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283rd Completes JUICE

Dobbins' 283rd Combat Communications Squadron recently completed a month-long multi-agency, advanced communications exercise in which the unit was designated the lead DOD agency in the testing and integration of sophisticated, state-of-the-art communications equipment and policy. The month-long program which included a two week test and evaluation period was known by the JUICE, or Joint User Interoperability Communications Exercise.

"Our unit was given the opportunity to test and validate for the military some of the most advanced, off-the-shelf communications equipment currently available," said Lt. Col. Tom Dixon, Detachment Commander.

Forty Air Guard technicians were sent to Fort Monmouth, NJ to the U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command to train and work with practical service solutions (communications mediums) adaptable to soldier in the field, during peace and wartime. Guardsmen were involved with training and integrating existing communication platforms with new IP and Voiceover IP based systems and working technologies.

Dixon stated that much of the equipment being evaluated represented some of the newest and most sophisticated communications technologies yet developed.

"Our goal was to examine it and determine this new technology and its adaptability to the warfighter," continued Dixon.

A two-week Homeland defense exercise component to JUICE took place at Jefferson City and Warrensburg, MO beginning in late July at which Guardsmen trained and validated sophisticated communications equipment while blending with the state and Federal agencies to create a reliable global communications and network operating environment. More than 20 federal, state and military agencies were involved in the exercise.

The results of both the month long test and the homeland security exercise will be to test the effectiveness and usability of new technology and equipment and its applicability to its usability in a wartime theater of operations.