Systems group adds technology to Katrina relief support

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MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE-GUNTER ANNEX, Ala. (AFPN) --  While tons of relief supplies are flowing into the Gulf Coast daily, the Operations and Sustainment Systems Group here is shoring up the vital flow of communications to the hurricane-stricken region.

Hours after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the group's team of communications, logistics, contracting and acquisition experts were called to action.

The first call for help came over the Labor Day weekend from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., which suffered severe flooding and wind damage.

"The operations division received an emergency request from Keesler to upgrade their unclassified circuits to support the increased demand for command and control and e-mail traffic on their network," said Lt. Col. John Hennigan, the division's deputy director. "We were able to double the base's communications capability in anticipation of their needs after the hurricane and to support the relief efforts."

The division, which controls and manages Air Force Internet protocol addresses and networks, issued numerous classified and unclassified "tactical IP addresses" for several Air Force combat communications units deployed to the region. They also supported increased classified circuit requirements for Robins AFB, Ga., to support the base's E-8C Joint STARS aircraft flying missions over the region, Colonel Hennigan said.

Additionally, the division deployed two enlisted communications experts to Tyndall AFB, Fla., in support of Joint Task Force-Katrina.

While the operations division focused on bandwidths, the group's acquisition and commodities division poised to help bring communications links back online in the region.

“We're postured to assist Air Education and Training Command, the Electronic Systems Center and Air Force Communications Agency in reconstituting Keesler's and the region's network infrastructure," said Matt Benavides, the division's director.

Whenever a call comes, he said his team will get the information technology hardware and services needed to get the job done.

Shortly after the flood waters receded on Keesler, the call came.

The division deployed an Airman and two support contractors to Keesler with a contingency contracting IT kit. The kit includes servers loaded with contracting software applications and databases, a tape backup unit and up to 25 laptop computers.

"The team will help install the servers and laptop clients as needed, then re-establish system interfaces if a (local-area network) is available," said Carolyn Lee, the division's director.

A support staff of database administrators, system technologists and others will provide remote technical support to Keesler's contracting officials as long as necessary, Mrs. Lee said.

To help track the tons of military cargo moving into and out of the region, the group's logistics systems division is accessing databases for specific queries on cargo commodities and researching the global transportation network for in-transit visibility information.

"In this trying time, I am especially proud of the members of the Operations Support Systems Wing here at Gunter for their dedicated efforts in supporting the unique challenges fostered by Hurricane Katrina," said Gregory Garcia, director of OSSG.

"Our members have contributed significantly in their professional support of the critical relief and reconstitution operations. Additionally, many individuals have also assisted through their personal and community efforts. It continues to be a super team effort along with others in our Air Force." (Courtesy of Phil Berube of the OSSG public affairs office.)