CUSEC-TEMA Earthquake Awareness Exercise

Tennessee Auxiliary Radio Communications Systems TEMA Local Governments Non-Government Organizations Amateur Radio ARES Auxiliary Communication Groups

Tennessee Military Auxiliary Radio System Navy / Marine Corps Army Air Force

Winlink Sending messages in the absence of the local internet over amateur radio and Military Affiliate Radio System(MARS)

TEMA Williamson County ECC The ability to provide s when needed without local infrastructure is critical. TEMA

CUSEC-TEMA Earthquake Awareness Exercise Tennessee Emergency Management Agency February 19, 2013 After Action Report David Wolfe TEMA Chief of Communications

Introduction: The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) conducted an exercise in conjunction with the Central United States Earthquake Consortium ’ s (CUSEC) Earthquake Awareness Month. This exercise used both HF voice, and the Winlink 2000 Radio system. Scenario: The simple scenario was an earthquake somewhere in the New Madrid zone, and simulated loss of normal infrastructure. Objective: The purpose of this short exercise was to demonstrate the capabilities of HF Winlink 2000, and HF voice communications, to TEMA from other states, local agencies, and volunteers using no infrastructure other than their radio systems and the internet outside the simulated area of destruction. Execution: The exercise was on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 with the following schedule: 1. From 6:00 AM -10:00 AM CST, the 8 CUSEC State Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) were to send a short Winlink message to the TEMA State EOC over HF radio to the following two addresses: and 2. From 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM CST, any agency, and properly licensed individuals with a dropkit, were to send a Winlink message to the two above addresses. It was suggested that the message identify represented agency, the operator and the equipment used. The TEMA SEOC acknowledged all messages sent to the above two addresses on both Winlink and .

3. Beginning at 1:01 PM and ending at 2:45 PM, the 8 State ALL-MARS CUSEC voice net was held on four frequencies in the 5 MHz, 6 MHz, 7 MHz and 9 MHz MARS bands. 4. Net control was Pat Lane (W4OQG) - AAA9EC, in Memphis. Seventy-eight stations checked into the net representing all eight CUSEC states. AAM7EMO and NNN0MAA (TEMA SEOC) were relays. Operation: Beginning at 7:00 AM TEMA set up four positions. These were two Winlink dropkits with HF voice capability, one logging position and one back-up position. Operators were David Wolfe (WA4VVX)- NNN0BAN, Tom Delker (K1KY) - NNN0LVT, Paul Carr (N4AAN) - Now NNN0RFA, and David Wilson (KU4B). Messages began before 8:00 AM mostly from State EOCs but also from other served agencies. By 9:30 messages were arriving from many stations. TEMA received 77 Winlink messages and sent 80. We received 48 messages and replied to all. Although tracking the individual operators was not an objective or possible, our logs indicate Winlink messages were received from the following: 1. Total unique call signs Navy/MC MARS Agency Army MARS Agency Army National Guard Air Force National Guard Navy/MC individual MARS Army individual MARS AF individual MARS Amateur Radio - 24

The CUSEC voice net had 78 stations check in representing all eight CUSEC states. Seven of the eight State EOCs were represented. The breakdown by service is: 1. Navy Agency Army Agency Army National Guard Air Force National Guard Millington Naval Base 6. Navy MARS individuals Army MARS individuals Air Force MARS individuals - 5 Exercise Analysis: This exercise met and exceeded the objectives. Winlink messages were received from the State EOCs in Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi. The North Carolina State EOC also sent a message of support. Winlink messages were received from 12 National Guard stations in Kentucky and Tennessee. Messages were also received from multiple hospitals, local governments, state agencies, homeland security districts, AT&T, Fed Ex, Bridgestone/Firestone, American Red Cross, the Center for Earthquake Research and Information and numerous individuals with personal Winlink dropkits to support served agencies. Interoperability was demonstrated in all operations. Many locations had operators from multiple services and auxiliary communications groups. The total number of operators exceeded the tracked numbers since many locations had multiple operators. Some technical problems were reported but they were solved or worked around. Although the MARS HF Winlink system was primary, the Amateur Radio HF system, MARS packet and Amateur packet systems were also used effectively.

Interoperability Analysis: Some aspects of interoperability that were demonstrated: 1. Participant interoperability: EOCs, NGOs, the National Guard, MARS and individual hams were able to communicate with complete interoperability via Winlink. 2. Technology interoperability: Pactor, Winmor and Packet radio modes were integrated seamlessly achieving interoperability regardless of the protocol or the use of VHF, UHF or HF frequencies. 3. Time interoperability: Time independence was shown by messages being sent without requiring simultaneous radio operation at the receiving site. Conclusions: The MARS Winlink system once again proved its value in efficiently handling multiple messages from many sources in a short time period. These messages were sent and received using infrastructure that was outside the exercise disaster area. Local, state and non-government served agencies recognize the value of Winlink and continue to develop the necessary capability and training for this system. They also realize the parallel value of voice communications for command and control.

Recommendations: At the start of the exercise, several stations discovered they needed to update their Winlink software or their Winlink channel list. In some cases, facility firewalls made this difficult or impossible. Each Winlink station should be updated to the latest Winlink software and channel list at least once a month. Windows software updates should be installed at the same time. Exercises should be conducted regularly to maintain proficiency, train new operators and further develop operational capabilities and tactics. MARS should continue to support the development and managerial operation of Winlink in partnership with the Winlink Development Team and served agencies. A radio only system is currently under development and is needed in case of denial of service on the internet. This capability is and should continually be supported by all emergency communications groups including the three MARS services, Amateur Radio and served agencies. The leadership and support provided by Navy/MC MARS to both Winlink and served agencies such as TEMA is recognized and appreciated. For the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, David Wolfe Chief of Communications