ES Aircrew 2009 Update Training

ES AircrewES Aircrew2009 Update Training2009 Update Training

Mission Mission CommunicationsCommunications

U.S. AIR FORCE AUXILIARY

Mission Communications UpdateMission Communications Update

MNICS Communications Plan – Standard MNICS Communications Plan – Standard Operating Procedure for MN Wing Operating Procedure for MN Wing AircrewsAircrewsCommunication for Other Interagency Communication for Other Interagency OperationsOperations– Coast Guard AuxiliaryCoast Guard Auxiliary– Law EnforcementLaw Enforcement

Narrowband Frequency TransitionNarrowband Frequency Transition

Minnesota Incident Command SystemMinnesota Incident Command System(MNICS)(MNICS)

“All Risk” Aviation Operations Plan“All Risk” Aviation Operations Plan

MNICS Air Operations Working Team

ParticipantsParticipantsMinnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management- HSEMMN Dept. of Public Safety- State PatrolMinnesota Wing, Civil Air Patrol – US Air Force AuxiliaryMN Dept. of Natural Resources – Enforcement- DNRMN Army National GuardAir Medical Council- EMSMN Dept. of Natural Resources-Forestry- DNRUS Forest Service-Fire- USFSUS Fish and Wildlife Service- USFWSBureau of Indian Affairs- BIAMediaCounty Sheriffs

ConceptConcept

All air-operations missions are potentially All air-operations missions are potentially multi-agencymulti-agency– Even an ELT search!Even an ELT search!

(Perhaps there is an actual crash, and the news media is already (Perhaps there is an actual crash, and the news media is already there)there)

Need protocol for inter-agency Need protocol for inter-agency communications to keep air operations communications to keep air operations safesafe

Initial ResponseInitial Response

Air-to-air tactical frequencyAir-to-air tactical frequency122.75 MHz 122.75 MHz —— “All Risk” “All Risk”122.925 MHz 122.925 MHz —— Wild-land fire initial attack Wild-land fire initial attack– Announce direction of entry into incident when Announce direction of entry into incident when

10 miles out10 miles out– Other aircraft at scene will inform incoming Other aircraft at scene will inform incoming

aircraft of their presence, position, mission, aircraft of their presence, position, mission, and whether or not an Air Tactical Group and whether or not an Air Tactical Group Supervisor is functioning yetSupervisor is functioning yet

Air Tactical Group SupervisorAir Tactical Group Supervisor

AirborneAirborneCoordinates All Airborne AircraftCoordinates All Airborne Aircraft– Responsible to manage separation and safetyResponsible to manage separation and safety

First aircraft onto the scene will normally assume the role First aircraft onto the scene will normally assume the role until formally handing off responsibility or leaving the until formally handing off responsibility or leaving the scenescene

Extended Extended responses:responses:Air Tactical Group Air Tactical Group Supervisor has two Supervisor has two assisting coordinatorsassisting coordinators

AIR TACTICAL GROUP AIR TACTICAL GROUP SUPERVISORSUPERVISOR

HELICOPTER COORDINATOR

AIR TANKER / FIXEDWING COORDINATOR

Air-Tanker/Fixed-Wing CoordinatorAir-Tanker/Fixed-Wing Coordinator

Typically airborne Typically airborne position on large position on large incidentsincidentsCoordinates airborne Coordinates airborne fixed-wing aircraftfixed-wing aircraftReports to Air Tactical Reports to Air Tactical Group SupervisorGroup Supervisor

Helicopter CoordinatorHelicopter Coordinator

Can be in the air or Can be in the air or on the groundon the groundCoordinates all Coordinates all airborne helicopters airborne helicopters (tactical or logistical (tactical or logistical missions)missions)Reports to Air Tactical Reports to Air Tactical Group SupervisorGroup Supervisor

Initial Response : Example

Non-complex - A few aircraft - communicating and aware of eachothers presence.

Transition Phase : Example

Getting more complex - ATGS known and controlling airspace.

Extended Response : Example

ATGS, Helicopter Coordinator and Fixed Wing Coordinator assigned. Alsoground support positions such as Air Ops and air support are in order.

HLCO FWCO

ATGS

ATGS

Air Space Coordination: ICS

10A

Aircraft Band FrequenciesAircraft Band FrequenciesAll-Risk OperationsAll-Risk Operations

(i.e. Other than Fire Suppression)(i.e. Other than Fire Suppression)

122.750 MHz122.750 MHz– FAA general purpose air-to-air frequencyFAA general purpose air-to-air frequency– MNICS Air-to-Air MNICS Air-to-Air ALL RISKALL RISK Frequency Frequency

Airport CTAF FrequenciesAirport CTAF Frequencies– Use as air-to-air tactical frequency when near an Use as air-to-air tactical frequency when near an

airportairport

Aircraft Band FrequenciesAircraft Band FrequenciesWildfire Suppression OperationsWildfire Suppression Operations

122.925 MHz122.925 MHz– Designated natural resources frequencyDesignated natural resources frequency– MNICS MNICS INITIAL ATTACKINITIAL ATTACK air-to-air frequency (for wildfire suppression) air-to-air frequency (for wildfire suppression)– Air-to-air frequency for Canadian boarder area Air-to-air frequency for Canadian boarder area

(2 miles either side and north of boarder)(2 miles either side and north of boarder)– Air-to-air and air-to-ground for Wisconsin operationsAir-to-air and air-to-ground for Wisconsin operations

122.900 MHz122.900 MHz– FAA MULTICOM frequencyFAA MULTICOM frequency

(CTAF for airports with no control tower or UNICOM)(CTAF for airports with no control tower or UNICOM)– Use for air-to-air briefings if 122.925 is too busy Use for air-to-air briefings if 122.925 is too busy

(per MNICS Radio Frequency Plan)(per MNICS Radio Frequency Plan)123.975 MHz123.975 MHz– Air to ground – air tanker base operations within 10 miles of baseAir to ground – air tanker base operations within 10 miles of base

Airport CTAF FrequenciesAirport CTAF Frequencies– Use as air-to-air tactical frequency when near an airportUse as air-to-air tactical frequency when near an airport

Other FrequenciesOther Frequencies – Complex missions: See next slideComplex missions: See next slide

Fire SuppressionFire SuppressionComplex MissionsComplex Missions

Communications frequency plans exist to support more Communications frequency plans exist to support more complex missions complex missions – These plans allow simultaneous separate incidents (or These plans allow simultaneous separate incidents (or

geographic divisions) to communicate without conflictinggeographic divisions) to communicate without conflicting– Mission staff should coordinate with the Minnesota Interagency Mission staff should coordinate with the Minnesota Interagency

Fire Center to determine the current frequency plans if in Fire Center to determine the current frequency plans if in question. (Plans change over the years.)question. (Plans change over the years.)

– 2009 plans are identified by a phonetic alphabet letter. 2009 plans are identified by a phonetic alphabet letter. (See next slide)(See next slide)

Air Tactical Group Supervisor and/or Air Support Group Air Tactical Group Supervisor and/or Air Support Group Supervisor will decide when and if to use the Supervisor will decide when and if to use the communications plans.communications plans.

2009 Wildfire Air-to-Air 2009 Wildfire Air-to-Air Tactical Frequencies Tactical Frequencies

(Aircraft Band)(Aircraft Band)

INITIAL:INITIAL: 122.925 MHz122.925 MHz

Complex Missions – Complex Missions – ALPHA:ALPHA: 124.650 MHz124.650 MHzBRAVO:BRAVO: 119.950 MHz119.950 MHzCHARLIE:CHARLIE: 119.850 MHz119.850 MHz

MIFC and USFS Flight Following ChannelsMIFC and USFS Flight Following Channels

CAP aircrews can use these frequencies to CAP aircrews can use these frequencies to communicate with the MIFC (Minnesota Interagency Fire communicate with the MIFC (Minnesota Interagency Fire Center) “Aviation Desk” or the USFS. Center) “Aviation Desk” or the USFS. – The MIFC “repeaters” can be thought of as like “RCOs”The MIFC “repeaters” can be thought of as like “RCOs”– Address the MIFC on the radio as Address the MIFC on the radio as “FIRE CENTER”“FIRE CENTER”– Address the USFS on the radio as Address the USFS on the radio as “FOREST SERVICE”“FOREST SERVICE”– Use your CAPFLIGHT call sign to identify yourselfUse your CAPFLIGHT call sign to identify yourself

These stations are usually on the air during day hours These stations are usually on the air during day hours during the fire seasonduring the fire seasonAmong other things, you can request a message relay Among other things, you can request a message relay back to the CAP mission baseback to the CAP mission base– This provides us with another communication option when This provides us with another communication option when

operating in the northern forested parts of the stateoperating in the northern forested parts of the state– Use with consideration – these frequencies and facilities are Use with consideration – these frequencies and facilities are

primarily used for wildfire suppression activities.primarily used for wildfire suppression activities.

MIFC and USFS Flight Following ChannelsMIFC and USFS Flight Following ChannelsTo be Programmed into MN Wing Aircraft FM Radios*To be Programmed into MN Wing Aircraft FM Radios*

MIFC Air Net Point to PointMIFC Air Net Point to PointMIFC Air Net East Repeater (Eveleth)MIFC Air Net East Repeater (Eveleth)MIFC Air Net West Repeater (Northome)MIFC Air Net West Repeater (Northome)MIFC Air Net South Repeater (Quadna)MIFC Air Net South Repeater (Quadna)USFS National Flight FollowingUSFS National Flight Following

* These channels are very similar to the ones that have been * These channels are very similar to the ones that have been programmed into our radios in the past, but MIFC and USFS have programmed into our radios in the past, but MIFC and USFS have recently transitioned to new narrowband frequencies, so radios recently transitioned to new narrowband frequencies, so radios programmed with the old channels with these names will not work.programmed with the old channels with these names will not work.

MNICS Air Operations PlanMNICS Air Operations PlanStatus - 2009Status - 2009

New Draft SAR Annex added to All Risk PlanNew Draft SAR Annex added to All Risk Plan– Recognizes need for on-the-ground coordination of Recognizes need for on-the-ground coordination of

SAR air operationsSAR air operations– Differentiates between small search areas (<10 miles Differentiates between small search areas (<10 miles

across) across) and larger onesand larger onesUse of air-to-air communication for primary coordination and Use of air-to-air communication for primary coordination and separation ineffective for large area operationsseparation ineffective for large area operationsAir Tactical Group Supervisor concept may be used for small Air Tactical Group Supervisor concept may be used for small area SAR operationsarea SAR operationsConversely, the practice of announcing entry to an incident Conversely, the practice of announcing entry to an incident 10 miles out doesn’t apply to large area searches10 miles out doesn’t apply to large area searches

– Recommends mission staff coordination with MIFC Recommends mission staff coordination with MIFC Aviation Desk for operations north of Twin Cities Aviation Desk for operations north of Twin Cities

US Coast Guard AuxiliaryPossible Joint Operations with CAP– Search and Rescue– Disaster Relief (river spills, etc.)– Homeland Security (border operations,

etc.)

CG Auxiliary CommunicationsCG Auxiliary Communications

MN Wing CAP Aircraft FM radios are MN Wing CAP Aircraft FM radios are programmed for Marine band useprogrammed for Marine band use– Altitude Restriction: 1000 ft AGLAltitude Restriction: 1000 ft AGL– FrequenciesFrequencies

Initial Contact on Marine Channel 16 Initial Contact on Marine Channel 16 Working Channel is Marine Channel 83Working Channel is Marine Channel 83

CG Auxiliary CommunicationsCG Auxiliary Communications

Making ContactMaking Contact– If possible, make contact with a fixed station If possible, make contact with a fixed station

firstfirst““Coast Guard Auxiliary Station Prescott, this is Coast Guard Auxiliary Station Prescott, this is CAPFlight 2143”CAPFlight 2143”

– Then contact “facilities” [boats] on patrolThen contact “facilities” [boats] on patrol““US Coast Guard Auxiliary 1 6 9, this is CAPFlight US Coast Guard Auxiliary 1 6 9, this is CAPFlight 2143”2143”

Describing Navigation InformationDescribing Navigation Information

CG Auxiliary personnel usually describe CG Auxiliary personnel usually describe locations in terms of “river miles”locations in terms of “river miles”They should be able to convert to Lat & They should be able to convert to Lat & Long for usLong for us– If not, ask CAP mission base or CG Aux. If not, ask CAP mission base or CG Aux.

station to convertstation to convert– River charts showing both river miles and River charts showing both river miles and

lat/long are available to download from US lat/long are available to download from US Army Corps of EngineersArmy Corps of Engineers

Air to Ground Communications Air to Ground Communications with Law Enforcementwith Law Enforcement

MNSEFMNSEFMinnesota Sate Emergency FrequencyMinnesota Sate Emergency Frequency– Programmed into CAP VHF FM Radios Programmed into CAP VHF FM Radios

(aircraft only!)(aircraft only!)– Normally, use only with prior arrangement; Normally, use only with prior arrangement;

CAP IC/ALO will coordinate with LECAP IC/ALO will coordinate with LE– Warning: As the only state-wide interagency Warning: As the only state-wide interagency

frequency, it is oversubscribed. Frequency frequency, it is oversubscribed. Frequency congestion is a problem. congestion is a problem.

Narrowband TransitionNarrowband Transition

New frequency card can be found on wing New frequency card can be found on wing intranet web under communicationsintranet web under communications

Aircraft Radio Channels

Wideband frequencies available during transition

Aircraft Radio Channels

New narrowbandfrequencies

Aircraft Radio Channels

Interagencyfrequencies

Note: The MIFC frequencieswill change from what is shown here.

IssuesIssues

Paradigm shift: Mission bases will need multiple Paradigm shift: Mission bases will need multiple VHF FM radios in order to function well on a VHF FM radios in order to function well on a complex mission.complex mission.– More channels will need to be used because…More channels will need to be used because…

Simplex is no longer authorized on repeater output Simplex is no longer authorized on repeater output frequencies. (We cannot just listen to one frequency that frequencies. (We cannot just listen to one frequency that has short-range, repeater, and air-to-ground traffic.)has short-range, repeater, and air-to-ground traffic.)Dedicated “Guard 1” Channel (5) Dedicated “Guard 1” Channel (5) [Note: There is no “guard 2”] [Note: There is no “guard 2”]

– ““GUARD 1” will be the frequency of choice for communication GUARD 1” will be the frequency of choice for communication with base when the aircraft must go to another frequency for with base when the aircraft must go to another frequency for interagency operations interagency operations

More IssuesMore Issues

C182/Technisonic radio channel plan will likely C182/Technisonic radio channel plan will likely be slightly different than what is depicted on the be slightly different than what is depicted on the current channel card.current channel card.Other changes are needed to the channel plan Other changes are needed to the channel plan to re-synch with MIFC and USFS. to re-synch with MIFC and USFS. New communications regulation expected to New communications regulation expected to contain further guidance and SOPs.contain further guidance and SOPs.

Side notesSide notes

Zones 2, 3, 4, and 5 customized to meet Zones 2, 3, 4, and 5 customized to meet MN Wing needsMN Wing needsOther zones are standard across all wings.Other zones are standard across all wings.““Frequency designators” are uniform Frequency designators” are uniform nation-wide.nation-wide.R-number frequency designators each R-number frequency designators each relate to one of two “repeater channels”relate to one of two “repeater channels”– Odd R-numbers are repeater channel 1Odd R-numbers are repeater channel 1– Even R-numbers are repeater channel 2Even R-numbers are repeater channel 2

Transition Time-LineTransition Time-Line

Reprogramming of equipment taking place now.Reprogramming of equipment taking place now.Transition to use narrow-band frequencies will Transition to use narrow-band frequencies will be driven by the installation of the new repeater be driven by the installation of the new repeater stations, which will take place this summer.stations, which will take place this summer.All CAP frequency wide-band usage to be All CAP frequency wide-band usage to be discontinued by 30 September 2009.discontinued by 30 September 2009.A second round of reprogramming will take A second round of reprogramming will take place in FY2010 to eliminate the CAP wide-band place in FY2010 to eliminate the CAP wide-band frequencies from the radios.frequencies from the radios.

New Airborne RepeatersNew Airborne Repeaters

The wing is receiving two suitcase tactical The wing is receiving two suitcase tactical repeaters [Expected in May or June]repeaters [Expected in May or June]The repeaters can be deployed on the The repeaters can be deployed on the ground or in the airground or in the airThey can be used in any aircraft with They can be used in any aircraft with power connectors and external antenna power connectors and external antenna connectors (the same connectors as used connectors (the same connectors as used for the aerial imaging kits)for the aerial imaging kits)

ReviewReviewMNICS Communications Plan MNICS Communications Plan – Plan to use for all air operations missionsPlan to use for all air operations missions– ALLALL RISKRISK air-to-air channel is air-to-air channel is 122.750 MHz122.750 MHz– Flight following/message relay available through Flight following/message relay available through

MIFCMIFCCommunication for Other Interagency Communication for Other Interagency OperationsOperations– Coast Guard Auxiliary: Contact on marine channel 16Coast Guard Auxiliary: Contact on marine channel 16– Law Enforcement: MNSEF (with prior arrangement)Law Enforcement: MNSEF (with prior arrangement)Narrowband Frequency TransitionNarrowband Frequency Transition– Hello, segregated simplex and repeater channels Hello, segregated simplex and repeater channels

(and separate guard channel)(and separate guard channel)

Mission CommunicationsMission Communications

Questions?Questions?