04/21/2016
Amateur Radio came in for high praise following its role in a March 30 to April
3 Washington National Guard interoperability communication exercise, sponsored
by the US Northern Command. The so-called "Vital Connection-Cascadia" exercise
was aimed at improving interoperability among Department of Defense entities,
federal, state, and local first responders, and Amateur Radio operators.
Interoperability was tested on 5 MHz frequencies. The spring drill was a run-up
to June's "Cascadia Rising/Vigilant Guard/Ardent Sentry" exercise. It included
voice and data radio and satellite communication plus video integration from
airborne assets.
"The largest success of this exercise by far was the use of the 60 meter HF
interoperability bands to successfully pass voice and data traffic between
military and civilian entities," the After Action Report said. "There was great
integration among military units from Washington and other states, Army and Air
Force MARS, Washington State Guard, state and county EOCs, and the ARES and
RACES Amateur Radio communities."
Lt Col Lawrence Hager of the Washington Air National Guard also had kind words
for Amateur Radio. "I would like to thank everyone who participated in the
Vital Connection-Cascadia [communications exercise]," he said. "We had many
successes, such as HF radio interoperability between military, government, and
civilian sectors on the 60 meter (5 MHz) band." Hager is an Air Force officer
responsible to The Adjutant General (TAG) for communications in both the Army
Guard and Air Force Guard.
"It was truly a pleasure exercising with you folks," allowed State RACES
Officer Ed Leavitt, K7EFL, in a message to the Washington National Guard.
"Thanks for inviting us." Regarding outreach to civilian jurisdictions using
the 60 meter channels as the conduit, Leavitt said, "While I am hesitant to use
phrases like 'This has never been done before,' I suspect that may actually be
the case."
ARRL Western Washington ARRL Section Manager Monte Simpson, K2MLS, who is also
Washington State RACES Officer, said the feedback he's received regarding
Amateur Radio participation has been positive. "The 60 meter band proved to be
excellent," he said. "While at the State EOC I had the occasion to hear a 60
meter conversation that was crystal clear with nearly no noise. The Mason
County Emergency Coordinator/RACES Officer reported that he had used Fldigi to
communicate with the National Guard. The Washington State Guard provided
soldiers who are Amateur Radio operators as the ham radio connection to the
National Guard."
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