Milcom Monitoring Post

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Go Navy, Beat Army

Yes, it is that time of year again. The old Chief (El Jefe) wants to pass along to ALL his US Army friends this personal message:

GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY

Here is a message to all you grunts from the crew of the USS Nassau, click here to view.

And another video message from the Navy Combat Systems Engineers, click here to view.

Chief Machinist's Mate Ron Johnson, from Adrian, Minn., views the horizon from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as the ship heads to sea. Lincoln is conducting training and carrier qualifications. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Geoffrey Lewis

Naval Air Transports Using a New Callsign - Update

In recent weeks the radio hobby has been a buzz about the new "Convoy" callsign being used by various navy air transport aircraft. Sometime around the second week in November, monitors and Mode-S boxes started reporting the Convoy (CNV ####) callsign and the tie ups were associated with various US Navy C-9B, C-20, C-40, C-130 aircraft and USMC KC-130 tankers.

After a detailed study, the MMP team has broken the number system being used by these aircraft. The first number indicates the aircraft type and the next three numbers are the last three numbers of the aircraft's assigned mission number from NALO. Here is how it looks in brief.

Convoy 2### C-20 aircraft
Convoy 3### C-130 aircraft
Convoy 4### C-40 aircraft
Convoy 9### C-9 aircraft

We still need more intercepts to lock down the Navy C-12 aircraft convoy number series, since we only have one noted to date with no total tie-up. We have also seen a few oddballs as well as noted below:

CNV 61R1 C-130T/BD-161 VR-64 NAS Willow Grove. PA 165161 [Note the first two callsign numbers and the last two numbers of the Buno number]

CNV 467B C-40A/RY-833 VR-59 NAS/JRB Fort Worth, TX AE0976 165833

CNV 0921B KC-130T/NY-597 VMGR-452 Fort Stewart IAP, NY AE03D4 #164597

CNV 900 C-12

So the first number indicates aircraft type and the last three are the last three from the NALO assigned mission number.

I should also mention that I have also seen these aircraft use the NALO callsign, but sporadically. My first record of one was back in Dec 2007 and the last time I saw one was on 12/2/2008.

There may be a bit more to this story, but that will have to wait for now. More as we get additional intercepts in our monthly Milcom column in Monitoring Times magazine.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Navy Names Four Ships After American Pioneers

Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter announced today the names of four new Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo/ammunition ships (T-AKE) as Matthew Perry, Charles Drew, Washington Chambers and William McLean. All of the Lewis and Clark ships are named in honor of American explorers and pioneers and are being built by General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, Calif.

The selection of Matthew Perry, designated T-AKE 9, honors Navy Commodore Matthew C. Perry (1794-1858), who led a squadron of ships to Japan in 1853 with the aim of opening that nation to trade. He served during the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War, and was sent to suppress piracy and the slave trade in the West Indies.

The selection of Charles Drew, designated T-AKE 10, honors Dr. Charles R. Drew (1904-1950), a physician and medical researcher whose pioneering work in the late 1930s and early 1940s led to the discovery that blood could be separated into plasma. The model for blood and plasma storage developed by Drew has saved untold lives and is the same process used today by the Red Cross. In 1943, he became the first African-American surgeon to serve as an examiner on the American Board of Surgery. T-AKE 10 will be the first Navy ship named after Drew.

The selection of Washington Chambers, designated T-AKE 11, honors Navy Capt. Washington Irving Chambers (1856-1934), a pioneer in naval aviation. Responsible for the Navy’s nascent aviation activities, Chambers arranged the world’s first airplane flight from a warship. The Nov. 14, 1910, flight by aviator Eugene Ely on the light cruiser the USS Birmingham (CL-2) confirmed the potential of carrier-based naval aviation. T-AKE 11 will be the first Navy ship named after Chambers.

The selection of William McLean, designated T-AKE 12, honors William Burdette McLean (1914-1976), who conceived and developed the heat-seeking Sidewinder air-to-air missile while serving as a physicist for the Navy. During World War II, McLean worked on ordnance equipment and testing at the National Bureau of Standards in Washington, D.C. Following the war, he moved to the Naval Ordnance Test Station in China Lake, Calif., where he led the project team developing the Sidewinder missile. T-AKE 12 will be the first Navy ship named after McLean.

The T-AKEs are 689 feet in length, have an overall beam of 106 feet, a navigational draft of 30 feet and displace approximately 42,000 tons. Powered by single-shaft diesel-electric propulsion systems, the T-AKEs can reach a speed of 20 knots. As part of the Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force, the T-AKEs are designated United States Naval Ship (USNS). Unlike their United States Ship (USS) counterparts, the T-AKEs are crewed by 124 civil service mariners working for MSC, as well as 11 sailors who provide supply coordination. When needed, the T-AKEs can also carry a helicopter detachment.

Guard's Only Stryker Brigade Prepares for Iraq Deployment

By Army Sgt. Sheila Holifield
American Forces Press Service

CAMP SHELBY, Miss., Dec. 2, 2008 - About 4,000 soldiers representing the National Guard's only Stryker brigade will deploy to Iraq in early 2009.
The Pennsylvania National Guard's 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team has been transforming to a Stryker brigade since October 2004.

After they were alerted of their pending deployment in October 2007, the brigade's soldiers have been training at the Joint Forces Training Center here. They will continue on to Fort Polk, La., for additional training before they make their way to Iraq.

"The training we have done at Camp Shelby has been a good building block allowing us to expand upon what we were previously doing," Army Col. Mike Ferraro, commander of the 56th SBCT, said.

Though more than half of the soldiers deploying with the SBCT have prior deployment experience, Ferraro said, training still is vital to the mission.

"Times have changed and continue to change as we prepare to deploy, so we must train on those current tactics, techniques and procedures in order to be successful," he said.

Army Capt. Joseph Ruotolo, commander of Pennsylvania's Battery B, 1st Battalion, 109th Field Artillery, agreed.

"This war is different from any other," he said, "and as a result, a lot of the operations and success of this war is driven by the noncommissioned officers and junior leaders. Because that responsibility is now pushed down to the junior leaders, this war is all about being a good basic soldier."

In addition to mastering basic skills such as using a radio, knowing their weapon, navigating over land, reading a map and performing preventive maintenance checks and services, he said, soldiers also need to bring the right frame of mind to the fight.

"Being a good basic soldier and a good basic human being with honorable moral and ethical character are the ingredients to the success of this war we are fighting," Ruotolo said.

In addition to training at Joint Forces Training Center here, the SBCT has worked with the 2nd Infantry Division's 4th Brigade out of Fort Lewis, Wash. -- an active-duty Stryker brigade -- to prepare for their mission.

The active-duty soldiers taught the guardsmen current tactics, techniques and procedures being used in Iraq. They also conducted Stryker-specific training and shared what they learned from being overseas, Ferraro said.

"Having them here to work with us at Camp Shelby has been one of the biggest benefits we have been able to get," Ferraro said. "The partnership has benefited us immensely."

Ferraro noted that the active-duty soldiers have been thoroughly professional in helping the guardsmen prepare for their deployment.

"They are not looking at the patch and the fact that we are National Guard," he said. "We are all soldiers and all out to do the same thing in the Stryker community."

National Guard soldiers often are able to lend civilian-acquired skills to an operational environment, and Ferraro said this deployment will be no different.

"If we are working with Iraq police forces, we can pull from all of our police officers; same thing if we are working with the local community to build schools and curriculum, we can pull from all the teachers in our brigade," he said.

Ferraro said his soldiers are ready for what lies ahead.

"My soldiers want to show everyone that they made the right decision by putting the 56th SBCT in the Pennsylvania National Guard," he said. "We are making history, and we wouldn't trade our position for anything in the world."

(Army Sgt. Sheila Holifield serves with 1st Army Division East's 177th Armored Brigade Public Affairs Office.)

Bataan Wraps Up First Phase of Pre-Deployment Work-ups

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) returned to its homeport of Norfolk Nov. 23 following a successful expeditionary strike group integration exercise (ESGINT) with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22 MEU) and vessels from the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG).

ESGINT is a pre-deployment exercise designed to test the fundamental capabilities and shipboard interoperability between vessels from the strike group and the 22 MEU.

"This underway gave Bataan as well as other participants of the Bataan ESG Blue/Green team the opportunity to work together and formulate a more cohesive combat team," said Lt. Ronald Ocheltree, assistant operations officer. "It was also an experience that we will all learn from and will continue to use to build our teams for future work-ups, ultimately leading to a successful Fifth Fleet deployment."

Bataan's Sailors and Marines will continue preparing for deployment by completing a composite unit training exercise (COMPUTEX) and certification exercise (CERTEX) early next year.

"Our main mission aboard Bataan is as the Marine Air Group Task Force (MAGTF), a mission that consists of a complete package that will allow us to deploy with a complete and trained command group and air and logistics element in which teamwork is the base of our foundation to become a combat-ready ESG," said Master Gunnery Sgt. Stewart Stout, of the 22 MEU.

The Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group is comprised of Commander, Amphibious Squadron 2; Bataan; USS Porter (DDG 78); USS James E. Williams (DDG 95); USS Anzio (CG 68); USS Ponce (LPD 15); USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43); Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22; Tactical Squadron 21; Fleet Surgical Team 6; Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 2; ACU 4; and Beachmaster Unit 2.

Bataan is the fifth ship of the Navy's Wasp-class ships. She was commissioned Sept. 20, 1997 and is the second U.S. Navy warship to bear the name. CVL-29 was an Independence-class light aircraft carrier that was commissioned in November 1943. After serving in both World War II and the Korean conflict, CVL-29 was decommissioned in 1954.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Nuclear Mission Vital to U.S. Security, Gates Tells Minot Airmen

By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates traveled here today to emphasize the importance of the Air Force’s nuclear mission -- and in maintaining its long tradition of excellence -- to the men and women entrusted with carrying it out.

Gates became the first defense secretary in memory to visit the home of the 91st Missile Wing, one of the Air Force’s three operational intercontinental units, and the 5th Bomb Wing, which flies the aging B-52 aircraft he said remain critical to the nuclear deterrent.

“As stewards of America’s nuclear arsenal, your work is vital to the security of our nation,” Gates told the airmen.

“Handling nuclear weapons -- the most powerful and destructive instruments in the arsenal of freedom -- is a tremendous responsibility,” he continued. “We owe you the attention, the people and the resources to do your job right.”

Gates reminded the airmen that their job is the most sensitive in the entire U.S. military, demanding constant vigilance and leaving no room for error.

America’s security depends on a reliable and credible nuclear deterrent, Gates said, even as the country continues to reduce its nuclear arsenal. While few argue that abolishing nuclear weapons is a worthy long-term goal, he said, the grim reality is that day hasn’t yet come.

“As long as others have nuclear weapons, we must maintain some level of these weapons ourselves to deter potential adversaries and to reassure over two dozen allies and partners who rely on our nuclear umbrella for their own security, making it unnecessary for them to develop their own,” he said.

Gates cited threats posed by rising and resurgent powers, rogue nations pursuing nuclear weapons, proliferation and international terrorism. These challenges make it necessary for the United States to maintain a hedge that makes clear its ability to provide an “overwhelming, devastating” response to attack, if necessary.

“Try as we might, and hope as we will, the power of nuclear weapons and their strategic impact is a genie that cannot be put back in the bottle, at least for a long time,” Gates said.

But possessing nuclear weapons means accepting the responsibilities involved, he said citing “serious lapses of last year” over the Air Force’s handling of nuclear weapons and related material.

Those involved a mistaken shipment of sensitive missile parts to Taiwan in 2006, and -- even more troublesome to airmen here -- an unauthorized transfer of munitions from Minot Air Force Base to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., in August 2007.

Severe consequences followed, starting at the unit level and reaching into the highest levels of the Air Force. Gates ordered the resignations of then-Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne and then-Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. Another 15 officers, including six generals, received disciplinary action in connection with the nose-cone shipment.

The problems, an investigation determined, resulted from “a long-standing slide in the service’s nuclear stewardship, where this critical mission -- and the career field associated with it -- did not receive the attention, funding or personnel it deserved,” Gates said.

But Gates told the Minot airmen he’s confident the Air Force is now on the right track.

“Based on everything I have seen, heard and learned in recent months, I strongly believe that the Air Force is now moving in the right direction to reclaim the standards of excellence for which it was known throughout the Cold War,” Gates told the Minot airmen.

Gates cited initiatives in place or under way:

-- A new office within the Air Staff that focuses exclusively on nuclear policy and oversight and reports directly to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz;

-- A new Global Strike Command to be stood up that will bring the nuclear-capable bombers and intercontinental ballistic missile under one entity;

-- Revitalization and expansion of the Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.;

-- A top-to-bottom review that is determining which nuclear components need to be taken out of the supply chain and placed under control of the Nuclear Weapons Center; and

-- The Air Force’s development of a stronger, more centralized inspection process to ensure that nuclear material is handled properly.

In addition, Gates noted that he awaits recommendations from a task force he formed to review nuclear enterprise oversight within the Air Force and Defense Department overall. Former Energy and Defense Secretary James Schlesinger is heading that effort.

Gates closed by reminding the airmen of his own Air Force background, when he served as a second lieutenant at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., as part of Strategic Air Command.

“Your mission at Minot Air Force Base is as important as ever in the demanding security environment that our nation faces today – and will undoubtedly face tomorrow,” he told them. “I have every confidence in you and in the Air Force that has served this nation so well for over six decades.”

NORTHCOM: Guarding the nation's borders

by Staff Sgt. Matthew Bates, Defense Media Activity-San Antonio

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFNS) -- Thousands of U.S. military men and women are deployed across the globe promoting democracy, guarding freedom and fighting terrorism. They are the fingers of the nation's military, extending its reach and capabilities on an international scope.

But as the events of Sept. 11, 2001, demonstrated, the United States is not impervious to attack. In the aftermath of these tragic actions, Department of Defense officials began to look at homeland defense in a whole new light.

In response, DOD officials in October of 2002 established the U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Its charter: Provide command and control of homeland defense efforts and protect the nation's people, national power and freedom of action.

"We've shifted from an external focus to an inward focus," said Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr., the NORTHCOM commander. "We realized we needed to create an organization responsible for homeland defense."

"We may be small in years, but we are no longer a young command," General Renuart said. "We are a mature organization, highly capable and highly equipped to execute the mission of homeland defense."

NORTHCOM personnel are responsible for monitoring all land, sea and air approaches within the continental United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico and the surrounding water out to approximately 500 nautical miles. That also includes the Gulf of Mexico and the straits of Florida.

Command officials also are in charge of responding to any threats that arise within the United States and have prepared detailed plans for responding to situations that range from pandemic influenza to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear events. They also have redefined the command's readiness capabilities since Hurricane Katrina.

When it comes to providing forces in response to incidents, the command has nearly 50 National Guard officers fully integrated within its operations, in addition to National Guard civil support teams located within every U.S. state and territory, and 17 regional consequence response units.

NORTHCOM planners also use an active-duty military response unit of nearly 450 Marines who are the "gold standard" for responding to weapons-of-mass-destruction attacks, officials said. There also are pre-identified active-duty and Reserve components on a short string to provide additional muscle to initial response teams.

"The U.S. military absolutely has the capacity to respond to potential threats within our nation today," General Renuart said. "It will get better in this coming year and continue to improve beyond that."

Yet, protecting the homeland isn't the command's only mission.

"It is definitely our No. 1 priority," General Renuart said. "But we are also tasked with a civil support mission."

This mission includes supporting disaster relief operations that occur during fires, hurricanes, floods and earthquakes. The mission sees command officials sustaining counter-drug operations and managing the consequences of a terrorist event that employs a weapon of mass destruction within the U.S. border.

NORTHCOM forces generally support civil authorities through established joint task forces subordinate to the command. These include Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region, Joint Task Force-Civil Support, Joint Task Force Alaska, and Joint Task Force North. Other service components include U.S. Army North, U.S. Air Forces North, Marine Forces Reserve, and Fleet Forces Command.

"An emergency must exceed the capabilities of local, state and federal agencies before NORTHCOM becomes involved," General Renuart said. "In most cases, this support is limited, localized and specific."

Once the scope of the disaster is reduced to the point that local agencies can re-assume full control and management without military assistance, NORTHCOM personnel will depart, leaving the on-scene experts to finish the job.

Ultimately, NORTHCOM's goal is to prevent another 9/11 from happening -- a goal the command takes seriously and devotes a lot of time and manpower to accomplishing.

"We are continually adjusting our structure and capabilities to meet the demands of a changing world," General Renuart said. "While the threats we face have changed, our charter remains to provide for the security of the U.S. and defend it against any enemy, whether that be a lone terrorist or a full-scale invasion on our shores."

Friday, November 28, 2008

Comm & AWACS: Exploring link between 552nd Communications Group, AWACS mission

by Staff Sgt. Stacy Fowler, 552nd Air Control Wing Public Affairs

Airmen and civilians from the 552nd Air Control Wing work in the mission simulators during a training exercise. The programs used in the mission sims, as well as in the E-3 Sentry itself during real-world missions, are written, tested and released for use by Airmen in the 552nd Communications Group. (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacy Fowler)

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- When the E-3 Sentry conducts its missions at home and around the world, every Airman in the wing has their own part in the mission's success. For many people, the implied 552nd Communications Group's mission revolves around office computers, the telephone lines and network communications - but that is only a very small part of the 552nd CG mission.

A unique group, an important mission
"We are unique in the fact that our mission places us closer to the flightline than any typical Comm Group," said Col. John Pericas, 552nd CG commander. "We work hand-in-hand with flying operations to sustain and improve what AWACS brings to the fight."

The Air Battle Managers depend on the Comm Group to build, issue and track communications security and mission software kits, as well as provide post-mission archives of past Sentry data and databases. The group provides 24-hour software support to improve the operational effectiveness of the E-3 and its crews.

While at Tinker, the Comm Group supports six flying squadrons in the states, as well as two E-3 squadrons at Kadena Air Base, Japan, and Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Group personnel also deploy 365 days a year supporting operations such as NOBLE EAGLE and President of the United States (POTUS) missions at home and abroad, counter-drug missions in South America, and Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM.

The group is divided into two units: the 552nd Computer Support Squadron and the 752nd Communications Squadron.

"We're not geeks - we're nerds"
The Airmen in the 552nd CSS embrace their 'nerdiness' with pride - they are the ones who write the scope programs used during AWACS missions.

"Here in the CSS, we're not geeks - we're nerds," said Tech. Sgt. Brett Bittle, 552nd CSS training flight NCO. "These guys are incredibly smart, and they are the ones who are responsible for the AWACS scope capabilities. They know more about codes for the AWACS programs than almost anyone! All that's missing is the pocket protectors to let people know how smart these programmers are!"

The CSS not only writes the programs used by the ABMs during missions, they also ensure those programs are compatible with other U.S. surveillance aircraft and other command, control and communications aircraft around the world. There are several steps to the program-building process: writing the codes, testing the codes and then certifying the codes not just through the Air Force, but through allied nation's systems.

They get up to date requests from the ABMs using their programs, and are constantly updating and improving their results. This process takes a lot of time - two years to be exact! After the codes are written, they are tested using computer simulation with the flight simulators and experienced AWACS crews.

"We have already been working on newer codes based on the 'rack-and-stack' requests from the ABMs," said Maj. Steven Phelps, 552nd CSS Operational Test Flight commander.

"It takes a year to write the codes, then another year to test and certify the codes. Everyone in this unit works together to make sure it's done right. If it isn't done right, you could have problems during missions - and someone could get hurt."

Fly-away communications
After the codes are given the "thumbs-up" for use during real-world missions, the 752nd Communications Squadron takes over.

Airmen in the 752nd CS are a fully-deployable asset for the E-3 - they provide a wide array of day-to-day secure communications and computer support.

"We're the ones who make sure the flyers have all the kits they need when they go out for a mission," said Staff Sgt. Jamie Sherman, a 752nd CS AWACS media technician. "Our troops have gone everywhere with the AWACS: South America, POTUS missions, as well as a lot of deployments and exercises here and overseas in the desert."

Squadron members build and issue three kits to AWACS aircrews: mission software that drives the E-3 computer and radar system; communications security kit for voice and data transmissions and encryptions; and the High Frequency Messenger kit that enables classified message capability onboard the E-3.

In addition, Airmen deploy with the E-3 around the world to ensure those kits are updated, archived and cleared - while at the same time keeping the secured communications lines open and ready if and when they are needed. Sometimes called the "first 400 feet" communications, ground comm technicians in the 752nd make sure the ground-to-ground and air-to-ground communications are working properly.

"We have to make sure that all our equipment is fully-functional before we step out the door," said Tech. Sgt. Kerry Splitter, 752nd CS ground communications NCO. "If it's not working we figure out why - and we don't call it a day until it is fixed."

The next generation of AWACS
The majority of AWACS hardware, both in the mission simulators and on the aircraft, dates back to the 1970s - and challenges sometimes come up when today's computer programs interact during missions.

But that is scheduled to change with the development of Block 40/45.

"It's like upgrading from a Commodore 64 computer to one of today's high-speed computer systems," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Drennen, a 552nd CSS test analyst. "We've always upgraded the software to keep up with changes in warfare, but we were still having to use the same hardware. With 40/45, it will exponentially increase our capabilities - and that will prove incredibly useful in today's military."

In addition, Airmen are working on new ways to "replay" past missions in a more three-dimensional way. Currently, the only way to view mission replays is through a two-dimensional, black screen view - which doesn't show all aspects of what might affect an AWACS mission.

"We want to be able to give crews, commanders and any investigators the ability to see what the AWACS has done in a real-world view," said Airman 1st Class John Torgerson, one of the Airmen in the 552nd CSS working on the upgrades. "We hope that this new method increases our abilities to know just what happened during a mission."

With the E-3 Sentry celebrating its 30th anniversary in the Air Force's fleet, change is going to be a constant for Airmen.

"The Comm Group has been working hard to redefine its relevance of what it will bring to the fight in the long term," Colonel Pericas said. "We must continue to provide world-class software development, while transforming to support the implementation and operation of the E-3G. We must structure our group and train our people to simultaneously support [all AWACS upgrades], as well as focus on airborne networking and contributing to the advancement of AWACS as a network-centric operations platform."

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Milcom Blog Logs - 11/27/2008 - Mid Atlantic

Here are some excellent intercepts sent to MMP by our Maryland Mid Atlantic reporter Ron Perron. Ron, thanks for sharing them with our MMP readers.

ACY-Atlantic City NJ
ADW- Andrews AFB MD
BW- Bay Watch-NAS PAX Area Advisory Control
DOV- Dover AFB DE
GK- Giantkiller (FACSFAC, Virginia Capes)
MTN-Martin State Airport, Baltimore
NGTF-Northrop-Grumman Test Facility, Baltimore
NXX- Willow Grove JRB PA
PAX-NAS Patuxent River MD
WRI-McGuire AFB NJ
ZBW-Boston ARTCC
ZDC- Washington ARTCC
ZNY- New York ARTCC

1. VHF/UHF: ((Times are EST))

0809- N24NG (Cessna 560XL, NGTF)-w/PAX approach (127.95).
0835- Navy 7A326 (C-12B, Base Flt PAX)-w/BW (354.8)
0836- Raptor flt (F-22s, Langley)-check in w/GK (249.8). then switch to W386 common (312.3). After work in W386 Raptor flt goes into W72 and T-Bolt flt RTB Langley
0836- T-Bolt 41 flt (2 X F-22s, 149th FS VA ANG Langley)-on W386 common (312.3) working w/Raptor flt.
0900- N161NG (BAC-1-11, NGTF)-w/Echo Control (262.95) for several test runs.
0902- Trap 51 flt (F-22s, Langley)-w/ZDC (256.8) then on GK/W386 common (346.6)
1450- Tester 04 (F-18B # 161360, NTPS PAX )-w/BW (256.5) working w/Tester 11 (T-38C # 68-8158, NTPS PAX).
1547- CG 6511 (HH-65C, CGAS ACY)-check in w/CG Sector Baltimore (157.15) opening radio at position 3906N/7620W. CG 6511 requests Baltimore notify NCREF (???) that they are enroute to CGAS ACY.

2. HF: ((Times UTC, Freqs KHz))

07527.0 J10 (USCG MH-60J #6010 CGAS Clearwater FL): 0027 USB/ALE sounding. Also on 08912.0 USB
07527.0 LNT (Camslant Chesapeake VA): 0052 USB/ALE calling J41 (USCG MH-60J #6041 CGAS Elizabeth City NC).
07527.0 K99 (USCG MH-65C # 6599 CGAS Atlantic City NJ): 0054 USB/ALE sounding.
07527.0 F12 (USCG HU-25 #2112 CGAS Cape Cod MA): 1354 USB/ALE sounding.
07527.0 OPB (OPBAT Service Center, Nassau, Bahamas): 1402 USB/ALE calling J22 (USCG HH-60J #6022 CGAS Clearwater FL).
07527.0 LNT : 1407 USB/ALE calling J39 (USCG MH-60J #6039 CGAS Clearwater FL).
07527.0 T91 (US Customs PIPER PA-42-720R #N9091J, Jacksonville, FL AMB): 1409 USB/ALE sounding. Also on 08912.0 & 11494.0 USB

05732.0 RKN (USCGC BEAR WMEC 901,Portsmouth, VA): 0324 USB/ALE sounding. Also on 08912.0 & 11494.0 USB
05732.0 IKL (USCGC TAMPA WMEC 902 Portsmouth, VA): 0342 USB/ALE sounding. Also on 08912.0 & 15867.0 USB
05732.0 RDC (USCGC CAMPBELL WMEC 909 Kittery, ME): 0357 USB/ALE sounding.
05732.0 720 (USCG HC-130H #1720, CGAS Clearwater FL): 0447 USB/ALE sounding.
05732.0 PAC (CamsPac Point Reyes CA): 1053 USB/ALE calling 706 (USCG HC-130H #1706, CGAS Barbers Point HI).
05732.0 J39 (USCG MH-60J #6039 CGAS Clearwater FL): 1208 USB/ALE sounding.
05732.0 718 (USCG HC-130H #1718, CGAS Sacramento CA): 1307 USB/ALE sounding.

08912.0 I96 (US Customs CESSNA 550 #N26496): 1429 USB/ALE sounding.
08912.0 J22 (USCG HH-60J #6022 CGAS Clearwater FL): 1442 USB/ALE sounding.
08912.0 FTMSEC (COTHEN Remote Omni-Directional Transmitter, Fort Myers, FL): 1451 USB/ALE sounding.
08912.0 K57 (USCG MH-65C # 6557 CGAS Miami FL): 1453 USB/ALE sounding.
08912.0 J38 (USCG MH-60J #6038 CGAS Clearwater FL): 1540 USB/ALE sounding.
08912.0 J25 (USCG MH-60J #6025 CGAS Clearwater FL): 161 USB/ALE sounding.
08912.0 F31 (USCG HU-25 #2131 CGAS Cape Cod MA): 1642 USB/ALE sounding.
08912.0 D44 (US Customs P-3 AEW&C #N143CS/BuNo 153447, Corpus Christi AMB, TX): 1723 USB/ALE sounding.
08912.0 D14 (US Custom P-3A “Slick” #N18314/BuNo 150314, Corpus Christi AMB, TX): 1906 USB/ALE sounding.

08980.0 XSS (UK DHFCS, Forest Moor UK): 2107 USB/ALE sounding.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Milcom Blog Logs - 11/25/2008 - Mid Atlantic

Ronald Reagan CSG Returns Home After Deployment

For a video clip of this story, click on this link.

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Five ships and more than 5,500 Sailors of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 returned to their homeport of San Diego Nov. 25 after a six-month deployment to the 7th Fleet and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility.

The strike group flagship, the Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), the guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73) and USS Gridley (DDG 101) and the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) arrived to meet thousands of family members waiting on the pier.

The deployment was the third-ever for the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, which performed combat operations in support of coalition troops in Afghanistan, as well as carrying out a humanitarian assistance/disaster relief mission in the Philippines in response to Typhoon Fengshen in June and July.

"There is no question that Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group had a very successful deployment," said Commander, Carrier Strike Group 7, Rear Adm. Scott Hebner.

"The talented and dedicated Sailors of this group demonstrated tremendous operational flexibility and performed at the highest levels of excellence across the warfare spectrum and core capabilities of the Maritime Strategy. They were warriors, ambassadors, partners and humanitarians. They represent all that is good in our country and I'm profoundly honored to sail with this impressive strike group."

The deployment ceased being routine when Mother Nature unleashed its wrath on the Philippines. Typhoon Fengshen struck the nation hard, particularly on the island of Panay, leaving 540 dead and destroying more than 100,000 homes.

The Ronald Reagan Strike Group, which was enjoying its first port call of the deployment in Hong Kong, left port a day early to avoid the storm and after receiving an order from President Bush, immediately steamed to the Philippines to help.

Arriving on station in only 36 hours, helicopters from all six CSG-7 ships, including the guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83), proceeded to fly eight consecutive days delivering more than 519,000 pounds of fresh water, rice and medical supplies.

"These people were on the brink of despair," said Ronald Reagan commanding officer Capt. Kenneth Norton. "We rolled right in, we got ourselves organized and we got our folks on the beach and helped quickly. In my 27 years in the Navy, that was without a doubt the most fulfilling mission I've ever been a part of."

After 7th Fleet key engagement visits to Korea, Japan and Malaysia, the Ronald Reagan Strike Group transferred to 5th Fleet. Ronald Reagan, Chancellorsville and Reagan's embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 took up station in the Gulf of Oman as Commander, Task Force 50 and immediately began support of coalition forces on the ground in southern Afghanistan, flying more than 1,150 sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

While Ronald Reagan and its air wing helped provide security on the ground in Afghanistan, other strike group ships provided maritime security in the region.

Decatur and Thach joined Task Force 152 in the Central Arabian Gulf, while Gridley and Howard patrolled the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden as part of Task Force 150.

CSG-7 ships also strengthened maritime partnerships by participating in the bilateral Exercise Malabar '08 with the Navy of India, as well as South East Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism with the navies of Brunei, Singapore and the Republic of the Philippines.

The group departed San Diego on May 19 and after a very eventful deployment, Sailors were eager to spend the holidays with family and enjoy some well-deserved time off.

"It feels really good to be home with my family again after such a long time out to sea.," said Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Aaron Goldsmith of Ronald Reagan. "I'm also really stoked about being able to go to the beach and surf again whenever I want."

The deployment was the third for Ronald Reagan, the U.S. Navy's newest and largest aircraft carrier, which was commissioned in 2003. The squadrons of CVW-14 supported many missions during the six month deployment and include the "Redcocks" of VFA-22, "Fist of the Fleet" of VFA-25, "Stingers" of VFA-113, "Eagles" of VFA-115, "Black Eagles" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron 113, "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 139, "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 4 and the "Providers" of Carrier Logistics Support 30.

U.S. Fleet Forces Command Tailors Operational Support for Vigilant Shield 09

NORFOLK (NNS) -- U.S. Fleet Forces Command's (USFF) staff enhanced its capabilities to support global regional combatant commanders while simultaneously supporting U.S. federal disaster response efforts as it wrapped up its participation in Vigilant Shield 2009 (VS09) Nov. 12-18.

The focus of the North American Aerospace Defense Command- and U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM)-led exercise was on homeland defense and defense support to civil authorities. The exercise included scenarios to achieve exercise objectives within the maritime, aerospace, ballistic missile defense, cyber, consequence management, strategic communications and counter terrorism domains. A variety of interagency as well as international partners participated.

"Working closely with our partners in North America to support NORTHCOM's mission of homeland defense is essential to improve our responses to continental events," explained Rear Adm. Dennis FitzPatrick, director of USFF's Joint Operation Division.

"Vigilant Shield 09 was an ideal venue to continue increasing our international partnering efforts which will enable more seamless multinational cooperation as we constantly improve our plans and abilities to protect our citizens," FitzPatrick added.

VS09 ran concurrently with other exercises including U.S. Strategic Command's Global Lightning 09 and Bulwark Defender 09, Canada Command's Determined Dragon, California National Guard's Vigilant Guard and the State of California's Golden Guardian.

All of the exercises and participants focused on improving responses to crisis-type scenarios and enhancing interoperability between agencies, services and countries.

Another training objective for USFF's staff was to move toward obtaining full certification as a maritime operations center (MOC).

The MOC is designed to function in a global network with maritime operations centers linked to share information and develop a seamless common operating picture across theater boundaries.

"Operating in the MOC construct improves USFF's ability to operate more efficiently and effectively in the joint arena by using cross-functional organization to streamline information flow. This leverages organizational knowledge to speed and improve operational decisions," said Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, USFF's deputy chief of staff for Global Force Management and Joint Operations (N3/N5).

"We, as a staff, took significant strides towards enabling our commander to make more informed operational decisions while supporting regional combatant commanders. I'm sure we'll continue improving throughout our certification process, but this was a substantial step forward for our team," Buzby explained.

The next major step in USFF's MOC certification process is the pre-accreditation exercise of Ardent Sentry 09, another NORAD/NORTHCOM annually scheduled exercise slated for early next summer.

Milcom Blog Logs - 11/24/2008 - Oregon

I would like to welcome a new reporter to our Milcom Monitoring Post family of monitors - Ken Swaggart, W7KKE, in Lincoln, Oregon.

Ken shares this interesting intercept from the UK TISCOM net on 8980.0 kHz.

[00:08:14][FRQ 08980000][TO ][XSS ][TIS][280206][AL0] BER 30 SN 12
[23:58:20][FRQ 08980000][TO ][XSS ][TIS][280206 ][AL0] BER 28 SN 11

This was about 1600 PST, so I suspect it's coming from Europe. No voice traffic related to XSS copied.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Milcom Blog Logs - 11/24/2008 - Mid Atlantic

U.S. missile-warning satellite fails

DSP 23 launch on a Delta IV Heavy, photo by Chris Bergin .

By Andrea Shalal-Esa

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Northrop Grumman Corp U.S. military satellite used to track enemy missiles stopped working in mid-September, underscoring the urgent need to keep a program for replacement satellites on track, a defense official and several analysts said on Monday.

Loren Thompson, at the Virginia-based Lexington Institute, said he had learned of the problem with the Defense Support Program (DSP) satellite from several sources, and it underscored the urgency of getting the new Space Based Infrared Satellite (SBIRS) system being developed by Lockheed Martin Corp into orbit.

Theresa Hitchens, who heads the Washington-based Center for Defense Information, said several amateur astronomers had reported that DSP 23 [USA 197-LVH], the last of the U.S. missile-warning satellites built by Northrop, and launched in November 2007, had stopped transmitting in mid-September.

The U.S. government has launched 23 DSP missile-warning satellites into space since 1970, and experts estimate that six to 10 are still working, about double the number needed to watch the entire Earth at once.

The satellites have generally lasted longer than initially expected, which makes it even more troubling that the newest of the DSP satellites would have developed trouble a year after its launch, said the official and the analysts.

Read the full copyrighted Reuters story at
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE4AN8FK20081124

Milcom Blog Facts
2007-054A 32287 DSP-23 Launch 11/11/2007 at 0150 UTC
DSP F23/IMEWS-23/USA 197
AFETR LC37B Delta 4H
This satellite is located in geostationary orbit at 11 degrees east.

Blog Editor Note: The failure of DSP-23 probably had a lot to do with this story I published on this blog earlier this month. http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2008/11/kirtland-officials-accelerate-space.html

Stennis Returns from Underway Period Deployment-Ready

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elliott Fabrizio, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

Sailors and Marines work together to push an F/A-18C Hornet from the "Death Rattlers" of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 323 into position on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis is operating off the coast of Southern California after completing a joint task force exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle Steckler/ Released)

USS JOHN C. STENNIS (NNS) -- USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) returned to homeport in Bremerton, Wash. Nov. 21, deployment-ready after completing its final pre-deployment exercises.

During the underway period, Stennis united with the other components of its strike group, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, to complete Composite Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX).

Both exercises focused on improving the strike group's ability to perform strike warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-air warfare, said Stennis Operations Officer Cmdr. Don Glatt.

"The first goal was to get through all these exercises safely," said Commander, Carrier Strike Group (GSG) 3 Rear. Adm. Mark Vance. "The second goal was to have combat-ready aircraft and ships and combat-ready crews. We've achieved all of those."

The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSCSG) completed the two-week COMPTUEX first to prepare the strike group's assets to work as a single unit.

"The air wing and the ship continued to fuse as a team, and we worked extremely well with the destroyer squadron," said Stennis Commanding Officer Capt. Joseph Kuzmick. "We all learned a great deal, and most of all, we learned to operate as a team."

Strike Force Training Pacific evaluators ran the strike group through a series unit-specific training exercises and tested the strike group's integrated operational capabilities with two unscripted scenarios called battle problems.

The strike group completed the objectives listed on the Navy Mission Essential Task List (NMETL) for carrier strike groups in COMPTUEX to demonstrate their operational readiness.

"This list consists of close to 1,000 individual tasks, and each task has a measure of performance and effectiveness associated with it," said Commander Strike Force Pacific Operations Officer Capt. George Fadok. "Throughout COMPTUEX the group's performance increased each and every day."

"As much as anything it is the confidence you get from doing this thing and seeing that you really can make it all come together," said Kuzmick. "We learned to push our equipment to the limits, and we learned how to deal with almost anything."

The strike group joined several Air Force squadrons and ships from Canada and Chile after COMPTUEX to simulate operating in a joint-force environment in JTFEX.

Commander, 3rd Fleet evaluated JCSCSG, on its ability to operate and communicate with multiple forces during the week-long, free-play scenario.

The exercises allowed JCSCSG adapt to the subtle differences between coalition forces and other military branches, so they can operate together in an actual conflict, said Glatt.

The unscripted simulations also allowed the strike group to practice reacting to realistic threats from each warfare area.

Each warfare commander got a chance to work through their tactics, techniques and procedures and got better each time, said Vance.

Stennis proved it is ready to deploy with its strike group by successfully completing the objectives in COMPTUEX and JTFEX.

"All the work we did out here over the summer, that was tailored ship's training. Each ship is basically out underway learning how to operate their own machine," said Kuzmick. "This underway was more about making us into a system of systems where we've got units working together to form a larger system, that being the deploying strike group."

JCSCSG is now certified as ready for major combat operations and prepared to deploy.

"Before, we had a whole lot of new people that haven't done this before, or we had people who haven't done it with this particular equipment," said Kuzmick. "We've all figured out how it's done now. We understand how we work, and we're ready to deploy."

Pre-deployment exercises give the Navy's strike groups operational experience so they are better prepared to safely and effectively further the goals of America's maritime strategy during their deployments.

Forward air controllers prepare for war

Airman 1st Class Michael Kelly assists Danish soldiers by relaying the location of a target for an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot during a close-air-support scenario for Exercise Allied Strike II Nov. at Grafenwoehr U.S. Army Garrison, Germany. The week-long joint terminal air controller-centric exercise involves 90 U.S. and coalition personnel with close-air-support assets from five U.S. and coalition air wings and is designed to prepare U.S. Air Forces Europe and NATO JTACs for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Airman Kelley is a radio operator maintainer and driver assigned to 1st Air Support Operations Squadron in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Defense Department photo/Master Sgt. Scott Wagers)

by Master Sgt. Scott Wagers, Defense Media Activity-Ramstein

HOHENFELS, Germany (AFNS) -- In the profession of arms where timeliness, precision and control are the rules of the day, sometimes a little confusion, disorder and mayhem are good things.

It's especially valuable as a training tool for joint terminal air controllers who hang their hat in hell's backyard to direct lethal firepower on unsuspecting hostiles. These combat Airmen and their allied partners must learn to perform highly demanding mental and physical tasks in spite of their surroundings. Doing so is necessary for survival.

With those training necessities in mind, 90 U.S. and coalition personnel, along with tanker and fighter aircraft from five allied air wings met in early November in southern Germany to conduct a week long JTAC-centric exercise known as Allied Strike II.

Modeled after its stateside counterpart Atlantic Strike, the exercise was designed to prepare U.S. Air Forces Europe and NATO combat controllers for war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Training iterations, staged out of Hohenfels and Grafenwoehr U.S. Army garrisons, covered urban warfare, convoy operations, live-weapons employment, and tactical communications.

Soldiers from the 173rd Air Brigade Combat Team, 191 Cavalry, were paired with the combat controllers during urban training to create realistic patrol scenarios experienced downrange.

Tech. Sgt. Robert Zachery, a JTAC instructor, led the exercise's urban warfare training. A veteran of five Iraq and Afghanistan deployments in his 12-year career, he said the latest tactics from the war provided accuracy to the urban scenarios that were designed to employ both physical and mental stress.

"Some people can think critically in an office environment with a cup of coffee, while others are good physically and can run real fast or move well on a football field. Trying to do both at the same time is tough for anyone," Sergeant Zachery said.

Sergeant Zachery, the chief JTAC instructor assigned to the 4th Air Support Operations Group, said he hoped the exercise participants were "overwhelmed."

"I want guys to think, 'Wow, I've got a lot of things going on.' The idea is to task saturate these guys here in peacetime so that when they go downrange and encounter the same situation, they're gonna say, 'I've done this before...this is easy,'" he said.

One of the first urban warfare scenarios paired two Belgian forward air controllers, assigned to 3rd Battalion Para, Air Base Regiment, with a small American Army fire team. Their mission was to find and eliminate a high-valued target hiding in the center of a mock village.

Many of the 191 Soldiers patrolling with the Belgians recently returned from a 15-month deployment to Afghanistan. There, they reported, the enemy hid in wide expanses of rural landscape -- void of urban settings.

Army Spc. Nicholas Ranstad, a sniper, explained why JTACs were a valuable asset during that deployment.

"When we came into contact, (the enemy) was usually five meters behind a ridgeline 1000's of meters out and we'd never see 'em," he said. "(JTACs) could cover more ground than us because they had control of the birds and the pilots could relay 'We've got bad guys at such and such grid' ... and the JTACs would arrange to light 'em up. We loved to have those guys."

As the U.S.-Belgian team entered the outskirts of the mock village, the faint roar of French Mirages could be heard overhead. The fire team leader quietly signaled an advance across an open field toward a building suspected of hostile activity. A decision he soon regretted. Before snipers could repost against a distant rock wall, a barrage of gunfire fire from an open window replaced the silence of a cool, foggy morning. A few of the Soldiers were "gunned down."

The Belgian forward air controllers, still alive, followed the surviving security detail into a narrow alley between two houses to regroup. Unbeknownst to all of them, a different window opened above and showered AK-47 "death" on all but two remaining Soldiers.

Staff Sgt. Jason Tonkinson, the assistant urban warfare instructor, postponed the scenario to remind the coalition combat controllers of their priorities as tactical communicators.

"Remember, don't get caught up in the fight before you establish communications with air and don't be afraid to let the ground forces commander know what your needs are because he's got other things to think about," Sergeant Tonkinson advised the students.

With the forward air controllers "dead," the two surviving Soldiers had no way to request close-air support from the French pilots circling overhead. It was a valuable lesson for Airmen and Soldiers alike.

Europe-based JTACs don't normally get to train with their Army brethren outside of the joint and coalition exercise, said Maj. Jason Mooney, the 4th ASOG director of operations.

"If we didn't have this exercise, JTACs would be making all these mistakes in non-training scenarios," he said.

Major Mooney added that combat controllers seldom receive live-fire training that is costly and hard to find in Europe. The exercise was done on a shoestring budget of $5,000.

The first four days of the training introduced new digital hardware that gives JTACs the ability to send strike coordinates straight to aircraft visual displays. The 8-pound, 8-inch screen laptops, called a "Military Ruggadized Tablet," also connects forward controllers to the Air Support Operations Center, displays the live video downlink from local aircraft, and tracks friendly forces.

The exercise was especially helpful for young tactical air control party members like Airman 1st Class Michael Kelly, just four months out of technical training.

When asked what was most stressful about the exercise, the 20-year old native of Paris, Texas, said, "Everything, because it's all new. It's getting me to where I can actually do my job in real life situations. It's the first real training I've had with bad guys and weapons."

He said he's motivated that each day, "is one day closer to deployment."