1. DOD Sponsored Area Frequency Coordinators
(AFCs)

2. Purpose
To explain AFC roles, objectives and responsibilities, as they apply to military units and identify the six DoD AFCs and their Areas of Responsibility (AOR)
UNCLASSIFIED
My purpose today is to outline the responsibilities of the 45 SW FMO and provide information on how to obtain a frequency clearance to operate on the ER

3. Overview AFC Roles and Objectives AFC Coordination
AFC Responsibilities
AFC Relationship to RCC/FMG
AFC Offices
AFC POCs/AFC AORs
AFC Challenges
Summary
UNCLASSIFIED
The 45 SW FMO is responsible for two main functions…
-- ER Frequency Mgt
--- When I say ER Frequency Mgt I mean that our office is responsible for
All ER locations not just CCAFS and Patrick
-- DoD EAFC

4. AFC Roles and Objectives
UNCLASSIFIED
In accordance with ACP 190D, Annex B as well as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management, Army, Navy and Air Force Instructions and other publications provide policy and guidance for spectrum management within DOD and other Federal Agencies
These documents also define areas of responsibility for minimizing electromagnetic interference (EMI) at or within radio line-of-sight of national and service test and training and space launch ranges
They also make DOD AFCs responsible for coordinating ALL Federal Agency frequency use above 420 MHz as well as ALL DOD frequency use within each AFC’s Area of Responsibility

5. AFC Roles and Objectives (cont)
UNCLASSIFIED
The AFCs have the following objectives
To provide a radio frequency coordination system and infrastructure for DOD, national and service test and training ranges and test sites 
To minimize harmful interference at, among and within radio line-of-sight of all DOD national and service test and training ranges and test sites
To ensure compliance of range and range hosted spectrum-dependent systems with all national, federal, joint and departmental spectrum management regulations, policies and procedures
To ensure efficient utilization of the radio frequency spectrum via cooperative use of this resource in support of the DOD mission
To coordinate the spectrum use of all spectrum-dependent systems support RDT&E, as well as operational and training activities, at, among and within radio line-of-sight of DOD, National and service test and training ranges and test sites

6. AFC Roles and Objectives (cont)
UNCLASSIFIED
It should also be noted that in accordance with ACP-190 the AFCs will be the Range liaison with and are responsible for coordination on matters of mutual interest with other military and civil frequency coordination activities

7. AFC Coordination
UNCLASSIFIED
AFCs are authorized to coordinate with all military, Government, and non-Government agencies within their area of responsibility (AOR). Reference NTIA Manual Para
In CONUS, AFCs may, by mutual agreement among military activities within their AOR, arrange for time sharing and technical adjustments of frequency assignments as required to minimize harmful interference and preclude conflicts.
AFCs are required to coordinate on ALL military frequency use, including deployments for emergency use, within an AFC AOR, reference NTIA Manual, Para The MAG and AAG also require AFC coordination on the use of their band.
The AFCs will coordinate proposals in the Bands M1435-M1525 and M2360-M2390 with the Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council (AFTRCC) The C Notes and the listed AORs are documented in Para and Annex D, NTIA Manual.

8. AFC Responsibilities
UNCLASSIFIED
AFCs are responsible for attainment of the objectives noted previously
AFCs are directly responsible to the respective departmental headquarters for administrative purposes and to the MCEB for policy guidance.
AFCs shall advise the Commanders of National or Service Test and Training Ranges and sites of foreseen radio frequency conflicts in proposed and scheduled operations and tests. Resolution of such conflicts is a responsibility of the range commander
AFCs will assist in the elimination of real time harmful electromagnetic interference

9. AFC Responsiblities (cont)
Organization Chart
UNCLASSIFIED

10. AFC Responsibilities (cont)
UNCLASSIFIED
Within the AFC AOR, in the event of a frequency conflict, the AFC will attempt to resolve. If this is not achievable, the AFC will issue a completed report to the MILDEPs of concern for resolution.
AFC can provide guidance in all Spectrum matters for their AOR as they know and understand the overall spectrum within their jurisdiction.
AFCs have the authority to direct emitters in their AOR to be “Silent” for specific periods of time in support of special high priority or high dollar missions

11. AFC Relationship to RCC
The AFCs, as a Group, have formed a subcommittee within the Range Commander’s Council/Frequency Management Group (RCC/FMG)
Meet twice a year under the charter of the RCC/FMG
Includes membership by the MILDEPs Frequency Management Offices
Addresses range related issues and AFC concerns
Need assistance if formulating definitive DoD policy for AFC management

12. AFC Offices
UNCLASSIFIED
There are six DoD AFCs at specified locations throughout CONUS
Army Sponsors two
AFC Arizona
AFC White Sands Missile Range
Navy Sponsor one
Western AFC
Air Force Sponsors three
Eastern AFC
Gulf AFC
Nellis AFB

13. South Western AFC Map KEY Western AFC AFC - Arizona AFC - Nellis
AFC – New Mexico (WSMR)

14. Southeastern AFC Map
GAFC
EAFC

15. AFC Army Offices DoD Area Frequency Coordinator, State of Ariz
UNCLASSIFIED
DoD Area Frequency Coordinator, State of Ariz
Area of Responsibility:
State of Arizona

16. AFC Army Offices (cont)
UNCLASSIFIED

17. AFC Navy Office
UNCLASSIFIED

18. AFC AF Office
UNCLASSIFIED

19. AFC AF Office (cont)
UNCLASSIFIED

20. AFC AF Office (cont)
UNCLASSIFIED

21. AFC Challenges
Inconsistent AFC Policy; i.e. No Standard AFC coordination Policy
Inconsistent AFC Guidance
Lack of coordination between Services/Federal Agencies
Lack of AFC Authority to execute Policy and Procedure
Relocation and selloff of spectrum
Compressing more into less
Minimizing RFI amongst all users
Deployed units returning with non-certified equipment
Commanders desiring to operate as in theater
Equipment has no authorizations to operate in CONUS

22. Summary
UNCLASSIFIED
AFC Roles and Objectives are critical to all DOD and other Federal agency spectrum operations within their AOR
AFCs have insight to all Federal spectrum use in the AOR and can ensure conflicts are reduced or eliminated
AFCs stand ready to assist - get to know the DoD AFC as they are valuable to the effective and efficient processing and management of spectrum requirements. Though sponsored by a Service, they act in a non-partisan manner to support all military service’s requirements
With regard to Frequency Clearance Requests I
would like to provide you some general information
and basic procedures for submitting requests
I’ve mentioned frequency allocation but if a request
is from a commercial or non-government user
requesting to use FCC controlled frequencies a 1494
is not required
I WANT TO STRESS THAT ALL USERS MUST OBTAIN A FREQUENCY AUTHORIZATION THROUGH OUR OFFICE PRIOR TO OPERATING ANY RF TRANSMITING DEVICE (CELL PHONES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS REQUIREMENT)-----THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN HELP ENSURE AN INTERFERENCE FREE ENVIRONMENT IS MAINTAINED

23. DoD Western Area Frequency Coordinator (WAFC)

24. WAFC Objectives
Frequency coordination between and around DoD Test Ranges in California, south of N37* 30’
Minimize harmful interference to Test Ranges
Coordinate DoD use of shared spectrum with federal and civilian users
Promote DoD Electromagnetic Compatibility Program
Encourage maximum utilization of the spectrum through cooperative use of the resource

25. WAFC Objectives (cont.)
Coordinate the scheduling of electronic attack test and training operations
Verify frequencies are coordinated , scheduled , and de-conflicted in the AOR
Assist in eliminating real-time RFI
Maintain current list of frequency records in area

26. N 37* 30’
WAFC AOR

27. What We Deal With Day To Day…
11 Bases and 6 major test/training ranges within AOR, 5 major test/training ranges in adjacent or nearby AFC AORs that can affect ops within WAFC AOR
High concentration of DoD and commercial test activities throughout AOR using L- and S-band
Large and growing number of UAV operations, heavy utilization of C- and Ku-band
Multiple ranges in or around AOR that conduct electronic attack test and training

28. I can’t over emphasize the importance of scheduling your op
I can’t over emphasize the importance of scheduling your op. This guy didn’t…

29. WAFC POC’s

30. Discussion
Questions
Proper Coordination Will Prevent Problems