June 28,
2008: The U.S. military is full of small
units full of very competent personnel.
These outfits often have long and extraordinary histories, and most of them are
essential to the efficient functioning of the American armed forces. But you never hear about these organizations.
Once such unit is the Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE). This is a
unit of fewer than a thousand troops (half of them air force reservists), that
provide quick, world-wide communications in whatever new hot spot the U.S. is
involved in. JCSE is the communications emergency squad for the Pentagon, and
has been at it since 1961. JCSE can be in the air within hours, and have all
manner of communications set up (voice, data, Internet, encrypted) within an
hour of reaching their destination. JCSE exists to make sure the Pentagon can
communicate effectively with U.S. military personnel wherever they may find
themselves.
JCSE is an
elite unit, which draws its personnel from all services. If you are good
enough, the Pentagon will move you from your current job to JCSE. There's quite
a lot of competition among communications technicians of all services to get
into JCSE.
The main
focus of JCSE personnel is the comm gear they can fit, and operate, into a
transport aircraft. The current Joint Airborne Command and Control/Command Post
ensemble is designed to fit in the cargo bay of a C-130. This setup is called
"Jackpot" and it puts whoever has access to it, in contact with just about
everyone in the U.S. government (not just the Department of Defense). JCSE also
provides support for other branches of government, as needed. JCSE rarely
provides that support for more than a month or two, because JCSE is a "first
responder" operation, staying only long enough for more normal communications
systems to be set up.
JCSE has
performed this first responder function in every war the U.S. has been in since
the early 1960s.
