Making new connections during Cope North 24

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jay Price, radio frequency transmission systems technician with the 644th Combat Communications Squadron and Senior Airman Gregory Rodriguez, radio frequency transmissions systems technician with the 18th Communications Squadron, set up part of a tactical communications kit on the Island of Tinian, Feb. 10, 2024. The 18th CS from Kadena Air Force Base, Japan and the 644th CBCS from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam worked together alongside the Royal Australian Air Force and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force using the trilateral C2 network from a United States Air Force tactical comm kit on the Island of Tinian during Cope North 24. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Allison Martin)

Making new connections during Cope North 24

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Amanda Jeong, radio frequency transmission systems technician with the 644th Combat Communications Squadron and Senior Airman Bishnu Koirala, cable antenna technician with the 18th Communications Squadron, set up part of a tactical communications kit on the Island of Tinian, Feb. 10, 2024. The 18th CS from Kadena Air Force Base, Japan and the 644th CBCS from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam worked together alongside the Royal Australian Air Force and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force using the trilateral C2 network from a United States Air Force tactical comm kit on the Island of Tinian during Cope North 24. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Allison Martin)

Making new connections during Cope North 24

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gregory Rodriguez, radio frequency transmissions systems technician with the 18th Communications Squadron, sets up part of a tactical communications kit on the Island of Tinian, Feb. 10, 2024. The 18th CS from Kadena Air Force Base, Japan and the 644th Combat Communications Squadron from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam worked together alongside the Royal Australian Air Force and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force using the trilateral C2 network from a United States Air Force tactical comm kit on the Island of Tinian during Cope North 24. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Allison Martin)

Making new connections during Cope North 24

Published Feb. 26, 2024
By Senior Airman Allison Martin
36th Wing Public Affairs

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --

During Cope North 24, Andersen and Kadena Communications Airmen integrated with Royal Australian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force members to provide the network infrastructure at 5 remote locations in the Northern Marianas Islands.

The C2 provided by Communications troops is what makes a large-scale, combined force operating as a cohesive unit across the Pacific Ocean possible. Secure radios and network connections are used to relay orders, flight plans and tactical information around the globe.

This combined team with members from the 18th Communications Squadron and 644th Combat Communications Squadron built the multinational Command and Control (C2) network from the U.S. Air Force tactical communication kit on Tinian.

The C2 network included both classified and unclassified communication capabilities, showcasing the ability to integrate on a secure level, build a resilient, agile combat employment-driven system and maintain proper operational security as a combined force with our partners and allies.

“It allows us to run secret communications with the RAAF and the JASDF, which we haven't really been able to do before,” said Senior Airman Jacob Rozen, expeditionary communications technician with the 18th CS. “This allows us to be better connected and integrated with our partner nations due to more open lines of communications.”

Not only does the C2 network and tactical comm kit allow for easier integration it also provides convenience. The other comm kits used in the past have hard drives, with classified material, that need to be taken out at the end of each day and carried on the Airmen's person at all times. The new network uses computers that are connected to a server in the states, thus the classified information is not being stored on the actual computers.

This new system allows for easier integration with our Allies and partners while minimizing the possibility of spillage of classified materials. For Cope North 24, a new level of trust between Allies was built utilizing each other’s secure systems during operations.

“This capability allows for higher internet speeds, which in turn adds to our capabilities of becoming interoperable warfighters here at Cope North,” said Rozen.