Pentagon Radio Volunteers Move to New Office (M.A.R.S. moves in)

American Forces Press Service ^ | Jim Garamone

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2009 – A military institution designed to provide emergency communications has moved to new quarters in the Pentagon.

Gary Sessums, left, Navy Capt. Rick Low and John Grimes discuss communications capabilities at the new Military Affiliate Radio System office in the Pentagon, Oct. 21, 2009. DoD photo by Sally Sobsey  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

John G. Grimes, the former assistant secretary of defense for networks and information integration, cut the ribbon on the new Military Affiliate Radio System office on the fifth floor of the Pentagon today.

The facility is packed with shortwave radios, radio-telephone patches, computers and data links. It is manned by the Pentagon Amateur Radio Club. "This is a great facility, manned totally by volunteers," Grimes said. "It's a crucial capability for our country."

The system - known by the acronym MARS - began in the early 1950s. It was a worldwide network of shortwave radio enthusiasts who would spring into action in the event of a nuclear war or natural disaster. Thousands of civilian and military ham radio volunteers manned the system.

"In the years before the Internet, deployed servicemembers kept in touch with families and friends using MARS," said Gary Sessums, a contractor in the Pentagon and one of the stalwarts of the radio club.

From the Korean War to the Gulf War, soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines used "Marsgrams" to keep in touch. Ham radio operators called these "health and welfare" messages.

The shortwave broadcasts have been superseded by the Internet, and servicemembers in many parts of the U.S. Central Command area can use cell phones and voice over Internet protocol to speak with those back home. Still, in the event of an emergency, high-frequency communication is generally the first to recover, and even the most modern technology can get overloaded.

Allan Hubbert, a volunteer in the Pentagon, noted communication problems during President Barack Obama’s Jan. 20 inauguration as an example. "During the inauguration, there were so many people on cell phones that it overloaded the system," he said. "We could still operate, and helped back up the system down on the [National] Mall."

More than 60 volunteers help to man the Pentagon node of the system. They will turn out in force to help with communications for the Marine Corps Marathon, which will be held in the area this weekend. "In that case, we can help act as a bridge between the military and various local and regional agencies," said Navy Capt. Rich Low.

With more than 6,000 volunteers worldwide, the system now also backs up the Department of Homeland Security. "There have been many crises or disasters that have struck where the first word out of an area is via [shortwave radio], and someone has their little gas generator going," Grimes said. "That's not likely to change any time soon."

	A volunteer mans his radio at the new Military Affiliate Radio System in the Pentagon, Oct. 21, 2009. DoD photo by Sally Sobsey   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution
	John Grimes, former chief information officer for the Defense Department, cuts the ribbon ceremonially opening the new Military Affiliate Radio System office in the Pentagon, Oct. 21, 2009. DoD photo by Sally Sobsey   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

[SandRat]

Back to the Future.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Dad was a MARS guy back in the 60’s. We had terrible flooding in the spring of ‘65....

My Dad was part of a local network of MARS volunteers that put in long days and nights relaying emergency information to and from local LE agencies.....

Somewhere in my Mom’s basement is an old news clipping about his heroism. Now I gotta go look for it.....

[Texas Fossil]

I was NNN0INH for just shy of 20 years.

Packet radio changed MARS, then came along the Web.

In an all out no commo situation it is still necessary.

My Collins Twins are still sweet.

[Professional Engineer]

ping

[mylife]

HAM DX SWL ping

[mylife]

You know there are a load of R390’s there!

[mylife]

“There have been many crises or disasters that have struck where the first word out of an area is via [shortwave radio], and someone has their little gas generator going,” Grimes said. “That’s not likely to change any time soon.”

During hurricane Ike, I was listening to operators on Galveston during the storm.

Phones, internet and all that, was kaput.

[mylife]

Arne Corro is manning the MARS shack? LoL!

[AlexW]

I was active in Army MARS during the 60s and 70s.
My favorite time was being able to raid the Ft. McPherson
electronics warehouse during a convention.
My Chevy Suburban was filled to the gills with lots of goodies.
I also did lots of msg traffic during Viet war.
I also had an old model 19 RTTY, thanks to MARS.

[SandRat]

Boy Scouts Still learn about this; Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)

[Professional Engineer]

Fidel??

[mylife]

Thats great! and it still does capture some kids imaginations right off the bat.

I hear young operators from time to time out there.

Do the scouts ever link to the Space station? I know that they communicate with kids at schools via shortwave.

[mylife]

Sure looks like it doesn’t it LoL

[SandRat]

I suspect some do. Though I personally don't know of any that have.

[mylife]

I think the idea is just awesome.

[SandRat]

Scouts also have JOTI - Jamboree On The Internet

Most recent one was on 17-18 October 2009

JOTI is an annual event when Scouts and Guides all over the world make contact with each other by means of the Internet. It is a real Jamboree during which Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared, thus contributing to the world brotherhood of Scouting. JOTI is a world-wide event mainly for Scouting groups in all youth programme sections, although members may participate individually.

[KobiMaru]

I was flying a mission over Afghanistan in ‘03 and a MARS volunteer got me a phone patch back home to my wife. I got to say goodnight to her as we flew back to base—neither of us will ever forget it.

[mylife]

Somehow SW seems cooler to me.

The original wireless

[Professional Engineer]

[Professional Engineer]