to foster a new era in our long-standing relationship with our host nation of Japan and the city of Yokosuka."

This will be the first time GW gets underway with CTF 70, Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW 5) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. GW will be the permanent flagship for CTF 70 while GW is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.

Task Force 70 is the Carrier Strike Group component of Battle Force Seventh Fleet, also led by Wren. In the past, the task force has been centered on USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), which will soon head to Bremerton, Wash. to decommission from naval service next year after 48 years on active duty.

The security environment in the Western Pacific region requires the United States to station the most capable ships forward for deterrence and the best possible response times for maritime and joint force operations. The forward deployment of GW ensures the ability of Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, to fulfill the U.S. Government's commitment to the defense of Japan, and the maintenance of international peace and security in the Far East in support of mutual cooperation and security. This posture also brings our most capable ships with the greatest amount of striking power and operational capability in the timeliest manner.

GW's replacement of Kitty Hawk is part of the Navy's long range effort to routinely replace older ships assigned to the Navy's forward-deployed forces with newer or more capable platforms.

First Littoral Combat Ship To Be Commissioned Nov. 8

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Rhonda Burke, Navy Region Midwest Public Affairs
Civilians watch as the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) approaches the Menekaunee draw bridge as the ship goes to sea to begin acceptance trials. The Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey team will conduct the acceptance trials in Lake Michigan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jhi L. Scott/Released)

The Navy's newest ship, the future USS Freedom (LCS 1), will be commissioned Nov. 8 at Veteran's Memorial Park in Milwaukee.

The commissioning date set by Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter, was announced by the commissioning committee Aug. 18 in Milwaukee.

"This is a huge milestone, another milestone in the life of USS Freedom," said Cmdr. Michael Doran, prospective commanding officer of Freedom's Gold Crew. "It was a mere 64 months ago that Freedom was a proposal on a piece of paper and here we are announcing the date for its commissioning."

The littoral combat ship was designed to provide the U.S. Navy with greater flexibility and capability in operating in the littoral or "green water" coastal areas. The 377-foot Freedom is capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots and can operate in water less than 20 feet deep. The ship will act as a platform for launch and recovery of manned and unmanned vehicles. Its modular design will support interchangeable mission packages, allowing the ship to be reconfigured for antisubmarine warfare, mine warfare, or surface warfare missions on an as-needed basis.

"It brings to the fleet a lot of flexibility," Doran said. "The ship was built with a specific goal and purpose in mind - to operate in shallow waters. It also has the flexibility, as 40 percent of it is large, reconfigurable space so that you can put the specific mission packages into it."

Freedom will be manned by one of two rotational crews, blue and gold, similar to the rotational crews assigned to Trident submarines. The crews will be augmented by one of three mission package crews during focused mission assignments.

Of the many new systems being used on Freedom is a highly automated engineering plant and water jet propulsion, both of which give the ship new capabilities.

Freedom was christened Sept. 24, 2006, in Marinette, Wis. LCS 1 is being built at Marinette Marine Corp. by Lockheed Martin.

Following commissioning Nov. 8, she will sail to Norfolk, for operational testing and then to her homeport of San Diego.

The second ship of the class, Independence, is being built at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala., by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works.

Satellite’s data collection will support warfighter

By Michael Kleiman, 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFMCNS) — Tactical Satellite-3’s scheduled October mission is set to demonstrate rapid data collection and transmission to the combatant commander in the theater of interest.

During Tactical Satellite-3’s upcoming flight, a new capability of employing a hyperspectral imager with a space-based, onboard processor to obtain and send images within minutes to the warfighter on the ground will be tested. Raytheon constructed the Advanced Responsive Tactically Effective Military Imaging Spectrometer, or ARTEMIS, hyperspectral imager.

Designated as the satellite’s main demonstration, the ARTEMIS hyperspectral imager payload will provide target detection and identification information, as well as battlefield preparation and combat assessment data, within 10 minutes of its collection.

“The ARTEMIS sensor can identify characteristics by seeing through camouflage and foliage,” said Thom Davis, TacSat-3 program manager. “It can also recognize physical characteristics such as oil and paint. It will also demonstrate its ability to provide real-time information to the warfighter via a text message or on a laptop computer. With the data supplied by the spacecraft, the commander in the theater of interest can determine if the object is something to be concerned about or a decoy.”

A second payload -- the Office of Naval Research’s satellite communications package – will employ sea-based buoys as data sites. The Satellite Communications Package experiment will collect information from the ocean equipment and transmit it to a ground station as another communicative tool to enhance the warfighter’s ability to stay ahead of an adversary.

The satellite’s third payload – Air Force Research Laboratory’s space avionics experiment -- will involve plug-and-play avionics, which features reprogrammable parts to link the payload and the satellite structure.

The TacSat-3 spacecraft is a pioneer of the emerging operationally responsive space program, and designed to meet the needs of U.S. forces for flexible, affordable and responsive satellite systems. The TacSat-3 program is a joint effort of the Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Air Force Space Command, the Department of Defense's Operationally Responsive Space Office, the Office of Naval Research, and AFRL’s Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland AFB.

The October launch will occur at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va.

USS Ronald Reagan Strike Group Arrives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Bill Larned, Carrier Strike Group 7 Public Affairs



PORT KELANG, Malaysia (NNS) -- Three ships and more than 5,500 Sailors of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 arrived in Malaysia for a port visit Aug. 18.

The strike group's flagship, the Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) pulled into Port Kelang.

"This visit helps build maritime cooperation and cultural understanding between the United States and Malaysia," said Rear Adm. Phil Wisecup, commander, Carrier Strike Group 7. "We're all pretty excited to visit a modern, vibrant city like Kuala Lumpur."

This marks the fifth port visit for CSG 7 during its 2008 Western Pacific deployment, and the second visit to Malaysia by USS Ronald Reagan. The carrier last visited in June 2006.

"Our Sailors plan to do some sightseeing and shopping in this magnificent country," said Capt. Kenneth Norton, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer. "They'll also make a positive impact for the needy ashore."

More than 320 strike group Sailors will volunteer their time and efforts in eight community service projects in Malaysian orphanages, schools and homes for the elderly.
Sailors will have opportunities to explore Malaysia during Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities, including rock climbing, elephant rides in Kuala Gandah and tours of downtown Kuala Lumpur and historical Malacca.

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is currently in the U.S. 7th Fleet's area of responsibility as part of a routine deployment to promote peace, cooperation and stability in the region. Homeported in San Diego, USS Ronald Reagan is the Navy's newest Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.

Officials work to reduce air violations over conventions

Check NOTAMS, Fly Informed! A CONR poster depicts the intercept of a private aircraft to remind pilots of the temporary flight restrictions in effect during the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. CONR distributed the posters to fixed-base operators within 100 nautical miles of Denver and Minneapolis/St. Paul to reminD pilots to "Check NOTAMS, Fly Informed!" (U.S. Air Force photo)

by Mike Strickler, 1st Air Force (AFNORTH/CONR) Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- The Continental U.S. NORAD Region is partnering with the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Aviation Administration to help reduce airspace violations near Denver and Minneapolis/St. Paul during the 2008 Democratic and Republican National Conventions.

Public and private airports, known as fixed-base operators, within 100 miles of the convention sites will display CONR posters reminding aviators of FAA-issued temporary flight restrictions, or TFRs, in effect from Aug. 25 through Sept. 4.

CONR fighters will also be on alert during that period to enforce the special airspace if needed.

CONR, the U.S. region of NORAD's North American triad, is responsible for airspace defense over the contiguous U.S., and supports special events like the Super Bowl, Major League Baseball playoffs, and the Olympics. As the national political conventions bring large crowds and national leaders to their venues, CONR and its federal partners take special security measures to protect the airspace around them.

While civilian law enforcement agencies shoulder the primary responsibility for event security, the U.S. Secret Service is the lead agency for bringing federal support to the conventions. In that role, they work closely with the FAA to define necessary airspace restrictions, and with CONR to identify the air defense needed to patrol them.

For the 2008 conventions, CONR assets will be in place near Denver and Minneapolis/St. Paul respective homes to the Democratic and Republican national conventions.

To help reduce potential TFR violations CONR launched an outreach effort aimed at general aviators. Posters depicting an intercept by military aircraft steer pilots to FAA-posted Notices to Airman, or NOTAMs, available on the FAA Web site. These NOTAMs list the latest information on restricted airspace, including projected TFRs and the times and coordinates where they are in effect.

The FAA requires pilots to check NOTAMs prior to flying anywhere in the U.S.
According to Major General Hank Morrow, CONR commander, the outreach and air defense measures will work together in providing Americans the greatest level of support during the election season.

"CONR serves as part of a layered defense that protects our national airspace every day, so these are core missions that we and our federal partners are undertaking to support our national conventions," he said. "It's a noble duty to be able to protect these events as our citizens participate in the traditional democratic processes that define us as Americans."

NORAD has conducted air patrols throughout the U.S. and Canada since the start of Operation Noble Eagle -- the command's response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

15 NATO Countries Get C-17 Aircraft for Shared Use

Fifteen NATO members are close to receiving three C-17 cargo planes for their shared use. Click NATO Gets The C-17 if you want a pop up media player.

NATO forces a step closer to obtaining C-17s
by Army Sgt. 1st Class Reeba Critser
U.S. Mission to NATO

8/14/2008 - BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFPN) -- Three C-17 Globemaster IIIs are only three signatures away from finding a new home at Papa Air Base, Hungary.

After years of planning, NATO members and partners are only a few signatures away from gaining access to the C-17s to share for their national requirements, to include NATO missions in Afghanistan.

"Some countries don't have enough [need for] airlift to purchase their own C-17s," said Peter Flory, the assistant secretary general for NATO's defense investment.

NATO officials said the solution is to share the C-17s. The initiative, called Strategic Air Capability, or SAC, allows 12 NATO members and 2 partners to draw on the aircraft's capabilities at a fixed rate.

First, all the nations must sign a memorandum of understanding. Then they pay the acquisition cost. After that, they only have to pay the operating cost at the end of each year. The nations then request flight hours with an operations team located at Papa AB.

The team at Papa factors in time between aircraft usage for emergency use. The officials also can trade their flight hours with other nations in the group. If maintenance is required, the consortium will pull the costs from their operating budget to make the repairs.

The decision to use C-17s for the initiative was made with the capabilities available at the time, said a U.S. defense advisor to the European Union. NATO countries were looking for an aircraft that could carry large cargo, land while under combat, and on short runways. The C-17s fit that description.

According to a Boeing spokesman, the recommended use of the C-17 is 1,000 flight hours a year, which gives the aircraft a life expectancy of 30 years.

"With a full payload, the C-17 can go a distance of 2,400 nautical miles and (fly at an altitude of) up to 28,000 feet," said Col. John Zazworsky, commander of the Heavy Airlift Wing at Pápa AB, and commander of C-17 operations for SAC.

"The C-17 was designed around the cargo load," he said. "It can convert to airline or cargo seats. It can handle a combination of passengers, vehicles, track vehicles, cargo, medical evacuations, hummers, fire trucks, helicopters, an Abrams tank - up to 75 metric tons -- and can land on short, austere landing zones."

The U.S. Air Force has about 180 C-17s in its own fleet.

U.S. officials will be providing the personnel to operate the C-17s until each nation in the consortium is ready to handle them on their own.

"Initially, there will only be U.S. personnel manning the C-17s," Colonel Zazworsky said. "But with training, the countries will be able to use their own pilots and loadmasters. It will take a year-and-a-half to train the country's crew and for them to be comfortable with the C-17 to fly on their own."

U.S. officials are providing one aircraft as a national contribution and the other partner nations are purchasing the other two aircraft. However, all three aircraft will be owned by the consortium and can be used at the nations' discretion.

SAC officials say they hope to receive the first aircraft in spring 2009.

Rodney M. Davis returns from RIMPAC, Workups

By By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Dagendesh, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Det. Northwest

The guided-missile frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) steams in the operating area of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008.

EVERETT, Wash. (NNS) -- Friends and family members of the crew of USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) stood patiently on the pier as the ship moored at Naval Station Everett Aug. 15, following the guided missile frigate's participation in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008 exercise.

RIMPAC is a large-scale biennial multinational maritime exercise designed to help increase mutual cooperation and enhance operation capabilities among countries around the Pacific rim.

Following Rodney M. Davis's participation in RIMPAC, the ship went to the Southern California operating area to conduct workups with their helicopter detachment.

"Our primary mission is anti-surface warfare," said Command Master Chief Clifford Smith. "We provided a screen for the strike group against submarines and also conducted maritime interdiction operations (MIO)."

Ten nations took part in RIMPAC 2008 and conducted the exercise in the waters off Hawaii.

"The reason for this operation was to help prepare the crew for our upcoming deployment," said Smith.

For one Sailor, the underway was typical, yet one which had purpose.

"The underway period went well as expected, but I am really glad to be back," said Seaman Pierre Neal. "Being underway was suspenseful and treacherous because we were practicing a lot of drills. They really got to be monotonous, but it is understood that if, and when, an emergency situation arises, each Sailor will be equipped with vital knowledge to help save the ship and crew."

Toward the conclusion of RIMPAC, Rodney M. Davis engaged in a workup exercise in preparation for their next deployment before taking aboard 30 embarked guests for a "tiger cruise" and returning to Naval Station Everett.

Air Guard Predator pilots increase combat air patrols

An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft assigned to the Arizona Air National Guard's 214th Reconnaissance Group is parked in a hanger at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., following the unit's activation in August 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christina Kinsey)

by Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith, National Guard Bureau Public Affairs

Although they are some of the busiest pilots in the U.S. military, Air National Guard pilots who are now flying unmanned aircraft from the ground said they still climb into the cockpit and get some flight time whenever they can.

Lt. Col. Rick Gibney, operations group commander and MQ-1 Predator pilot for the North Dakota Air Guard's 178th Reconnaissance Squadron, said he and other pilots who have switched from flying F-16 Fighting Falcons to piloting unmanned aircraft thousands of miles away are finding ways to get back into the wild blue yonder.

"There are a number of us who are private pilots who still get flying time in some way," said Colonel Gibney. He added that his squadron has full-time airline pilots who are also "fully engaged in the Predator mission."

But finding free time for anything now is not so easy, he said. Pilots in Air National Guard Predator squadrons have more than doubled their combat air patrols in Iraq and Afghanistan to support the war-fight, so much so that Colonel Gibney added himself to the aircrew's work schedule. That helps make it possible for his pilots to take leave, go flying or just relax.

Guard officials said the remotely piloted Predator with its full motion video is praised regularly by ground forces who are rounding up criminals in Iraq and Afghanistan. The turbo-prop aircraft's strength rests in its ability to fly for extended hours while watching over ground convoys and raids.

Since 2005, Air Guard officials have stood up three Predator units in California, Arizona and North Dakota that maintain at least seven overseas CAPs around the clock. One additional squadron is standing up in Texas. Guard officials also are standing up their first MQ-9 Reaper squadron in New York.

Air Guard CAPs are coordinated through the Air Force's 432d Air Expeditionary Wing at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada. The active-duty wing is the central hub for all MQ-1 and MQ-9 unmanned aircraft missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Initial plans called for one CAP per Air Guard squadron, Colonel Gibney said. But the success of the Predator in the war on terror brought demands for more patrols.

"We know that Predator is critical to the nation's defense," said Col. Robert Becklund, commander for the 119th Wing in Fargo, N.D., that oversees both the Predator squadron and a C-21 airlift squadron. He added that 50 percent of his Airmen have retrained for new specialties and missions since 2005. More than two thirds of the wing's F-16 pilots chose to retrain for Predator.

The squadron stood up its first Predator CAP in June 2007. Missions are piloted remotely from a small, high-security building on the Fargo base that communicates to the aircraft and joint forces that are thousands of miles away. The wing took on a second CAP mission earlier this year with no additional manning.

Becklund said morale is high among his pilots despite the squadron's 100-percent mobilization.

"We're glad to be in these missions right now," Colonel Becklund said.

Colonel Gibney said the squadron may soon rotate Predator pilots for operational breaks and flight time through its C-21 "bridge" mission, which in the future may put them in the cockpit of a new C-27 Spartan, joint cargo aircraft.

"We want to give them the opportunity," said Colonel Gibney. "So it's not a one-way door that you go into Predator and that's where you are for the rest of your career."

But why the pilots choose to climb out of their cockpits and fly the Predator varies greatly, said Colonel Gibney.

"You go down the list and everyone has a different reason for it," he said. "Maybe they wanted to be closer to home yet still serve in the warfight."

"I fly commercially on the outside, so this is the opportunity to do a mission that affects what's going on with the war every day, but I still get to fly," said a Predator pilot from the California Air Guard's 196th Reconnaissance Squadron, who withheld her name for security purposes. "That's why I stayed."

California Air Guard pilots operated the Guard's first Predator CAP at Nellis AFB, Nev., in 2006. Its pilots retrained from flying KC-135 Stratotankers after the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Act relocated their aircraft to several other bases.

The squadron now is operating three overseas CAPs around the clock from their home at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., and they receive letters of thanks from Soldiers in Iraq.

In western New York, Airmen from the state's 174th Fighter Wing recently returned from Iraq where they got to see Predators operate. That was their final F-16 deployment. The Air Guard members soon will begin training as ground-pilots, sensor operators and as other technicians for a new MQ-9 Reaper mission.

"We just got back from Operation Iraqi Freedom doing close air support with the F-16. Now we are going to do the same mission with the MQ-9," said Col. Greg Semmel, operations group commander.

Colonel Semmel agreed that their qualified, experienced pilots will be very valuable to the transition.

"Looking from our perspective, it's really essential for the initial cadre to come from a background where they are familiar with the mission," he said.

"The seasoned aviators are the people the Guard brings to this fight and are exactly the people needed in the Predator," said Colonel Gibney. "Not just tactically, but in the flying sense. The more seasoned the better."