Bush Aims to Get Signal Through to Cuba

TheState.com / Associated Press ^ | Wed, May. 05, 2004 | GEORGE GEDDA

[LibFreeUSA]

WASHINGTON - President Bush will try to overcome Cuban jamming of U.S. government radio and television stations by flying military aircraft capable of broadcasting signals to the island, a senior administration official said Wednesday.

The two stations, known as Radio Marti and TV Marti, are tailored for Cuban audiences but have been subjected to widespread jamming, especially the TV operation.

Bush is expected to announce the plan Thursday as part of a series of measures toughening Cuba policy. They will be based on a report by a government commission created six months ago by Bush and headed by Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Four chapters of the 500-page report are devoted to recommendations on U.S. assistance to a post-Castro Cuban government. A fifth chapter includes proposals on ways to end communist rule on the island.

Bush also is expected to announce ways to curb the flow of U.S. dollars to the island in hopes of putting economic pressure on Cuba. Some aspects of the new policy are classified.

Bush had sought previously to overcome Cuban jamming of the Miami-based stations, but officials say the effort has fallen victim to bureaucratic inertia.

An administration official said Thursday, "If they don't get the job done this time, heads will roll." Bush plans to explain funding for the anti-jamming operation in his announcement.

The official, asking not to be identified, said the plan calls for an "airborne platform to break through the information logjam" Cuba has imposed against the two stations.

With all local media under state control, Cubans have little access to information that is not approved by the government.

The plan involves use of C-130s that will fly over international waters near the island. Operations are expected to begin in a few months.

Radio Marti began broadcasting in 1985 and was able to operate without interference until 1990, when TV Marti was introduced. Fidel Castro's government jammed TV Marti from the outset and then began blocking the radio station.

Governments officials refused Thursday to discuss the effectiveness of the jamming. They also declined to discuss the type of programming offered by the TV outlet. A Voice of America spokesman said Radio Marti went to an all-news format several months ago.

[LibFreeUSA]

-"The plan involves use of C-130s that will fly over international waters near the island. Operations are expected to begin in a few months."

The U.S. should announce that all those wanting to effect a change in their homeland should proceed to "leave the island dictartorship immediately", and upon arrival to the U.S. - shall be trained and equipped to lead an 'all-Cuban' invasion (this time to do it right) to once and for all eliminate that brutal and vicious regime.

[nuconvert]

flying C-130's........ for how many hours a day? And for how many days?

[perfect stranger]

I like the way you think, that's a nice plan.

[stboz]

Suppose we ought to assign a couple of Tomcats to fly CAP?

[LibFreeUSA]

The 'investment' in time, equipment, and a few 'ordinances' to help the Cubans in a return invasion, would be far less costly than flying C-130s around indefinitely to "throw words" at the Castro regime!

[demlosers]

"Compass Call" C-130s

[demlosers]

EC-130H Rivet Fire / Compass Call

Compass Call is the designation for a modified version of Lockheed corporation's C-130 Hercules aircraft configured to perform tactical command, control and communications countermeasures or C3CM. Targeting command and control systems provides commanders with an immense advantage before and during the air campaign. COMPASS CALL provides a non-lethal means of denying and disrupting enemy command and control, degrading his combat capability and reducing losses to friendly forces.


The EC-130H Compass Call is the only US wide-area offensive information warfare platform, Compass Call provides disruptive communications jamming and other unique capabilities to support the Joint Force Commander across the spectrum of conflict. Specifically, the modified aircraft uses noise jamming to prevent communication or degrade the transfer of information essential to command and control of weapon systems and other resources. It primarily supports tactical air operations but also can provide jamming support to ground force operations.

Modifications to the aircraft include an electronic countermeasures system (Rivet Fire), and air refueling capability and associated navigation and communications systems. The upgrade of the fleet to Block 30 is underway to improve system reliability and currency, however a two year funding gap exists between first squadron completion and second squadron start. This gap and other funding reductions have forced the SPO to stretch out Blk 30 completion to FY04, causing both fiscal inefficiencies and issues of technical obsolescence. Although some funding has been cut, limiting COMPASS CALL response to new threat systems, with the software reprogrammability of the new Block 30 aircraft, analysis and development of countermeasures to threats can be further leveraged by being more timely and effective. The Block 35 initiative will inject new technology required to improve reliability and increase COMPASS CALL's Offensive Counterinformation (OCI) capability against modern C2 systems. Major advantages are an update of receiver subsystem to satisfy current operational shortfalls and address immediate supportability problems. Procurement funding will subsequently modify/convert seven Block 30 COMPASS CALL aircraft to Block 40.

During Operation Desert Storm EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft, operating outside Iraqi airspace, safe from Iraqi defenses, jammed communications, hindering the effectiveness of Iraq's integrated air defense network. Rivet Fire has demonstrated its powerful effect on enemy command and control networks in Panama and Iraq.

Compass Call integrates into tactical air operation at any level. Although Compass Call primarily supports interdiction and offensive counter-air campaigns, the truly versatile and flexible nature of the aircraft and its crew enable the power of EC-130H to be brought to bear on virtually any combat situations.

The EC-130H aircraft carries a combat crew of 13 people. Four members are responsible for aircraft flight and navigation, while nine members operate and maintain the Rivet Fire equipment. The mission crew consists of an electronic warfare officer, who is the mission crew commander (MCC), an experienced cryptologic linguist, an Acquisition Operator, a High Band Operator, four analysis operators, and an airborne maintenance technician (AMT). Either the Analysis Operator or the High Band Operator can be promoted to the position of mission crew supervisor (MCS).

excerpt...

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/ec-130h.htm

[demlosers]

Suppose we ought to assign a couple of Tomcats to fly CAP?

I wonder if Castro would be stupid enough to try it?

[nuconvert]

Pong

[stboz]

One can only hope the old fart is senile enough to do so.

[F14 Pilot]

[Blue Highway]

Sending a couple of AC-130 Spectre's couldn't hurt either