COMM ensures information gets to rescuers, Air Force

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tim Bazar
  • 347th Expeditionary Rescue Group Public Affairs
JACKSON, Miss. (AFPN) --  The safety of those stranded in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast could hinge upon 450 Airmen deployed here as part of the 347th Expeditionary Rescue Group and their ability to communicate rapidly and effectively across vast distances.

From setting up Internet connections and radio systems to securing confidential information and relaying it to higher headquarters, the work from the 347th ERG communications team here is vital, said Tech. Sgt. Matthew Weiner, a 347th ERG communications team leader. He is deployed from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.

And that task falls upon the shoulders of three communications Airmen.

"We've had some really long days and longer nights," Sergeant Weiner said. "It's really been a challenge setting up all these connections to keep (the) Airmen in contact."

Primarily, senior leaders needed radios, nonclassified Internet connections, e-mail and long-distance capabilities to open the much-needed information flow. They only had one secure and one nonsecure radio and a dial-up Internet connection.

"Once we got here, we determined that leaders and helicopter crews only had a limited range," said Staff. Sgt. Adam Schmidt, a 347th ERG radio technician. "But we were determined to change that."

In six hours, with increased height on new and old radio towers and several hundred feet of wire, they had it.

After three days with only a nonsecure Internet connection, officials had to use a costly satellite network to send classified information to higher headquarters.

“That just wouldn't do," Sergeant Weiner said.

When the approval to set up the secure connection came, the Airmen sprang into action and had the network set up in only five hours.

To date, the Airmen have run nearly 5,000 feet of wire for Internet, phone and radio communications systems around the base.

"We've done some things that we never thought we'd be doing here," Sergeant Schmidt said. "And if Katrina hadn't taken out some of the base's more crucial communications systems, there wouldn't be much need for us."

But there is a major need for their services.

"At most bases, when you put in a help desk call it can take about 24 hours to answer that call," Sergeant Weiner said. "We're making it happen in an hour -- all day, every day."

But with the hurricane relief effort now into its second week, problems in information flow and communications seem to be slowing, Sergeant Weiner said.

"Once we get a good handle on everything, we plan to open up an area that Airmen can go and check their personal e-mail, surf the net and take care of some personal things," he said. "Because if their situation is anything like ours, their three-day (temporary duty) has turned into an indefinite commitment."