FORT SHAFTER FLATS, Hawaii - The 8th Theater Sustainment Command's Defense Coordinating Element (DCE) participated in a weeklong joint training exercise at Fort Shafter Flats, Hawaii, to enhance their ability to support U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) in the event of a natural or man-made disaster within the Pacific Rim, Jan. 11-15.
The DCE is charged with supporting the USARPAC mission of providing responsive, synchronized coordination of U.S. armed forces personnel and resources in the event of a crisis to minimize impacts to the American people, the state of Hawaii's infrastructure and environment, the territory of American Samoa and U.S. possessions in the Central Pacific.
Throughout the week, 8th TSC Soldiers, along with Sailors and civilian personnel, were trained and postured to respond appropriately using the necessary Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) systems of record and tools. This system is user based and encompasses all branches of service, to include the National Guard Bureau, as well as FEMA and Department of Homeland Security.
"The Department of Defense Support of Civil Authorities Automated Support System (DDASS) is a critical system of record, enabling the DCE team - as well as other DSCA decision makers - to collaborate, coordinate and prioritize missions in real time," said Col. Bernard Warrington Jr., the 8th TSC Defense Coordinating officer. "This will ensure the Department of Defense is supporting the federal agencies properly, legally and expeditiously."
The Army has used DDASS to support every major disaster or incident within the U.S.: the Minnesota bridge collapse, the American Samoa tsunami, U.S. domestic support to Haiti, and various floods, wildfires and tornadoes.
"DDASS operates in an unclassified environment, making access to its data easier amongst government agencies; (it) is available anywhere an Internet connection can be established," said Warrington. "Furthermore, DDASS is designed to operate where bandwidth resources are minimal, such as at or near a DSCA incident."
Additional training during this event included legal training, DCE budget and fiscal operations and responsibilities, and synchronization with U.S. Northern Command and US Army North personnel to refine responsibilities and protocol for the Pacific Command area of responsibility.
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