Army deploying satellites for Katrina communications

In response to the need for communication resources in the Gulf Coast, the Army is sending satellite communications equipment to the area as part of emergency response to Hurricane Katrina, Government Computer News reports.

The 1st Army activated its 24-hour Crisis Action team and sent defense coordinating elements to the impacted states. The Army is providing satellite phones and other crucial military communications assets that do not rely on local infrastructure.

One of the lessons learned from the hurricanes that struck Florida last year was the need for satellite communications, because hurricanes can bring down key communications nodes, and cell phones and land lines likely will not work for some time, said Col. James Hickey, 1st Army’s chief of staff, in a statement.