The simulated area of a flooded housing community at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center is one of the training venues for the AFNORTH JAACE team to use to complete its annual task force concept certification. Approximately 500 Airmen from across the country are taking part in Vibrant Response (VR) ’13, a US Northern Command-directed large-scale field training event. During large-scale disaster response the AFNORTH JACCE can provide search and rescue coordination and other Air Force capabilities.

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Air Forces Northern deploys JACCE teams to Vibrant Response 13

Published July 31, 2012
By Mary McHale
AFNORTH Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Air Forces Northern's Joint Air Component Command Element (JACCE) team deployed to participate in Exercise Vibrant Response 13, using the training venue to complete annual task force concept certification.

According to Col. Craig Campbell, AFNORTH director of programs and requirements, the certification is an annual requirement.

"We have one big certification exercise per year and that is Vibrant Response," said Colonel Campbell. "We attend several other planning meetings throughout the year to stay prepared. The JACCE team exercising now will be the one call team starting October 1."

Colonel Campbell is the lead for the current team that has been on call since Oct. 1, 2011, and will go off call Sept. 30.

Held primarily at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Vibrant Response is meant to test the response capability of Department of Defense chemical biological, radiological and nuclear response (CBRN) forces. It began July 25 and will last until Aug. 16.

A three-person JACCE team led by Col. Danny Sad, AFNORTH director of plans, policy and international military affairs directorate, is located at Camp Atterbury, while a second team led by Maj. Dan O'Boyle, from the 601st Air and Space Operations Center, is located with the rear command post at Fort Eustis, Va.

During Vibrant Response 13, approximately 5,000 Army and Air Force participants exercise processes such as command and control, CBRN assessment, search and extraction, decontamination, medical support, security, engineering and ground and air medical evacuation.

"Participation in Vibrant Response provides AFNORTH's JACCE team a venue to refine its ability to work with other commanders' headquarters to better integrate joint air operations with their operations," said Colonel Sad. "This is part of the vision to be America's Homeland air champion, ensuring uncompromised air defense and best in class air and space effects through anticipation, responsiveness and collaboration."

As a liaison element, the JACCE team facilitates the integration of air and space power by exchanging current intelligence, operational data and support requirements. When employed, team members provide the joint force air component commander information about environment constraints, restraints and restrictions. Additionally they will provide information about facilitating reach back to JFACC staff processes and ensure the proper flow of information between the combined air operations center, the Air Force Forces staff, sister components and federal, state and joint task force leadership.

"The JFACC is an enabler, and the JACCE is the plug-in from the enabler to the customer," Colonel Sad said. "The JACCE can early-turn issues and either work them or elevate them for component numbered Air Force engagement."

In addition to the AFNORTH JACCE team, subject matters experts from other functional areas of AFNORTH, to include medical and logistics, are observing the exercise.