[Scan-DC] CAMSLANT

[Alan Henney]

Here's an interesting write-up on CAMSLANT posted on the CG Deepwater
page.  But I'm still not clear what exactly that facility does.

http://www.uscg.mil/deepwater/media/mar07/newsletter_mar07-02.htm

Coast Guard Communications Station in Chesapeake Grows with Coast
Guard Missions
CAMSLANT building

Chesapeake, Va. (March 6, 2007) – Building
materials on site at the Coast Guard's 22-year-old
Communications Master Station Atlantic in
Chesapeake, Va. The CAMSLANT building is
undergoing a needed expansion to accommodate
upgraded telecommunications equipment and
additional personnel to meet the Coast Guard's
growing post-911 missions and also to support
Coast Guard Deepwater Integrated System's
interoperable command, control, communications,
computer, intelligence and reconnaissance (C4ISR)
standard for oncoming cutters and aircraft.
(USCG photo by Petty Officer First Class Truman
Watkins)

by Petty Officer First Class Truman Watkins
CAMSLANT Public Affairs Officer

With the added post-911 mission of supporting the Global War on
Terror, the Coast Guard has grown, and Coast Guard Communications Area
Master Station Atlantic (CAMSLANT) in Chesapeake, Va., is no
exception. Leveraging current technology, the station is meeting
intelligence and communications requirements interoperable with those
of the Department of Defense and government first responders.

CAMSLANT’s core mission is to maintain, deploy contingency
communications and to provide command and control support for natural
disaster recovery, special operation and emergencies.

The Integrated Deepwater System program, which is the largest Coast
Guard acquisition program in history, funded the $3.715 million which
was budgeted for structure expansion and modernization. With an
expected completion date of June 2007, additional personnel will also
be added to complement the current staff of more than 130
telecommunications professionals.

“CAMSLANT’s external expansion and internal C4ISR modernization to
support Deepwater’s interoperable systems will enhance execution of
the traditional missions of search and rescue, maritime law
enforcement and disseminating safety information to the maritime
public as well as the new missions created by post-911 Global War on
Terrorism,” said Chief Warrant Officer Vern Tuss, CAMSLANT
Communications Officer.

The 22-year-old building will be remodeled with an internal
communications suite that will greatly enhance the Command, Control,
Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance capability (C4ISR) of the Coast Guard on the East
Coast. C4ISR refers to the information tech structure critically
important to today’s Coast Guard. Maritime border security, law
enforcement and disaster mitigation missions have gained emphasis in
the post-9/11, post-Hurricane Katrina era.

Approximately 9,800 square feet will be added to house an additional
communications space which serves to separate the unclassified and
classified telecommunication support systems. Twelve communications
booths will also be added to allow for greater separation between
classified Coast Guard services and unclassified services provided to
mariners.
Mr. Tangora, Deputy Program Executive Officer

Chesapeake, Va. (March 6, 2007) – Petty Officer
Second Class David Kissell and Petty Officer Third
Class Kenneth Harper both man Coast Guard
Communication Station Atlantic’s Civilian Broadcast
Booth where all of the weather faxes, broadcasts to
mariners advising them of any dangers in the water,
ice patrol broadcasts, both voice and typed are sent
out to civilian mariners using transmitter sites in
Boston, Miami, New Orleans, Chesapeake, Va., and
Savanna, Ga. CAMSLANT’s current structure
expansion will accommodate additional professional
telecommunications personnel such as Kissel and
Harper along with additional equipment to meet the
Coast Guard's growing post-911 missions.
(USCG photo by Petty Officer First Class Truman
Watkins)

As of March 2007, progress to the construction is about 60 percent
complete with the building’s foundation, exterior walls and internal
framing finished. The roof is about 90 percent complete.

Deepwater funding will add long range transmitters and High Frequency
Automatic Link Establishment (HF-ALE) systems to CAMSLANT’s Secret
Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNET), Automatic Identification
System (AIS), and Global Positioning System/ Differential Global
Positioning System (GPS/DGPS) array of equipment.

An important benefit to establishing the HF-ALE system will eliminate
the need for a Coast Guardsman to search for clear radio frequencies
to pass voice and digital messages. More importantly, while it will be
compatible with oncoming Coast Guard Deepwater vessels and aircraft,
HF-ALE automatically searches multiple frequencies at several
locations to establish the most reliable communications link in
seconds.

The space expansion also will allow for other new equipment,
communications, and software upgrades and additions of a modernized
Radio Wire-line Interface (RWI) system, Integrated Voice Communication
Systems (IVCS), upgraded Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM)
radios, and Coast Guard Command and Control (CGC2) systems.

“CAMSLANT’s improved capabilities are valuable assets to supporting
the fleet through secure communications,” said Lt. Mark Focken,
CAMSLANT operations officer.




Last Updated: 03-Apr-2007





http://www.uscg.mil/deepwater/

Headlines
ARSC Completes 84th H-65 “C” Model Ahead of Schedule


H-65 Product Line staff in front of the 84th converted H-65 "C" Model
at the Coast Guard Aircraft Repair and Supply Center in Elizabeth
City, NC, May 10. (USCG Photo by David Silva)

Rear Adm. Ronald Rabago, prospective Program Executive Officer for the
Integrated Deepwater Program (IDS), presented the Deepwater Excellence
Award to the H-65 Product Line at the Coast Guard Aircraft Repair and
Supply Center in Elizabeth City, NC, May 10.
The H-65 Product Line staff was cited for superior performance while
conducting the Turbomeca Ariel 2C2CG Re-engine Project from June 2004
to May 2007. During this time, the H-65 Product Line exhibited
exceptional oversight, skill and professionalism while converting 84
H-65B (Bravo model) helicopters to H-65Cs (Charlie model).

"The H-65 Product Line’s dedicated workforce adeptly handled all
aspects of the $350M re-engine project, providing flawless leadership,
keen program management oversight, and direction to a highly skilled
workforce to accomplish this enormous goal," said Capt. Richard T.
Gromlich, commanding officer of the Aircraft Repair and Supply Center.

Despite significant logistical challenges ranging from acquiring
necessary technical and fiscal documentation, obtaining conversion kit
parts on time to meet the aggressive timeline, and operational spares
availability, the H-65 Product Line, through strong partnerships with
the Coast Guard Headquarters staff, successfully met the
congressionally mandated timeline for 84 converted H-65C aircraft by
June 2007, over one month ahead of schedule.

More importantly, the product line staff demonstrated superior
logistical expertise receiving, maintaining accountability for, and
issuing conversion kits consisting of over 1.5 million items. Their
accomplishment is particularly noteworthy since this project
incorporated conversions that complimented ARSC’s organic Programmed
Depot Maintenance line, training and management of an on-site
contactor modification line, and technical and logistical support to
an off-site commercial modification line... Read the Press Release


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

Adm. Thad Allen: The Way Ahead for the 123-Foot Patrol Boats and the
Deepwater Program
In a prepared statement, Adm. Allen discusses the the future of the
converted 123-foot patrol boats, the guiding principles that will
change the course of the Deepwater program and his vision of Deepwater
three years from now. Read the Prepared Statment

Also Read Adm. Blore's Written Statement and Supplementary Statment:
Hearing on Compliance with Requirements of the Deepwater Program