ESC completing communication infrastructure project for Iraqi Air Force

  • Published
  • By Patty Welsh
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  An Electronic Systems Center team is scheduled to complete work on a project by the end of August that lays the backbone for communication and connectivity for the Iraqi Air Force.

The Iraq Information Technology Infrastructure Project, or I3P, connects four air bases in Iraq to each other and to the Iraqi defense and intelligence network through new local area, base area and wide area networks. It is a key project to enable U.S. troop withdrawal. The work is being directed by the Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Directorate Foreign Military Sales Team for Iraq.

The development and fielding of this system faced a number of challenges --- first and foremost, working in a war zone. When the I3P team of government and advisory and assistance personnel made their most recent trip to Iraq, their flight landed after a mortar attack.

"Although there was a sense of tension and stress, I was able to refocus the team around the mission," said Capt. Wesley Crawley, program manager. "The team is always aware of the inherent dangers of the in-country environment, but is able to look past the conditions to what we are accomplishing."

I3P will be used as the foundation for all future command and control (C2) systems throughout the country, providing a vital Iraqi Air Force capability which will allow Iraq to reach its minimum essential capability (MEC).

MEC will allow Iraq to maintain internal security with police forces in the lead and defense forces in support while building foundational capabilities for the Iraqi military forces to provide external defense prior to U.S. forces departing at the end of 2011.

"The current conditions in Iraq are rudimentary. They currently have sneaker communications, meaning they are running notes to one another," said Richard Dellovo, network engineer. "Through the I3P, we're providing them with services that we take for granted."

Items included as part of the I3P are Voice over Internet Protocol phones, radio and C2 equipment, along with several hundred miles of fiber cabling to connect the various areas.

The team is instructing the Iraqi AF personnel on the systems through a train-the-trainer concept.

"All the would-be teachers are receiving training to use the system, educate the other operators, and maintain the system," said Paul Risotti, project manager.

With information transmitted through the I3P equipment, the Iraqis will be able to perform air management and strategic air reconnaissance through direct communication with aircraft and the Iraqi Air Operation Center.

As the Iraqis work to re-establish their Air Force, I3P is the framework that will provide a level of security so they can maintain their own protection, said Philip Steele, acquisition specialist.

In addition to working in a war zone, there have been a number of challenges the team had to work through. They had to deal with extreme weather conditions, logistic issues and also had to contend with cultural differences.

"When the team goes in, we know we are only there for a short period of time and are anxious to get to work," said Mr. Risotti. "However, the Iraqis have a big focus on personal relationships and want to get to know who's supporting them. In an hour-long meeting, sometimes only 10 minutes are devoted to actual business."

Lack of electricity is another problem the team had to face. Currently, only three hours of electricity per day are provided for the local population.

"We're trying to install modern-day technology but it is running on antiquated systems," said Mr. Steele, adding that the equipment is still being run off generators. "We keep trying to emphasize the great need to have full-time electricity to keep the equipment we're providing up and running."

Despite the challenges, all the members of the team agree that they have been met with only "friendship and respect" from the Iraqi personnel.

"They're a very proud people," said Mr. Steele. "They want to succeed; they just need a little help."

The next step for the team is to establish a Sector Operations Center (SOC) and Long Range Radar.

"As an acquisition officer, it's highly unusual that we are working with the Iraqis in a constant terroristic and combat situation. In this case we're able to see the immediate impact in a war zone," said Captain Crawley. "We're helping the Iraqis build a robust C2 capability to sustain themselves and their country while decreasing the reliance on U.S troops."