ANNUAL RADIO COMMUNICATIONS EFFECTIVENESS EVALUATION Prepared by the Southeast Region Headquarters Communications Team

CAPR 100-1 3.3 “a Radio Communications Effectiveness Evaluation will be conducted annually in the form of a radio communications exercise.”

What does this mean? The Southeast Region will hold at least one communications exercise each calendar year and participation of all radio operators within SER is needed make it a success.

In addition, every Wing within SER is required to hold its own annual communications exercise every calendar year. SER suggests that all of the other Wings within the region and adjoining regions be informed to assist in relays.

This is automatically accomplished at the Region level as we will send your exercise information to the adjoining Region Director of Communications when we receive your initial notice of the exercise.

It is suggested that every Group and Squadron hold some form of communications exercise at least once a quarter to make sure that all members are ready in the event of an actual mission.

This could be accomplished during a squadron meeting, bivouac or as a separate activity on a weekend to see how many communicators might be available and how many repeaters can be accessed .

It is preferred to plan and include HF and VHF traffic to verify the interoperation and ability to move traffic over long distances. ISR radio use should be built into the exercise to make sure all know how to use them and they are operational.

Group and Squadrons should submit their plans at least thirty (30) days prior to the start of the communications exercise to their Wing DC who needs to copy SER DC and SER Net Manager so that proper coordination of frequencies are approved.

Remember to make sure that all NCS/ANCS maintain proper logs and that they be submitted with their AAR to the next higher command for review.

This could become a serious issue when a CI is conducted. Failure to submit an AAR may be valid justification for higher headquarters to consider that the exercise did not take place. This could become a serious issue when a CI is conducted.

Do not require advance notice. Region Exercises Do not require advance notice. Must be properly designed, planned out, executed and documented at every step. c. Be followed up with an AAR to NHQ and SELR DO/LG within 30 days of completion.

Must be properly designed, planned out and submitted to Wing Exercises Must be properly designed, planned out and submitted to SER DCS/Communications (IAW CAPR 100-1-3.3.2). SER suggests that it be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the start of the exercise.

b. Are executed as planned. Are fully documented. d. Be followed up with an AAR to SER DCS/Comm, SELR LG/DO, NHQ/DOKO and DOK/PP within thirty days of completion.

Can we use DoD COMEX as our annual exercise? It is not suggested to go this route as the current requirements state you will be required to provide full documentation of planning and executing your Wing exercise and follow up with an AAR to all higher HQ.

In addition, your plan and AAR will be reviewed by CAP/USAF personnel for credit in your Wing CI. By using another exercise, you may not be accomplishing the full requirements of the regulation.

A Suggested Exercise Exercises may be a one message request broadcast on HF radio for a response from all communicators by radio or e-mail responding to a question – as an example – “All stations will reply on CAPF 105 listing the following information.”

2. DTG receiving the message Call sign 2. DTG receiving the message 3. Type of emergency power available at this location. Response must be received by (Call sign) NLT XX/XXXX/month, year.

Another Suggested Exercise Assign various stations to transmit preformatted messages requiring specific information to be delivered to Wing, Group and Squadron members with a request for a response. This would require a complete circle of the messages through the system.

SER has established a Message Verification system where requests for information may be broadcast on the HF and VHF nets and the receiving operators log in and submit the requested information.

They then click the COMMUNICATIONS button. How does that work? Radio operators log into the SER website and click the DIRECTORATES button. They then click the COMMUNICATIONS button.

A new screen pops up and the box marked “Message Verification” is clicked, bringing up the reply form. After the information is entered in the proper locations and the message reply is completed, the radio operator clicks the SUBMIT button.

Within a few minutes the sender receives a thank you reply and the full message is sent to SER Communications where it is printed out and placed in the file for that activity, mission or exercise.

All replies are maintained as required by CAP regulations to verify who responded or participated in the exercise, message, training or whatever was accomplished to facilitate the response.

QUESTIONS Review CAP R 100-1 – 3.3.