CAW Staff Attends 2009 Civil Support Team (CST) Survey Analytical Operations and Western Regional WMD Responders Conference in Anaheim

Alan Jaeger and Brendan Applegate have recently been attending the 2009 Civil Support Team (CST) Survey Analytical Operations and Western Regional WMD Responders Conference in Anaheim, where the emphasis of the conference is coordinating a response to a Weapons of Mass Destruction Event through a variety of agencies working together in a collaborative effort.With over 10 years of experience in exercise and training, CAW has long promoted this concept.

CAW's recent exercise efforts included Kaimalu 'O Hawaii, (KOH) which included Hawaii, Guam, Alaska, and California CST. The conference is expected to draw over 500 people.

CAW Net-in-a-Box

In designing Table Top Exercises (TTXs), a primary consideration is communication methods between agencies and the white cell. Since the goal of the exercise is to enhance agency preparedness, realism and authenticity are key requirements. Also, since many of the exercises are held in distant and remote locations, equipment mobility must be considered.

The Center of Asymmetric Warfare has developed a network-in-a-box solution, which consists of two communication technologies rolled into one. The first technology is a closed-circuit mobile wireless Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone system, utilizing off-the-shelf equipment. The system is able to expand or contract to meet the required number of phones. The system is also able to be safely transported in a pelican case. The second technology is a virtual server that has all the functionality of a corporate network integrated into a single computer case. This system also uses off-the-shelf equipment and is easily transportable by pelican case.

By marrying both technologies, CAW has created a completely closed-circuit, mobile, wireless corporate network with voice phone capability. This tool has allowed CAW to deliver a more realistic experience for its clients, one that mimics real world corporate communications options.

CAW Showcases Technology Used to Fight Crime in Salinas

At the recent Center for Asymmetric Warfare Annual Symposium on technology meeting, attendees showcased technology that is being used much closer to home than we would generally think.

The Field Information Support Tool (FIST), which was presented by Capt Carrick Longley, USMC and CW2 Chad Machiela, USA, is currently being used by Salinas officials to help fight gang violence.
According to an article on FoxNews.com, there have been 24 gang-related homicides in Salinas, Calif. – this year alone. That statistic makes the city twice as deadly as Los Angeles.
Officials in Salinas have recently turned to the military to help with the problem. They have contacted the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, and are using techniques the military uses overseas to fight gang violence here in California.
The officials are currently using military software that was originally developed to track terrorists to map crimes and link suspects. The FIST provides a solution for collecting geospatial, temporal, and social network data. This information, combined with effective analysis, will provide the decision maker with the critical intelligence needed to combat criminal activities.
The Center for Asymmetric Warfare has a history of providing a test bed for technologies to be tested in exercises around the world. This year CAW sponsored a technology symposium that allowed 8 different technologies to be presented and some of them immediately integrated in order to support homeland security.
For more information on the Salinas gang activity, visit http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/11/23/counterinsurgency-plan-to-fight-gangs/?test=latestnews.

DARPA Challenge

CAW continues to integrate technologies into a real-life T&E environment through our exercises. Aptima Inc. (via a DARPA program), in partnership with CAW, is researching first responder’s communication and rapid team building techniques. The program monitored e-mail, chat and telephone.
Controllers and designated responders were outfitted with sensor badges that monitored body movement, location, duration and style (tone of voice), not content. Surveys were completed by participants. CAW and Aptima will analyze the data from the table top and the full scale exercise and will identify organizational structure, map communication paths, observable collaboration and report any notable recommendations by early next year.
Similarly, DARPA recently hosted a $40,000 government proposed challenge to locate 10 weather balloons across secret locations in the U.S. It was won by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one of Aptima’s university partners.
The purpose was to use the Internet and social networking sites to discover how the Internet could help with swift problem solving. MIT successfully completed the challenge of finding the balloons spread across nine states, within nine hours.

For more information on the DARPA challenge, visit: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/dec/07/darpa-challenge

WHY PARTNER with CAW on Port Security Exercise and Training

In 2008 Executive Director, Anthony Taormino of the Oxnard Harbor District located in the Port of Hueneme commented on the benefits of partnering with the Center for Asymmetric Warfare for the district’s Annual Port Security Exercise requirement.

Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XgOXmKDVB8