SUBLANT Statement Regarding USS San Juan

NORFOLK (NNS) -- During the early evening of March 13, units of the USS Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG) received a series of indications that USS San Juan (SSN 751), a Los Angeles class submarine conducting pre-deployment training with the Enterprise CSG, was in distress.

Fortunately, the submarine established communications in the early morning hours of March 14, and indicated that there were no problems; hence, units were able to stand down from the search and rescue that was already well underway.

Losses of communications, followed by the reported sighting of a red flare, are distress indicators. These indicators, combined with establishing communications with only two of the three submarines operating with the Enterprise CSG, was sufficient information to activate missing submarine procedures.

Ships and aircraft from the Enterprise Strike group immediately commenced a search of the area where San Juan had been operating.

The International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO) in Norfolk, Va., was alerted to assist with the search and rescue effort. ISMERLO, an international organization, serves to facilitate the rapid call out of international rescue systems in the event of a submarine accident. The immediate response from various international entities was superb. In addition, San Juan family members were notified of the situation at hand.

Although this was a false alarm, the primary concern was the safety of our submariners and the support of family members. Procedures demonstrated that the submarine escape and rescue program is able to quickly respond to an event such as this – when every second counts.

The Submarine Force is concerned about how this event initiated from what would appear to be false indicators. The Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic will conduct a thorough review of the matter to determine any lessons learned.

Navy temporarily loses contact with sub

From Yahoo News and the AP:

The Navy temporarily lost communication with a submarine off Florida's coast and sent ships and aircraft to search for the USS San Juan (SSN-751) before the vessel was contacted early Wednesday (March 14, 2007), military officials said.

You can read the whole story at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070314/ap_on_re_us/missing_sub_1

The San Juan is part of the USS Enterprise Carrier Strike Group operating off the Florida eact coast.

Duxford UK Airshow Freqs

The following information and frequencies are courtesy of Clifford, Paul Wey (Hertfordshire) and the Milcom newsgroup. Thanks to all.

Below are the CAA temp main allocations for use at airshows and air events in UK and then below that another list of special freqs that on busy weekends when the other five are in use across the whole of UK. They take some other freqs as well, in theory CAA could allocate any freq not in use within say 50 km or so, but tend to stick to regualr first five and then any of the others, also each year a new one or two are added.

CAA display and air event allocations for control at airshows:
121.175 130.500 130.675 132.900 134.550

Most used backups are:
118.650 118.950 119.425 124.550 124.200

These freqencies are used at anything like pop concrerts and racing for air movmeents/incidents/airshows militarty and civil. And not just at Duxford, but Fairford/Leuchars/Waddington, etc.

122.0750 AFIS
122.6750 Operations
163.1375 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford City & suburban parking illegal use (PL 146.2)
164.0500 Imperial War Museum (IWM) City & Suburban Parking Ltd (PL 151.4)
426.3625 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford (DCS 025)
446.1500 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Military vehicle collection tank movements (PL 118.8)
453.1500 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford events net (PL 186.2)
456.3875 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford events net (PL 218.1)
456.8625 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford events net (PL 218.1)
456.9875 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford events net [Channel 8] (PL 218.1)
461.4625 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford main net security/emergency [Channel 4] (PL 103.5)
461.4625 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Operon facitlies management (PL 192.8)
461.8875 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford events net (PL 218.1)
462.3625 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford events net (PL 218.1)
462.4750 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford events net (PL 218.1)
462.4875 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford events net (PL 218.1)
453.0625/459.5625 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford main net security [Channel 1] (PL 173.8)
453.9875/460.4875 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford main net crash/fire ops [Channel 3] (PL 233.6)
462.2500/456.7500 Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford events net / Admin / Tower / emergency repeater reverse duplex [Channel 2] (PL 218.1)

And from the Milcom Blog Newsdesk -Duxford Air Show dates for 2007
May Air Show - Sunday 20 May 2007
Flying Legends Air Show - Saturday and Sunday 7 and 8 July 2007
September Air Show - Saturday and Sunday 8 and 9 September 2007
Autumn Air Show - Sunday 14 October 2007

Duxford is Europe's premier aviation museum - as well as having one of the finest collections of tanks, military vehicles and naval exhibits in the country. This famous heritage site began as an airfield in the First World War and also played a vital role in the Second World War, firstly as an RAF fighter station and later as an American fighter base. If you want to learn more about the Imerial War Museum at Duxford go to http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/. Photo above courtesy of the Imperial War Museum Duxford website.

Air controllers direct airpower symphony over Iraq

Senior Airmen Amanda Hoffman and Rebekka Baker conduct an operational check of a AN/TPS-75 radar system March 9 at Balad Air Base, Iraq. The Airmen are assigned to the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron and are deployed from the 728th Air Control Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Damien Pickart)

by Maj. Damien Pickart
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

3/13/2007 - BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNEWS) -- Helping to orchestrate the airpower symphony over Iraq are the Airmen of the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron. Known as Kingpin, they turn non-stop air operations into a ground forces' favorite tune -- the sound of jets prowling the sky overhead.

Currently manned by the Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., 728th ACS, the 727th EACS is responsible for controlling all aircraft operating inside Iraq's 277,000 square miles of airspace. As a testimony to how daunting that task can be, during its previous deployment here from May to September 2006, the unit surveyed, identified and controlled more than 166,000 aircraft.

"Our 200 Airmen keep all airborne assets arranged and under control so ground forces get the air support they need," said Lt. Col. Frederick DeFranza, the 727th EACS commander. "A pilot is concerned about one mission. My Airmen are concerned about every mission so troops on the ground never have to wonder if their insurance policy in the sky is good."

The heart of Kingpin's operations lies in several mobile operation modules; conex-shaped trailers stuffed with an array of computers and communication equipment chilled to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Inside each 'box,' enlisted surveillance and weapons directors and air weapons officers chatter away in a language foreign to the untrained ear, simultaneously directing roughly 40 separate aircraft to multiple headings, altitudes and locations with the eventual goal of providing air support to ground forces.

"Thud 35 - approved 88 Alpha Sierra 12 to 15,000 - traffic stacked below you - surface to 10,000 - traffic stacked above 16 to 22,000 - elevator into your blocks and push tactical," rattles off Senior Airman Andrew Labadie, an enlisted weapons director.

To bring a semblance of order to the myriad of aircraft over Iraq, the ACS divides the country's airspace into 'kill boxes,' referred to as the common grid reference system. As aircraft launch and exit a ring of airspace surrounding military airfields, they are passed from the military air traffic controllers in the airfield tower and the combined enroute radar approach control into the capable hands of Kingpin's controllers.

As new blips appear on dimly illuminated scopes, Kingpin assigns each to a block of airspace to conduct missions such as surveillance or close air support. Other aircraft are shuffled to mate up with tankers or committed to support time-sensitive missions such as troops in contact with enemy forces.

Eyes dart from the scopes to a separate terminal that displays a classified version of a chat room. Snippets of information pop up as a joint terminal air controller embedded with ground forces punches in a TIC request for airpower and supporting organizations confirm and contribute other critical data. Kingpin controllers scan the Air tasking order, cross reference the radar scopes, and quickly determine the weapon configuration and fuel load of the nearest available aircraft. Within seconds, they've cleared the airspace and determined the ideal aircraft to assign to the unfolding drama on the ground.

"We're continuously developing a three-dimensional, real-time picture of the battlespace," said AWO Captain Stefanie Emery. "Our Airmen build the safety net in the sky that pilots, aircrew and ground forces depend on. It's an incredible team effort."

"It gets a little hairy sometimes, but it's nothing the four of us can't handle," said Airman Labadie. "Working together in close quarters every day, it sometimes seems as if we can accurately anticipate what we're all going to think and do as a particular situation arises."

The Airmen's faces reflected in the scopes display a calm demeanor in spite of the intense tempo. Their cool judgment and quick decisions are the result of the thorough training that precedes every deployment. It also helps that 45 percent of Kingpin's current Airmen were here only four months ago; hardly time for their Balad-honed skills to grow rusty.

"This TDY has been better than the last because of how quick we've returned," said Senior Master Sergeant Scott Delveau, 727th EACS first sergeant. "Many of us just left in September, so the tempo is still fresh. It has made a difference in how seamlessly we picked up the baton Mountain Home's 726th ACS handed to us."

Success inside the chilled boxes hinges on the hard work of the miniature Air Force that operates within Kingpin's compound. With 27 different Air Force specialties, an EACS is a self-sustaining force. Its diverse ranks include operations, security forces, medics, intelligence, services, supply, satellite communications and an array of maintainers including vehicle, radio, radar, communications, aerospace ground equipment and heating, ventilation and air conditioning, to name a few.

"Our unique composition and mobile nature allows us to pack up and deploy to austere locations," said Major Cooper Bowden, chief of maintenance. "The ingenuity and diverse skills of our maintainers and support personnel are the driving force that keeps Kingpin moving."

A stroll through the compound reveals Airmen changing humvee brakes, conducting communication component operational checks, diagnosing ailments in the clinic and even enjoying some downtime in the unit's fitness and recreation centers. These amenities support the Airmen whose job responsibilities often require them remaining on a short tether should the need arise for their invaluable skills.

"As important as it is for our controllers to direct aircraft in the skies, it's equally important to the Kingpin mission for an HVAC maintainer to repair an air conditioning system that keeps the controller's equipment operating properly," said Technical Sgt. Josh Phillips, Non-commissioned officer in charge of the AGE and HVAC maintenance shops.

Having deployed with the 728th ACS for all four of its OIF deployments since 2003, Sergeant Phillips makes sure his troops treat the equipment as if it were their own.
"We have some unique power and voltage requirements," Sergeant Phillips said. "We might operate outside the box, but the sharp Airmen maintaining our generators and cooling units know how critical they are to keeping those boxes humming. If we didn't do our job, our controllers couldn't do theirs and same for the operators in the sky. The food chain starts with these maintainers and we're proud of what we bring to the fight."

Well into this deployment, the Airmen of Eglin's 728th ACS are constantly looking for opportunities to improve future Airmen's deployments to the 727th EACS. While it enjoys the recreation and fitness centers christened by its predecessors, Kingpin's current occupants are looking to improve overall communications and situational awareness of the battlespace with a new Battle Command and Control center slated to open in November 2007. The center will co-locate the boxes, CERAP function and an Air Support Operations Center liaison to enhance communications and improve CAS response time.

"We know we'll be proudly sporting the Kingpin call sign in eight months, so we're starting the improvements now to reap the benefits when we return, Lt. Col. DeFranza said. "Between the contributions of Mountain Home, Eglin and Hill AFB's 729th ACS, Kingpin and its mission are a work in progress each of us leaves a little better off than we inherited it."

Dover Reserve squadron flies final C-5 flight

Photo: Tech. Sgt. James Baker, 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, gives the "all clear" for the 326th Airlift Squadron crew to park on the Dover Air Force Base, Del., runway March 10. It was the last C-5 Galaxy flight for the 326th AS, a unit in the Air Force Reserve Command's 512th Airlift Wing. The squadron, which has been flying the C-5 since 1973, is transitioning to the C-17 Globemaster III, scheduled to arrive in June. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Veronica A. Aceveda)

by 1st Lt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

3/13/2007 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AFNEWS) -- The 326th Airlift Squadron, a unit in the Air Force Reserve Command's 512th Airlift Wing here, flew its final C-5 Galaxy flight March 10.

The squadron converts to the C-17 Globemaster III mission April 1.

The base's first C-17 arrives in June and it will receive 12 more of the aircraft over the course of two years. The base will keep 18 of its original 36 C-5s.

The 326th AS has been flying the C-5 since it arrived at Dover in 1973. Their sister squadron, the 709th Airlift Squadron, will continue to fly the C-5.

"It's a great moment in history for the 326th AS," said Lt. Col. Louis Patriquin, who has 3,000 flying hours on the C-5 and was the aircraft commander on the final flight. "The squadron has been flying the C-5 for 34 years, and today we're starting a new chapter adding the C-17."

It was a bittersweet moment, said Lt. Col. Rob Shepherd, 326th AS commander. He too has flown 3,000 hours in the C-5 and is currently attending C-17 school at Altus Air Force Base, Okla.

"The C-5 has been good to me," he said. "I have a long history with the aircraft and have made a lot of great memories. It's taken me all over the world."

Colonel Shepherd will continue those travels in the C-17, adding he's excited about the new aircraft arriving at Dover.

"It's an exciting time for the squadron," he said. "It's like getting handed the keys to your dad's new sports car. It's a great aircraft and paired up with the C-5 it will make a great team."

"That's the beauty of Dover's airlift team; we will be able to leverage the strengths of both weapon systems in one fight," added Lt. Col. Craig LaFave, chief of the 512th AW Program Integration Office. "Nothing in the world can haul cargo like the C-5; it can clear out even the busiest aerial ports. The Galaxy can haul 36 pallets and land at a forward base with longer runways. In contrast, the C-17 can carry up to 18 pallets and, like the C-5, can haul out-sized cargo. However, the C-17 has the ability to take its load to more austere and unimproved airfields."

The C-17 can land on a 3,500-foot dirt runway, taxi backwards out of tight parking spots, and can combat offload its cargo under fire. The C-17 can fly at 300 feet at high speed, and with the assistance of night vision goggles, crews can land on blacked-out assault zones.

Until the first C-17 arrives, the 326th AS aircrew members who have completed C-17 school are flying the aircraft at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and Jackson Air National Guard Base, Miss., Colonel LaFave said. Several squadron members are currently in C-17 school, and all squadron members should complete the school by next year. It takes 100 days to train each crewmember, but up to 18 more months to fully season instructors and flight examiners.

The active duty unit here, the 436th Airlift Wing, also begins conversion in April. The wing's 3rd Airlift Squadron will fly the C-17 and its sister squadron, the 9th AS will continue to fly the C-5.

Photo below: Final Flight
It was the end of an era March 10 for the 326th Airlift Squadron as an aircrew parked a C-5 Galaxy on the Dover Air Force Base, Del., runway. It was the last C-5 flight for the squadron, a unit in the Air Force Reserve Command's 512th Airlift Wing. The squadron, which has been flying the C-5 since 1973, is transitioning to the C-17 Globemaster III, scheduled to arrive in June. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo)

Data links give Airmen attack controllers 'big picture'

Photo: Staff Sgt Daniel Kovarik, a joint terminal attack controller assigned to the 548th Combat Training Squadron's Detachment 1 at Fort Polk, La., calls in targeting coordinates for a suspected terrorist hideout to nearby A-10 Thunderbolt IIs during urban combat air support training May 16, 2006. The training took place in Deridder, La., where the 548th CTS has an agreement to allow flights over the city for more realistic urban conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jack Braden)

by Master Sgt. Tonya Keebaugh
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

3/13/2007 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNEWS) -- A small group of Airmen are having a dramatic effect on the battlefield. They're in demand from everyone from Army squads and platoons to large defense contractors. Everyone wants a joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) on their team -- and with good reason.

They are crucial to putting air force bombs on target by controlling the air strikes the ground commander needs.

With less than 1,100 of them to go around the Air Force, their career field has been forced to come up with better ideas for fighting the war on terrorism. One of those "good ideas" is being tested here at Nellis in the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron and the Joint Datalink Information Combat Execution or JDICE.

"We needed a better way of working in our air support operation centers," said Staff Sgt. Erik Roberts, 422nd JTAC. "In the past, we've marked the positions of friendly forces on a map using tacks and symbols or markers."

That way of tracking troops is archaic in today's information age. The ASOC has been using digital means to track the battlefield but haven't had the capabilities the new system will provide at their fingertips.

Sergeant Roberts is currently testing and developing training plans and tactics for the Ground Mobile Gateway. The GMG is a humvee with a shelter that contains the tactical battlefield command and control functions, in real time, which will be used at the ASOC level. The ASOC is the primary control agency component of the Theater Air Ground System for the execution of close-air support. The ASOC coordinates and directs air support for Army or joint force land component operations. The GMG is an upgrade to the existing ASOC capabilities which incorporates joint-range extension data -- making visible the blue force and the red force assets on the battlefield.

"In a nut shell, it takes all the different tactical data links into one system and spits them out to the right people," said Sergeant Roberts.

It does that by tapping the Link 16 on the F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-15EsStrike Eagles and F/A-18 Hornets and the situational awareness data link on the A-10/OA Thunderbolts. Those two data links provide the friendly aircraft information to the GMG live - combined with the blue force tracker information and GPS coordinates from the ground troops and JTACs -- it provides a live common operating picture of the battlefield.

"I can now see the ground picture and the air picture as it's moving," said the seven-year veteran. "We let the machines do the math and let the warfighters make the decisions."

The "math" the JTACs do could be anything from calculating distance from an IP (initial point of entry for aircraft) to a target to calculating the kill radius for weapons effectiveness.

That takes a lot off the shoulders of a JTAC in the middle of a battle - doing "math in public" is often a challenge for many -- imagine when mortars are raining down and you're under intense small-arms fire. The machines will help eliminate fratricide that human-error played into previously.

Because the math will be more exact, the target area will decrease in size also.
"Using DPSS (Army version of Precision Strike Suite-Special Operations Forces), we're able to sweeten the target," said Sergeant Roberts. "Instead of 'which building' will be targeted, we're talking 'which window' in that building now."

The GMG has been tested in the past three red flag exercises here and at the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment, or JEFX. The GMG is using for tests is "on steroids," and the ASOCs will receive a toned-down version when they start fielding them, Sergeant Roberts said. But, some JTAC units passing through Nellis for training are already gaining valuable insight they can use in combat.

"We used it during the last Red Flag in February with the 5th (Air Support Operations Squadron) and we worked with them on their digital TTPs (training, tactics and procedures), which they will use in their upcoming deployment," said Sergeant Roberts.

As for future deployments, the ground and air communications is continually expanding capabilities. The 1,094 JTACs will only become more valuable to the ground war as advances in the way they do business increases.

Leap Frogs Take a Leap Into 2007

Photo: Members of the U.S. Navy Parachute Demonstration Team Leap Frogs descend into San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium during a training session. The Leap Frogs are a 15-man team comprised of Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, Land) and Special Warfare Combatant Craft (SWCC) personnel. The Leap Frogs support Navy Recruiting efforts and promote the Naval Special Warfare community to the American public. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stephanie Tigner

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice David L. Smart, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Sailors known as the Leap Frogs, members of the U.S. Navy’s Parachute Team, conducted training for their upcoming 2007 schedule at Qualcomm Stadium on March 8.

The Leap Frogs perform precision freefall and parachute jumps in support of Navy-wide retention, recruiting and community relations programs.

“We travel around the [United States] to help keep the public aware of the Navy,” said Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nix White, leading petty officer of the Leap Frogs. “Our main focus is to show public awareness and aid in the recruitment of Navy Special Warfare.”

The Leap Frogs generally hold performances 35 to 50 times annually. They practice for three months out of the year to ensure that safety measures are met.

“Safety is our number one concern,” said Special Warfare Operator 1st Class John Murray, a team member of the Leap Frogs. “Skydiving is an inherently dangerous sport already, and when you add in a stadium full of people, safety is paramount.”

The Leap Frogs are renowned for their exciting and complex skydiving formations. They bring a different type of halftime show to an event.

“It’s very exciting to see them do their stunts,” said Janell Lucken, a deputy sheriff for San Diego County. “Seeing the show has really instilled pride in me and has given me a very patriotic feeling.”

To find out more, visit www.leapfrogs.navy.mil. You can see the complete schedule for the Leap Frogs right here on the MT Milcom Blogspot at http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2007/02/us-navy-leap-frogs-2007-performance.html. And you can get all the frequencies for the Leap Frogs in the March 2007 issue of Monitoring Times magazine on sale right now at a newstand near you.

Big E Comm Intercepts - 3/14/2007 1240 UTC

Photo: Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) transits alongside nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) during an underway replenishment. (US Navy Photo)

Here is that latest list of comms associated with the Big E CSG as of 1240 UTC.

4414.0 usb ECHO FOXTROT
5078.5 usb ECHO WHISKEY

-----------------------

120.950 SEALORD FACSFAC Jax
128.950 DART (Lear) air-air; Phoenix Air Group
133.950 SEALORD FACSFAC Jax
136.975 COUGAR Air-Air
225.350 Pinecastle Targets [Black]
226.200 Fighter Control [Button 9]
230.225 ECHO WHISKEY CWC UHF Net
234.500 VFC-12 Tac AMBUSH air-air
235.350 Pinecastle Range Targets
238.425 ECHO ZULU CWC UHF Net
242.750 MARSHAL [Button 16]
244.725 DART calling ____ WARRIOR (was not SILENT WARRIOR)
245.400 Fighter Control North CAP Shield c/s [Button 10]
249.800 DART aircraft working unidentified / Invader Jack [Primary]
250.425 Approach Control/Tower
252.650 SAR Alpha
254.225 RED CROWN [Button 4]
254.825 Dart aircraft discrete
256.700 HAMMER 31 calling Avon Ops
259.825 STRIKE [Button 3]
263.325 SAR Bravo
263.350 DEPARTURE
265.850 RED TALON
267.500 SEALORD FACSFAC Jax North
269.675 DART 12 working _____ WARRIOR. Trying 349.900, open mic on 249.800
273.850 DRAGON F-21 Air-air
277.800 Fleet Common
278.775 Screwtop w Hawk ##/usage [Yellow]
279.350 Secure
282.400 AEW&C Red Air (very tentative)
283.150 ECHO PAPA/ECHO ROMEO [Button 7]
289.200 Pinecastle Range Control
290.000 VMFA-251 Tac
290.875 Unknown user/Air-air
292.200 Avon Park Range Control
293.225 Miami Center – Vero Beach RCAG
312.250 VFA-211 Tac "Nickel"
313.725 Pinecastle Range R2906 Control
314.225 VMFA-251 Tac "TBolt"
316.850 VFA-136 Tac "Hawk"
317.825 VFA-86 Tac "Winder"
318.075 Fighter Control South CAP - "GOLF" [Button 11]
323.950 VS-32 Tac (tentative) Air-air
324.725 VAW-123 Tac "Screwtop"
326.175 VS-32 Tac
341.875 REP [Button 18]
342.250 Range? Check in with weapons load; Possible Iron Cross discrete
348.950 Aerial Refueling / RHET 95
349.900 DART 12 with MAYCOM WARRIOR / Invader Jack [Secondary]
351.800 Jax Approach
355.350 Unknown user/Air-air [Button 12]
361.075 VFA-86 Tac "Winder"
364.375 VFA-136 Tac "Hawk" (tentative)
370.750 VMFA-251 Tac (tentative) Shield ## at Pinecastle Air-Air / Hammer flight manual push to here
372.225 Unknown user/Air-air NICKEL 17/22
374.300 VFC-12 Tac "Ambush"
377.050 Unknown user/usage?? (key up)
377.600 SILENT WARRIOR / COUGAR 24-25 /Red Air

Button & Color Designators:
Button 3 – 259.825 Strike
Button 4 – 254.225 Red Crown
Button 7 - 283.150 Echo Papa/Echo Romeo
Button 8 - Unknown
Button 9 - 226.200 Fighter Control
Button 10 – 245.400 Shot Common
Button 11 – 318.075 Fighter Control
Button 12 - 355.350
Button 15 – Approach
Button 16 – 242.750 Marshal
Button 17 – Approach
Button 18 - 341.875 Reps
Button 19 - Echo Papa?

Beige - Unknown
Black - 225.350
Yellow - 278.725

Have Quick:
235.050 239.950 252.925 257.250 262.450 267.850 271.950 289.050 293.550 298.650 303.275 314.450

Callsigns:
AMBUSH ## - VFC-12 F/A-18C (RTB Navy Jax)
CLIMAX CONTROL - USS Enterprise
COUGAR ## - Hawker Hunter, ATAC Inc (RTB Navy Jax)
DAGGER ## - L-59 aircraft
DART ## - Phoenix Air Group Lear Jets
DELTA – HF CWC Net Surface Unit (HF)
DRAGON 41 – ATAC Newport News F-21 Kfir
ECHO - Link 16 Net Surface Unit (HF)
ECHO BRAVO - Strike Group Commander (HF)
ECHO FOXTROT - Track / Link Coordinator (HF)
ECHO PAPA - Strike Warfare Commander (UHF)
ECHO ROMEO – Air Resources Element Commander (UHF)
ECHO WHISKEY - Air Defense C ommander (HF/UHF)
ECHO ZULU - Sea Combat Commander (UHF)
GAMMA RAY - FAC/JTAC at Pinecastle
GOLF - USS Gettysburg (HF) (UHF) Air Defense Control - ADC/Link 11 Net
HAMMER ## - Strike Mission tactical callsign
HAWK ## - VFA-136 F/A-18C
HITMAN 21
HOTEL - Link 11 Net surface unit
INVADER JACK – Flight International Lear Jets
JULIET – Link 16 Net Surface unit (HF)
KILO - Link 16 Net surface unit
LIBERTY 71-72 (Delayed on tanker, alternate tasking?) (211?)
LIMA - HF CWC Net (surface unit)
MACOM WARRIOR
Mauler - VS-32 S-3B
MIKE – Link 11 Net Surface unit (HF)
NAIL ## - Strike Mission tactical callsign
NICKEL ## VFA-211 F/A-18F
OMEGA 71 - Omega Air Inc KC-135
OSCAR – Link 11 Net Surface unit (HF)
PANTHER 41/61 (first section of Red Air)
PAPA – Surface unit (HF)
RATTLER 35 - Gulfstream 1 (G-159) Phoenix Air Group (tentative)
RAWHIDE 44 – VRC-40 Det C-2A
RHET 95/96 - 19ARG/99ARS KC-135R
ROOK ## - VAQ-137 EA-6B
SCREWTOP - VAW-123 E-2C II
SEALORD - FACSFAC Jacksonville, Florida
SHIELD ## - Strike Mission tactical callsign
SILENT WARRIOR - Air Defense Surface Unit - Red Air
SNIPER 1 Unidentified aircraft
TBOLT ## – VMFA-251 F/A-18C
TRON 53 – EA-6B Tactical callsign
VIPER ## - Unidentified aircraft
WINDER ## - VFA-86 F/A-18C

CVW-1 Squadron List
VFA-86 Sidewinders F/A-18C
VFA-136 Knighthawks F/A-18
VFA-211 Checkmates F/A-18 Super Hornet
VMFA-251 Thunderbolts F/A-18C
VAQ-137 Rooks EA-6B
VAW-123 Screwtops E-2C
VS-32 Maulers S-3B
VRC-40 Det Rawhides C-2A
HS-11 Dragonslayers SH-60

Big E CSG Ship List
USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51)
USS Stout (DDG-55)
USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98)
USS James E. Williams (DDG-95)
USS Gettysburg (CG-64)
USS Philadelphia (SSN-690)
USNS Supply (T-AOE 6)

US Overflights/Russian Long Range Air Force

Following extracts taken from articles on Russian MOD website, dated 30 November 2006. Translated by Old Crow and submitted to MT's Milcom Blog for information and interest.

An observation flight over USA territory
Within the framework of the International Open Skies Agreement, The Russian Mission will carry out an observation flight over the United States during the period 11th to 16th March 2007. The flight will be accomplished by an observation TU-154M operating from Wright-Patterson airfield to a range of some 4900 kilometres. The observation flight over US territory will be carried out on completion of the current work being carried out by the Open Skies Mission which began on 6th March over Canadian territory, operating from Trenton airfield to a range of some 5400 kilometres. Russian, Canadian and American specialists aboard the TU-154M will be checking that all the agreed rules and regulations for such flights are observed. As far as the Russian specialists are concerned, this flight is the first one of the current year to be carried out over US and Canadian territory under the Open Skies agreement.

A briefing on the theme "65 years since the formation of Long Range Air Force - its composition and development" (The CinC Long Range Air Force - Lt General Igor' Khvorov - answers questions and comments). Date of article 12th March 2007.

There will be at least 10 live firings of airborne cruise missiles by LRA crews during the course of combat training in the current year. The intensity of LRA flight operations in the current year is at a very high level. During April, LRA crews will participate in Strategic Command-Staff training by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation; and in the summer, will take part in large-scale manoeuvres "Peaceful Mission 2007" within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation organisation at the Chebarkul' training area in the Volgo-Urals Military District. In addition, LRA aircraft will be actively participating in combat training involving the Joint Air Defence systems of the CIS - "Combat Community 2007" which will take place at the Ashuluk training area near Astrakhan' (No dates given). In the current year, the flying hours of crews has been increased to 5-10 hours, as a result of increased aviation fuel supplies reaching the units.

The Long Range Air Force is to take delivery of two modernised TU-160 missile carrying aircraft during 2007. The active process of refitting and modernisation of this type of aircraft has now begun. At the beginning of the year, two TU-160 were sent off to the Kazan' aircraft factory. At the beginning of April, practical bombing evolutions involving a highly
modernised TU-160, which was modernised during last year, will be carried out by a test-flight aircrew. The development of a new missile system - a cruise-missile with a higher speed - is taking place in parallel with the modernisation of already-existing missile weapons of the LRA. The CinC underlined that Russia had taken the world lead position in the area of cruise-missile systems of the "Air-Surface" and "Air-Air" category.

The Long Range Air Force carries out Combat Duty using rapid reaction readiness conditions. Russia's Long Range Aviation is carrying out Combat Duty with the missile-carrying aircraft on the ground, revealed the CinC of 37 Air Army of the Supreme High Command (Strategic Mission), Lieutenant-General Igor' Khvorov. "At the current time, we are maintaining Combat Duty posture with the aircraft on the ground. At the given signal, the duty crew is ready to carry out the combat mission against any point on the planet". The CinC also stated that the duty aircraft/crew did not have nuclear weapons on board, either on the ground or in the air. Present at a press-conference, the previous CinC LRA during the 60-80's - Hero of the Soviet Union, Colonel General of Aviation Vasilij Reshetnikov confirmed that during the years of the "Cold War", missile-carrying aircraft on Combat Duty did not have nuclear weapons on board.

Russian LRA aircraft are capable of suppressing elements of the US's anti-missile defence. Missions to suppress elements of the US's anti-missile defences in Europe can be carried out by all LRA aircraft, revealed CinC 37 Air Army. "In as
much as all the elements of the antimissile defence appear to be weakly defended/shielded objects, then all types of aircraft of our air force will be able to suppress them electronically and by physical destruction".

Blog Editor's Note: Recently reported Russian Long Range Air Force frequencies from REA4 Moscow 1000/50 include: 2721.0 4179.0 4706.0 5157.0 7018.0 9193.0 11408.0 23961.0 kHz.

Ariane-5 Launches SkyNet 5A

A United Kingdom military communications satellite, SkyNet 5A, was launched on an Ariane-5ECA (V175)/535 rocket on March 11, 2007 from French Guyana. Skynet 5A carries an international designator 2007-007A/SSC#30793. Skynet 5A will operate in geostationary orbit at 1 degree west in the Clarke Belt.

The Skynet-5A (and 5B) satellites were designed by the European company Astrium SAS in its Stevenage and Portsmouth production centres in the UK, and integrated in Toulouse, for Astrium Ltd/Paradigm Secure Communications based in Stevenage, under the terms of a turnkey contract with the British Ministry of Defence. Paradigm will supply secure high-speed voice and data telecommunications facilities to the British Armed Forces, NATO and other countries. Skynet-A payloads were manufactured at the Astrium site in Porthmouth (UK). Final assembly and testing were carried out in the Toulouse plant (France). Skynet-5A and 5B will replace the current Skynet-4 satellites, also built by EADS Astrium for Paradigm Secure Communications, owner and operator of the spacecraft.

Skynet-5A is the first of the series 5 satellites to be launched by Arianespace, following the series 4 spacecraft. It is also the 26th military payload to fly on the European launcher.

Skynet 4B was launched in December 1988 on flight 27 on an Ariane 44LP, with Astra 1A,
Skynet 4C was launched in August 1990 on flight 38 on an Ariane 44LP, with Eutelsat II F1,
Skynet 4E was launched in February 1999 on flight 116 on an Ariane 44L, with Arabsat 3A,
Skynet-4F was launched in February 2001 on flight 139 on an Ariane 44L, with Sicral.
Skynet -5A forms part of a 3-satellite (Skynet-5A, 5B and 5C) communications system.

This system provides links with terminals on the ground, at sea and on board aircraft, with protected transmission for voice messages and high-speed digital data transmissions. When initially placed in service, the system will operate under the control of the US Air Force Satellite Control Facility (AFSCF) at the Sunnyvale station in the USA. Control will then be transferred to the British RAF ground segment at Oakhanger (with redundancy provided by the Sunnyvale facilities for a given period).

To facilitate manufacture, transport and assembly, the satellite structure has two independent platforms round a central tube on which the payload equipment is installed. The lower, Service Module (SM) carries the greater part of the Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS), and the power units. This module is substantially derived from the Eurostar 3000 generic platform. The upper, Communication Module (CM) carries most of the communication equipment.

A Liquid Propellant apogee Engine (LAE) is used for orbit circularisation. Four identical tanks (two MMH and two NTO) are secured symmetrically round the central tube and supply the LAE mounted on the central cone, and the seven modules housing the main, redundant nozzles. The helium pressurisation tank is installed inside the central tube. The Service Module equipment is mounted on the North and South panels for the thermal dissipation units. The Chemical Propulsion System (CPS) is mounted on the bottom of the SM.

The North and South panels of the Communication Module (-Y, +Y) carry the travelling wave tubes (TWT) and other high thermal dissipation equipment, and like the Service Module panels also provide a heat-sink function. The batteries, which also require efficient temperature control, are mounted on the side walls of the SM.

The Communication Module (CM) carries two helicoidal UHF antennas. These will be deployed under remote control when the satellite is in geostationary orbit. The central part of the CM also carries an S band telemetry and telecommand (TTC) deployable mast antenna.

Electric power supply for the satellite is delivered by two solar panels, folded during the launch (on ± Y) and deployed after 3-axis stabilisation of the satellite (the outer panel of each wing is deployed one hour after separation from the launcher). Energy is supplied by a Li-lon cell battery in transfer orbit and during eclipses.

In-orbit pointing of the satellite is controlled by the ADCS, a simple and reliable system. Low-thrust (10N) thrusters are used in the pulse or continuous mode for housekeeping and attitude control operations.

USAF Atlas V Military Launch - 3/9/2007

Atlas V launch from Cape Canaveral SLC41 on March 9, 2007 at 0310 UTC. Here are the details of the various payloads.

2007-006A/30772 Orbital Express 1A (ASTRO)
2007-006B/30773 MidSTAR-1
2007-006C/30774 Orbital Express 1B (NEXTSAT)
2007-006D/30775 STPSat-1
2007-006E/30076 FalconSat 3
2007-006F/30777 CFESat

Milair Spectrum Hole List Part 5

When reporting activity on any of the spectrum hole frequencies in our list, be sure to pass along any info that can help identify the user and frequency usage. Also let us know if you want your catch listed here and how you want to be identified. This list is valid for ITU Region 2 only (North/Central/South America). Other areas of the world have their own bandplans.

Note: Any frequency below that is bolded should be watched very closely and those marked with an asterick are our highest priority frequency monitoring targets. Our highest priority spectrum monitor list currently consist of the following frequencies (from parts 1, 2 3 and 4): 233.600 252.300 252.600 277.300 293.900 298.200 and 336.700 MHz. If you hear anything on these frequencies below please notify me as soon as possible.

Spectrum Hole List Part 5 (325-349.975 MHz)

326.2250 326.2500 326.2750 326.3750 326.4750 326.5250 326.6250 326.6500 326.6750 326.7250 326.7750 326.8250 326.8500 326.8750 327.2750 327.3500 327.3750 327.4250 327.5250 327.6250 327.6750 327.7250 327.7750 327.8750 327.9250 327.9500 328.2250 328.2500 328.2750 328.4250 328.4750 328.5250 335.4500 335.4750 335.8750 336.0250 336.0500 336.1750 336.2500 336.2750 336.4250 336.4750 336.5250 336.5750 336.6750 336.7000* 336.7250 336.7750 336.8500 336.8750 338.1750 339.6250 339.6750 339.7500 339.8250 339.8750 339.9750 340.0250 340.1250 340.1750 340.2750 340.3250 341.7750 341.8250 341.8500 341.9250 342.0500 342.0750 342.1750 342.2250 342.2750 342.3250 342.3750 342.4500 342.5250 342.5750 342.6250 342.7250 342.7750 342.9250 343.1250 343.1750 343.2250 343.2500 343.2750 343.3250 343.4750 343.5250 345.1250 346.4750 346.5750 346.6250 346.6750 346.7250 348.0750 348.1250 348.1750 348.2250 348.2500 348.2750 348.3250 348.8500 348.8750 348.9250 348.9750 349.0750 349.1250 349.1750 349.2250 349.2500 349.2750 349.3250 349.4750 349.5250 349.5750 349.6250 349.7500 349.7750 349.8750 349.9750

Frequencies in bold are priority frequencies to monitor.

USS New Orleans Commissioned in Namesake City

NEW ORLEANS (March 10, 2007) – Operations Specialist 2nd Class Israel Flores and Quartermaster 3rd Class August Sorvillo assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), prepare to raise the ship's commissioning pennant during the ship's commissioning ceremony. New Orleans is the second ship in the Navy’s new San Antonio class. As a critical element in future expeditionary strike groups, the ship will support the Marine Corps mobility triad, which consists of the LCAC (landing craft air cushion), the expeditionary fighting vehicle, and the Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft (MV-22). The ship also provides improved warfighting capabilities including an advanced command-and-control suite, increased lift-capacity in vehicle and cargo-carrying capability and advanced ship-survivability features. The ship holds the distinction of being the only ship in recent naval history built and commissioned in its namesake city. USS New Orleans got underway yesterday (March 12) and will be homeported in San Diego, Calif. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jay Cope.

Navy Says Farewell to Last Sea King

Photo: MH-60 Seahawk helicopters fly in formation with an H-3 Sea King assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight Five (HSC-85) during a ceremonial flight honoring more than 40 years of service by the H-3 Sea King. Sea King is being replaced by the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter throughout the Navy. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Dustin Kelling

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stephanie Tigner, Fleet Public Affairs Center Pacific

Sailors from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85 held a decommissioning ceremony for the Navy’s last H-3 Sea King helicopter March 6.

The helicopter departed Naval Air Station North Island en route to Atlanta to be prepped for foreign military sales.

For the past six months the Navy has phased out the H-3s and replaced them with the MH-60 helicopters which have newer technology, capabilities, and advanced ergonomics.

“Although this is a sad day for anyone who has had the pleasure of flying or working on it," said Cmdr. James Cluxton, commanding officer of HSC-85 who has flown the H-3 for the past seven years. "The Sea King has far exceeded original expectations and has forged a long, proud legacy.”

During the past 37 years, HSC-85 used the H-3 for search and rescue missions as well as to launch/recover mobile anti-submarine warfare targets and torpedoes.

Dave Williams, the Navy’s last official H-3 technical representative, said it was sad to see it go.

“I will miss its reliability and versatility," he said. "It’s an all around good aircraft.”

As the H-3 Sea King prepared to taxi down the runway for the last time, Cluxton concluded his farewell.

“Today we say ‘fair winds and following seas’ to an old friend as this aircraft moves on to another location and to another round of dedicated service. There’s only one King -- long live the King!”

F-16 Crashes in the Florida Straits

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the Air Force Reserve Command's 482nd Fighter Wing here crashed about 11:05 a.m. EDT on 12 March 2007 approximately 75 miles south-southeast of Homestead in the Florida Straits. The aircraft was from the 93rd Fighter Squadron. At the time of the accident, it was flying a routine training mission. The pilot ejected safely and was successfully rescued.

Future is bright for Air Force space assets

Photo: Tech. Sgt. Bryan Schubert watches a moving satellite dish inside one of the "golf ball" protective dish covers as it tracks a satellite moving across the northern polar sky in January at Thule Air Base, Greenland. Among the key areas on which Airmen in Air Force Space Command are focused is preserving and developing new capabilities for the joint warfighter. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Tolzmann)


Future is bright for Air Force space assets
by Louis A. Arana-Barradas
Air Force Print News

The Airmen of Air Force Space Command are tracking a lot more than the man-made space junk that orbits the Earth.

Space operators are troubleshooting the way they do business. They're focusing on getting their capabilities -- the ones most Americans know little about -- to the forefront of the battlefield.

Leading the effort is a group of leaders with experience in real-world combat operations. These men and women know how to work with their sister services to ensure servicemembers on the ground get the best air and space support needed to win the war on terrorism. Every day, these combat Airmen help joint forces achieve the best possible spherical situational awareness.

The commander of these space Airmen, Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, is a longtime space operator. The command is modernizing its capabilities and technologies and fixating on the details to make the services second to none. He said the command is focusing on key areas.

"First we need to be preserving, as well as developing, new capabilities the joint warfighter relies on. Second, we have to provide a nuclear deterrent with our ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) force," the general said. "Third, unlike other commands, we have an acquisition responsibility, so we are focusing on making sure we develop, acquire and field the necessary capabilities we need for the future. Underpinning this is our need for talented people."

So as the command heads into a more clearly defined future, it is concentrating on recruiting, training and retaining "the talent we need to run our space systems in the future," he said.

That is a key strategy for fighting the continuing war on terrorism, a battle in which space command Airmen are deeply involved every day. Space operators bring the Global Positioning System and timing to the worldwide joint fight. They also control global communications with their arsenal of satellites and provide weather and missile warnings. The unmanned aerial vehicles operating over Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world also rely on global communication.

"None of this would happen without the GPS and timing signal," General Chilton said.
The command has some immediate goals, he said. And it will continue to face challenges.

"Many of the goals we are paying close attention to are what we call space situation awareness," he said. "We need to have a better understanding of what is up in space.
Space command is doing a good job of cataloging and counting the objects orbiting the Earth, he said. But the command needs a better understanding of just what the objects are, the capabilities of the satellites in space and the intent of the satellite's users.

"The recent Chinese satellite test really put an exclamation point on this requirement for the future," the general said. "After we understand the situational awareness up there and develop that, we need to also focus on how we can command and control our assets so they can be responsive to any threat that may appear."

Getting there means facing change involving recapitalization and acquisition. But the general said his Airmen are up to the challenges and that this will make for some exciting times ahead.

"We are recapitalizing every system in the command," General Chilton said. "Right now, every satellite system -- whether weather, communications, missile warning or GPS satellites -- is being recapitalized. We are developing brand new ones, and we are launching some of those satellites this year."

The command is looking deep into the future to develop satellites that won't go into service for several years, but that will help with space surveillance. And the command is also recapitalizing the Air Force's entire ICBM force, essentially rebuilding the Minuteman III missile system deployed in the field.

These are very important programs for the nation and the general said it is "essential that we continue to fund these as we move forward."

Getting the funds needed to recapitalize means making lawmakers and the American public more aware of the command's capabilities. Doing that is a dedicated cadre of Airmen doing a task most people don't know about -- space command missions. It's a job space Airmen should be proud of, the general said.

"We require them to train and be proficient in what they do -- but they are in the fight 24-7," the general said. "On top of that, our ICBM force provides that strategic umbrella for our nations and that doesn't happen by accident. They are out there every day, doing the job."

But it's the payoff of having a viable space command that makes its capabilities worth their weight in gold to the command's customers.

"Nothing we do in Air Force Space Command is for Air Force Space Command," General Chilton said. "Everything we do is for the joint fight."

That's why the general said he wants everyone to know and have the confidence to turn to the command for "anything space." Space Airmen have capabilities that run the gamut from systems development, acquisition fielding and actual operations to the launch of ICBMs, missile warning, space surveillance and a host of key satellite systems.

"We have the expertise for America in Air Force Space Command," he said. "If you have a question about space, we should be at the top of your Rolodex."

USAF satellite-loaded Atlas V is 50th launch success

The Air Force marked its 50th consecutive successful launch March 8 with an Atlas V loaded with six experimental satellites.

Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, Calif., successfully launched the rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., with the 45th Space Wing spacelift team.

The mission integration and subsequent launch was a collaborative effort on the part of the Air Force, the Aerospace Corporation, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Department of Energy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the United Launch Alliance and contractors including the Boeing Company, Ball Aerospace, and AeroAstro.

The firsts on this mission include:
-- The first launch of an Air Force payload on an Atlas V
-- The first flight of an EELV Secondary Payload Adaptor
-- The first Air Force mission with six unique spacecraft
-- The first dedicated EELV mission for the Department of Defense Space Test Program
-- The first Atlas V mission to carry multiple satellites to two distinctly different low-Earth orbits.

"I am just overwhelmed and ecstatic by the results of last night's launch" said." Lt. Col. Carol Welsch, director of the DOD Space Test Program and Space Development Group, SMC. "The separation systems on the ESPA ring worked flawlessly allowing the satellites to deploy nominally. I don't believe the flight to the designated mission orbits could have gone any better than it did."

This was the ninth launch of the Atlas V rocket that plays an important role in assured access to space.

"I congratulate the members of the Space Test Program, DARPA, and United Launch Alliance team on their successful mission accomplishment last evening," said Col. Samuel Greaves, STP-1 mission director. I am proud to be a part of the success of this mission and I look forward to supporting future launches that show the same degree of dedication to mission success. Well done!"

"This is an exciting and historic day for the Air Force and our government/industry EELV launch team," said Col. David Thompson, commander of the 45th Operations Group and spacelift commander for this mission. "This is our ninth straight successful Atlas V launch. It helps mark the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force because it's another chapter in the long Atlas heritage that began back in the 1950s when the Air Force initially developed the Atlas as an intercontinental ballistic missile."

The individual spacecraft launched on the Atlas V were:

-- NextSat and ASTRO for the Defense Advanced Projects Agency:
These satellites are part of a program called Orbital Express. They will spend the next three months in orbit, demonstrating for the first time fully autonomous rendezvous and capture of client spacecraft, satellite-to-satellite refueling, and replacement of battery and flight-computer orbital replacement units. The technologies developed by DARPA's Orbital Express program are intended to support a broad range of future U.S. national security, civil and commercial space activities.

ORBITAL EXPRESS
1 30772U 07006A 07071.21013879 .00002142 00000-0 10000-3 0 93
2 30772 46.0304 87.3377 0005626 283.7025 76.3986 15.23673385 472

ORBITAL EXPRESS
1 30774U 07006C 07070.55446384 .00000814 00000-0 45657-4 0 59
2 30774 46.0298 90.8357 0005618 281.0480 78.9786 15.23666884 371

-- STPSat-1 for the Space Test Program: This microsatellite was built to specifically exploit the new ESPA multi-mission launch capability. It supports STP's mission to provide reliable access to space for DoD-sponsored experiments. STPsat-1: A 343-pound (156-kilogram) satellite carrying two experiments to collect atmospheric data and demonstrate spacecraft technologies for the U.S. Air Force’s Space Test Program. This satellite carries an interesting experiment (CITRIS) which will monitor spacecraft beacons on the following frequencies: 150.012, 400.032 and 1066.752 MHz. It is NOT transmitting a downlink on these frequencies as one source has reported.

-- CFESat for the Los Alamos National Laboratory: The Cibola Flight Experiment is a technology pathfinder project for the National Nuclear Security Administration's Office of Research and Development. It is flying eight new technologies for space flight validation. It is a 350-pound (159-kilogram) satellite built for the Los Alamos National Laboratory to test a series of new technologies, including inflatable boom antennas, a new power supply and a prototype supercomputer designed to process data onboard rather than sending raw information directly to Earth

CFESat is a reconfigurable processor payload mission of LANL (Los Alamos National Laboratory) intended for a low-Earth orbit system. The objective is to survey portions of the VHF and UHF radio spectra. The experiment uses networks of reprogrammable, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to process the received signals for ionospheric and lightning studies. The objective is to detect and measure impulse events that occur in a complex background. The experiment also will validate the on-orbit use of commercial, reconfigurable FPGA technology demonstrating several different schemes for the mitigation and correction of "single-event upsets" that would crash most current computer systems. CFESat is supported by STP (Space Test Program) of DoD and is part of the STP-1 space flight mission.

CFESat employs two SSDRs (Solid State Data Recorder), each of 1 GByte capacity. A new router system is used to collect the downlink as well as the uplink data. All data transfer is provided in S-band with CPFSK (Continuous Phase Frequency Shift Keying) modulation and a data rate of 19.2 kbit/s in uplink. The downlink has data rates of 38.4 kbit/s or of 4 Mbit/s using QPSK (Quadra-Phase Shift Keying) modulation.

-- MidSTAR for the U.S. Naval Academy: It is a general-purpose satellite bus carrying four experiments. MidSTAR-1 is the first implementation of the mod 1 design. It has been commissioned by STP to carry the Internet Communications Satellite (ICSat) Experiment for SSP (no. 39 on the 2002 SERB List) and the Configurable Fault Tolerant Processor (CFTP) Experiment for NPS (no. 34 on the 2002 SERB List). Uplink 1.767 GHz and downlink 2.20226 GHz using Gaussian Mean Shift Key modulation (68.4 kbit/s or better data rate)

MIDSTAR 1
1 30773U 07006B 07071.21127939 -.00000229 00000-0 28920-5 0 83
2 30773 46.0286 87.3624 0003260 285.0857 74.9644 15.23096508 478

-- FalconSat-3 for the U.S. Air Force Academy is a 119-pound (54-kilogram) satellite. It is a general purpose satellite bus carrying three experiments. FS-3’s mission is to collect data from its experiments and provide cadets in the Space Operations major an actual space ops experience. Additionally Astronautics major cadets will analyze telemetry and make operations decisions. FS-3 will perform its primary mission on DOD frequencies with a downlink at 2.220 GHz.

Modulation is GMSK at 38k4 or 76k8 bps. All transmissions are in the clear and are AX.25. Additionally FS-3 carries an Amateur radio transmitter and receiver with a downlink at 435.100 Mhz. Modulation is GMSK at 9k6 with faster bit rates available. The Amateur uplink is in VHF and the frequency will be made available when FS-3 reverts to Amateur mode.

After the primary science mission is completed the satellite will be transferred to the USAFA Amateur Radio Club and operated as an Amateur satellite. It can function much like AO-51 in either an FM voice or digital store and forward configurations. During the first few weeks on orbit FS-3 will be commissioned, which includes uploading software and testing all functions. During that time the Amateur radio payload will be exercised.

The primary avionics in FS-3 are from SpaceQuest with additional modules built by cadets and faculty at USAFA and contractors. Software modules are from BekTek, SSTL, and Colorado Satellite Services, with additional software by cadets and faculty at USAFA. The satellite is ‘ESPA class’. The basic structure is a cube about 24” on a side. There is a 3 meter gravity gradient boom that will be extended from the ‘top’ on orbit. On the ‘bottom’ are the pulse plasma thrusters and various antennas including an array of S band patch antennas provided by S&L Technologies of Orlando along with omni antennas for S, V and U bands.

The USAFA ground station consists of two complete units with individual masts on the roof of the classroom annex building. antennas include 6’ and 10’ dishes and Yagis. Rotators are the heavy duty MT-3000 and MT-1000 from M2.

Theodore Roosevelt Moves to Shipyard

Photo: Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Lucas Friend and Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Derek Benedict stand watch with a .50-caliber machine gun aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during transit to Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is currently underway to Norfolk Naval Shipyard for Docked Planned Incremental Availability. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman William Weinert

By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Matt Bullock, USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) made a four-hour plus transit of the Elizabeth River in Hampton Roads on March 7, on her way to Norfolk Naval Ship Yard for a nine-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA).

The Navy’s fourth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier will undergo more than 90 major modifications, including a JP-5 (fuel system) alteration and installation of a new electronic throttle system in the ship’s propulsion plants. The ship also will receive a rolling airframe missile modification for the Close-In Weapons System, and a local area network (LAN) system upgrade.

Roosevelt's maintenance manager, Lt. Cmdr. Scott Shea, said quality of life improvements, such as 10 new “millennium” restrooms and 12 refurbished restrooms, will help make shipboard life more comfortable for the crew. Some of the modifications began taking place prior to the ship’s arrival at the shipyard.

“We planned on refurbishing the heads while we were in the yards, but we’re working ahead of schedule,” Shea said. “We want to accomplish as much as we can as soon as we can, and it looks like we’re off to a good start.”

Shea also said more than 600 racks will be replaced and four berthing areas completely renovated.

In all, Shea said more than 500,000 man hours will be spent upgrading and repairing the ship during the yard period.

During a general announcement to the crew March 6, Commanding Officer Capt. J. R. Haley said although productivity is important in this evolution, safety takes priority in all situations. He said the ship’s goal is to complete the progression efficiently, yet expeditiously.

Airmen upgrade 'Giant Voice' warning systems in England

A maintenance team looks on as the pole for a new giant voice systems goes up March 7 at Royal Air Force Barford St. John, England. The giant voice serves as an early warning system when danger is eminent during natural disasters and wartime situations. The Airmen are from the 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron from Kapaun Air Station, Germany. They are travelling throughout the United Kingdom to upgrade voice systems. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Greg Bluethmann)

by Tech. Sgt. Greg Bluethmann
Detachment 4, Air Force News Agency

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNEWS) -- Airmen from the 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron at Kapaun Air Station, Germany, are installing giant voice systems throughout the United Kingdom.

The 'Giant Voice' is a 2,000-watt speaker that alerts people on base of danger, whether from natural disasters or terrorist attacks.

"Most people are probably familiar with the warbling tone or the steady tone that they hear when they do their Chem-Warfare training," said Master Sgt. James LeMaster the special maintenance team NCO in charge. This is the system that generates that tone, he said.

The team is working in nine locations in England to ensure bases have the giant voice capability to help communicate to base members warnings so they can take appropriate actions in case of danger.

"It became really self-evident when they had the bomb attacks in London a few years back, that they lost their giant voice capability," said Tech. Sgt. Russ McCleary an airfield systems technician. "So, we bought them new giant voice systems and we came out here to set the up."

The 1st CMS will be working in England throughout March.

Big E Comm Intercepts - 3/9/2007 0640 UTC

Photo: An EA-6B Prowler, assigned to the "Rooks" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137, approaches the landing area of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) with German frigate FGS Sachsen (F219) in the background. Enterprise is currently underway conducting carrier qualifications in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Milosz Reterski.

Here is that latest list of comms associated with the Big E CSG as of 0640 UTC.

4414.0 usb ECHO FOXTROT
5078.5 usb ECHO WHISKEY
-----------------------
120.950 SEALORD FACSFAC Jax
128.950 DART (Lear) air-air; Phoenix Air Group
133.950 SEALORD FACSFAC Jax
136.975 COUGAR Air-Air
225.350 Pinecastle Targets
226.200 Fighter Control [Button 9]
230.225 ECHO WHISKEY
234.500 AMBUSH air-air
235.350 Pinecastle Range Targets
238.425 ECHO ZULU
242.750 MARSHAL [Button 16]
244.725 DART calling ____ WARRIOR (was not SILENT WARRIOR)
245.400 Fighter Control North CAP Shield c/s [Button 10]
249.800 DART working unidentified
250.425 Unknown user/Air-air
252.650 SAR Alpha
254.225 RED CROWN [Button 4]
254.825 Dart 07
256.700 HAMMER 31 calling Avon Ops
259.825 STRIKE [Button 3]
263.325 SAR Bravo
263.350 DEPARTURE
265.850 RED TALON
267.500 SEALORD FACSFAC Jax
269.975 DART 12 working _____ WARRIOR. Trying 349.900, open mic on 249.800
273.850 DRAGON F-21 Air-air
277.800 Fleet Common / “switching back to 318.075”
278.775 Unknown user/usage
279.350 Secure
283.150 ECHO PAPA/ECHO ROMEO
289.200 Pinecastle Range Control
290.000 VFMFA-251 Tac
290.875 Unknown user/Air-air
292.200 Avon Park Range Control
293.225 Miami Center – Vero Beach
312.250 VFA-211 Tac? / 102, 104 Air-air
313.725 Pinecastle Range R2906 Control
314.225 VMFA-251 TBolt Tac
316.850 HAMMER Air-air to Avon Park
317.825 VFA-136 Tac? / HAMMER 13 Air-air
318.075 Fighter Control South CAP-Hammer c/s [Button 11]
323.950 Unknown user/Air-air
324.725 SCREWTOP Tac, 602-603 Air-Air
326.175 Unknown user/usage, “copy all thanks”
341.875 Unknown user/302 Air-air
342.250 Check in with weapons load; range? Possible Iron Cross discrete
348.950 Aerial Refueling / RHET 95
349.900 DART 12 with MAYCOM WARRIOR
351.800 Jax Approach
355.350 Unknown user/Air-air
361.075 Unknown user/usage / 401?
364.375 Unknown user/Air-air Hawk Tac?
370.750 Hammer flight manual push to here
372.225 Unknown user/Air-air
374.300 AMBUSH Air-Air
377.050 Unknown user/usage?? (key up)
377.600 SILENT WARRIOR / COUGAR 24-25 /Red Air

Button 3 – 259.825 Strike
Button 4 – 254.225 Red Crown
Button 8
Button 9 - 226.200 Fighter Control
Button 10 – 245.400 Shot Common
Button 11 – 318.075 Fighter Control
Button 15 – Approach
Button 16 – 242.750 Marshal
Button 17 – Approach

Callsigns:
AMBUSH ##/11 F/A-18C, VFC-12 (RTB Navy Jax)
CLIMAX CONTROL - USS Enterprise
COUGAR ##/21/24/25/26 - Hawker Hunter, ATAC Inc (RTB Navy Jax)
DART ##/12/13 - Lear, Phoenix Air Group
DELTA – HF CWC Net
DRAGON 41 – F-21 Kfir
ECHO BRAVO - Strike Group Commander (HF)
ECHO FOXTROT - Track / Link Coordinator (HF)
ECHO PAPA - Strike Warfare Commander (UHF)
ECHO ROMEO – Air Resources Element Commander (UHF)
ECHO WHISKEY - Air Defense Commander (HF/UHF)
ECHO ZULU - Sea Combat Commander (UHF)
GOLF - USS Gettysburg (HF) (UHF) (Air Defense Control - ADC)
HAMMER ## - Strike Mission tactical callsign
HAMMER 11/14
HAMMER 13 - 302 (side number)
HAMMER 14 - 304
HAMMER 15 - 107
HAMMER 16 - 111
HAMMER 31
HAMMER 41/42/43/44 – NICKEL (ATO Callsign)
HAWK ##/43/44/53 - VFA-136 F/A-18C
HITMAN 21
HOTEL - HF CWC Net (surface unit)
INVADER JACK – Lear, Flight International
JULIET – Surface unit (HF)
KILO - HF CWC Net (surface unit)
LIBERTY 71-72 (Delayed on tanker, alternate tasking?) (211?)
LIMA - HF CWC Net (surface unit)
MACOM WARRIOR
MIKE – Surface unit (HF)
NAIL 25/51/52 - Strike Mission tactical callsign
NICKEL 17
OMEGA 71 - KC-135
OSCAR – Surface unit (HF)
PANTHER 41/61 (first section of Red Air)
PAPA – Surface unit (HF)
RATTLER 35 Unidentified type, probable AEW&C (RTB Navy Jax)
RAWHIDE 44 – VRC-40 Det C-2A
RHET 95/96 - 19ARG/99ARS KC-135R
ROOK 04 - VAQ-137 EA-6B (Side number 501)
ROOK 07 – VAQ-137 EA-6B
SCREWTOP - VAW-123 E-2C II
SEALORD - FACSFAC Jacksonville, Florida
SHIELD ## - Strike Mission tactical callsign
SHIELD 11 - 201
SHIELD 12 - 206
SHIELD 26 - 111
SHIELD 28/29
SHIELD 36/37
SHIELD 38 - 310
SHIELD 39 - 304
SHIELD 46/47/48/49
SHIELD 61 - 104
SHIELD 63 - 102
SILENT WARRIOR - Red Air Surface unit / GCI (UHF)
SNIPER 1 Unidentified aircraft
TBOLT 26 – VMFA-251 F/A-18C
TRON 53 – EA-6B Tactical callsign
VIPER - Unidentified aircraft
WINDER VFA-86 F/A-18C

CVW-1 Squadron List
VFA-86 Sidewinders F/A-18C
VFA-136 Knighthawks F/A-18
VFA-211 Checkmates F/A-18 Super Hornet
VMFA-251 Thunderbolts F/A-18C
VAQ-137 Rooks EA-6B
VAW-123 Screwtops E-2C
VS-32 Maulers S-3B
VRC-40 Det Rawhides C-2A
HS-11 Dragonslayers SH-60

Big E CSG Ship List
USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51)
USS Stout (DDG-55)
USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98)
USS James E. Williams (DDG-95)
USS Gettysburg (CG-64)
USS Philadelphia (SSN-690)
USNS Supply (T-AOE 6)