FORT HUACHUCA, Arizona (June 4, 2019) -- Information sharing was the top priority for Communications Security (COMSEC) users and Army program managers and developers as they gathered at the annual Global Integrated Partnership for COMSEC (GIPC) User Information Process and Technology Meeting held at Fort Huachuca, Arizona on 6-9 May 2019.

The GIPC meeting, hosted by Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical's Project Lead Network Enablers (PL Net E), is a collaborative forum that brings together the COMSEC user community allowing them to receive current training and up-to-date capability information as well as the opportunity to communicate with key stakeholders.

The majority of the GIPC audience are COMSEC Account Managers/Key Management Infrastructure (KMI) Operational Account Managers (CAMs/KOAMs), who are responsible for managing COMSEC material and equipment for units.

"GIPC is a logical follow-on meeting to the COMSEC Integrated Product Team meeting conducted at Aberdeen Proving Ground in April. It is designed for COMSEC users and operators and allows PL Net E the ability to receive firsthand feedback on the COMSEC solutions we are responsible for developing, procuring, testing, fielding and sustaining," said Mr. Stan Niemiec, PL Net E.

Much of the focus during the main sessions were on policy and training. Policy and procedures are vitally important in managing COMSEC accounts and the Communications Security Logistics Activity (CSLA) policy team and the Army G2 office work closely with each other as well as with other offices, such as Chief Information Officer/G-6, G-3/5/7, Network Enterprise Technology Command, Training and Doctrine Command, National Security Agency and the Acquisition team from APG, to address COMSEC challenges and ensure policy is current and consistent. The GIPC meeting creates the ability for policy makers to not only inform the user, but also engage the user so that policy reflects real world conditions.

SGM Sharita Onugha, Office Chief of Signal, briefed the GIPC audience on COMSEC training, personnel allocations and career progression for those in CAM/KOAM roles. SGM Onugha and her team are the communications link between units and the Army Human Resources Command. Current efforts they are working on to better support the units and Soldiers are minimizing the turbulence of personnel changeover; providing effective, relevant and current COMSEC training and developing mentorship opportunities.

Technical discussions covering COMSEC operations, logistics and sustainment also took place during multiple breakout sessions throughout the week. These sessions provided smaller group settings where users could engage with COMSEC capability developers, requirements community and program managers and receive updates on products and services. For example, PL Net E facilitated several breakout sessions on the products they manage such as the Common High-Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptor Interoperable Manager for Efficient Remote Administration, Automated Communications Engineering Software and Army Tier 3 Fill Devices. Users were able to ask questions, troubleshoot on current systems and learn about future enhancements coming down the pike.

"The complexity and churn of new equipment and capabilities is putting increasing burden on COMSEC personnel. As such, forums like GIPC are essential to achieve mission success," said Mr. Steven Downer, CSLA Deputy Director. As the Army marches forward with network modernization efforts, GIPC will continue to be a significant support system for units and commands.

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The U.S. Army Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical develops, acquires, fields and supports the Army's mission command network to ensure force readiness. This critical Army modernization priority delivers tactical communications so commanders and Soldiers can stay connected and informed at all times, even in the most austere and hostile environments. PEO C3T is delivering the network to regions around the globe, enabling high-speed, high-capacity voice, data and video communications to a user base that includes the Army's joint, coalition and other mission partners.

The U.S. Army Project Lead Network Enablers is assigned to Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical, which develops, acquires, fields and supports the Army's mission command network to ensure force readiness. This critical Army modernization priority delivers tactical communications so commanders and Soldiers can stay connected and informed at all times, even in the most austere and hostile environments. PEO C3T is delivering the network to regions around the globe, enabling high-speed, high-capacity voice, data and video communications to a user base that includes the Army's joint, coalition and other mission partners.