News From USJFCOM: Communications element supports relief operations in Haiti


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Communications element supports relief operations in Haiti

Forty-four members of the Joint Communications Support Element have deployed to Haiti in support of U.S. Southern Command's relief efforts, where they are hosting all military communications.

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By Army Sgt. Josh LeCappelain
USJFCOM Public Affairs

(NORFOLK, Va. - Jan. 22, 2009) –- Personnel from U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM)’s Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE) deployed to Haiti to support U.S. Southern Command’s (USSOUTHCOM) communication capabilities during humanitarian relief efforts following the recent earthquake there.

Forty-four JCSE personnel have arrived in Port-au-Prince so far to establish communications on the ground. Army Maj. Alfredo Rodriquez, JCSE director of plans and operations, said that all military communications in Haiti are being hosted by the JCSE team.

The system that hosts the communication network, called Joint Network Operations Command Center-Haiti, provides the USSOUTHCOM commander with total network situational awareness.

“We are hosting … an intermediary between the folks on the ground and the actual theatre network that USSOUTHCOM is running,” Rodriguez said. “(We’re) hosting a Web site where the USSOUTHCOM commander can view all his assets on the ground. Our job is to tie all the pieces together.”

Marine Col. Steve Corcoran, JCSE commander, said his team moved a satellite-based communications system to the embassy called an Early Entry Package (EEP).

The EEP provides voice, video and data services for up to 40 users. The system contains routers and switches to help communications. A three-man team can transport the system in cases small enough to be carried on commercial aircraft and operate it once it is set up.

The team also brought a Deployable Joint Command and Control system with them, designed to give joint task force commanders capabilities they need to plan operations, collaborate viable courses of action and execute command and control of forces. The system became operational this past weekend and serves Joint Task Force – Haiti.

In additional, an Initial Entry Package (IEP) has been set up on the tarmac of the Haiti International Airport in Port-au-Prince. An IEP is operated by one person and provides phone and computer capabilities for four users.

JCSE, subordinate to the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JECC) and is located at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., provides command, control, communications and computer connectivity and support. Its ability to set up functioning communication systems is crucial in helping relief efforts, said Chris Wilson, JCSE chief of staff.

Corcoran marveled at how quickly and functionally the joint forces integrated.

“Everyone cooperated,” Corcoran said. “This is the first time I’ve seen in 25 years that we have a single integrated picture between all the services. Everyone is playing ball.”

The team just completed training for an exercise when the disaster occurred, Wilson said. He added that they used a kit in the exercise that was almost tailor-made for the mission in Haiti.

They also are supporting the USNS Comfort, a hospital ship deployed to the region.

“[The JCSE team] will go into a location, into a triage or medical support team, and they will be able to send information back so they can do everything from getting capability moved to the field or sending information on what is heading back to the ship,” said Corcoran, who added that the team had worked in a similar capacity during Operation Continuing Promise, an exercise last summer in Central America.

The JECC also sent members of its Joint Public Affairs Support Element and a joint deployable team to Haiti to provide support and assistance to USSOUTHCOM’s relief efforts.