SB ALL @ AFMARS < AFN1EC $ECST_0140
USAF MARS ECOM BROADCAST - NR 40

DE AFN1EC NR 041
R 280200Z JUN 01
FM  AFN1EC ME
TO  ALL USAF MARS STATIONS
INFO AGA3C SCOTT AFB IL
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SUBJECT: ECOM BDCST 01-40 MARS EXERCISE TRAFFIC
1. MARS PURPOSE IS TO HANDLE QUASI OFFICIAL TRAFFIC.
MARS HANDLES MESSAGES AND PROVIDES AN ALTERNATE
MEANS TO GET MESSAGES TO AND FROM DEPT OF DEFENSE MEMBERS,
THEIR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
IN ORDER THAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR JOBS.
2. FEMA'S FEDERAL RESPONSE PLAN AND OUR ECOM PLANS IDENTIFY
THE FOLLOWING AS SITUATIONS IN WHICH MARS CAN PROVIDE
ASSISTANCE: A DISASTER CONDITION MAY RESULT FROM A CATASTROPHIC
EARTHQUAKE, SIGNIFICANT NATURAL DISASTER OR OTHER INCIDENT THAT
PRODUCES EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND RESULTS IN LARGE VOLUMES OF REQUESTS
FROM ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY FOR SERVICES REQUIRED TO
SAVE LIVES AND ALLEVIATE HUMAN SUFFERING.  THESE AUTHORITIES
REQUIRE ACCURATE AND TIMELY INFORMATION ON WHICH TO BASE THEIR
DECISIONS AND FOCUS THEIR RESPONSE ACTIONS. WIDESPREAD DAMAGE
TO COMMERCIAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES IS LIKELY.  AT A
TIME WHEN THE NEED FOR REAL-TIME ELECTRONICALLY PROCESSED
INFORMATION IS GREATEST, THE CAPABILITY TO PRODUCE IT MAY BE
SERIOUSLY RESTRICTED OR NONEXISTENT.  ALL SURVIVING
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSETS OF THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT,
AUGMENTED BY EXTRA-REGIONAL ASSETS, WILL BE NEEDED IMMEDIATELY
TO ASSURE A PROPER RESPONSE TO THE NEEDS OF VICTIMS OF THE EVENT.
3. MARS EXERCISES ARE DESIGNED TO TEST MARS CAPABILITIES
TO HANDLE TRAFFIC. WHETHER IT'S VOICE, DIGITAL OR THE
COMBINATION OF BOTH, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO TEST OUR PROCEDURES,
SKILLS, CAPABILITIES, SYSTEMS AND PLANS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ALL
WORK WHEN NEEDED. UNLIKE THE MILITARY AND PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMUNITY, OUR EXERCISES ARE LOW COST TO THE GOVERNMENT.
ALL THAT IS REQUIRED FROM OUR MARS MEMBERS TO USE A LITTLE
IMAGINATION WHEN PROVIDED WITH AN EXERCISE SCENARIO, AND DRAFT UP
A BRIEF MESSAGE, SUCH AS AN EEI, AND SEND IT ON A NET OR THROUGH
THE DIGITAL SYSTEM OR BOTH. THIS ALLOWS US TO EVALUATE OURSELVES
AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS SO WE'RE EVEN BETTER THE NEXT TIME AND
IT PROVIDES US WITH PERIODIC REFRESHER TRAINING IN AREAS THAT
WE SHOULD REMAIN PROFICIENT IN AT ALL TIMES. AS MARS MEMBERS,
WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO SERVE NOT ONLY OUR MEN AND WOMEN
IN UNIFORM, BUT ALSO TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES BY BEING READY
AND PREPARED TO RESPOND TO THEIR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS NEEDS
IN THE EVENT THAT AN EMERGENCY OR DISASTER OCCURS.
4. I CHALLENGE YOU ALL TO PICK UP A PENCIL AND PIECE OF PAPER
OR COMPUTER KEYBOARD, AND DRAFT UP AN EEI EXERCISE MESSAGE
BASED UPON THE SCENARIO IN MARSEX. IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE THE
AFFECTED AREAS IDENTIFIED IN EXERCISE GRECIAN FIREBOLT 01,
CHECK INTO USAF TRANSCON NETS ON FREQUENCY (CE) AND BE READY
TO HELP HANDLE THE TRAFFIC. IF THERE IS NO TRAFFIC ON THE NET,
CONDUCT PROPOGATION CHECKS, WITH PERMISSION OF THE NCS,
WITH OTHER STATIONS ON THE NET.
5. MARS LEADERSHIP PUTS A LOT OF EFFORT INTO COORDINATING
EXERCISES TO TEST OUR SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND CAPABILITIES.
PITCH IN AND HELP US MAKE THESE EXERCISES FUN AND BENEFICIAL
TO US ALL. MOST IMPORTANT IS FOR US TO BE READY TO
DO OUR JOBS IF CALLED UPON BY THE DEPT OF DEFENSE AND MARS
LEADERSHIP IN THE EVENT AN EMERGENCY OR DISASTER OCCURS.
6. AIR FORCE MARS: PROVIDING THE REINS OF COMMAND
IN EMERGENCIES
7. SGD HARRY MARSTERS, CMSGT, USAF
NATIONAL EMERGENCY COORDINATOR/AFN1EC
MARS EXERCISE GRECIAN FIREBOLT 01 (GF01)
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