DICE team "link" to Air Force hurricane response Published Sept. 16, 2008 By Master Sgt. Steven Goetsch Air Combat Command Public Affairs LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Organizing and deploying Air Combat Command resources like the Global Hawk and search and rescue teams during hurricane response, requires swift and flexible coordination. For these hurricane responses to be successful, reliable command and control is critical. That reliability comes from the 5th Combat Communications Group from ACC, and the Deployable Independent Communications Element. Hurricane Ike provided an opportunity for the Airmen of the 5th CCG to display the system's capabilities. The DICE team was asked to quickly set up the Air Component Control Element communication link for network service and land lines inside the Army Operations Command Post. "The DICE team worked non-stop for 18 hours to set-up tents, generators, satellites and a network work center area that has kept our LAN and phones up since the start of the operation, without fail," said Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Saylor, 1st Air Force A3 Operations Superintendent. DICE is a self-contained, small, transportable unit that provides Airmen Secret and Non-Classified Internet Protocol Router service and secure and non-secure voice communication during any contingency. It can be airlifted, or placed on the back of a flatbed truck, depending on the scenario and available airlift assets. DICE also consists of eight Airmen, from a variety of Air Force specialties that setup, operate and maintain the equipment. There is also a 15-man communications planning contingent that works directly with the ACCE. These Airmen are the backbone of the system, and bring out its full capabilities. "The hard work and professionalism of the 5th CCG DICE team was exceptional and was a vital part of a successful ACCE mission," said Chief Saylor. The DICE system provides the same services Airmen receive at their home station, but even in the most austere conditions. "We support missions like hurricane response because we are completely autonomous," said 1st Lt. Brian Justus, DICE commander. The DICE has been in existence for some time, but has seen several improvements over the years. The package that the 5th CCG is using during Ike hurricane relief efforts was developed in 2004. "The DICE has been transformed a number of times, but just like other technology, we provide the same services, but in a smaller and lighter package," said Lieutenant Justus. During a rapid response, transportation and set-up times are critical. DICE should accomplish their initial deployment 24 hours after notification, explained Lieutenant Justus. This level of mobility is possible because Airmen take part in an aggressive cross-training program that enables them to become proficient on all systems, he added. Displaying just what the DICE was designed for; the team has already pulled up stakes Sept. 13 and relocated from Randolph AFB, to Camp Mabry, near Austin, Texas. It took the team 37 hours to tear-down, transport by truck, and set-up in their new location. Despite the long working hours, the team is excited to be helping out people in need. "It is good to support the people who support us," said Staff Sgt. Justin Pollock. "Most people don't get to see what we do on a daily basis, and see their hard-earned tax dollars at work," said Staff Sgt. Jeff McCoy. Because DICE is a force enabler, the team has regular 180-day rotations to the AOR and has been involved in Hurricane Katrina, Gustav and Ike response efforts, in addition to other natural disaster contingencies like the Pakistani earthquake relief. "Without these critical LAN and phone lines we would not have been able to continually communicate with our joint partners or our leadership back at AFNORTH," said Chief Saylor "The 5th CCG DICE team provided the critical communication links for the ACCE that has performed flawlessly during the last week of operations for the DOD response to Hurricane Ike here in Austin, TX," he added.