BEAUFORT, S.C. - Maintaining reliable communications is a challenge in any disaster. Power may be out, phone lines may be down, even cell phones may not work. But when disaster strikes and the National Guard is called to the scene, emergency communications can be quickly restored.
"Our plan is to be able to provide a communications network to the on-scene commanders in two hours," said Capt. Pierre Glover. "But I have seen it set up in as fast as 25 minutes after we roll into a site."
Glover is working as deputy officer in charge of a communications team from Joint Forces Headquarters - South Carolina, an element of the South Carolina National Guard. The team is providing communications capability for Vigilant Guard 2008, one of the largest disaster response preparedness exercises in the history of the National Guard. The April 21-24 exercise has brought together more than 3,000 Soldiers and Airmen from National Guard units in more than a dozen states to train and prepare for the next disaster. In Vigilant Guard 2008, the Guard is responding to a notional earthquake centered in Beaufort County, S.C.
The JFHQ communications team is made up of 11 South Carolina National Guard soldiers and is providing internet service, voice over internet protocol or VOIP capability and video teleconferencing capability to the National Guard and other local, state and federal authorities who are participating in the exercise, said Chief Warrant Officer Ray Evans, of the communications team. In addition, the team has provided satellite phones and two-way radio communications for the various units responding to the exercise.
Glover said providing internet service, including e-mail, and video teleconferencing has become an essential communications tool in disaster response. In addition to letting commanders in the field talk to their various units, it allows them to be in contact with the state capitol or other command authorities away from the incident site.
Practicing the communications capability of the National Guard and other agencies is a key component of Vigilant Guard, said Brig. Gen. Les Eisner, deputy adjutant general for Army in South Carolina and commander of troops for Vigilant Guard 2008.
"The National Guard brings trained personnel from around the country who are able to support a community that has suffered a disaster. Vigilant Guard allows us to test our capability and develop relationships with the local and state agencies we would be working with," Eisner said.