Truman Prepares for Yard Period

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David R. Finley Jr., USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Shortly after returning from its current underway period, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) will begin a long-awaited maintenance period in Portsmouth, Va., Feb. 28.

A dry-docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) is a shipyard period during which the ship receives any repairs or system upgrades it needs to remain operating at maximum capacity.

"We are going in to replace equipment that can only be done while there is no water surrounding the ship," said Lt. Cmdr. Homer Hensy, USS Harry S. Truman maintenance manager. "We have a lot of dock work to do out there, and we are going to make the propulsion plant better. Also, we are upgrading our cooperative engagement capabilities on the ship to better communicate with the rest of the fleet and bring Truman into the 21st century."

While in the shipyards, Truman will receive a complete makeover. Some of the planned improvements include new and up-to-date steering equipment, improved systems on the bridge and new radar antennas.

"The shipyard workers are going to remove the mast and replace it with a more consolidated model," said Hensy. "They are also ripping out all four screws, shafts and rudders so they can be replaced. There will be a lot of re-construction aft of frame 180."

Truman Sailors should also expect to see a noticeable improvement in the overall quality of living aboard once the availability is complete.

"We are taking on what I would say is the most aggressive habitability I have ever seen outside of an aircraft carrier that is being refueled," said Hensy. "We are going to refurbish at least half of the spaces aft of frame 180."

Hensy said safety will be a top priority during the maintenance period.

"Safety is a major factor out in the shipyards," said Hensy. "We are going to be in an industrial environment with welding and power cables going everywhere. Sailors must be careful when moving about the ship. Just because we are not flying planes out there does not mean that it's not a dangerous environment."

Crew members will be required to view several DPIA related safety videos during this underway period.
"Sailors need to be very mindful of their surroundings and know where they are on the ship at all times," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW/AW/FMF) Justin Pearce.

The DPIA is key for Truman to remain up-to-date and perform its duties at the highest level.

"We are going to come out of this availability with an even higher level of material condition of readiness, and a more capable warfighting ship to do whatever the country needs us to do," said Hensy.

Milcom Blog Logs - 27 Feb 2011 - USASA MidWest Collection Site

Time for another exclusive HF blog log report from the radio ranch at the USASA MidWest Collection Site.

3267.5 HF-USB
0205Z - NNN0FWM NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 South Texas MARS 6S1B net

3308.0 HF-USB
0108Z - AFF7KS NCS for the Air Force North Central Area Region MARS NCM4 net: AFA5DW
0203Z - Air Force North Central Area MARS NCM1 net: AFF7KS / AFN7NC / AFA7LY / AFE5EC

3320.5 HF-USB
0107Z - Navy/MC Region 4 South Carolina MARS 4G1B net: NNN0KCS / NNN0GBS

3325.0 HF-USB
0134Z - Navy/MC Region 5 Indiana MARS 5B1B net: NNN0AJB / NNN0LZD

3349.0 HF-USB
0105Z - NNN0OGQ NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 East Texas MARS 6E1B net: NNN0SAF / NNN0HHO

3370.5 HF-USB
0207Z - AFA6JY NCS for the Air Force Region 6 MARS 6M3 net

3384.0 HF-USB
0006Z - Link-11 data transmission

3390.0 HF-USB
0006Z - Navy/MC Region 4 Mississippi MARS 4E2B net: NNN0BIF
0104Z - Navy/MC Region 5 MARS 5X1B net: NNN0BUX
0202Z - Navy/MC Region 4 MARS 4X9B net: NNN0ICX

4002.9 HF-LSB
0058Z - Army Region 4 North Carolina MARS AAA4NC/T net: AAR4FF
0101Z - Army Region 4 MARS AAA4RD/M net: AAM4TTN / AAA4AL / AAR4CX

4007.0 HF-USB
0004Z - Navy/MC Region 7 Nebraska / Kansas MARS 7N1B net: NNN0AMY
0030Z - Navy/MC Region 5 Minnesota MARS 5G1B net: NNN0BQH
0136Z - Navy/MC Region 7 Missouri MARS 7H1B net: NNN0HBY / NNN0AZM
2308Z - Navy/MC Region 7 MARS 7X5Y (MT-63) net
2330Z - NNN0TUL NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 Iowa MARS 7D3B net: NNN0AJJ

4008.5 HF-USB
0004Z - Navy/MC Region 6 Louisiana MARS 6L1B net: NNN0ZRT
0102Z - NNN0AJJ NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 Oklahoma MARS 6O1B net
1500Z - NNN0ENS NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 Oklahoma MARS 6O2B net
2200Z - NNN0AZO NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 Oklahoma MARS 6O3B net

4011.0 HF-USB
0003Z - NNN0AHH NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 Arkansas MARS 6A1B net: NNN0AFW
1406Z - NNN0AS7 NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 Iowa MARS 7D2A net//closes net 1409Z//

4013.5 HF-USB
0004Z - NNN0BDW NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Kentucky MARS 4K2B net: NNN0AJJ

4020.9 HF-USB
0032Z - Army Region 6 MARS AAA6RD/A net: AAR6TA
0103Z - AAR6TA NCS for the Army Region 6 MARS AAA6RD/A net: AAR6CH
0206Z - AAR6TU NCS for the Army Region 6 MARS AAA6RD/A net: AAR6OA

4035.9 HF-USB
0201Z - AAR7RD NCS for the Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/B net: NNN0AJJ
1405Z - AAR7DZ NCS for the Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/D net

4038.5 HF-USB
0200Z - NNN0ANX NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Tennessee MARS 4H2B net: NNN0HBJ
0301Z - NNN0TJC NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Alabama MARS 4A2B net
1403Z - Navy/MC Region 4 Tennessee MARS 4H1B net: NNN0TWA

4041.0 HF-USB
0030Z - NNN0FKW NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Ohio MARS 5N5B net

4517.0 HF-USB
1400Z - AFD7MO NCS for the Air Force North Central Area Region 7 Missouri MARS 7MOS1 net: AFA7VL
1501Z - AFF7NE NCS for the Air Force North Central Area Region 7 Nebraska MARS 7NES1 net: AFD7MO

4603.0 HF-USB
[01:12:40][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC8 ][AL0] BER 13 SN 06
[01:32:12][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC8FEM ][AL0] BER 10 SN 06

4724.0 HF-USB
0131Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 22 character EAM HZEUN7
0201Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) repeats 22 character EAM HZEUN7
0209Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 20 character EAM SCFPHM to All Stations

4825.0 HF-USB
2300Z - Navy/MC Region 6 MARS 6X4B net: NNN0WKH

6721.0 HF-USB
[08:31:29][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][ADW ][AL0] BER 16 SN 07
[11:31:52][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][ADW ][AL0] BER 17 SN 07

6739.0 HF-USB
0209Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 20 character EAM SCFPHM to All Stations

7302.0 HF-USB
1401Z - AFA6CF NCS for the Air Force Region 6 MARS 6M1 net
1601Z - AFA6FX NCS for the Air Force Region 6 MARS 6M5 net: AFA6WD

7305.0 HF-USB
2007Z - AFA7DA-T NCS for the Air Force North Central Area NCTGM2 net: AFE5PI

7329.0 HF-USB
1606Z - AFF8WY NCS for the Air Force Region 8 MARS 8WYS1 net: AFA8AD / AFF8SD / AFA8CQ

7348.0 HF-USB
[20:47:07][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC8 ][AL0] BER 18 SN 07
[20:54:45][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC8FEM ][AL0] BER 22 SN 07

7457.0 HF-USB
1402Z - Air Force Region 4 MARS 4S2 net: AFA4QY / AFA4NG

8992.0 HF-USB
0209Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 20 character EAM SCFPHM to All Stations
0219Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 28 character EAM HZSQVB to All Stations

9121.5 HF-USB
0048Z - Link-11 data transmission

9462.0 HF-USB
[20:03:44][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC6 ][AL0] BER 12 SN 05
[20:03:48][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC6FEM ][AL0] BER 16 SN 05

10194.0 HF-USB
[18:20:28][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC6FEM ][AL0] BER 22 SN 05
[18:22:00][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC0 ][AL0] BER 15 SN 05
[18:23:42][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC1 ][AL0] BER 16 SN 05

11175.0 HF-USB
1621Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 28 character EAM HZDSVX to All Stations

14389.0 HF-USB
1602Z - Air Force MARS APCN1 Phone Patch Admin net: AFA1RE

15016.0 HF-USB
1621Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 28 character EAM HZDSVX to All Station

Space weather team readies for upcoming solar max

Staff Sgt. Matthew Money monitors the near earth space environment at the 2nd Weather Squadron's space weather operations center located inside the Air Force Weather Agency at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The sun's last solar maximum occurred in 2000 and therefore it is expected to awaken from its current solar minimum and get more and more active this year. Sergeant Money is a forecaster with the 2nd WS space weather flight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Josh Plueger)

by Ryan Hansen, 55th Wing Public Affairs

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AFNS) -- Solar max may sound like the name of a super hero, but it's certainly no comic book or 3-D movie.

Solar max is actually the name for the sun's most active period in the solar cycle, consistently producing solar emissions, solar flares and sun spots.

For a little background on the sun's activities, the star goes through roughly 11-year cycles of where it is very active and also relatively calm.

The sun's last solar maximum occurred in 2000 and it is expected to awaken from its current solar minimum and get more active this year.

According to the members of the 2nd Weather Squadron, an active sun can cause all sorts of problems for us.

"Solar weather plays a huge part in the warfighter's mission," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Money, a forecaster with the space weather flight. "Impacts from solar weather can cause radio blackouts, satellite communication failure, satellite orbit changes, satellite surface charging, or short circuits, and radar clutter."

That is why the squadron's worldwide space weather team of roughly 50 active-duty members, civilians and contractors continually analyze, forecast and provide alert notifications for the entire Department of Defense, as well as a slew of other government agencies.

"When space weather causes impacts to earth that meet or exceed warning thresholds our end users are informed within minutes," said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lash, space weather flight forecaster.

"We send out warning bulletins through a computerized distribution system, (and) we have other graphical products that show what happened in the past six hours around the globe as well as what we expect to happen in the upcoming six hours," he said.

Members of the 2nd WS rely on five ground-based solar observatories as well as a network of satellites orbiting the earth, to accomplish their mission.

"There aren't too many opportunities to be the Air Force's sole provider of something," said Lt. Col. Jim Jones, 2nd WS commander. "In this case, the mission is unique to the entire DOD."

Solar observatories are strategically placed around the globe in such places as Australia, Hawaii, Italy, Massachusetts and New Mexico. They include both optical and radio telescopes and ensure the squadron always has one eye, or ear, on the sun.

"The optical telescope network monitors solar surface features," said Master Sgt. Shane McIntire, the space weather flight chief. "It automatically tracks the sun and directs light to the instruments, which collect data and are controlled by computers. It scans specific regions at a rate of at least twice per minute."

Through filtered lenses space weather analysts are able to perform flare patrol and view sunspots to determine the magnetic complexity of the region.

"The telescope has special filters that isolate a single optical wavelength," said Master Sgt. Shane Siebert, who leads Det. 4's solar observatory for the 2nd WS at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.

"This wavelength, 6563 angstroms, is called hydrogen alpha, or H-Alpha, and is where the majority of solar activity occurs," he said. "Analysts monitor this wavelength from sunrise to sunset, and are looking for specific signatures that may lead to solar flares and other adverse activity."

But not all of the sun's activities can be captured using optical telescopes. Some events have a unique radio-frequency signature that can also be measured.

Using a mixture of technology from the 1970s to the present, radio observatories are able to monitor frequencies in the 25-180 megahertz range, as well as eight other discrete frequencies. Their digitized output is collected by a computer and then processed and analyzed for solar activity.

"We actually are able to detect the specific strength at a given radio frequency," said Maj. Bradley Harbaugh, who commands Det. 5's solar observatory for the 2nd WS at Palehua, Hawaii. "What we detect are energetic solar emissions in (specific) frequency bands or ranges. When detected, we (are able to describe) the start time, duration, intensity and type of solar emission. This helps describe the potential impacts by identifying the characteristics of what may impact earth."

Identifying these solar emissions is crucial to the warfighter's communication abilities.

"If there is solar energy that increases on your frequency, you can try to talk into your radio, but the noise from the sun will be stronger than your transmission, therefore drowning out what you are saying," Major Harbaugh said. "As an operator, you can increase your radio power to try and 'out-broadcast' the sun, but you are also now broadcasting over a much larger area, making your transmission more susceptible to enemy detection. Therefore, the sun's impact must be a consideration when planning a mission."

The squadron's network of satellites includes those owned and operated by the DOD, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They include a combination of systems that are both dedicated solely to space weather as well as a few that utilize space weather sensors.

"We gather a significant amount of data from satellites," Sergeant McIntire said. "Imagery from (satellites) can augment the ground-based network, providing real-time monitoring of solar features at wavelengths that can't be seen from the ground."

Data from all of these sources combined are continually pushed to the space weather operations center at the Air Force Weather Agency here. With this information in hand, the squadron can produce the most reliable space weather forecast possible.

However, even with all of this data, producing a space weather forecast is still much more difficult than creating one for terrestrial weather.

"Space weather is a terribly difficult science and it takes a lot of training and experience," Colonel Jones said.

"Space weather forecasting is very reactive," Sergeant Money said. "The knowledge and tools are not quite up to par in order to do accurate forecasting like we do here on Earth."

It is also important to note that today the world is much more reliant on space-based assets than they were during the last solar max, officials said. With cellular phones, portable navigation devices and satellite television receivers all part of our daily lives, a huge solar weather event could wreak havoc on quite a few different platforms.

"The impact of a solar storm in 2000 was probably not as great, due to the lower density of space technology, and the limited number of consumers utilizing the data," Major Harbaugh said. "However, the ripple from a major solar event now will more likely be felt across a much broader consumer base, the public, since there are many more assets and many more users of space data."

However, with improved technology and an increased knowledge of the sun's activities, the squadron is more prepared than ever for the upcoming solar max, Colonel Jones said.

"Since the last solar max, we've upgraded most of our numerical models in terms of both their basic science and the data they ingest," he said. "That's a direct result of the advances in sensors and the technology that enables rapid data transfer. We can react faster and see farther than ever before."

"We already have members within the unit developing forecast techniques based on signatures we see on the sensors," Sergeant Money said.

So it's a safe bet that the next couple of years will be hectic for the 2nd WS. Their mission to provide situational awareness to key decision makers will certainly keep them busy.

"In the last month alone, we've had (more than 30) reportable energy events," Major Harbaugh said. "The workload has already increased and will continue to do so for probably the next year or two."

"About a year ago, it was not uncommon for an analyst to only have one very small region of the sun to monitor," Sergeant Siebert said. "Today, it is normal for analysts to keep fairly busy monitoring four-to-six regions.

"Studies of the last solar max show that a typical day included 22 active regions, almost four times our current workload," he added.

Regardless, the squadron's space weather analysts, forecasters and technicians around the globe are ready for the sun's upcoming fury, Colonel Jones said.

Milcom Blog Logs - Feb 2011 - Baltimore MD

If you are in the Baltimore-Washington DC area and looking for some active milair freqs to monitor, I highly suggest programming the excellent list below from Ron. He monitored these freqs from his Mid-Atlantic monitoring post during the month of February 2011. Thanks for sharing Ron.

AAF Army Air Field
AFB Air Force Base
ArNG Army National Guard
ARTCC Air Route Traffic Control Center
RCAG Remote Communications Air/Ground

118.125 FACSFAC, Virginia Capes "Giant Killer" W386 check in/out
118.400 Andrews AFB Tower
118,675 Potomac TRACON
118.950 Potomac TRACON
119.275 NAS Patuxent River Area Advisory Control Bay Watch
119.100 Ronald Reagan National Airport (KDCA) tower.
119.300 Potomac TRACON
119.850 Potomac TRACON
120.050 NAS Patuxent River Approach/Departure
121.000 NAS Patuxent River Approach/Departure
121.300 Martin State Airport Tower
121.500 VHF guard
121.675 Washington ARTCC Montebello
123.200 NAS Patuxent River NTPS
123.225 Northrop-Grumman Test Facility, Baltimore
123.400 FAA Operations Reagan National & Atlantic City International Airport-also alternate freq for Northrop-Grumman Test Facility, Baltimore
123.700 NAS Patuxent River tower
124.000 Potomac TRACON Arlington National Cemetary Fly-by control
126.300 Davison AAF/Felker AAF VA tower
125.650 Potomac TRACON
126.550 Potomac TRACON
125.900 Dover AFB Arrival
126.150 Phillips AAF Aberdeen MD
126.200 Weide AAF Aberdeen MD
126.300 Davison AAF Tower
126.350 Dover AFB Tower
126.550 Potomac TRACON
127.950 NAS Patuxent River Approach/Departure
128.350 Potomac TRACON
132.425 Dover AFB Approach/Departure
132.550 Washington ARTCC Snow Hill RCAG Cape Charles sector
133.900 Washington ARTCC Calvert
134.100 Dover AFB and McGuire AFB Command Post
134.350 Washington Helo Control (DCA)
135.025 NAS Patuxent River GCA
135.525 Washington ARTCC DC area/Guard Dog CAP

136.525 US Customs (AM Mode)
136.725 SAM A-A (AM Mode) (May have been changed to 292.8)
138.200 Atlantic City International Airport 119FS NJ ANG (AM mode)
139.150 Andrews AFB 121FS DC ANG (AM mode)
139.300 Andrews AFB Pilot to Dispatcher (AM mode)
139.400 Davidson AAF Operations (AM mode)
139.700 NORAD Eastern Air Defense Sector Huntress (AM mode)
139.875 McGuire Tanker Interplane (AM mode)
139.850 Sierra Nevada Corp test discrete (FM Mode)
139.900 Andrews AFB MD 121st FS SOF (AM Mode)
141.550 Andrews AFB Griffin Command Post (AM mode)
141.700 Andrews AFB 89AW/1HS Operations (AM mode)
141.750 Langley AFB Dispatch (AM mode)
142.750 Andrews AFB MD SAM OPS, 99th AS (AM Mode)
143.150 Andrews AFB 121FS DC ANG (AM mode)
143.600 Andrews AFB 121FS DC ANG (AM mode)
148.150 Maryland Civil Air Patrol (FM Mode)
149.275 Maryland Civil Air Patrol, Martin State Airport Baltimore (FM Mode)
157.050 US Coast Guard Air Station Wash DC (KDCA)-also used as A-A for CGAS Wash HH-65Cs (FM Mode)
157.150 US Coast Guard HH-65Cs at CGAS Wash (KDCA) (FM-Mode)

227.125 Washington ARTCC Hagerstown RCAG
228.175 Langley AFB 1FW Air-Air
228.450 Langley AFB 1FW Air-Air
228.900 Huntress DC area/Guard Dog CAP
231.200 Virginia ArNG Ops Richmond IAP VA
233.700 FACSFAC, Virginia Capes "Giant Killer" W72
233.850 NAS Patuxent River MD "Shade Tree" control
234.800 Andrews AFB MD 121st FS DC ANG SOF
236.825 Washington ARTCC Snow Hill RCAG
237.200 Bollen Range/Kiowa MOA, Ft Indiantown GAP PA
238.100 FACSFAC, Virginia Capes "Giant Killer" W386 check in/out
238.900 AR 636 primary
239.050 New York ARTCC Joliet RCAG Lancaster sector
239.800 McGuire AFB/Langley AFB Metro
241.000 Weide AAF, Aberseen MD
241.300 Pentagon Heliport
241.450 NAS Patuxent River MD
243.000 UHF Guard
249.650 NAS Patuxent River test discrete
249.800 FACSFAC, Virginia Capes "Giant Killer" W386 check in/out
250.300 NAS Patuxent River Approach/Departure
250.700 NAS Patuxent River VX-23 Operations
250.850 NAS Patuxent River Area Advisory Control Bay Watch
251.200 McGuire AFB NJ CP (Brickyard)
251.250 Langley AFB Command Post (Raymond 16)
254.200 FACSFAC, Virginia Capes "Giant Killer" discrete (LFI 14 prime).
254.300 Washington ARTCC Ship Bottom RCAG Coyle sector
255.000 FACSFAC, Virginia Capes "Giant Killer" W107
255.400 Leesburg VA/Millville DE Radio FSS
255.700 US Army helo A-A
256.500 NAS Patuxent River Area Advisory Control Bay Watch
257.200 Potomac TRACON
257.700 Washington ARTCC Whaleyville RCAG Salisbury sector
257.875 Dover AFB Approach/Departure
260.900 Huntress DC area/Guard Dog CAP
261.000 119 FS NJ ANG Devil Ops Atlantic City International Airport
262.025 Langley AFB Air-Air 149th FS VA ANG
262.600 NAS Patuxent River MD GCA
262.950 NAS Patuxent River Echo Control
263.100 Washington ARTCC Azalea sector
264.150 NAS Patuxent River NTPS Operations
264.550 NAS Patuxent River Echo Control
267.350 Sierra Nevada Corp test discrete
268.800 NAS Chambers VA Operations
268.850 NAS Patuxent River Echo Control
269.100 New York ARTCC Milton Sector
269.900 Langley AFB Virginia A-A
270.275 Potomac TRACON
270.300 New York ARTCC Big Flat RCAG Lancaster sector
270.800 NAS Patuxent River Area Advisory Control Bay Watch-PAX button #9
271.600 NAS Norfolk Metro
273.950 MCB/MCAF Quantico HMX-1 discrete
274.450 AAR 777 primary
276.675 Langley AFB Virginia A-A
277.600 NORAD Eastern Air Defense Sector Huntress
279.275 Potomac TRACON Arlington National Cemetary Fly-by control
278.300 New York ARTCC Flint Hill RCAG Pottstown sector
281.400 Washington ARTCC Patuxent River RCAG Calvert sector
281.450 Washington ARTCC Atlantic City RCAG
281.525 Harrisburg Approach/Departure
281.800 NAS Patuxent River Approach/Departure
282.250 Washington ARTCC Bucks Elbow RCAG Casanova sector
283.100 Warren Grove NJ Range
283.750 457th AS Andrews AFB MD "Caribou" Ops
284.700 Washington ARTCC Bucks Elbow RCAG Montebello sector
285.400 Washington ARTCC Sea Isle RCAG Casino sector
288.000 AR 777
288.350 Washington ARTCC
288.400 NORAD Eastern Air Defense Sector Huntress
290.425 Washington ARTCC Green Bay RCAG Franklin sector
291.500 NAS Patuxent River Echo Control
292.200 Andrews AFB 89AW/1HS Air-Air
292.800 Andrews AFB MD SAM A-A
296.900 Langley AFB A-A
297.000 CP (Pikeside) WVA ANG Martinsburg WVA
297.200 Martin State Airport Tower
299.000 NAS Patuxent River MD
302.550 NAS Patuxent River Ops
305.200 NAS Patuxent River Area Advisory Control Bay Watch
305.700 MCAS Cherry Pt NC CP
306.200 New York ARTCC Philipsburg RCAG
306.800 Willow Grove NAS/JRB Operations
307.025 Washington ARTCC Falls Church RCAG Potomac sector
310.550 NAS Patuxent River Echo Control
311.000 VQ-4 Det, NAS Patuxent River MD
312.300 FACSFAC, Virginia Capes "Giant Killer" W386 common (LFI 36 prime)
314.000 NAS Patuxent River Approach/Departure
314.250 Andrews AFB MD 201st AS DC ANG "Boxer" Ops
317.425 Potomac TRACON Departure
319.400 McGuire AFB CP "Brickyard"
320.450 NAS Patuxent River MD Echo Control
322.300 New York ARTCC Lancaster RGAG
322.400 New York ARTCC Middletown RGAG
322.550 Washington ARTCC Linden RCAG Linden sector
323.225 Washington ARTCC Hopewell sector
323.300 New York ARTCC Millville RCAG Lancaster sector
324.000 Huntress-DC area/Guard Dog CAP
327.000 Washington ARTCC Brooke sector
328.400 Andrews AFB VR-53 Operations
335.500 Potomac TRACON
335.600 New York ARTCC Modena RCAG
339.675 VX-20 NAS Patuxent River flight test discrete
341.100 NAS Patuxent River VSX-1 Ops
341.950 NAS Patuxent River Echo Control
342.000 Dover AFB Metro
343.625 NAS Patuxent River MD tower
344.600 Andrews AFB Metro
345.000 Coast Guard primary A-A
346.600 FACSFAC, Virginia Capes "Giant Killer" W386 common
347.200 Martin State Airport MD ANG Raven Ops
348.000 NAS Patuxent River MD Approach/Departure
348.725 Potomac TRACON
349.000 Andrews AFB Tower
349.400 Dover AFB Command Post
349.500 NAS Chambers VA CP
349.700 AR 20 primary
350.000 FACSFAC, Virginia Capes "Giant Killer" W386 common
350.250 ZDC DC area/Guard Dog CAP
351.200 Andrews AFB 459ARW/756ARS Command Post "Liberator"
354.150 Washington ARTCC Smyrna RCAG Kenton sector
354.800 NAS Patuxent River Area Advisory Control Bay Watch
355.300 MCAF Quantico VA Base Ops
359.100 Washington ARTCC Gordonsville Sector
360.700 Washington ARTCC Baltimore RCAG Swann sector
360.850 Washington ARTCC Falls Church RCAG Irons sector
363.000 Washington ARTCC Millville RCAG Woodstowne sector
363.900 Langley AFB VA A-A (39 prime)
364.125 Langley AFB VA 94th FS discrete
364.200 Huntress/AICC
365.700 NAS Patuxent River test discrete
368.800 Andrews AFB MD Naval Air Facility Ops
369.900 NAS Patuxent River Area Advisory Control Bay Watch
370.925 Norfolk Approach/Depature
376.200 Langley AFB Dispatch.
377.200 Washington ARTCC Tech Sector.
378.100 Andrews AFB Griffin Command Post
381.300 Pope AFB NC CP
381.700 NAS Patuxent River Echo Control
383.700 NAS Patuxent River MD "Sail Lab"
384.100 Martin State Airport 135th Command Post Crab Ops
395.100 193rd SOG PA ANG Harrisburg PA-Baton Ops

Milcom Blog Logs - 26 Feb 2011 - USASA MidWest Collection Site

Time for another exclusive HF blog log report from the radio ranch at the USASA MidWest Collection Site.

3267.5 HF-USB
0210Z - NNN0ETI NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 South Texas MARS 6S4C net: NNN0HKQ / NNN0HVB

3299.0 HF-USB
0109Z - AFA4UF NCS for the Air Force Region 4 MARS 4S1 net: AAN4FX (Memphis, Tn) / AFA4BF
0207Z - Air Force Region 4 Tennessee MARS 4TNS1 net: AFA4WZ

3308.0 HF-USB
0116Z - AFE5EC NCS for the Air Force North Central Area Region MARS NCECM1 net
0209Z - Air Force North Central Area MARS NCM1 net: AFN7NC

3320.5 HF-USB
0108Z - Navy/MC Region 4 South Carolina MARS 4G1B net: NNN0KCS

3325.0 HF-USB
0131Z - NNN0LZD NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Indiana MARS 5B1B net: NNN0TFL

3349.0 HF-USB
0107Z - NNN0SDD NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 East Texas MARS 6E1B net: NNN0EBX

3384.0 HF-USB
0011Z - Link-11 data transmission

3390.0 HF-USB
0105Z - Navy/MC Region 5 MARS 5X1B net: NNN0BUX
0204Z - Navy/MC Region 4 MARS 4X9B net: NNN0QAA

4007.0 HF-USB
0032Z - Navy/MC Region 5 Minnesota MARS 5G1B net: NNN0BQH
0134Z - Navy/MC Region 7 Missouri MARS 7H1B net: NNN0SVW
2301Z - NNN0AEV NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 MARS 7X5Y (MT-63) net: NNN0IBG / NNN0XZK
2331Z - NNN0XZK NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 Iowa MARS 7D3B net

4008.5 HF-USB
2200Z - NNN0AZO NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 Oklahoma MARS 6O3B net

4011.0 HF-USB
0003Z - NNN0AHH NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 Arkansas MARS 6A1B net
1406Z - Navy/MC Region 7 MARS 7X3C net: NNN0AS74 / NNN0SVW / NNN0VVI-T
2332Z - NNN0QCA NCS for the Navy/ MC Region 2 Northern New York MARS 2J1B net

4013.5 HF-USB
0006Z - Navy/MC Region 4 Kentucky MARS 4K2B net: NNN0BDW / NNN0ZJF

4020.9 HF-USB
0133Z - AAR6OA NCS for the Army Region 6 MARS AAA6RD/A net: AAR6LE / AAR6QE / AAR6GE

4035.9 HF-USB
0103Z - Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/IA net: AAM7IA
0203Z - AAM7MO NCS for the Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/B net
1405Z - AAM7RT NCS for the Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/D net: AAM7EIA

4038.5 HF-USB
0202Z - NNN0AOC NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Tennessee MARS 4H2B net: AAA9EC / NNN0LKA / NNN0PCC / NNN0TBK / NNN0TZL / NNN0ANX
0300Z - NNN0QAA NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Alabama MARS 4A2B net: NNN0OEE / NNN0SYH

4041.0 HF-USB
0033Z - NNN0KQE NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Ohio MARS 5N5B net

4464.5 HF-USB
0102Z - AFF6LA NCS for the Air Force Region 6 MARS 6M2 net: AFA6WD

4469.0 HF-USB
0101Z - Southeast Region Georgia CAP net: Georgia-CAP-34 / Georgia-CAP-41

4506.0 HF-USB
0001Z - MO-CAP-10 NCS for the North Central Region Missouri "MO-CAP" CAP net: North-Central-02

4517.0 HF-USB
1415Z - AFF5MN NCS for the Air Force North Central Area Region 5 Minnesota MARS 5MNS1 net: AFA7HZ

4603.0 HF-USB
[01:49:15][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC6FEM ][AL0] BER 13 SN 05

4604.0 HF-USB
0030Z - Red-Fox-17 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Illinois "Red_Fox" CAP net
0200Z - Red-Robin-898 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Michigan "Red-Robin" CAP net

4623.5 HF-USB
0031Z - NNN0SCV NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Illinois MARS 5I2B net

4724.0 HF-USB
0201Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) repeats 28 character EAM HZVPF4

4872.0 HF-USB
0017Z - AFA4DA NCS for the TRANSCON Digital Radio Relay Net (TRR) in MFSK-16: AFA4DP

5201.9 HF-USB
1410Z - AAR6OA conducting training for the Army Region 6 MARS AAA6RD/A net: AAR6LS / AAM6TX (sounded like)

6739.0 HF-USB
0100Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) repeats 28 character EAM HZVPF4
0130Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) repeats 28 character EAM HZVPF4

7302.0 HF-USB
1401Z - AFN6RD NCS for the Air Force Region 6 MARS 6ADS1 net: AFA6GB / AFF6AA / AFA6CN / AFD6RD / AFA6FH / AFF6AR
1501Z - AFA6CF NCS for the Air Force Region 6 MARS 6M4 net: AFA6GB / AFN6RD

7348.0 HF-USB
[15:24:03][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FR7 ][AL0] BER 14 SN 07
[15:24:05][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FR7FEM ][AL0] BER 11 SN 07
[15:27:10][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC6FEM ][AL0] BER 19 SN 06

7391.5 HF-USB
1503Z - NNN0ASF NCS for the Navy/MC South Area MARS SA1A net: NNN0GBY-1 / NNN0PNF / NNN0GAD-3 / NNN0GBY-10

7457.0 HF-USB
1404Z - AFA4QY for NCS of the Air Force Region 4 MARS 4S2 net: AFA4RP

7540.0 HF-USB
1506Z - AFA4DA NCS for the TRANSCON Digital Radio Relay Net (TRR) in MFSK-16: AAR5OQ

8912.0 HF-USB
[13:32:35][CHN 01][TO ][J19 ][TIS][OPB ][AL0] BER 17 SN 07
[23:51:47][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][708 ][AL0] BER 11 SN 06

9121.5 HF-USB
0220Z - Link-11 data transmission

9462.0 HF-USB
[16:10:51][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC6FEM ][AL0] BER 16 SN 05
[17:11:14][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FR3FEM ][AL0] BER 16 SN 05

14405.0 HF-USB
1601Z - Transcon Mission Support Net: AFA3LK

15016.0 HF-USB
0007Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass SKYKING, do not answer: HW7; time: 07; authentication: BI
0010Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 28 character EAM HZVPF4 to All Stations
0030Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) repeats 28 character EAM HZVPF4
1808Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass SKYKING, do not answer: (sound like) LH4; time: 08; authentication: KT

Milcom Blog Logs - 25 Feb 2011 - USASA MidWest Collection Site

Time for another exclusive HF blog log report from the radio ranch at the USASA MidWest Collection Site.

3267.5 HF-USB
0210Z - NNN0VHO NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 South Texas MARS 6S1B net: NNN0ETI

3272.0 HF-USB
0110Z - AAR7AT NCS for the Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/IA net: AAM7IA / AAM7TIA / AAR7FI

3299.0 HF-USB
0107Z - AFN4RD NCS for the Air Force Region 4 MARS 4S1 net: AFF4KY

3308.0 HF-USB
0224Z - AFA5JM NCS for the Air Force North Central Area MARS NCM1 net: AFA5HH

3320.5 HF-USB
0302Z - Navy/MC Region 8 Colorado / Wyoming MARS 8C1B net: (sound like) NNN0SBK

3325.0 HF-USB
0130Z - NNN0GAQ-2 NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Indiana MARS 5B5C net: NNN0TFL / NNN0SCX-T

3370.5 HF-USB
0208Z - AFA6DV NCS for the Air Force Region 6 MARS 6M3 net: AFA6BZ

3384.0 HF-USB
0006Z - Link-11 data transmission

3390.0 HF-USB
0105Z - NNN0GKQ NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 MARS 5X1B net: NNN0QGR / NNN0EPY
0208Z - Navy/MC Region 4 MARS 4X9B net: NNN0ICX
0305Z - NNN0TJC NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Alabama MARS 4A2B net: NNN0YGY

4002.9 HF-LSB
0005Z - AAA4FL NCS for the Army Region 4 Florida MARS AAA4FL/A net
0105Z - AAA4AL NCS for the Army Region 4 Alabama MARS AAA4AL/T net

4007.0 HF-USB
0004Z - NNN0AVT NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 Nebraska / Kansas MARS 7N1B net
0034Z - Navy/MC Region 5 Minnesota MARS 5G1B net: NNN0AXK
0132Z - NNN0THC NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 Missouri MARS 7H1B net: NNN0QGR / NNN0HBY
2302Z - NNN0SVW NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 MARS 7X5Y (MT-63) net
2331Z - NNN0QGB NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 Iowa MARS 7D3B net: NNN0UAO / NNN0TUL / NNN0XZK

4008.5 HF-USB
2200Z - NNN0BSF NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 Oklahoma MARS 6O3B net: NNN0QGC / NNN0AZO

4011.0 HF-USB
0003Z - NNN0AFW NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 Arkansas MARS 6A1B net: NNN0AHH

4013.5 HF-USB
0003Z - NNN0BTG NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Kentucky MARS 4K2B net: NNN0BTS / NNN0BTJ

4017.9 HF-USB
1414Z - (sound like) AAR8RT

4020.9 HF-USB
0103Z - AAR6BB NCS for the Army Region 6 MARS AAA6RD/A net: AAR6TU / AAR6OA

4035.9 HF-USB
0102Z - AAR7AT NCS for the Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/IA net: AAM7IA / AAM7TIA / AAR7FI
0206Z - AAR7PB NCS for the Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/B net: AAT7FD
1324Z - Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/C net: AAA7RD / AAM7RT
1423Z - Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/D net: AAR7AD

4038.5 HF-USB
0207Z - NNN0TBK NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Tennessee MARS 4H2B net: NNN0RBD / NNN0LKA / NNN0HBJ
0301Z - NNN0TJC NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Alabama MARS 4A2B net: NNN0SYH // move to alternate freq //

4039.0 HF-USB
0002Z - Link-11 data transmission

4041.0 HF-USB
0034Z - Navy/MC Region 5 Ohio MARS 5N5B net: NNN0LWN

4469.0 HF-USB
0101Z - Southeast Region CAP net: Goldenrod-11

4477.0 HF-USB
[02:57:14][CHN 01][SND][ ][TIS][0314MICAP ][AL0] BER 9 SN 06

4506.0 HF-USB
0001Z - MO-CAP-10 NCS for the North Central Region Missouri "MO-CAP" CAP net 0031Z - YellowBrick-56 NCS for the North Central Region Kansas "Yellow-Brick" CAP net: MO-CAP-10
1400Z - Red-Cloud-335 NCS for the North Central Region Nebraska "Red-Cloud" CAP net: Red-Cloud-144

4517.0 HF-USB
1411Z - AFE7DM NCS for the Air Force North Central Area MARS NCM3 net

4601.0 HF-USB
0200Z - Aspen-Gold-67 NCS for the Rocky Mountain Region Colorado Wing HF net: Blue-Mesa-386 / Blue-Mesa-419 / Star-Garnet-224 / Star-Garnet-430 / Star-Garnet-457 / Aspen-Gold-04 / High-Plains-04 / High-Plains-5904 / High-Plains-7504 / Red-Robin-314 // next net will be Sat morning

4604.0 HF-USB
0001Z - Red-Fire-114 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Indiana "Red_Fire" CAP net
0030Z - Red-Fox-75 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Illinois "Red_Fox" CAP net: Red-Fox-17
0100Z - Bluemound-03 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Wisconsin "Blue-Mound" CAP net
0200Z - Great Lakes Region Michigan "Red-Robin" CAP net: Red-Robin-579
1430Z - Red-Fox-17 NCS for the Great Lakes "Blue Lake" Region CAP net
2231Z - Red-Fox-17 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Illinois "Red-Fox" CAP net: Red-Fox-93
2300Z - Kentucky-CAP-148 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Kentucky CAP net
2330Z - Columbus-04 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Ohio "Columbus" CAP net: Red-Robin-127 / Red-Fox-75 / Goldenrod-595

4623.5 HF-USB
0030Z - NNN0SCV NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Illinois MARS 5I2B net: NNN0OAR
1401Z - NNN0UNK NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Wisconsin MARS 5W4B net
1501Z - Navy/MC Region 5 Illinois MARS 5I3B net: NNN0SCV

4627.0 HF-USB
0130Z - WildWood-04 NCS for the Southwest Region Arkansas "Wild-Wood" CAP net

4724.0 HF-USB
0050Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 28 character EAM HZBPL2 to All Stations
0119Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass SKYKING, do not answer: 6DK; time: 19; authentication: EK
0123Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 48 character EAM SCLN2G to All Stations

4825.0 HF-USB
2300Z - NNN0KIP NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 MARS 6X4B net: NNN0WKH / NNN0AHH

4872.0 HF-USB
0008Z - AFA4DB NCS for the TRANSCON Digital Radio Relay Net (TRR) in MFSK-16: AFA4QG

5004.5 HF-USB
1502Z - NNN0AHH NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 MARS 6X2B net: NNN0ENS / NNN0IVV

5135.0 HF-USB
[07:10:24][CHN 01][SND][ ][TIS][SEM ][AL0] BER 10 SN 05
[08:07:22][CHN 01][SND][ ][TIS][SEMOHQ ][AL0] BER 16 SN 06

6712.0 HF-USB
0123Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 48 character EAM SCLN2G to All Stations

6739.0 HF-USB
0050Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 28 character EAM HZBPL2 to All Stations
0123Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 48 character EAM SCLN2G to All Stations

7302.0 HF-USB
1425Z - AFF6RM NCS for the Air Force Region 6 MARS 6M1 net: AFD6RD / AFA6DD / AFA6PJ / AFA6KJ / AFA6IZ / AFF6AA

7348.0 HF-USB
[15:22:57][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC8FEM ][AL0] BER 17 SN 06

7457.0 HF-USB
1423Z - AFF4MS NCS for the Air Force Region 4 MARS 4S2 net: AFA4QY

7540.0 HF-USB
1505Z - AFA4DA NCS for the TRANSCON Digital Radio Relay Net (TRR) in MFSK-16: AAR5OQ

7615.0 HF-USB
1503Z - Middle-East-34 NCS for the CAP Daytime Communicators net: Goldenrod-595 / Mockingbird-04 / Columbus-04 / South-East-44

8050.0 HF-USB
[14:46:44][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC8 ][AL0] BER 12 SN 05

8337.6 HF-USB
1519Z - Green comms

8912.0 HF-USB
2056Z - Camslant calz CG 2136 - no joy so back to scan

8971.0 HF-USB
1433Z - Trident-712 w/ Fiddle in red then green comms
1517Z - Juliet-Echo-251 calz Fiddle for HF red radio check

8983.0 HF-USB
0002Z - CG 1504 rqst Camslant secure their guard

8992.0 HF-USB
0123Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 48 character EAM SCLN2G to All Stations

9121.5 HF-USB
0216Z - Link-11 data transmission

10194.0 HF-USB
1630Z - Link-11 data transmission

11175.0 HF-USB
0123Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 48 character EAM SCLN2G to All Stations

11494.0 HF-USB
[18:28:25][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][I96 ][AL0] BER 15 SN 06

13200.0 HF-USB
0123Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 48 character EAM SCLN2G to All Stations

15016.0 HF-USB
0008Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass SKYKING, do not answer: M67; time: 08; authentication: ZM
0050Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 28 character EAM HZBPL2 to All Stations
0123Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 48 character EAM SCLN2G to All Stations
1803Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 28 character EAM HZMUMU to All Stations
1833Z - _______ (USSTRATCOM ABNCP) repeats 28 character EAM HZMUMU
1843Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 28 character EAM HZEMJG to All Stations
2003Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 28 character EAM HZPFHQ to All Stations

15867.0 HF-USB
[18:29:37][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][I96 ][AL0] BER 9 SN 07

Construction Begins on Navy's Newest Aircraft Carrier

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- Advance construction started on the nation's newest aircraft carrier Feb. 25 with a "first cut of steel" ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Newport News, Va.

The steel plate cut will be used in the construction of the carrier, which has yet to be named, but will be designated CVN 79.

The carrier represents the second in a new class of ships designed to replace Enterprise and Nimitz-class carriers and save more than $5 billion in total ownership costs during its planned 50-year service life when compared to Nimitz-class carriers.

"Today we mark the beginning of the advance construction of CVN 79, second of the Gerald R. Ford-class of aircraft carriers," said Rear Adm. Michael McMahon, Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Aircraft Carriers. "It's an important step in continuing carrier construction using advanced technologies and efficiencies to reduce both ownership and procurement cost in this new class of carriers."

Ford-class aircraft carriers, while retaining the same hull form as the Nimitz class, contain several advanced technology systems including Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching Systems, advanced arresting gear, dual band radar, a redesigned smaller island and a new propulsion plant. The first ship in the class, Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), is also under construction at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News and is scheduled to be delivered to the fleet in September 2015.

The PEO for Aircraft Carriers, an affiliated PEO of Naval Sea Systems Command, focuses on the design, construction, system integration, delivery and life-cycle support of all aircraft carriers.

CONR team supports successful shuttle launch

The Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center on its STS-133 mission Feb. 24, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jonathan Gibson)

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. (AFNS) -- Officials with the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, or CONR, and Air Forces Northern provided crucial airspace control and manning support to the successful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery Feb. 24.

CONR representatives ensured airspace sovereignty by enforcing the Federal Aviation Administration's temporary flight restriction area established around Kennedy Space Center. Using F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., CONR controllers were able to identify and redirect four aircraft that inadvertently violated the restricted airspace prior to launch.

They also deployed the Joint-Based Expeditionary Connectivity Center team to Cape Canaveral to provide an overarching air picture to the supported entities.

AFNORTH officials provided the headquarters manning for U.S. Northern Command's Joint Task Force-Space Transportation System, responsible for the search and rescue of the astronauts and recovery of the orbiter if the need arises. They also serve as the operational level focal point for situational understanding and crisis response to space shuttle mission contingencies.

"As members of CONR, we proudly support the shuttle mission, from protecting the shuttle's immediate airspace to providing manning for potential search and rescue operations," said Col. Scott Barberides, JTF-STS commander.

The task force provides the command and control of Department of Defense forces during crisis response from the Morrell Operations Center at Cape Canaveral AFS.

USS Santa Fe Departs for Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a scheduled six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region, Feb. 24.

Cmdr. David Adams, Santa Fe commanding officer, commented that the crew is extremely excited and well prepared to get underway.

"Each and every Sailor has worked extraordinarily hard to prepare for this deployment," said Adams. "Each crew member clearly owns their piece of the mission, and we have spent the past year honing our submarine skills so that we can be ready for deployment."

Adams said this deployment will be the first for the majority of the crew and they will be conducting many training exercises and qualifications as well being available for any tasking which comes their way.

"We will strive to be fully ready to answer the nation's call no matter the mission," said Adams. "Santa Fe Sailors are ready to go forward and stand on the front lines of freedom and above all else, bring the submarine and crew back safely from a successful deployment."

Santa Fe is the second ship to be named in honor of the capital city of New Mexico. As an improved Los Angeles-class, the ship features retractable bow planes and twelve vertical launch tubes for cruise missile strikes

USS Hawaii Returns from Western Pacific Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, COMSUBPAC Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Hawaii (SSN 776) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after a scheduled six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region, Feb. 24.

"I could not be more proud of my crew. They are highly motivated and performed flawlessly in all respects on this deployment," said Cmdr. Steve Mack, USS Hawaii commanding officer. "The experience we gained operating our submarine for six months forward-deployed demonstrates our capabilities for extended operations and the flexibility, endurance and mobility of these mighty warships."

Over the course of the deployment Hawaii accomplished all assigned tasking including theater and national level activities, participated in Valiant Shield 2010, and conducted operations with the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group. The deployment also included port visits to Yokosuka, Japan, Pusan, South Korea, and Singapore in support of 7th Fleet's commitment to growing maritime partnerships and an enduring commitment to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Hawaii departed Pearl Harbor Aug 25, 2010, on her maiden Western Pacific deployment, the first for the Virginia class, with 136 Sailors onboard, many of which were experiencing their first Navy deployment. The crew experienced the dynamic operational environment of the Western Pacific and returned with a wealth of submarine experience and advanced qualifications. They were also very successful at professional development with 25 returning to homeport advanced to the next pay grade and 10 that became submarine qualified and are now authorized to wear the Submarine Warfare insignia or "Dolphins"

"Hawaii exceeded all expectations and demonstrated the myriad capabilities the Virginia-class submarine brings to the challenging Western Pacific environment and has set the stage for the success of future Virginia-class deployments," said Mack.

Measuring 377 feet long and weighing 7,800 tons when submerged, Hawaii is one of the Navy's newest and most technologically sophisticated submarines.

The state-of-the-art submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions,including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, naval special warfare involving special operations forces, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare.

T-AKE USNS Washington Chambers Accepted into Military Sealift Command's Fleet

By Sarah Burford, Military Sealift Command Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Military Sealift Command (MSC) accepted delivery of its newest dry cargo/ammunition ship, USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11), during a ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO Ship Yard San Diego Feb. 23.

The ship, which was christened and launched Sept. 11, 2010, in San Diego, honors Navy Capt. Washington Irving Chambers, a pioneer in naval aviation who arranged the world's first airplane flight from a warship Nov. 14, 1910. The flight confirmed the potential for carrier-based naval aviation. Since its launch, the ship has been undergoing a series of tests and trials in preparation for its delivery to MSC.

"I'm always proud to be a part of ceremonies like this one," said Navy Capt. Jerome Hamel, commander Sealift Logistics Command Pacific. "This ship represents the continued growth that MSC is experiencing and our continued commitment in support of our Navy."

Washington Chambers is the eleventh of 14 ships in the T-AKE class of dry cargo/ammunition ships. Eleven will serve as combat logistics force ships, and three are expected to be attached to maritime prepositioning squadrons, which strategically place combat cargo at sea, enabling fast delivery to warfighters ashore.

"Washington Chambers is one of the finest ships I have been privileged to be aboard in my MSC career," said Capt. Mike Flanagan, Chambers' civil service master. "This ship will join the fleet ready to go to work safely, efficiently and with strong purpose."

Chambers has a crew of 104 civil service mariners working for MSC and 11 Navy sailors who provide operational support and supply coordination.

T-AKEs are the newest class of ships being built for MSC. They are replacing some of MSC's aging, single-mission ships such as Kilauea-class ammunition ships and Mars- and Sirius-class combat stores ships as they reach the end of their service lives.

MSC operates approximately 110 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS William P. Lawrence

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (NNS) -- The Navy officially accepted delivery of the future USS William P. Lawrence from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding during a ceremony in Pascagoula, Miss, Feb. 23.

Designated DDG 110, William P. Lawrence is the 60th ship of the Arleigh Burke class.

Delivery of DDG 110 follows the successful completion of combined "super trials" in the Gulf of Mexico, Jan. 21. Throughout the three-day evolution, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey tested the ship and its systems, including the communications, combat and propulsion systems, to demonstrate the ship's operational capability.

DDG 110 exhibited significant improvements in the level of completion, final finish and performance compared to previous ships of the class.

"DDG 110 proved her operational worth last month in a rigorous round of sea trial evolutions, so we know she can perform as designed," said Capt. Pete Lyle, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships DDG 51 Class program manager. "Delivering William P. Lawrence marks a great success for the Navy and will provide the fleet with a highly capable combatant to guarantee freedom of the seas."

Accepting delivery of DDG 110 represents the official transfer from the shipbuilder to the Navy and is a major milestone in William P. Lawrence's transition to operational status.

William P. Lawrence is a multi-mission guided-missile destroyer designed to operate in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments. The ship is equipped with the Navy's Aegis Combat System, the world's foremost integrated naval weapon system. The class provides outstanding combat capability and survivability characteristics while minimizing procurement and lifetime support costs due to the program's maturity. The DDG 51 program continues to reinforce affordability and efficiency, with a commitment to deliver ships at the highest possible quality.

As one of DoD's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships, an affiliated PEO of the Naval Sea Systems Command, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all major surface combatants, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and special warfare craft.

Currently, the majority of shipbuilding programs managed by PEO Ships are benefiting from serial production efficiencies, which are critical to delivering ships on cost and schedule.

Thunderbirds host the Blue Angels

Staff Sgt. Brian Emerson marshals in Navy Blue Angels #5, Lt. Ben Walborn, and #4, Rob Kurrle, as they arrive Feb. 23, 2011, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Richard Rose Jr.)

by Staff Sgt. Alice Moore, U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Public Affairs

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- The Thunderbirds hosted three members of the Navy Blue Angels team here Feb. 23 as part of a traditional exchange program between the two units.

Blue Angel No. 2, Lt. Cmdr. Jim Tomaszeski, right wing; and Blue Angel No. 4, Lt. Rob Kurrle, slot; had the chance to fly in the back seat of a Thunderbirds F-16D Fighting Falcon model with Thunderbird No. 3, Maj. John Gallemore, right wing. Blue Angel No. 5, Lt. Ben Walborn, lead solo, flew with Thunderbird No. 5, Maj. Aaron Jelinek, lead solo.

The exchange program allows for both demonstration units with similar missions to have the opportunity to share ideas and learn from each other, Major Jelinek said.

"I can't tell you how many times on the road we get asked if we're better than the Blue Angels," Major Jelinek said. "To me, this (exchange program) is more (about) camaraderie between the two teams, rather than a chance to compete with one another other. Bringing their jet here to Nellis (Air Force Base) and flying with us is awesome, because we learn from them. We can see firsthand the good things they're doing with their operation and implement them into our own Thunderbirds mission. And hopefully they can do the same, so both teams become better."

Prior to takeoff, the Blue Angels participated in a pre-flight briefing. From there, they took off into the air with the Thunderbirds and debriefed after the flight.

"It's always exciting to fly someone in the back seat and showcase what you're doing during the various maneuvers," Major Jelinek said. "The opportunity to fly the Blue Angels makes things a little more special, being that they're out accomplishing the same mission on a daily basis."

Majors Gallemore and Jelinek will head down to the Blue Angels' training base at Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., to shadow their counterparts for a day next week.

Lieutenant Walborn, who is in his third season with the Blue Angels, said the exchange program was definitely beneficial.

"It was really cool to see how you set up for a show and how it's different from the way we do it," Lieutenant Walborn said. "I think this experience will really come full-circle next week when we have (the Thunderbirds) come down to visit."

Both demonstration units are currently scheduled to begin their 2011 show seasons in March. The Thunderbirds will travel to perform at 39 show sites in the U.S. and Europe, and the Blue Angels will travel to 37 show sites in the U.S.

Capt. Ryan Riley (left) greets Lt. Cmdr. Jim Tomaszeski Feb. 23, 2011, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Captain Riley is the Thunderbirds left wing. Commander Tomaszeski is the Navy Blue Angels right wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.)

Air Force announces next tanker aircraft

by Capt. Chris Sukach, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force and Defense Department officials announced the award of an engineering and manufacturing development contract valued at more than $3.5 billion for the KC-46A aerial refueler to The Boeing Company today.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said in the briefing that many factors were evaluated during the tanker selection process.

"This selection process determined whether or not the proposals demonstrated the ability of an offerer to deliver all 372 mandatory requirements and whether non-mandatory capabilities would be addressed," said Secretary Donley, emphasizing that both offerers met the mandatory requirements. "It also took into account fleet mission effectiveness in wartime, and life cycle costs as embodied in fuel efficiency and military construction costs."

Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn noted the "competition favored no one except the taxpayer and the warfighter."

The Air Force-led selection effort included experts from the larger DOD community, including staff from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and independent review teams during each step of the process.

The thorough and transparent selection process was marked by continual dialogue with offerers to ensure the Air Force had a clear understanding of their proposals and the companies clearly understood the service's analysis of their offers, said Secretary Donley.

Secretary Donley also highlighted that the warfighter was in charge of stating the requirements for the tanker, and that meeting those requirements enables the aircraft to go to war on day one.

"General Schwartz and I are confident in the fact that when our young pilots, boom operators and maintainers receive this aircraft, they will have the tools they need to be successful at what we ask them to do," the secretary added.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz shared the secretary's sentiment.

"I'm pleased with how this has produced an outcome after an exhaustive effort by hundreds of the department's very best people, that we will get about delivering the capability that's long overdue," General Schwartz said.

While the focus of the briefing was on the award of the contract, Secretary Donley addressed basing considerations for the aircraft, stating that those decisions involve other organizations and will take place over the next couple of years.

Secretary Donley also reiterated the service's commitment to provide quality equipment to the warfighter.

"To the men and women of our Air Force, today's announcement represents a long-overdue start to a much-needed program," Secretary Donley said. "Your Air Force leadership, supported by Dr. (Ashton) Carter and others throughout the Department of Defense, is determined to see this through, and we will stand behind this work."

Air Force and DOD officials complemented both offerers and thanked congressional oversight committees and their staffs for working with the department during the contract process that served the warfighter and taxpayers well.

The program expects to deliver the first 18 aircraft by 2017.

Click here for some Quick Facts about the KC-46A

Milcom Blog Logs - 24 Feb 2011 - USASA MidWest Collection Site

Time for another exclusive HF blog log report from the radio ranch at the USASA MidWest Collection Site.

3267.5 HF-USB
0207Z - Navy/MC Region 6 South Texas MARS 6S1B net: NNN0VHO

3269.0 HF-USB
0206Z - Navy/MC Region 5 Wisconsin MARS 5W2B net: NNN0HKF

3299.0 HF-USB
0107Z - Air Force Region 4 MARS 4S1 net: AFF4IF / AFA4WJ

3308.0 HF-USB
0107Z - AFF7KS NCS for the Air Force North Central Area Region 7 Kansas MARS 7KSS1 net
0209Z - AFA7VP NCS for the Air Force North Central Area MARS NCM1 net in SSB & MFSK-16: AFA5JR / AFA5OZ / AFA7ZJ / AFA7PQ / AFA7AT / AFA5KA

3325.0 HF-USB
0130Z - NNN0WZE-T NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Indiana MARS 5B1B net: NNN0LZD

3341.0 HF-USB
[06:47:50][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC8 ][AL0] BER 13 SN 06
[08:47:52][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC8 ][AL0] BER 12 SN 06

3349.0 HF-USB
0105Z - NNN0SDD NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 East Texas MARS 6E1B net: NNN0EBX

3384.0 HF-USB
0010Z - Link-11 data transmission

3390.0 HF-USB
0104Z - Navy/MC Region 5 MARS 5X1B net: NNN0BUX / NNN0EPY
0206Z - Navy/MC Region 4 MARS 4X9B net: NNN0ICX
0303Z - Navy/MC Region 4 Alabama MARS 4A2B net: NNN0EZC

4002.9 HF-LSB
0205Z - AAA4MS NCS for the Army Region 4 MARS AAA4RD/N net: AAM4MS

4007.0 HF-USB
0013Z - NNN0AMY NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 Nebraska / Kansas MARS 7N1B net
0033Z - NNN0SXU NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Minnesota MARS 5G1B net: NNN0AQK
0131Z - NNN0ABO NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 Missouri MARS 7H1B net: NNN0AEV
2305Z - Navy/MC Region 7 MARS 7X5Y (MT-63) net
2332Z - NNN0POY NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 Iowa MARS 7D3B net: NNN0TUL

4008.5 HF-USB
0013Z - Navy/MC Region 6 Louisiana MARS 6L1B net: NNN0ZRT // QRM fm 4007.0 //
2200Z - NNN0AZO NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 Oklahoma MARS 6O3B net: NNN0QGC

4011.0 HF-USB
0005Z - NNN0AHH NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 Arkansas MARS 6A1B net: NNN0AAK
1407Z - Navy/MC Region 7 Iowa MARS 7D1C net: NNN0TUL

4013.5 HF-USB
0005Z - NNN0BDW NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Kentucky MARS 4K2B net: NNN0LSO

4035.9 HF-USB
0102Z - AAM7IA NCS for the Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/IA net
0203Z - AAT7FD NCS for the Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/B net: AAM7EMO / AAM7ANE / AAR7PB
1409Z - Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/D net: AAM7RT

4038.5 HF-USB
0203Z - NNN0TBK NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Tennessee MARS 4H2B net: NNN0FBG

4041.0 HF-USB
0034Z - NNN0KQE NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Ohio MARS 5N5B net: NNN0FKV / NNN0KRQ

4464.5 HF-USB
0101Z - AFD6RD NCS for the Air Force Region 6 MARS 6M2 net

4506.0 HF-USB
0032Z - YellowBrick-56 NCS for the North Central Region Kansas "Yellow-Brick" CAP net

4517.0 HF-USB
1406Z - AFF7KS NCS for the Air Force North Central Area MARS NCM3 net: AFA7JW / AFE7DM / AFA5RF

4601.0 HF-USB
0200Z - Aspen-Gold-67 NCS for the Rocky Mountain Region HF CAP net: Blue-Mesa-236 / Blue-Mesa-386 / Blue-Mesa-419 / Star-Garnet-224 / Star-Garnet-430 / Star-Garnet-457 / High-Plains-04 / High-Plains-5904 / High-Plains-7504 / Red-Robin-314

4603.0 HF-USB
[04:34:48][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FR2FEM ][AL0] BER 10 SN 06

4604.0 HF-USB
0031Z - Red-Fox-82 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Illinois "Red_Fox" CAP net
0100Z - Bluemound-03 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Wisconsin "Blue-Mound" CAP net
0200Z - Red-Robin-898 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Michigan "Red-Robin" CAP net
1430Z - Red-Fox-17 NCS for the Great Lakes "Blue Lake" Region CAP net
2231Z - Great Lakes Region Illinois "Red-Fox" CAP net: Red-Fox-17 / Red-Fox-93
2300Z - Kentucky-CAP-148 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Kentucky CAP net
2330Z - Columbus-04 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Ohio "Columbus" CAP net

4623.5 HF-USB
0036Z - Navy/MC Region 5 Illinois MARS 5I2B net: NNN0KRX / NNN0OAR
1500Z - Navy/MC Region 5 Illinois MARS 5I3B net: NNN0SCV

4627.0 HF-USB
0132Z - WildWood-8304 NCS for the Southwest Region Arkansas "Wild-Wood" CAP net

4825.0 HF-USB
2300Z - NNN0KIP NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 MARS 6X4B net: NNN0WKH

4872.0 HF-USB
0008Z - TRANSCON Digital Radio Relay Net (TRR) in MFSK-16: AFA4QG

5004.5 HF-USB
1501Z - NNN0GLK NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 MARS 6X2B net: NNN0AHH / NNN0WKH

6739.0 HF-USB
0026Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 22 character EAM HZ6T44 to All Stations
0031Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 22 character EAM HZGJD3 to All Stations

7302.0 HF-USB
1413Z - AFF6RM NCS for the Air Force Region 6 MARS 6M1 net: AFS6BZ

7457.0 HF-USB
1411Z - AFF4AA NCS for the Air Force Region 4 MARS 4S2 net: AFF4MS

7540.0 HF-USB
1503Z - TRANSCON Digital Radio Relay Net (TRR) in MFSK-16: AFA4QG / AFA3NF

7615.0 HF-USB
1502Z - CAP Daytime Communicators net: Goldenrod-595 / Mockingbird-04 / Georgia-CAP-41

8023.0 HF-USB
1436Z - WGY909 NCS for the National Public Health Network: WGY9030 / WGY945

8050.0 HF-USB
[15:46:38][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC8 ][AL0] BER 14 SN 04

8912.0 HF-USB
2312Z - (sound like) Juliet-13 rqst Camslant secure their guard as Sector North Carolina has assumed their radio guard

8983.0 HF-USB
2305Z - CG 2113 rpts flight opns normal to Camslant
2311Z - CG 1504 rqst Camslant assume HF radio guard; homeplate AS Clearwater; departing AS Elizabeth City enroute to Navy Norfolk return AS Elizabeth City w/ 5 POB
2329Z - Camslant rqst flight opns fm CG 2104 (normal & next contact in 30 minutes)
2332Z - Camslant rqst flight opns & position fm CG 2113 (next contact in 30 minutes)
2334Z - Camslant rqst flight opns fm CG 1504 (something about touch & goes & next contact in 30 minutes)
2339Z - Camslant copies CG 2104 has transferred guard to homeplate & secures your guard @ minute 40
2340Z - Camslant calz CG 1502
2359Z - Camslant rqst flight opns fm CG 2113

8992.0 HF-USB
0103Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 28 character EAM HZS4TB

9121.5 HF-USB
0451Z - Link-11 data transmission

10162.0 HF-USB
[19:21:03][CHN 01][SND][ ][TIS][0011ARCAP ][AL0] BER 21 SN 06

10194.0 HF-USB
2058Z - Link-11 data transmission

11494.0 HF-USB
[22:43:41][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][J37 ][AL0] BER 19 SN 07
[22:45:01][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][N08 ][AL0] BER 19 SN 06

13993.0 HF-USB
1700Z - TRANSCON HF Voice Net: AFA4IF

14405.0 HF-USB
2037Z - Transcon Mission Support Net active w/ AFA3LK (appointed NCS) / AFA9PF

15016.0 HF-USB
1657Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 114 character EAM SC2RUB to All Stations
1703Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 6 character EAM SCZRDX; followed by "more to follow, stand-by" statement preceding second 6 character EAM to All Stations
1705Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 20 character EAM SC7LEA to All Stations

Active KSC/CCAFS STS-133 Support Freqs

Our monitor MC down on the Spacecoast passed along the following active freqs monitored yesterday in and around the Cape. Thanks MC.

KSC Kennedy Space Center
CCAFS Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

46.650 CCAFS JTF Air - Test counts
118.625 CCAFS Tower - OMAHA 13 (CBP UAV)
121.500 CCAFS - Test counts
121.750 KSC NASA Ground
126.650 KSC Weather / Shuttle Training Aircraft
128.550 KSC NASA Tower
133.750 Patrick AFB Tower
133.800 CCAFS Cape Control
138.450 CCAFS DoD Cape - Test counts
152.285 Spaceport USA Food Service repeater output
152.345 Spaceport USA Security repeater
152.375 Spaceport USA Bus Tour repeater
152.405 Spaceport USA Maintenance repeater
152.420 Spaceport USA Ops repeater
156.600 Marine Channel 12 Port Ops - CG CUTTER KINGFISHER
156.800 Marine Channel 16
157.100 Marine Channel 22A
157.150 Marine Channel 23A - STATION PONCE INLET
157.125 Marine Channel 82 - ALERT (Volusia County) with RESCUE 1
157.175 Marine Channel 81 CG Auxiliary
162.325 Coast Guard CG 111 - SECTOR JACKSONVILLE / STATION PORT CANAVERAL
255.500 Patrick AFB Rescue Ops - JOLLY ##
259.700 A-G 1 - Comm checks
264.800 CCAFS Cape Control - RADIO MAINT
282.800 CCAFS SAR - Test Counts
284.000 KSC NASA Tower
296.800 A-G 2 - Comm checks and test counts
321.000 Patrick AFB KING OPS / MacDill AFB Lightning Ops
344.600 Patrick AFB Metro
411.7375 KSC Direct 8 ctcss 131.8
413.250 KSC Net 500
416.500 CCAFS Range Destruct - Data
452.175 United Launch Alliance P25 repeater

Milcom Blog Logs - 23 Feb 2011 - USASA MidWest Collection Site

Time for another exclusive HF blog log report from the radio ranch at the USASA MidWest Collection Site.

3299.0 HF-USB
0111Z - AFF4VN NCS for the Air Force Region 4 MARS 4S1 net

3310.0 HF-USB
0010Z - Link-11 data transmission

3320.5 HF-USB
0115Z - Navy/MC Region 4 South Carolina MARS 4G1B net: NNN0GBS / NNN0KCS

3325.0 HF-USB
0132Z - NNN0IEA NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Indiana MARS 5B1B net: NNN0ACF / NNN0TFL / NNN0LZD

3349.0 HF-USB
0110Z - NNN0HZN NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 East Texas MARS 6E1B net: NNN0AHH

3370.5 HF-USB
0214Z - AFA6JY NCS for the Air Force Region 6 MARS 6M3 net: AFA6KJ

3384.0 HF-USB
0009Z - Link-11 data transmission

3390.0 HF-USB
0005Z - NNN0BIF NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Mississippi MARS 4E2B net
0109Z - Navy/MC Region 5 MARS 5X1B net: NNN0YTR / NNN0ZZO
0210Z - Navy/MC Region 4 MARS 4X9B net: NNN0ICX

4002.9 HF-LSB
0107Z - AAA4KY NCS for the Army Region 4 Kentucky MARS AAA4KY/A net: AAT4YI
0206Z - AAA4AL NCS for an Army Region 4 MARS net: AAV4TL / AAR4VK

4007.0 HF-USB
0004Z - NNN0AVT NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 Nebraska / Kansas MARS 7N1B net: NNN0BQT
0030Z - NNN0BQH NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Minnesota MARS 5G1B net: NNN0KZC / NNN0XYA / NNN0APL / NNN0SXU
0134Z - NNN0VVI-T NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 Missouri MARS 7H1B net: NNN0HBY
2324Z - Navy/MC Region 7 MARS 7X5Y (MT-63) net

4008.5 HF-USB
2200Z - NNN0BSF NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 Oklahoma MARS 6O3B net: NNN0AZO / NNN0QGC

4011.0 HF-USB
0003Z - NNN0AHH NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 Arkansas MARS 6A1B net: NNN0AAK / NNN0WKH
1412Z - Navy/MC Region 7 Iowa MARS 7D1C net: NNN0AEV / NNN0THC

4013.5 HF-USB
0002Z - NNN0BTG NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Kentucky MARS 4K2B net: NNN0YTR

4020.9 HF-USB
0106Z - AAM6TTX NCS for the Army Region 6 MARS AAA6RD/A net
1410Z - AAR6GV NCS for the Army Region 6 MARS AAA6RD/A net: AAM6TTX

4035.9 HF-USB
0105Z - Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/IA net: AAR7AH / AAM7TIA
0204Z - AAR7OB-T NCS for the Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/B net: AAM7EMO / AAA7RD / AAR7DZ
1407Z - AAR7FB NCS for the Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/D net: AAM7RT

4038.5 HF-USB
0203Z - NNN0EXS NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Tennessee MARS 4H2B net
0300Z - NNN0IIE NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Alabama MARS 4A2B net: NNN0SYH

4041.0 HF-USB
0032Z - NNN0LWN NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Ohio MARS 5N5B net: NNN0YBE / NNN0KRQ

4469.0 HF-USB
0103Z - Georgia-CAP-41 NCS for the Southeast Region Georgia CAP net: Florida-CAP-231
0201Z - Tennessee-CAP-41 NCS for the Southeast Region Tennessee CAP net: South-East-CAP-43

4477.0 HF-USB
[07:17:26][CHN 01][SND][ ][TIS][0011AR ][AL0] BER 15 SN 05
[09:16:44][CHN 01][SND][ ][TIS][0011ARCAP ][AL0] BER 16 SN 06

4506.0 HF-USB
0001Z - MO-CAP-10 NCS for the North Central Region Missouri "MO-CAP" CAP net
0034Z - YellowBrick-56 NCS for the North Central Region Kansas "Yellow-Brick" CAP net: YellowBrick-55 / YellowBrick-06 / YellowBrick-58 / YellowBrick-59 / YellowBrick-60 / YellowBrick-143 / YellowBrick-168 / YellowBrick-174 / MO-CAP-10 / MO-CAP-16 / Iowa-CAP-4 / North-Central-02 / Red-Cloud-104
1401Z - Red-Cloud-144 NCS for the North Central Region Nebraska "Red-Cloud" CAP net: Red-Cloud-195 / Iowa-CAP-04

4517.0 HF-USB
1402Z - AFA7CH NCS for the Air Force North Central Area MARS NCM3 net: AFA7HZ

4603.0 HF-USB
[01:40:35][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC8FEM ][AL0] BER 13 SN 04

4604.0 HF-USB
0001Z - Red-Fire-281 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Indiana "Red_Fire" CAP net
0030Z - Red-Fox-17 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Illinois "Red_Fox" CAP net // call-up preceded by short ALE sounding
0200Z - Red-Robin-898 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Michigan "Red-Robin" CAP net
1400Z - Red-Robin-898 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Michigan "Red-Robin" CAP net
2230Z - Great Lakes Region Illinois "Red-Fox" CAP net: Red-Fox-17 / Red-Fox-93

4623.5 HF-USB
0032Z - NNN0RDP NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Illinois MARS 5I2B net: NNN0OAR

4630.0 HF-USB
0100Z - Southwest Region Texas CAP net: Texas-CAP-204

4721.0 HF-USB
[02:47:23][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][ADW ][AL0] BER 14 SN 05

4724.0 HF-USB
0053Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 28 character EAM HZJI6E to All Stations
0059Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 28 character EAM HZ3LQN to All Stations
0113Z - Out-Curve (USSTRATCOM ABNCP) pass 28 character EAM HZJ7LK
0117Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass preamble for EAM HZLPGQ before "disregard this transmission" statement
0119Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 22 character EAM HZLPGQ to All Stations
0120Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) repeats 28 character EAM HZJ7LK to All Stations
0123Z - Out-Curve (USSTRATCOM ABNCP) pass 28 character EAM HZ73DB
0125Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) repeats 28 character EAM HZ73DB to All Stations
0130Z - Andrews (HF-GCS)((female op who thinks she is in speed contest))
repeats 22 character EAM HZLPGQ; then "more to follow, stand-by statement precedes 28 character EAM HZ3LQN; then "more to follow, stand-by statement precedes 28 character EAM HZJI6E
0200Z - Andrews (HF-GCS)((female op who thinks she is in speed contest)) repeats 22 character EAM HZLPGQ; then "more to follow, stand-by statement precedes 28 character EAM HZ3LQN; then "more to follow, stand-by statement precedes 28 character EAM HZJI6E
0203Z - Andrews (HF-GCS)((female op who thinks she is in speed contest)) pass 28 character EAM HZYGIU to All Stations
0230Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass SKYKING, do not answer: SOZ; time: 30; authentication: AS
0230Z - Andrews (HF-GCS)((female op who thinks she is in speed contest)) repeats 22 character EAM HZLPGQ; then "more to follow, stand-by statement precedes 28 character EAM HZ3LQN; then "more to follow, stand-by statement precedes 28 character EAM HZJI6E

4872.0 HF-USB
0012Z - TRANSCON Digital Radio Relay Net (TRR) in MFSK-16: AFA4DB / AFA4QG

7302.0 HF-USB
1406Z - AFA6CN NCS for the Air Force Region 6 MARS 6M1 net: AFA6JS

7457.0 HF-USB
1404Z - AFA4ZV NCS for the Air Force Region 4 MARS 4S2 net: AFA4QE

9121.5 HF-USB
0018Z - Link-11 data transmission

10194.0 HF-USB
[15:14:18][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FR4FEM ][AL0] BER 11 SN 04
[15:15:39][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC0 ][AL0] BER 15 SN 04
[15:17:39][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FR5FEM ][AL0] BER 13 SN 04
[16:15:49][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC0FEM ][AL0] BER 12 SN 05
[18:18:05][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FR5 ][AL0] BER 12 SN 04
[19:18:15][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FR5FEM ][AL0] BER 13 SN 04
[19:28:26][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC6FEM ][AL0] BER 12 SN 04
[19:46:09][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC8 ][AL0] BER 10 SN 05

13215.0 HF-USB
[23:18:41][CHN 01][TO ][OFF ][TIS][JNR ][AL0] BER 21 SN 06

13446.0 HF-USB
[20:16:10][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC4FEM ][AL0] BER 13 SN 04

15016.0 HF-USB
0002Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass SKYKING, do not answer: IIT; time: 02; authentication: WB
0024Z - Hop-a-Long conducts communications test

15867.0 HF-USB
[22:25:55][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][D70 ][AL0] BER 17 SN 06

Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group Departs for Deployment

By Lt. Chad A. Dulac, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 1 Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group (BOXARG) and 13TH Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed San Diego for a scheduled seven-month deployment, Feb. 22.

"The Boxer ARG/13th MEU team are fully integrated, fully certified and ready to carry out the Navy's maritime strategy abroad," said Commander, Amphibious Squadron 1, Capt. Curtis J. Shaub. "We are looking forward to this deployment to demonstrate those capabilities, both operationally as well as in partnerships, with allied countries and other U.S. forces in the global theater."

BOXARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45).

"Our Navy, Marine Corps team is deploying with a multi-mission capable force ready to perform and excel at any tasking required by our component fleet commanders," said Capt. Frank Michael, Boxer commanding officer.

BOXARG, with embarked 13th MEU, is deploying to the western Pacific and U.S. Central Command areas of operation with the ability to accomplish a variety of missions supporting the Navy's maritime strategy including combat missions, humanitarian assistance, counter piracy and promoting peace and stability in the region. The readiness group's forward presence is paramount to reassuring the United States' commitment to regional security and promoting global economic stability and local prosperity.

The more than 4,000 personnel include nearly 1,800 Sailors and 2,200 embarked Marines from 13th MEU. The 13th MEU is led by Col. David Coffman, U.S. Marine Corps. BOXARG/13th MEU can operate as a combined expeditionary strike group or deploy assets to provide support for multiple missions.

Other elements of the BOXARG include: Fleet Surgical Team 3; Tactical Air Control Squadron 11; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, Det. 5; Assault Craft Unit 1, Det. C; Assault Craft Unit 5, Det. C and Beach Master Unit 1, Det. E.

BOXARG helps provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the sea and humanitarian/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50-million square mile area of responsibility in the eastern Pacific, as well as supporting the Navy's maritime strategy when forward deployed.

Annual MT Air Show Issue Now on Newsstand

The Annual Monitoring Times Air Show issue is now on sale at newsstands nationwide and so far the reviews by monitors who have seen it is very positive.

This year I completely revised the frequency list (including some new TB freqs that have never been published before), and I also published a completely updated air show equipment guide.

I'm also proud to announce that we published two supporting feature articles from air show legends Kevin Burke, and Brian and Jo Marie Topolski, plus some excellent air show photography from Kevin as part of this fabulous issue. The two features are titled:

- Monitoring & Photography Tips from An Airshow Veteran by Kevin Burke

- An Air Show Monitor’s Portable Listening Post by Brian and Jo Marie Topolski.

You can get more information on ordering a print or electronic subscription to Monitoring Times magazine at http://www.grove-ent.com/MT.html or call us at 1-800-438-8155. Be sure to call early and get your copy as supplies are very limited.

Larry Van Horn, MT Assistant Editor

Space Shuttle Launch Security

The North American Aerospace Defense Command or NORAD, and U.S. Northern Command, will provide support for this week's space shuttle launch.

USS George H.W. Bush Strike Group Certified Combat Ready

A Sailor assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) fires an M240B machine gun during a live-fire exercise. Anzio is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting routine exercises as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming combat deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian M. Brooks/Released)
By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW) Misty Trent, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The George H.W. Bush (GHWB) Carrier Strike Group is certified ready for combat operations after successfully completing its first Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX), Feb. 21.

The Strike Group assets departed their various homeports on or about Jan. 19 to begin final exercises before embarking on its first overseas deployment scheduled for spring of this year.

"This Strike Group was absolutely ready for these exercises, and our Sailors hit the ball out of the park," said Commander, Carrier Strike Group Two, Rear Adm. Nora W. Tyson. "This is America's newest strike group in America's newest aircraft carrier, and our team is strong and ready to go. At the end of the day, COMPTUEX and JTFEX are really tests of our ability to work as a team, and we nailed it. From the Sailors on USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) supporting the squadrons in the air wing to the cruisers and destroyers doing their job protecting and defending the carrier along with performing maritime security operations, everyone did their part, and because of that, this team excelled."

During COMPTUEX, the GHWB Strike Group entered into an intensive training scenario loosely based on geo-political conditions from around the globe. The scenarios, designed and executed by Strike Force Training Atlantic (SFTL), simulated many real-world situations that the GHWB Strike Group could encounter on deployment, including small boat attacks, mines, strait transits in hostile waters and aerial, surface and sub-surface threats. Each scenario built on the one before, testing both the individual components of the GHWB Strike Group, as well as its collective effectiveness.

"COMPTUEX is a complicated and advanced exercise, and it requires every asset within the Strike Group to be fully trained and ready to execute their mission," said SFTL commander Rear Adm. Dennis E. FitzPatrick. "I was very impressed with the level of commitment to success I saw throughout the Strike Group. The dedicated Sailors of the Strike Group were trained, mentored and assessed, and excelled at every challenge SFTL placed in front of them."

COMPTUEX was a 23-day evolution, and included all assets within the Strike Group, from the flagship George H.W. Bush to the squadrons of Carrier Air Wing EIGHT (CVW-8), the guided-missile cruisers USS Gettysburg (CG 64), USS Monterey (CG 61), and USS Anzio (CG 68), Destroyer Squadron 22 ships USS Mitscher (DDG 57) and USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and the Spanish frigate ESPS Almirante Juan de Borbón (F 102). All told, nearly 7,500 Sailors played a direct role in the evolution.

"The amount of coordination that goes into an exercise like COMPTUEX is phenomenal. The only way it works, the only way the assets within the Strike Group accomplish their own individual missions, is if they communicate effectively and work together. That teamwork mentality is vital, and our success during COMTPUEX and JTFEX tells me that this Strike Group is ready to deploy in support of our nation's interests and execute any tasking we may receive," said Tyson.

FitzPatrick echoed Tyson's sentiments.

"Teamwork is the key to mission accomplishment, and COMPTUEX and JTFEX are designed to test you. Every single Sailor had a role to play and every unit was critical to success. From the cruisers, to the destroyers, to the squadrons, to the aircraft carrier; each is strong as a single unit, but integrated effectively together and their overall strength is greater than their sum. This Strike Group knows how to work together and achieve mission success," said FitzPatrick.

Sonar Technician (Surface) 1st Class (SW/IUSS) Thomas Hoban, assigned to Operations Department aboard USS George H.W. Bush, is responsible for coordinating the Strike Group's antisubmarine warfare efforts, acting as the liaison between USS George H.W. Bush and the other ships in the Strike Group.

"This has been a very high operational tempo underway, from tracking submarines at 3 a.m. to standing your watch to going into general quarters," said Hoban. "It's been non-stop action all day long."

During COMPTUEX, boarding teams from ships throughout the Strike Group performed more than 20 practice visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) evolutions, and the eight squadrons assigned to the embarked air wing flew nearly 3,800 hours during 1,800 sorties.

On Feb. 11, George H.W. Bush moored pierside at Naval Station Mayport for the carrier's first ever liberty port. During the three-day visit, Sailors participated in events sponsored by the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation Office, including trips to Walt Disney World and the Daytona International Speedway, as well as a community relations project at the Florida Baptist Children's Home in Jacksonville. Other Strike Group ships visited Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, and Key West.

"We just relaxed and did some shopping and got something good to eat," said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Jesse C. Daniel of George H.W. Bush's Combat Systems Department. "It was really nice to catch up on sleep and recharge and get some time to clear my head."

The Strike Group returned to sea Feb. 14 to begin the final exam – JTFEX. For nearly 10 days, SFTL evaluated the overall combat readiness of the GHWB Strike Group, specifically focusing on the Strike Group's ability to interact and operate with other U.S. military and coalition forces.

The Spanish frigate Borbón and its 240 sailors were fully integrated throughout both exercises, including several exchange visits between Borbón and George H.W. Bush Sailors. Because Borbón will participate in the early stages of the Strike Group's deployment, full engagement of crews, systems and protocol was critical. French navy assets, including the destroyer FS Primauguet (D 644) and the submarine FS Perle (S606), joined the Strike Group for JTFEX as well.

"The scenarios [the crew] experienced during COMPTUEX/JTFEX are based on real-world operations today's carrier strike groups can expect to face in the deployed environment," said FitzPatrick. "Geo-political situations are fluid and ever-changing across the globe, and leadership needs the multi-mission flexibility a strike group brings to their area of responsibility. The mission of our carrier strike groups can change at a moment's notice depending on real time events, and the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group Sailors are ready to deploy and accept any mission given to them."

"The Navy's carrier strike groups are critical to the nation's maritime strategy," said Tyson. "Our combined capabilities allow us to deploy to any region around the globe to lend support, whether it's to U.S. forces on the ground or to mariners in distress or to countries reeling from natural disaster. We are a powerful force for good, and our success during COMPTUEX and JTFEX is proof that this Strike Group is ready to take on any tasking we are given."

Milcom Blog Logs - 22 Feb 2011 - USASA MidWest Collection Site

Time for another exclusive HF blog log report from the radio ranch at the USASA MidWest Collection Site.

3286.0 HF-USB
0013Z - Olivia data transmission likely candidate Navy/MC MARS Region 5 5M3B Olivia Michigan Net // was unable to decrypt //

3299.0 HF-USB
0110Z - AFF4EC NCS for the Air Force Region 4 MARS 4S1 net: AFA4CZ

3308.0 HF-USB
0108Z - AFA5JS NCS for an Air Force North Central Area Region 5 MARS net: AFA7MU

3310.0 HF-USB
0013Z - Link-11 data transmission

3320.5 HF-USB
0300Z - NNN0RPM NCS for the Navy/MC Region 8 Colorado / Wyoming MARS 8C1B net

3325.0 HF-USB
0132Z - NNN0KBP NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Indiana MARS 5B1B net: NNN0BOK / NNN0TFL

3349.0 HF-USB
0109Z - NNN0SDD NCS for the Navy/MC Region 6 East Texas MARS 6E1B net

3370.5 HF-USB
0210Z - Air Force Region 6 MARS 6M3 net: AFA6JY

3384.0 HF-USB
0011Z - Link-11 data transmission

3390.0 HF-USB
0011Z - Navy/MC Region 4 Mississippi MARS 4E2B net: NNN0BIF
0109Z - NNN0BQH NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 MARS 5X1B net: NNN0BDW
0206Z - NNN0QAA NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 MARS 4X9B net: NNN0XPU

4007.0 HF-USB
0010Z - NNN0AVT NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 Nebraska / Kansas MARS 7N1B net // passing msg tfc via MT63 //
0035Z - NNN0XEE NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Minnesota MARS 5G1B net: NNN0KZC / NNN0APL / NNN0BIH
0133Z - NNN0AZM NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 Missouri MARS 7H1B net: NNN0SVW
2309Z - Navy/MC Region 7 MARS 7X5Y (MT-63) net: NNN0TUL / NNN0ASF / NNN0SVW
2332Z - NNN0XZK NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 Iowa MARS 7D3B net: NNN0QGB

4011.0 HF-USB
1402Z - NNN0YGW NCS for the Navy/MC Region 7 Iowa MARS 7D1C net

4013.5 HF-USB
0004Z - Navy/MC Region 4 Kentucky MARS 4K2B net: NNN0OGD / NNN0BTG

4023.9 HF-USB
0133Z - Army Region 5 Illinois AAA5RD/IL net: AAM5RD

4032.9 HF-LSB
0106Z - AAA3DE NCS for the Army Region 3 MARS AAA3RD/G net: AAT3PR / AAR3HA

4035.9 HF-USB
0104Z - AAR7FE NCS for the Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/IA net: AAM7IA
0206Z - AAA7KS NCS for the Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/B net: AAM7RD
1329Z - AAR7JW NCS for the Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/C net: AAM7TIA
1404Z - AAM7RT NCS for the Army Region 7 MARS AAA7RD/D net: AAM7EMO / AAR7FB

4038.5 HF-USB
0003Z - Navy/MC Region 4 Florida MARS 4C3B net: NNN0YTD
0203Z - NNN0HEL NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Tennessee MARS 4H2B net: NNN0HBJ
0302Z - NNN0QAA NCS for the Navy/MC Region 4 Alabama MARS 4A2B net: NNN0SYH / NNN0TJC / NNN0EZC

4041.0 HF-USB
0032Z - Navy/MC Region 5 Ohio MARS 5N5B net: NNN0UAN / NNN0ANN

4464.5 HF-USB
0015Z - AFF6DM NCS for the Air Force Region 6 MARS 6D1 net (MFSK-16): AFA4GG

4469.0 HF-USB
0103Z - Goldenrod-595 NCS for the Southeast Region Alabama "Goldenrod" CAP net: Goldenrod-181 / Goldenrod-180 / Goldenrod-80 relayed fm the VHF net / Goldenrod-179 / South-East-CAP-43

4470.5 HF-USB
0300Z - NNN0GLL NCS for the Navy/MC Region 8 North / South Dakota MARS 8S1B net: NNN0XFB / NNN0AHH / NNN0TTR / NNN0AXK / NNN0FCI

4506.0 HF-USB
0001Z - MO-CAP-10 NCS for the North Central Region Missouri "MO-CAP" CAP net

4517.0 HF-USB
1400Z - AFN7NC NCS for the Air Force North Central Area MARS NCM3 net: AFA7HZ

4601.0 HF-USB
0201Z - Star-Garnet-224 NCS for the Rocky Mountain Region Idaho HF CAP net

4603.0 HF-USB
[10:51:28][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC1FEM ][AL0] BER 19 SN 06
[12:50:30][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC0 ][AL0] BER 15 SN 05
[23:44:19][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FR5 ][AL0] BER 15 SN 05

4604.0 HF-USB
0001Z - Red-Fire-281 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Indiana "Red_Fire" CAP net
0031Z - Red-Fox-93 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Illinois "Red_Fox" CAP net: Red-Fox-17
0200Z - Red-Robin-898 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Michigan "Red-Robin" CAP net
1400Z - Red-Robin-898 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Michigan "Red-Robin" CAP net
1430Z - Red-Fox-17 NCS for the Great Lakes "Blue Lake" Region CAP net
2334Z - Columbus-04 NCS for the Great Lakes Region Ohio "Columbus" CAP net: Red-Fox-75 / Bluemound-03

4623.5 HF-USB
0032Z - NNN0KRX NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Illinois MARS 5I2B net: NNN0SCV / NNN0OAR / NNN0HAS / NNN0HAC
1400Z - Navy/MC Region 5 Wisconsin MARS 5W4B net: NNN0UNK
1500Z - NNN0SCV NCS for the Navy/MC Region 5 Illinois MARS 5I3B net

4627.0 HF-USB
0131Z - Wildwood-504 (sound like) NCS for the Southwest Region Arkansas "Wild-Wood" CAP net: Wildwood-04

4872.0 HF-USB
0019Z - TRANSCON Digital Radio Relay Net (TRR) in MFSK-16: AFA4QG / AFA1WW

4772.0 HF-USB
0240Z - Link-11 data transmission

4865.0 HF-USB
0241Z - Link-11 data transmission

7302.0 HF-USB
1411Z - AFA6FD NCS for the Air Force Region 6 MARS 6M1 net: AFA6EA-T / AFA6FH / AFA6BV / AFA6PT

7457.0 HF-USB
1408Z - Air Force Region 4 MARS 4S2 net: AFA4QA

7540.0 HF-USB
1503Z - TRANSCON Digital Radio Relay Net (TRR) in MFSK-16: AFN3RT / AFA4VG

7615.0 HF-USB
1505Z - Middle-East-34 NCS for the CAP Daytime Communicators net: Hill-CAP-40 / Louisiana-30 / Head-CAP-58 / Diamond-Flight-65 / South-East-CAP-44 / Iowa-CAP-04 / Georgia-CAP-41 / Georgia-CAP-44 / Mockingbird-04 / Columbus-04 // South-East-CAP-44 (QTH approx 25 miles north of Nashville, TN) announces (spells Ardent Sentry Exercise 16 - 20 May w/ multiple participants (FEMA / CAP / MARS + others); HQ will be @ Little Rock, Arkansas using three HF freqs: Primary freq: SEC; Alt-1: SED; Alt-2: SEE / will be couple of comexs prior to Ardent Sentry exercise // Georgia-CAP-41 queries if Georgia-CAP-44 can work (sounded like) Sierra-Alpha @ 1030 (should read Sierra-Echo-Alpha)

8050.0 HF-USB
[16:46:33][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC8 ][AL0] BER 7 SN 04

8971.0 HF-USB
1347Z - Trident-711 to Fiddle: are we still on SOX-14 (711 spelled it) for data link? Fm Fiddle: Rg, SOX-14 is data link
1415Z - (sound like) Wavesurfer-712 (something like that) in "High Fox" red; rqst Fiddle go green
1430Z - 712 queries if Fiddle has had green comms w/ anyone else today; response affirmative

8992.0 HF-USB
1619Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 114 character EAM SCORVR to All Stations

9025.0 HF-USB
[08:05:21][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][MCC ][AL0] BER 6 SN 04

9121.5 HF-USB
0239Z - Link-11 data transmission

10162.0 HF-USB
[17:21:53][CHN 01][SND][ ][TIS][0004TX ][AL0] BER 15 SN 06

10194.0 HF-USB
[20:31:39][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC1 ][AL0] BER 17 SN 05
[20:46:17][CHN 01][SND][ ][TWS][FC8 ][AL0] BER 11 SN 05

11175.0 HF-USB
1619Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 114 character EAM SCORVR to All Stations

13200.0 HF-USB
1619Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 114 character EAM SCORVR to All Stations

15016.0 HF-USB
1619Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 114 character EAM SCORVR to All Stations
1626Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 6 character EAM SCFYKN; followed by "more to follow, stand-by" statement preceding another 6 character EAM SCNCTR to All Stations
1632Z - Andrews (HF-GCS) pass 21 character EAM SCR7OU to All Stations

USS Monterey Returns to Homeport After Completing JTFEX

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sandi Grimnes, USS Monterey (CG 61) Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 21, after completing Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) with the George H. W. Bush Strike Group.

"JTFEX provides training from the Strike Group Staff down to the individual ship," said Monterey Commanding Officer Capt. James W. Kilby. "It is scenario-driven and provided an opportunity for Staffs and ships to see events unfold more like they might as when they are deployed."

JTFEX is designed to test the Strike Group and coalition forces' ability to operate in a hostile environment in preparation for a combat deployment.

"The training we received during this Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and JTFEX was absolutely superb, from the individual exercises such as gun shoots, to the more complex, multi-ship events, like the opposed strait transit," he said. "It is the sixth COMPTUEX I have participated in and it has provided the best training I have seen."

The mission for Monterey's upcoming deployment is focused on her Ballistic Missile Defense capabilities, so she will not deploy with a Strike Group.

Even though Monterey will not deploy with the George H.W. Bush Strike Group, her crew participated in the COMPTUEX and JTFEX because one of the Navy's core missions is presence, Kilby said. That can be a single ship, multiple ships or a whole Strike Group, and Monterey must be ready to fit into a larger group at any time.

"I could not be more proud of this terrific crew!" said Kilby. "During a compressed training cycle, this crew has met every challenge and training opportunity head-on without complaint and they have excelled. I don't think you can find a single member of the crew who does not feel well-prepared or ready to meet the challenge of this deployment thanks to this exercise. COMPTUEX and JTFEX have really brought our crew together."