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Joint Communications Support Element
Stylized rendering of a JCSE Communicator
Active1961–present[1][2]
Country United States
Branch Department of Defense
TypeJoint (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, and DoD Civilian) communications unit
RoleExpeditionary C4 for joint forces headquarters
Part of Joint Enabling Capabilities Command
Garrison/HQMacDill Air Force Base, Florida
Motto(s)"Voice Heard 'Round the World"[1]
Color of berets  Maroon
Decorations
Most recent award:
Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2009)[3]
WebsiteOfficial government website
Official Facebook page
Commanders
CommanderColonel Kyle R Yates (USA)[4]
Deputy CommanderLieutenant Colonel Christopher F Oppenlander (USAF)[5]
Senior enlisted advisorCommand Sergeant Major Matthew D. Jacobs (USA)[6]
Insignia
JCSE seal
Distinctive unit insignia
Shoulder sleeve insignia

The Joint Communications Support Element (Airborne) (JCSE) is a United States Department of Defense (DoD) standing joint force headquarters expeditionary communications provider that can provide rapid deployable, en route, early entry, and scalable command, control, communications, and computer (C4) support to the unified combatant commands, special operations commands, and other agencies as directed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[2][7][8] On order, the JCSE can provide additional C4 services within 72 hours to support larger combined joint task force headquarters across the full spectrum of operations.[7] JCSE is part of the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JECC), a subordinate command of the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM).[9][10]

The JCSE's core competency is communications support to contingency operations.[11] The JCSE is equipped with the latest technologies to meet the DoD's operational requirements.[11] The JCSE is a joint tactical airborne unit that has a rare ability to operate at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels.[11] As a part of their contingency mission, the JCSE's en route, initial entry, or early entry communications capabilities can support up to a 40-personnel joint task force in permissive and non-permissive environments.[11] The JCSE is also equipped and trained to support larger joint task force headquarters as well as two joint special operations task force headquarters for up to 1,500 users.[11] At times, members of the JCSE may be required to rapidly deploy without the rest of their squadron to execute their assigned mission.[11]

History

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When JCSE was stood up in 1961, each branch maintained its own communications units.[1][2] Those resources were typically predesignated for specific mission sets that could not meet the demand for joint operations.[1] JCSE was established to fill this gap as a dedicated communications resource for short-notice contingency operations.[1]

The JCSE was established at MacDill Air Force Base as the Communications Support Element (CSE) under the now disestablished U.S. Strike Command—redesignated U.S. Readiness Command (USREDCOM) in 1972.[1] With just over 400 U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army personnel assigned, the CSE was established to serve as a quick response communications unit during crisis and contingency operations.[1] In 1972, the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps joined the CSE, and was redesignated as JCSE with operational control transferred to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[1] At the deactivation of USREDCOM in 1987, administrative control of JCSE was reassigned to U.S. Central Command where it remained until 1998 when it transferred to U.S. Atlantic Command—which transitioned to U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) in 1999—along with operational control.[1] In 2008, the JECC was established and JCSE became one of its three subordinate commands.[1] Following the disestablishment of USJFCOM in 2011, both the JECC and its subordinate commands were reassigned to USTRANSCOM.[1]

Within the first two decades of its existence, JCSE's two original units—the 1st and 2nd Joint Communications Squadrons—employed their expertise to a variety of military operations including:[1]

  • Support to the commander of JTF-Leo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1964
  • The international peacekeeping force organized to counter the rebel invasion of southern Zaire in 1978
  • The evacuation of U.S. citizens from Nicaragua under the fall of the Somoza government in June 1979

As word of the Element's capabilities spread, the demand for JCSE increased.[1] In the 1980s, JCSE adjusted its mission to provide concurrent joint communications support to more than one commander.[1] This adjustment allowed the JCSE to support two joint task forces and two joint special operations task forces simultaneously.[1] To accomplish this, the JCSE had two Air National Guard units aligned to the JCSE mission.[1]

In 2005, JCSE was tasked as a global joint force C4 enabler.[1] Reorganizing existing resources to add another active-duty squadron, JCSE was postured to support this new role.[1]

In 2006, the 4th Joint Communications Squadron, an Army Reserve unit, was added to bring additional flexibility to JCSE.[1]

JCSE teams have deployed all over the world enabling DoD senior leaders to communicate in conflict zones and disaster areas.[1] Two examples of this are JCSE's longest continuous deployment from the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom through the end of Operation New Dawn and JCSE's support to Operation Tomodachi.[1][12] Operation Tomodachi is a good example of JCSE's flexibility when it deployed and made operational the Deployable Joint Command and Control (DJC2) system to Yokota Air Base, Japan within 72 hours of notification to support U.S. Pacific Command's orchestration of the operation.[1][12]

According to Colonel James Lowery, commander of JCSE, the Element is modernizing to provide better communications capabilities saying in a 2021 interview with SIGNAL Magazine, “We’ve been focusing a lot over the past eight months on a contested communications environment. We know that’s one of the primary challenges—the multi-domain fight and being able to fight through the noise and operate in those contested spaces—so we’ve adjusted our training to focus on that.”[2]

Structure

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Communicators from the 4th Joint Communications Squadron troubleshoot communications during a no-notice exercise, 2013[10]

The JCSE is made up of both active and reserve components.[9] Currently, the active component is made up of four district units filled with trained experts from across the armed forces of the DoD while the reserve component is made up of one dedicated Army Reserve unit and two Air National Guard units, specifically:[9]

Training

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JCSE communicators from the Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps rehearse aircraft procedures for an upcoming parachute jump, 2016[24]

All of JCSE's military members receive additional skills training so they can better accomplish their global mission.[18][24] The tactical skills JCSE members learn or must stay proficient in include airborne infiltration, maritime insertion, basic combat skills, combatives, combat driving, combat life saving, and weapons qualifications.[15][24][25] JCSE also has its own university that is designed to fill the educational void between civilian and military communications capabilities.[18][24] Every member assigned to a JCSE squadron must go through this university's training for the unit requires that squadron members, regardless of their communications specialty, must be able to do all aspects of communications due to the size and makeup of their teams.[18][24]

Equipment

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The JCSE has a unique modernization program with special authorities based on a joint staff memorandum and financial investments that allow the Element to rapidly acquire commercial off-the-shelf and government off-the-shelf equipment as well as the newest technologies available to accomplish its mission with 24/7 reach-back capability and access to DoD and commercial networks that can be deployed in hours.[1][2][8] Some of the unique equipment the JCSE employs and maintains include, but are not limited to the following:

Executive Communications Kit,[26] commercially sold as the VoyagerECK[27]
JCSE's JBLOX modular package
  • Executive Communications Kit: Originally developed by the JCSE as the Executive Voice Kit—upgraded to the Executive Communications Kit and transferred to the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)—is a small briefcase-sized self-contained kit designed specifically to provide around-to-clock customer access to secure and nonsecure voice, data, and Internet via the "everything over Internet Protocol" (IP) architecture.[24][28][29]
  • Standard/Lite Communications Node: A modular IP based package capable of providing secure and non-secure voice, data and video for a myriad of operations ranging from small initial or early entry communications systems up to the establishment of a task force.[8]
  • Joint Building Blocks (JBLOX): The JCSE created JBLOX communications system is a modular IP based package capable of providing secure and non-secure voice, data, and video services.[30] The system can be modularized to support a myriad of operations scaling from a very small initial or early entry communications system up to establishment of a joint or special operations task force.[30]
  • Initial Entry Package (IEP): The IEP is used to support combatant commanders or other high-profile users during the initial entry period of an operation until mission complete or prior to installation of more robust modular internet protocol packages.[30] The IEP supports up to four Secure Terminal Equipment (STE) telephones.[30]
  • Early Entry Package (EEP): The EEP augments the modular scalability of the IEP or operates as a stand-alone package.[30] Clients connect to the EEP's Ethernet ports and use soft phones or VoIP compliant telephones.[30] The EEP supports up to eight STE telephones.[30]
JCSE's Super High Frequency Carry-on Shipboard System Joint[8]
JCSE's ICV[31]
  • Super High Frequency Carry-on Shipboard System Joint: A mobile system designed by the JCSE to provide on-the-move shipboard connectivity with the DoD Wideband Global SATCOM systems and commercial satellite communications systems.[8]
  • Integrated Communications Vehicle (ICV): The ICV is a customized mobile communications system of JCSE that provides on-the-move and at-halt command and control capabilities to various task force commanders and combatant commanders.[31]
  • Joint Deployable Airborne Package (JDAP): The JDAP is a system designed to provide airborne communications en route during mission execution. The JDAP provides extensive networking and radio capabilities to the airborne combat staff, mission planners, and tactical commanders while in transit. This system provides mission personnel with data and phone services, allowing them to communicate aboard the C-130 and satellite-equipped C-17 aircraft.[32]
A JACC/CP pallet (12 seat configuration)
Drawing of the DJC2 Core[12]
  • Joint Airborne Communications Center/Command Post (JACC/CP): Provides an en-route command center aboard a C-130 or C-17 aircraft that supports up to 16 users on two platforms with classified and unclassified network access to include commercial Internet and phone capabilities.[8][33]
  • DJC2: Maintained by the JCSE, the DJC2 is a scalable command post that can support a full joint task force.[1][8][12] Requires two C-17 aircraft to transport a DJC2 that can support up to 1500 users with classified and unclassified network access to include secure and non-secure voice and video teleconferencing capabilities.[1][8]
  • Defense Information Systems Network-Tactical Edge (DISN-TE): In partnership with DISA, JCSE maintains and operates three DISN-TE sites around the world capable of supporting all combatant commands.[1][2] This network was established to integrate, manage, and control a wide variety of communications interfaces between DISN and deployed tactical satellite assets.[1] DISN-TE is an "everything over IP" enhancement of the Standard Tactical Entry Point/Teleport reach-back service of the Global Information Grid.[1] DISN-TE is made up of telecommunications collection and distribution points that provide warfighters with multiband, multimedia, and worldwide access in a deployed environment.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac JCSE: A history, McDill Air Force Base official website, by JCSE, dated 22 July 2013, last accessed 27 February 2021 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Joint Communications Team Plans for Multi-Domain Ops; Signal Magazine, Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association; by George I. Seffers; dated 8 March 2021; last accessed 12 March 2021
  3. ^ Joint Staff Permanent Order Number J-ISO-0205-09, Announcement of the Award of the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, The Joint Staff, dated 1 September 2009, last access 20 February 2021
  4. ^ Kyle R Yates U.S. Army Commanding, Joint Communications Support Element, ustranscom.mil, last accessed 03 October 2024
  5. ^ Communications Support Element, Element Deputy, sharepoint-mil.us, last accessed 03 October 2024
  6. ^ Joint Communications Support Element, Element Command Sergeant Major, sharepoint-mil.us, last accessed 03 October 2024
  7. ^ a b Joint Communications Support Element, Mission Statement, jcse.mil, last accessed 20 February 2021 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Joint Communications Support Element, USTRANSCOM JECC, JCSE Trifold-01, Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, dated 2015, last accessed 21 February 2021 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. ^ a b c Joint Communications Support Element, Our Organization, jcse.mil, last accessed 20 February 2021
  10. ^ a b Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, US Transportation Command, jecc.mil, last accessed 20 February 2021
  11. ^ a b c d e f Joint Communications Support Element, Core Capabilities, jcse.mil, last accessed 20 February 2021 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  12. ^ a b c d Deployable Joint Command & Control (DJC2) Overview, Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (PEO C4I), by Robert E. Backus (NSWC PCD), dated 11 September 2012, last accessed 28 February 2021
  13. ^ Joint Communications Support Element, Headquarters and Support Squadron, jcse.mil, last accessed 20 February 2021
  14. ^ Joint Communications Support Element, 1st Joint Communications Squadron, jcse.mil, last accessed 20 February 2021
  15. ^ a b Joint Communications Support Element Facebook post, "Joint Service Members assigned to 1JCS conduct a Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Train the Trainer Advanced Weapons Tactics Course at MacDill AFB, Florida, June 01, 2020. ...", JCSE's official Facebook page, dated 4 June 2020, last accessed 27 February 2021
  16. ^ Joint Communications Support Element, 2nd Joint Communications Squadron, jcse.mil, last accessed 20 February 2021
  17. ^ Joint Communications Support Element, 4th Joint Communications Squadron, jcse.mil, last accessed 20 February 2021
  18. ^ a b c d The 4th Joint Communication Squadron: The only Airborne Signal Battalion in the Army Reserve, 335th Theater Signal Command official YouTube channel (Ready Lightning), dated 28 February 2020, last accessed 25 February 2021
  19. ^ Joint Communications Support Element, 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron, jcse.mil, last accessed 20 February 2021
  20. ^ 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron, usafunithistory.com, Air Force Lineage and Honors, dated 6 May 2020, last accessed 20 February 2021
  21. ^ Joint Communications Support Element, 290th Joint Communications Support Squadron, jcse.mil, last accessed 20 February 2021
  22. ^ 290th Joint Communications Support Squadron, usafunithistory.com, Air Force Lineage and Honors, dated 6 May 2020, last accessed 20 February 2021
  23. ^ Joint Communications Support Element, Communications Support Detachment, jcse.mil, last accessed 20 February 2021
  24. ^ a b c d e f SIGNAL STRENGTH, Tactical Communicators Keep Total Force Connected Airman Magazine, dated 6 February 2017, last accessed 21 February 2021
  25. ^ Signal Strength (JCSE), Airman Magazine Online YouTube Channel, dated 6 February 2017, last accessed 28 February 2021
  26. ^ JCSE (Image 21 of 40), "...Executive Communications Kit...", Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, Airman Magazine, by TSgt Brian Ferguson (U.S. Air Force), last accessed 28 February 2021
  27. ^ KLAS, Voyager/ECK, klasgroup.com, last accessed 28 February 2021
  28. ^ JCSE's J5 Acquisition and Engineering team receives Innovation Showcase Award (Image 1 of 3), Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, by Whitney Katz, dated 12 June 2013, last accessed 21 February 2021
  29. ^ The Capabilities and Innovations of Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE): TechNet August 2015, hosted on slideshare.net, by CW5 Edward Johnson (U.S. Army) (JCSE Command Chief Warrant Officer and CTO), dated 3 September 2015, last accessed 21 February 2021
  30. ^ a b c d e f g Joint Communications Support Element, Modular Internet Protocol Packages, jcse.mil, last accessed 25 February 2021 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  31. ^ a b Joint Communications Support Element Facebook post, "SSgt Jeremy Lindsey from the 2nd Joint Communications Squadron “Warriors” at Brooksville Regional Airport in Tampa, Florida is configuring the UHF SATCOM antenna as part of the Integrated Communications Vehicle (ICV)...", JCSE official Facebook page, dated 7 June 2019, last accessed 27 February 2021
  32. ^ USTRANSCOM 4th quarter 2017 Innovation Showcase Awards (Image 3 of 4), Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, by SSgt Oz Suguitan (U.S. Transportation Command), dated 23 February 2018, last accessed 29 May 2023
  33. ^ Joint Communications Support Element, The Voice Heard ’Round the World, Issue 69, National Defense University Press, by COL Kirby E. Watson (U.S. Army), dated 2nd quarter 2013, last accessed 28 February 2021
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