DOD Sponsored Area Frequency Coordinators (AFCs)

Purpose   To explain AFC roles, objectives and responsibilities, as they apply to military units and identify the six DoD AFCs and their Areas of Responsibility (AOR) UNCLASSIFIED My purpose today is to outline the responsibilities of the 45 SW FMO and provide information on how to obtain a frequency clearance to operate on the ER

Overview AFC Roles and Objectives AFC Coordination AFC Responsibilities AFC Relationship to RCC/FMG AFC Offices AFC POCs/AFC AORs AFC Challenges Summary UNCLASSIFIED The 45 SW FMO is responsible for two main functions… -- ER Frequency Mgt --- When I say ER Frequency Mgt I mean that our office is responsible for All ER locations not just CCAFS and Patrick -- DoD EAFC

AFC Roles and Objectives UNCLASSIFIED In accordance with ACP 190D, Annex B as well as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management, Army, Navy and Air Force Instructions and other publications provide policy and guidance for spectrum management within DOD and other Federal Agencies These documents also define areas of responsibility for minimizing electromagnetic interference (EMI) at or within radio line-of-sight of national and service test and training and space launch ranges They also make DOD AFCs responsible for coordinating ALL Federal Agency frequency use above 420 MHz as well as ALL DOD frequency use within each AFC’s Area of Responsibility

AFC Roles and Objectives (cont) UNCLASSIFIED The AFCs have the following objectives To provide a radio frequency coordination system and infrastructure for DOD, national and service test and training ranges and test sites  To minimize harmful interference at, among and within radio line-of-sight of all DOD national and service test and training ranges and test sites To ensure compliance of range and range hosted spectrum-dependent systems with all national, federal, joint and departmental spectrum management regulations, policies and procedures To ensure efficient utilization of the radio frequency spectrum via cooperative use of this resource in support of the DOD mission To coordinate the spectrum use of all spectrum-dependent systems support RDT&E, as well as operational and training activities, at, among and within radio line-of-sight of DOD, National and service test and training ranges and test sites

AFC Roles and Objectives (cont) UNCLASSIFIED It should also be noted that in accordance with ACP-190 the AFCs will be the Range liaison with and are responsible for coordination on matters of mutual interest with other military and civil frequency coordination activities

AFC Coordination UNCLASSIFIED AFCs are authorized to coordinate with all military, Government, and non-Government agencies within their area of responsibility (AOR). Reference NTIA Manual Para 8.3.26 In CONUS, AFCs may, by mutual agreement among military activities within their AOR, arrange for time sharing and technical adjustments of frequency assignments as required to minimize harmful interference and preclude conflicts. AFCs are required to coordinate on ALL military frequency use, including deployments for emergency use, within an AFC AOR, reference NTIA Manual, Para. 7.3.3 The MAG and AAG also require AFC coordination on the use of their band. The AFCs will coordinate proposals in the Bands M1435-M1525 and M2360-M2390 with the Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council (AFTRCC) The C Notes and the listed AORs are documented in Para 8.3.17 and Annex D, NTIA Manual.

AFC Responsibilities UNCLASSIFIED AFCs are responsible for attainment of the objectives noted previously AFCs are directly responsible to the respective departmental headquarters for administrative purposes and to the MCEB for policy guidance. AFCs shall advise the Commanders of National or Service Test and Training Ranges and sites of foreseen radio frequency conflicts in proposed and scheduled operations and tests. Resolution of such conflicts is a responsibility of the range commander AFCs will assist in the elimination of real time harmful electromagnetic interference

AFC Responsiblities (cont) Organization Chart UNCLASSIFIED

AFC Responsibilities (cont) UNCLASSIFIED Within the AFC AOR, in the event of a frequency conflict, the AFC will attempt to resolve. If this is not achievable, the AFC will issue a completed report to the MILDEPs of concern for resolution. AFC can provide guidance in all Spectrum matters for their AOR as they know and understand the overall spectrum within their jurisdiction. AFCs have the authority to direct emitters in their AOR to be “Silent” for specific periods of time in support of special high priority or high dollar missions

AFC Relationship to RCC The AFCs, as a Group, have formed a subcommittee within the Range Commander’s Council/Frequency Management Group (RCC/FMG) Meet twice a year under the charter of the RCC/FMG Includes membership by the MILDEPs Frequency Management Offices Addresses range related issues and AFC concerns Need assistance if formulating definitive DoD policy for AFC management

AFC Offices UNCLASSIFIED   There are six DoD AFCs at specified locations throughout CONUS Army Sponsors two AFC Arizona AFC White Sands Missile Range Navy Sponsor one Western AFC Air Force Sponsors three Eastern AFC Gulf AFC Nellis AFB

South Western AFC Map KEY Western AFC AFC - Arizona AFC - Nellis AFC – New Mexico (WSMR)

Southeastern AFC Map GAFC EAFC

AFC Army Offices DoD Area Frequency Coordinator, State of Ariz UNCLASSIFIED DoD Area Frequency Coordinator, State of Ariz Area of Responsibility: State of Arizona

AFC Army Offices (cont) UNCLASSIFIED

AFC Navy Office UNCLASSIFIED

AFC AF Office UNCLASSIFIED

AFC AF Office (cont) UNCLASSIFIED

AFC AF Office (cont) UNCLASSIFIED

AFC Challenges Inconsistent AFC Policy; i.e. No Standard AFC coordination Policy Inconsistent AFC Guidance Lack of coordination between Services/Federal Agencies Lack of AFC Authority to execute Policy and Procedure Relocation and selloff of spectrum Compressing more into less Minimizing RFI amongst all users Deployed units returning with non-certified equipment Commanders desiring to operate as in theater Equipment has no authorizations to operate in CONUS

Summary UNCLASSIFIED AFC Roles and Objectives are critical to all DOD and other Federal agency spectrum operations within their AOR AFCs have insight to all Federal spectrum use in the AOR and can ensure conflicts are reduced or eliminated AFCs stand ready to assist - get to know the DoD AFC as they are valuable to the effective and efficient processing and management of spectrum requirements. Though sponsored by a Service, they act in a non-partisan manner to support all military service’s requirements With regard to Frequency Clearance Requests I would like to provide you some general information and basic procedures for submitting requests I’ve mentioned frequency allocation but if a request is from a commercial or non-government user requesting to use FCC controlled frequencies a 1494 is not required I WANT TO STRESS THAT ALL USERS MUST OBTAIN A FREQUENCY AUTHORIZATION THROUGH OUR OFFICE PRIOR TO OPERATING ANY RF TRANSMITING DEVICE (CELL PHONES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS REQUIREMENT)-----THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN HELP ENSURE AN INTERFERENCE FREE ENVIRONMENT IS MAINTAINED

DoD Western Area Frequency Coordinator (WAFC)

WAFC Objectives Frequency coordination between and around DoD Test Ranges in California, south of N37* 30’ Minimize harmful interference to Test Ranges Coordinate DoD use of shared spectrum with federal and civilian users Promote DoD Electromagnetic Compatibility Program Encourage maximum utilization of the spectrum through cooperative use of the resource

WAFC Objectives (cont.) Coordinate the scheduling of electronic attack test and training operations Verify frequencies are coordinated , scheduled , and de-conflicted in the AOR Assist in eliminating real-time RFI Maintain current list of frequency records in area

N 37* 30’ WAFC AOR

What We Deal With Day To Day… 11 Bases and 6 major test/training ranges within AOR, 5 major test/training ranges in adjacent or nearby AFC AORs that can affect ops within WAFC AOR High concentration of DoD and commercial test activities throughout AOR using L- and S-band Large and growing number of UAV operations, heavy utilization of C- and Ku-band Multiple ranges in or around AOR that conduct electronic attack test and training

I can’t over emphasize the importance of scheduling your op I can’t over emphasize the importance of scheduling your op. This guy didn’t…

WAFC POC’s

Discussion Questions Proper Coordination Will Prevent Problems