Vipers secure communication for DVs

Master Sgt. Joseph Potier, 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, talks to the comm. focal point while on a C-17 at a Southwest Asia air base Feb 19. He performs function checks to ensure distinguished visitors can make secure calls through the Viper system. He is from Leonville, LA, deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar)

Vipers secure communication for DVs

Tech Sgt. Paul D. Hagood, 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, monitors the Viper system while on a C-17 at a Southwest Asia air base Feb 19. Sergeant Hagood is able to monitor the aircraft position, signal strength, and equipment status. He is deployed from Schriever Air Force Base, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar)

Vipers secure communication for DVs

Staff Sgt. Roland Bazan, 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, performs an operational check of the secure internet network at a Southwest Asia air base Feb 19. Sergeant Hagood ensures everything is operable before the C-17 takes off. He is deployed from Schriever Air Force Base, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar)

Vipers secure communication for DVs

Published Feb. 21, 2008
By Senior Airman Tong Duong
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- A top-level government official sends a Top Secret e-mail routed through numerous interconnected computer networks from 30,000 feet, confident as she does so that the message will reach its intended audience without interruption or risk.

Every day, our nation's leaders transverse the globe to conduct mission-critical operations and when they require secure communication during flight, a team known as the "vipers" provides that support.

"Some aircraft don't have the defensive communication capabilities necessary for high-threat-areas," said Tech. Sgt. Charles Brown, 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron satellite communications maintenance mobile viper team member.

"The viper system allows DVs to maintain communication with the world when they travel throughout an area such as the Middle East and Persian Gulf region no matter what aircraft they travel in."

According to Sergeant Brown, deployed from Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., the mobile viper system is a roll-on communications package that deploys in support of the U.S. Central Command commander and designated high level DVs. The system typically deploys with two communication systems operators, three primary system cases, and two ancillary cases. Together, this provides the DV with secure and non-secure data and voice capability, to include access to secure and non-secure internet protocol router networks during flight.

"When we are tasked for an assignment, we roll our system onto the aircraft, install it and operate it for the duration of the mission," Sergeant Brown said. "We are like a mini communications squadron because we run their cables and make sure their computers can access the internet allowing them to sit at their desk to send and receive e-mail, use the Internet, or make phone calls while in the air."

Staff Sgt. Roland Bazan, 379th ECS Mobile Viper Team tech controller deployed here from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas said, some of the unique aspects of his job include traveling and meeting people.

"Getting to travel the region and seeing other countries is not something you normally do in a tech control job. For example, Sergeant Brown and I flew to Turkey to support a visit by Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice," said Sergeant Bazan. "She made it a point to meet every Airman on the plane and thanked him or her for serving."

"Providing secure communication to DVs who have an impact on the Global War on Terrorism and current world events is the best part of this job."