Rhode Warriors support 58th Presidential Inauguration

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt Deirdre Salvas
  • 143d Airlift Wing
02/15/2017 --  On January 20, 2017 the Rhode Island Air National Guard stepped into action to support the 58th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. The combined efforts of the 143d Force Support Squadron and 282d Combat Communications Squadron provided essential food services support, transportation, logistics and communications capabilities. This year marks the third time the 143 FSS has supported the presidential inauguration and the first time for the 282 CBCS.

Over the course of two days, a team of thirteen 143 FSS airmen served approximately 1200 hot meals, 200 gallons of coffee, snacks and soup to military personnel who were also working the inauguration. The team utilized the Disaster Relief Mobile Kitchen Trailer, a mobile kitchen designed to support meals in the field. The team collaborated with National Guard units from New York and Kansas to complete the mission.

"The importance for FSS being part of the inauguration is to really hone the skills that the airmen train for by coming to the RSDs and annual training. Being able to be at the inauguration allows us to do real world mission essential duties," said Master Sgt. Brian Mello, 143 FSS Team NCOIC.

The 282d Combat Communication Squadron supplied a team of seven airmen which was led by Superintendent, Chief Master Sgt. James Tatro and NCOIC, Master Sgt. John Dumas. The team’s mission was delivery of command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance communications and information operations. The airmen operated the Joint Incident Site Communications Capability (JISCC), which extended communications services to a select cadre of military police. This rapid response communications package had the ability to provide up to 99 laptops with access to non-classified military and commercial internet service, 26 telephones and VHF/UHF radios.

Airmen from the Radio Frequency (RF) Transmission Systems shop worked to establish the JISCC's satellite communications link which allowed users to make phone calls and use the internet. They also established the JISCC's radio over IP network enhancing radio communication capabilities and worked with the Federal Communications Commission to monitor the area for unaffiliated transmissions that could impact communications.

Airmen from client systems and network infrastructure, teamed up to connect user devices, such as IP Phones, printers and other related devices to the JISCC network. They delivered customer support and troubleshooting as required by the Army-managed tactical operations center.

"What we really focused on was helping ensure people had their end services like some people wanted access to the printer, make sure people had their telephone, so then we had to run wire all through-out the school," said Senior Airman Peloquin, a client systems technician with the 282 CBCS.

The 143 FSS and the 282 CBCS demonstrated their tenacity by getting the mission done and their joint operations capabilities by collaborating with a number of government agencies to deliver invaluable expertise and support to the 58th Presidential inauguration.