[KL7AA] Air Force MARS is recruiting for Alaskan AF MARS Operators

[ron]

If you are interested in joining AF MARS there is an active attempt (see 
below) by that program to get Alaska into the AF MARS Program.  The AF 
Program is active in the Pacific Northwest just as the Army Program is.  
AF and Army MARS members work together often.

At this time only Army MARS is active in Alaska.  In reality the two 
programs have the exact same goals and missions.  While I am in the Army 
Program, I welcome any AF MARS Member.

Please read the note below and respond accordingly if your in Alaska and 
interested.



Ron Keech, KL7YK
Army MARS, Alaska State Director
http://akarmymars.net

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    7 November 2016


  ------- For Immediate Release --------


  United States Air Force MARS Recruiting Effort In Alaska


Mark Allen, MARS callsign AFN5O, National Director of Operations for US 
Air Force MARS, today formally initiated an intensive recruiting effort 
to gain new MARS members in Alaska. In a joint statement, Allen and Jay 
Townsend, AFR0C, Region 10 Director stated, “USAF MARS is critically in 
need of members in the Alaska region. MARS membership in Alaska is 
under-represented, and we hope to correct this situation during the 
upcoming months.”


USAF MARS provides contingency radio communications support to U.S. 
government operations “as directed by and coordinated within the 
Department of Defense.” This includes support to civil authorities at 
all levels, “…in fulfillment of DoD responsibilities under DoD Directive 
(DoDD) 5113.13.


Director Allen stated “In support of our DoD mission USAF MARS recruits 
and trains interested amateur radio operators who meet certain 
eligibility requirements. MARS is an extremely rewarding program, 
allowing operators to support the women and men of our armed services. A 
high percentage of MARS members believe they are satisfying an element 
of their patriotic duty as citizens by using their time and equipment in 
this manner.


There are many specialties in USAF MARS, including, SSB networks, 
digital networks and special networks such as the phone patch network, 
wherein MARS operators are handing calls daily from military aircraft in 
flight and ships at sea to land based numbers when other assets are 
unavailable.


For further information, interested persons may call toll free (888) 
778-6277 (MARS). You will be connected to recorded information about 
eligibility requirements, station capabilities and ongoing participation 
requirements. You may also send email to _ALASKA at afmars-mil.us 
<mailto:ALASKA at afmars-mil.us>_and request further information. Thank you.


James B. Potter

National Public Information Officer

USAF MARS AFA7JP