This is SITREP 2 for the Grindstone AmRRON Deployment. A ton has happened since SITREP 1.
Currently, the Grindstone deployment is winding down, and transitioning from disaster relief work and relief distribution center, to that of only a distribution center. This means that AmRRON Communications support for the FOB and remote work and relief crews is no longer needed, and the SIGCEN (Signals Center) at the FOB (Forward Operating Base) is in the final stages of demobilization.
There are a stack of lessons-learned notes, some AARs (After Action Reports) from D-DET operators, and more to be added. These will be broken down and result in smaller, “bite-sized” lessons-learned postings and videos that will begin coming out just as soon as the last of the D-DET operators are safely home.
The FOB (Forward Operating Base) Cherry Grove
The Grindstone FOB continued to quickly adapt to the large scale of the operation, both in terms of distributing aid and relief from the FOB at Cherry Grove, to sending out more Recce (Reconnaissance) Teams to identify additional sites to employ Saw Teams and Work Teams. Those missions would be to clear debris from roads and paths, and clear bridges which had accumulated massive amounts of debris.
Both Recce Teams and Saw/Work Crews were instrumental in locating obstacles throughout the AO (Area of Operations) and clearing access to communities and residences. The SIGCEN at the FOB maintained communications with the D-DET RTOs (Radio Operators) attached to the teams in the field and maintained a lifeline as the work teams reached into more and more remote areas.
Without more specific details, we had been told on multiple occasions that the AmRRON communications support during the deployment has “literally saved lives.” We’ve received no reports of work crew injuries, but we have received reports of much needed aid (medical and sustenance) reaching remote and previously inaccessible locations and people in great need. The aid and relief coordinated by radio saved valuable time. In some cases, it can take more than an hour before reaching a location favorable for connecting to a repeater.
FOB Comms Rotations and D-DET Rotations
As the first wave D-DET personnel began reaching the end of their 7 and 10 day deployments, it came time to begin rotating operators out, and rotating in fresh operators waiting in the pipeline.
SIGCEN Director, Foxtrot Quebec-01, was covered by Bravo Foxtrot-29, who had returned to the FOB to assist with the transition. Alpha Victor-06 arrived from Florida. Although he was qualified as a Level 4 D-DET operator, his prior military experience made him the ideal candidate to fill FQ-01’S place as Comms Ops Director. This was a position ideally suited for a military veteran with previous deployment experience, and who had previously worked in a FOB in a high tempo ops environment. AV-06 did an outstanding job keeping the comms effort organized, and he ran a tight ship. We’re fortunate to have had former Special Operations personnel in top positions at both the Grindstone FOB and the AmRRON Comms Section (S6), or SIGCEN.
D-DET Level 4 Operator, India Delta 10 Tango, is most deserving of the “Endurance” award for the most time in the field attached as RTO to Recce Teams and Work Crews. Not only did he do a full rotation, he left to visit family for a few days, and then rotated back in. He went right back into the field for a second deployment. Eventually he was replaced with D-DET Level 4 Operator, IronMaiden, who is second runner up for the RTO endurance award. IronMaiden made the final announcement on Wednesday afternoon (23 Oct) that Camp Miller is being broken down, the team is returning to the FOB, and “disconnecting Starlink now.”
Camp Miller Ops, Pensacola, NC
After the Recce Teams had scoured the AO for an optimum location to run sustained, forward disaster relief efforts, the North Carolina town of Pensacola would become the chosen community from which to operate, and Camp Miller was established. Camp Miller was approximately 2 hours south of the FOB, and where field operations would be conducted for approximately the next ten days.
The team also employed a Starlink system at Camp Miller, which gave the team and the AmRRON RTO direct internet access to the FOB, and which ran on generator power. Unfortunately, the wifi coverage did not cover the entire encampment. As Starlink systems increasingly find their way onto the disaster response scene, consideration needs to be given to adding wifi boosters and extensions. Additionally, once the teams left the camp to work in remote sites, the only communications in many areas was HF radio, and this is what kept the need for the RTOs mission going.
Camp Miller had been identified as a disaster relief site by the 101st Airborne, and so two helicopter LZs were established and designated should CASEVAC (MEDEVAC) be needed. The RTO sent the grid coordinates so we could share them with anyone in an emergency.
Equipment Donations
Although the D-DET operators deployed with everything comms related that they needed, and Grindstone (GSM) purchased additional comms gear at the recommendation and advisement of the AmRRON D-DET personnel, there were a few donations of comms gear. One in particular was very useful, as the majority of the communications taking place in the area relied heavily on the GMRS repeaters that were working in the area. Thank you to Echo Kilo-06, and the First Baptist Church in Washington State for the amazing and generous donation of a BTECH GMRS 50X1 transceiver, along with 50’ of Superflex coax and a 2m/70cm copper J-Pole! It was received at the FOB in short order and put into service. Everyone was so grateful!
OPSEC/PERSEC/Physical Security
AmRRON has always emphasized a degree of security, both in terms of operationally, and administratively. This confuses many ham radio operators, especially non prior military. Military veterans are accustomed to having had OPSEC beat into their heads in their careers, including the reasons for it. Even the unforeseen reasons.
There were a couple of security incidents that took place related to malign persons attempting to infiltrate the FOB under the pretense of being “volunteers.” Without going into specifics, one of the side ministries that Bear Independent leads and is heavily involved in is Kaleb House Ministries, which deals with rescuing and recovery efforts involving trafficked and exploited children. As you can imagine, this has the potential to create enemies in some circles. It was after these two incidents that Bear put out the directive NOT to volunteer without going through the formal volunteer process through Grindstone Ministry’s “Serve” team and vetting process. The directive came down from the top… “If you show up without going through the volunteer process, you’ll be turned away. Do NOT self deploy and just show up.” Physical security measures were put into place, and of course, this was an easy transition for AmRRON, having implemented security measures in previous deployments, for varying reasons. Besides, it should just be done, because that’s what you do. Hooah?
Issuing Deployment Orders. Almost from the beginning, AmRRON became the primary vector through which all communications support functions were ran through. Volunteers contacting GSM in response to the call for radio operators were told “go through AmRRON.” We developed a process for drafting and issuing deployment orders as each volunteer radio operator was ready to come out of stand-by mode in the pipeline, and actually deploy – whether AmRRON members or not. Without these deployment orders, they would not be allowed access into the FOB. Alpha Whiskey-25 was a crucial component to tracking currently-deployed operators and stand-by operators preparing to deploy, and issuing deployment orders to the operators prior to movement. We did not want AmRRON to be the weak link to the security protocols that had become necessary. Additionally, this helped control the flow of operators deploying to ensure sustained operations, and to match the skills needed to adequately support the operations during each rotation.
There is still work to do in this area. In once instance a ham operator pulled out his cell phone to take video of the comms center to post on social media. In a scanning motion the video included white boards with lists of names, FCC Call Signs, phone numbers, addresses, grid coordinates, and maps with operational areas and other locations pinned, as well as a radio operator who was unaware he was being filmed. Fortunately, the situation was quickly remediated and the uninitiated operator was corrected.
OPSEC is a foreign concept to many ham radio operators. After all, we use our FCC call signs on the air. We don’t have anything to hide. We’re not doing anything illegal. Unfortunately, not everyone is on your team, and you’re at a disadvantage. You do not get to determine what information is valuable and useful to someone wishing to exploit information about the operations you’re part of, or someone with the intent of undermining the good that the mission is trying to accomplish.
The Regional Support Team – on again, off again, on again
The rapid pace with which operational changes occurred was a good reminder to be ready for anything, at any time. The mission is not determined by wishes at the TOC. The mission is determined by the situation on the ground, based on developing intelligence from the field, and a constant flow of updates to what you thought you already knew.
The Regional Support Team operators are to be highly commended, among all the operators involved. At the very onset they stood ready to serve, dedicated to being on duty as a lifeline to the Level 3 and 4 operators working remotely as RTOs deep in the mountains. The reality was that the first two weeks of operations consisted of a much smaller operational area than anticipated, and VHF/UHF operations, both simplex and repeater ops, were adequate enough to support the mission. Only one RTO mission back in the recesses of the isolated community of Little Germany might have required HF support if the repeater had gone offline. Later, the use of Starlink provided the remote community with the outside world, so long as the generator held up, and it’s fuel supply (which was being carried in on workers’ backs on the Ho Chi Musk trail.
Once again, the alert was issued when the Recce Team reported a planned work site which would require HF communications in order to coordinate the mission and have CASEVAC in case of serious injury. The RST was put on alert and told to activate to provide coverage.
In the 20 hours that followed, several developments took place that led to another stand-down for the RST. The work crews were diverted to Pensacola, NC for a different mission, based on new intelligence. Once at Pensacola, Camp Miller was established, along with a Starlink system. The HF operator would be the lifeline in the event that the Starlink system failed, or the team experienced a loss of generator power or ran out of fuel. In testing, the RTO was able to successfully, and consistently, make connections with the Cherry Grove FOB in Tennessee. This was a testament to the requirement for all Level 3 and 4 RTOs to have 80m NVIS capability.
And additionally, it was in that same time period that an executive decision was made by Grindstone that they would begin winding down disaster relief operations, and included an imminent demobilization of the AmRRON comms support mission within just a few days following.
Progress being made by local government
As you’ll recall from SITREP 1, the only access to Little Germany was a trail of broken roadway and a goat trail secured with rope handrails, reminiscent of what missionaries might traverse in South America delivering bibles and medicine to remote villages. But this was America, and just two weeks ago!
Once they finally got started, the county wasted little time cutting in a new road, bedding it on new quarried rock, and then paving it! Nicely done!
Most of the D-DET operators are either home now, or on the road. The crew finished the day today (Wednesday, October 23rd) taking down the last of the antennas, and assisting the GSM team with packing some of their newly-acquired comms gear. Foxtrot Quebec-01 will be turning the lights out in the SIGCEN as the last AmRRON operator to leave the FOB on Thursday.
Job well done everyone! You made us all proud!
There will be another disaster. There will always be another one. It’s easy to forget this as months or even years pass by without major incident, but those are not times to become complacent. They are times to train and hone our skills. The operators of the D-DET were able to perform so superbly because of their training and experience with their equipment. The RST standing by to support them are equally skilled and ready for the task.
Finally, a very special thank you to Bear Independent for the great shout out to AmRRON, and the operators who deployed to support Grindstone Ministry’s hurricane response mission!
Watch and subscribe:
Great information and a brief AAR! Lots to learn and practice before the next one hits!
Thanks to everyone in AmRRON that was apart of this and thank you John Jacob for creating AmRRON and bringing it to lift in full circle!
Delta Alpha-08