CAMP COURTNEY, OKINAWA, Japan -- Marines with 7th Communication Battalion established a deployable joint command and control center Jan. 13-17 on Camp Courtney in preparation for future operations and exercises.
The DJC2 is a standardized, rapidly deployable, scalable, and reconfigurable joint command and control and collaboration combat operations center system for use by combatant commanders and component commands, according to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division, Naval Sea Systems Command.
The DJC2 used during the recent training event is the only one used by the Marine Corps operational forces, according to Capt. James M. Ploski, the commanding officer of Company B, 7th Comm. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. It is intended to be fielded by the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command.
“This (COC) comes with everything already preconfigured,” said Ploski. “All the essential equipment is organic; from desks and chairs, to computers and phones. It’s fairly self-contained. It takes 34 Marines only 96 hours to set up from bare ground to complete readiness.”
The Marines tasked with the construction and operation of the DJC2 found that it was easy to operate and could see numerous benefits for its use, according to Lance Cpl. Janet L. Ramos, a data network specialist with the battalion.
“It’s essentially plug-and-play,” said Ramos “Once it’s set up we can basically get to work. Its flexibility is what makes it unique. It can work with four major data networks (including) secure and commercial (networks).”
Another unique aspect of the DJC2 is that it operates via its own power sources thanks to generators, according to Ploski. In addition, it has its environmental controls for employment in any climate. The system can also be connected to external sources if the need arises.
“Everything is here,” said Ploski. “Its rapid nature allows us to deploy and employ anywhere.”
The Marines’ DJC2 can use two satellite terminals to pull and send information from both U.S. government and commercial satellites to provide reliable connectivity, according to Ramos.
The preconfigured systems within the DJC2 also make it easier to establish and use rather than commandeering an existing building or establishment, according to Lance Cpl. Christopher F. Smith, a wireman with 7th Comm. Bn.
“Sometimes, it’s difficult to get set up in a building, but with the (DJC2) we know exactly where everything is going to go and how it’s going to be set up each time,” said Smith. “It saves us a lot of time, especially if we have to do everything on the fly.”
As the Marines train with the DJC2, their proficiency increases with each setup, according to Lance Cpl. Shane M. Gates, a technical controller with the battalion. It gives them more confidence to execute the setup should a crisis arise.
“It gets easier after each time,” said Gates. “We’ll be able to respond to humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts even more quickly.”