[Scan-DC] Insights on JSTARS & CAP Interactions

[Rapbep at aol.com]

All,

1. During the DC CAP established during the Inauguration ceremonies, some of 
the chat on 260.9 MHz between the fighters (Harass, F-15s Langley) and the E-8 
JSTARS aircraft (Wizzard) provided some insight into their operations.

The fighters complained to Huntress that they kept losing all 
surveillance/tracking data on their TADIL-A link. They mentioned that their Timber was 
"sweet" but nonetheless they kept losing data. The fighters would have data then for 
no apparent reason the data would drop out. At one time the CAP lead 
mentioned that they had been without live data for 1.5 hours.

Wizzard (E-8 JSTARS Back-end) then talked with the CAP flight lead trying to 
help them get the data back. It appeared to be a comms problems between the 
disseminating aircraft (JSTARS) and the fighters.

2. After about 30 minutes, Harass Leader worked with Wizzard to establish a 
"relnet" between Wizzard and Harass 23 who would receive the surveillance info 
for the CAP formation. Once their net was established Harass Leader contacted 
Huntress and asked if they wanted to do a "TN" to check and see how tight the 
net was.

Harass 23 attempted to contact Spad Ops (27th FS) to inform them as to the typ
e of net they had established. Harass 23 could not contact Spad Ops so he 
asked Wizzard to contact the 27th FS and inform them that they had set up a Term 
2 Relnet with Harass 23 as the "man."

Wizzard informed Harass 23 that there were 2 NTRs on their JTIDS system which 
was causing them to drop data. Wizzard asked Huntress if they had an 
identification on an NTR # 14001E which was moving off the coast and causing the 
surveillance system to malfunction. Harass 23 also informed Wizzard that they had 
two different times on their Relative Network (RelNet) and that was causing 
problems. Harass 23 opined that one of the targets was somewhere in the vicinity 
of Seymour-Johnson AFB.

Harass 23 informed Wizzard that there was another unidentified station in 
W-122 Warning Area who was trying to be " the man." Harass 23 asked Wizzard to 
delete the current net, establish JSTARS as " the man" then adivse the CAP so 
they could rejoin the net and get things started anew.

When the third set of fighters (Harass 25 & 26) came into the CAP Wizzard 
called Huntress and adivsed them that they would like to assume control of the 
fighters from Huntress as they went to the tanker for refueling.

Summary:

Things certainly were not going smoothly for the CAP aircraft and you could 
hear the consternation in the CAP pilots' voices. 


RON
MARYLAND, USA