Upcoming MARS COMEX on May 7th

From KC5MWZ:

 

(If you would like to participate, please contact ae5me at yahoo.com)

 

Below is the condensed version of the op order for the upcoming Communications Exercise suitable for distribution to the Amateur Radio community.

 

There has been a MAJOR change from what was previously reported. 

 

The exercise will take place on Saturday May 7 between 6AM CST and 6PM.  (It was previously reported for May 12.)

 

Based on previous experience,  DOD will put requests for information into the MARS network early in the exercise.   Amateur Radio stations should expect MARS operators to come up on Amateur radio frequencies sometime in the mid morning hours with requests for information.  That is all the detail we have or will probably get. 

 

Here is the condensed Operations Order

 

GENERAL OVERVIEW: 

 

EXECUTION OF THIS COMEX REQUIRES COORDINATION WITH RADIO STATIONS IN THE AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE (ARS).

 

TRAINING EXERCISE SIMULATES A NATIONAL CRISIS SITUATION.  

 

THROUGHOUT THE COMEX, STATIONS SHOULD OPERATE UNDER EXERCISE CONDITIONS THAT SIMULATE A COMPLETE UNAVAILABILITY OF CYBERSPACE, ELECTRICAL, AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME.  ALL MARS AND AMATEUR RADIO STATIONS SHOULD PLAN TO TRAIN IN THE COMEX, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO USE BACKUP POWER.

 

FRIENDLY FORCES

     (1)  AIR FORCE MARS

     (2)  ARMY MARS

     (3)  AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS

     (4)  DOD FORCES

     (5)  DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

     (6)  AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE

 

MISSION

 

AD HOC LOCAL COORDINATION WITH AVAILABLE AMATEUR RADIO RESOURCES.

 

DEMONSTRATE INTEROPERABILITY BETWEEN DOD NETWORKS, GOVERNMENT, AND AMATEUR RADIO STATIONS.

 

INTENT

 

ESTABLISH AND SUSTAIN DEPENDABLE, MULTI-LAYER HF RADIO-ONLY NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS TO SUPPORT DOD OBJECTIVES AND INTERFACE WITH RELEVANT AMATEUR RADIO NETWORKS AS REQUIRED TO FULFILL DOD REQUIREMENTS.

 

CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

 

THIS COMEX IS DESIGNED TO EMULATE A SCENARIO THAT WOULD NORMALLY OCCUR FOR A PERIOD OF SEVERAL MONTHS OR LONGER.  HOWEVER, THE COMEX IS CONDUCTED OVER A HIGHLY COMPRESSED TIME PERIOD TO EXERCISE REQUIRED MISSION CRITICAL TASKS WITHIN A VOLUNTEER FORCE.

 

UTILIZING MARS STATIONS AND LOCALLY AVAILABLE AMATEUR RADIO STATIONS AS SOURCES, REPORT ON ALL OBSERVATIONS AND INFORMATION AS REQUESTED.

 

REPORTABLE OBSERVATIONS

 

REQUESTED OBSERVATIONS MAY BE REPORTED FROM MARS STATIONS, AMATEUR RADIO STATIONS, OR ANOTHER VALID SOURCE SUCH AS GOV AGENCY, WEATHER SERVICE, ETC.  ONLY REAL CONDITIONS THAT ARE ACTUALLY OBSERVED ARE REPORTED.  

 

AMATEUR RADIO ACTIVITY

 

AMATEUR RADIO ACTIVITY IN THIS COMEX IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUAL, NON MARS AFFILIATED AMATEUR RADIO STATIONS TO SUPPORT A DOD ACTIVITY IN A REALISTIC, AD-HOC MANNER. STATE MARS DIRECTORS, THROUGH THEIR CIVIL AFFAIRS OFFICERS (A) AND EMERGENCY COORDINATORS (AF) HAVE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR COORDINATING LOCAL, AD-HOC AMATEUR RADIO SUPPORT AND SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO COORDINATE THIS ACTIVITY WITH IINTERESTED LOCAL AMATEURS, GROUPS, AND CLUBS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS COMEX NO DISTINCTION IS INTENDED BETWEEN INDEPENDENT AMATEURS, ARES OR RACES AFFILIATED AMATEURS AND ORGANIZATIONS. 

 

INTERNET AND STORE AND FORWARD TYPE SYSTEMS WILL NOT BE USED DURING THIS EXERCISE.

 

 

Bill Stewart WA9AQQ / AFD6SC

Deputy Director Region 6 Air Force MARS

wrkestew@...