747th CS ensures communication security for RIMPAC 2014

by Maj. Joe Blubaugh
15th Wing PA

7/28/2014 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Maintaining communication security in and around Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam is a big job for the 747th Communications Squadron. In fact, they have the largest COMSEC footprint in Pacific Air Forces, supporting all the tenant units of the base, including the Hawaii Air National Guard, as well as several other locations, including Maui, Wheeler Army Airfield and Wake Island.

Members of the 747th CS will be the first to admit many of their fellow Airmen don't know what they do. In simple terms, the squadron provides the material needed, so the units they support can utilize secure communications, both in the air and on the ground.

Tech. Sgt. Shari Epley, JBPHH COMSEC manager, says she and four additional Airmen support more than 80 COMSEC accounts across a large geographical area. That number increases dramatically with onset of the planning phase of Rim of the Pacific 2014, a multinational maritime exercise that takes place in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The exercise includes 22 nations, 49 surface ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel.

"RIMPAC definitely ups the tempo," Epley said. "We start working with the organizations we support when the exercise planning starts to ensure we can provide them with their secure communication materials. We also support units from the United Kingdom, Canada, the Navy and Marines."

Epley's team was also responsible for providing the resources necessary, so that the highest levels of RIMPAC leadership could communicate securely. The team's efforts helped enable secure satellite communication links between the Combined Forces Air Component commander, Combined Forces Maritime Component commander and the Combined Forces Land Component commander.

Not surprisingly with an exercise as large as RIMPAC, they have also received last-minute requests, especially from transient units attending the exercise.

"It takes a lot of extra time and coordination on the last-minute requests," Epley said, "but we always drop what we are doing to make sure the mission is accomplished."

RIMPAC is one of the biggest exercises the team supports, and they provide more secure communication materials for the exercise than at any other time of the year. However, since a large part of their efforts were concentrated during the planning phase, they have been able to get back to somewhat normal day-to-day operations as the exercise enters its final days, Epley said. "And, of course, get ready for the next exercise," she continued.