Naval Postgraduate School

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Naval Postgraduate School

Joint Task Force Katrina Relief Effort - Hastily
Formed Networks
Unclassified Information Brief
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Purpose/Objective

• Purpose To provide the Defense Attaché
  Association with a sketch of NPSs Hastily Formed
  Networks deployed in support of the emergency
  response to Hurricane Katrina.
• Objective To show relevance of Hastily Formed
  Networks and NPSs Humanitarian
  Assistance/Disaster Relief work to the global
  humanitarian assistance community.

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Areas of Operation
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Network Infrastructure
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The Images..
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The Images..
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The Images.
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The Problem..

• No power
• No fiber/copper infrastructure
• No push-to-talk comms to speak of
• Cellular services totally jammed
• Satellite phone service totally jammed
• Not enough satellite eqpt suites available
• No Internet access (web, email, VOIP)

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THE PUZZLE.. Surrounded by the civ-mil boundary
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One Viable Comms Solution..

• SATCOM Internet Reachback
• 802.11 (WiFi) and 802.16 (WiMax)
• Broadband Internet, Web, Email
• Voice Over IP (basic dial-tone)
• Skype (free internet phone)
• Groove (collaboration solution)

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Lessons Learned

• Effect of No Common Situational Awareness
• VoIP Was HUGE Benefit
• Physical Access Was a Challenge
• PTT Radio Interoperability a Growing Concern
• Creature Comforts Youre on Your Own
• Pre-Positioning Assets and Contracts
• Cant Negotiate in the Chaos !
• Force Protection
• Active Military versus Natl Guard (or both)?
• Providing Internet Access to the Public

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Current NPS Research

• PTT Radio Interoperability
• More International HA/DR Issues USNS Mercy
• Hastily Formed Networks that Enable..
• Noncombatant Evacuation Ops (NEO) Tracking
  Systems
• Patient / Victim Tracking Systems
• Ship-to-Shore Wireless for HA/DR and Hospital
  Ships
• Airline Luggage Capable Flyaway Kits
• Smaller Form Factor VSAT
• NCOIC CHD Case Study
• Strong Angel III (Aug 20-26 San Diego)

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Conclusion and Challenges..

• We must do better !
• Who are We ?
• How do We proceed ?
• Are We ready for the next hurricane season,
  international disaster, Japans big one, Global
  Avian Flu Pandemic, etc ?
• Need scalable, robust, interoperable comms !!
• Intl Community, Private Sector, DoD all have
  roles !!
• Brian Steckler, Associate Chair for Special
  Programs,
• Naval Postgraduate School
• steckler_at_nps.edu 831.402.1584
• http//www.nps.navy.mil/disasterrelief

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My Summer Cruise

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Bottom Line No Way To Run A Railroad !!