The U.S. National Guard has rolled out satellite communications systems in an effort to address communication gaps in hurricane-affected U.S. territories.The Guard said Friday its Joint Incident Site Communications Capability is designed to facilitate high-frequency radio, data, video and voice communications between first responders.
Four JISCCs are currently on-site in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to aid Hurricane Maria relief operations and more systems are slated to arrive.
The Guard previously fielded 18 JISCC platforms to support recovery missions in areas affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
A prototype of the communications system was deployed during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to validate its performance.
The system has also been used to support chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and environmental response efforts as well as help mitigate wildfires in the Pacific Northwest.
The Guard expects to integrate 5G wireless connection into JISCC to optimize data transfer speed.
