03-08-2010-Missed the ECOM Net?? Take a listen!
Thanks to Warren, AFA3LW, here is a recording of the first ECOM Training Net, which took place on Monday, 03 March 2010. A great deal of information was discussed and ground covered. These sessions are a "must" for all members!!

02-23-2010-AFN2EC-WEATHER WARNING!
ECOM level elevated to 1 due to the Blizzard expected on Thursday and Friday. This storm does not sound good at all details below.
A powerful storm of historical proportions is aiming at much of the Northeast Thursday into Friday and will follow up to a foot and a half of snow through Wednesday over upstate New York and western New England.
This second storm will be nothing short of a monster. Even in light of the blizzards earlier this winter that targeted the southern mid-Atlantic, this may be the one that people remember the most this winter in parts of New England and the northern mid-Atlantic.
At its peak, the storm will deliver near hurricane-force wind gusts (74 mph) blinding snow falling at the rate of over an inch per hour. For some people in upstate New York and eastern and northern Pennsylvania, this may seem more like a "snow hurricane" rather than a blizzard.

02-11-2010-Chief Eiremann Regarding Haiti and other subjects
Chief Eiremann issues "BRAVO ZULU" to all those involved in the Haiti effort; clarifies MARS involvement in the relief effort and discusses other current issues.

[Some asked "What's Bravo Zulu mean?" Google has a number of sources, but all agree: "WELL DONE!"]

02-04-2010-Karl-AFN5AT-TRANSCON Packet Network Alive and Well
Karl issued a current TPN Station Directory and Current TPN Frequency Guide

02-03-2010-Chief Eiremann-MARS Seeks Volunteer Operators for Haiti

01-28-2010-Bruce-AFF4VN-MARS and Haiti Update
Bruce, AFF4VN, regarding Jack, AFA4DG's temporary deployment to Haiti in support of the relief effort there.

01-25-2010-Dave-AFE3PI MARS and Haiti
Dave, AFE3PI, issued a very interesting, timely and informative press release today regarding MARS role in the on going Haiti Relief effort.

01-13-10-Haiti Earthquake Emergency Response - Request 3,720 and 7,045 MHz Be Kept Clear
All radio amateurs are requested to keep 7045 kHz and 3720 kHz clear for possible emergency traffic related to today's major earthquake in Haiti.
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region II Area C Emergency Coordinator Arnie Coro, CO2KK, reports that as of 0245 UTC on January 13, nothing had been heard from radio amateurs in Haiti, but that the above frequencies were being kept active in case any Haitian hams manage to get on the air, and in case of other related events in surrounding areas, including aftershocks and a possible tsunami.

01-08-2010-Chief Eiremann and the DodI
Chief Eiremann provides some feedback and prospective on the recent DoD Instruction. Must reading!!

01-08-2010-Exercise Snowshoe 2010 Update
Jim AFN2XC - AF MARS has been invited to participate in the annual Army Exercise Snowshoe. Once again we in AF MARS have an opportunity to improve and expand our capability to react to and provide support to our "customers," "Providing the reins of command-in emergencies."

12-25-2009-/TPN BBS Success
Karl - AFN5AT/AFA5AN - This year has been a challenging one for the AFMARS TPN BBS Network. Because of the support and encouragement from others in AFMARS, the TPN has proved its success in delivering messages as needed without the support of the internet.

12-24-2009-MARS GETS NEW NAME!
Bob AFA3AJ - Military Auxillary Radio System, MARS new name! This article explains the "new" MARS, it's name, mission and future. Must reading for all members and potential members!

12-19-2009-AFT4VN Regarding MARS COMSEC
Bert - AFT4VN - "We can never be sure of who is listening." Bert touches on some very good points in this note to MARS members.

12-07-2009-WinLink Gateway accepting Christmas H&W Messages
Karl Arriola/AFA5AM/AFN5AT - The "Any Service Member" MARSGRAMs are being accepted, per the link above.

Note: Be sure you put //MARS R/ in the subject line for any Email entered into the MARS WinLink system. [Ed]

12-05-2009-Thanks to the Troops from Xerox
From Pete, AFA1NN - If you go to this web site, (linked above) you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving somewhere in the world. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one! It is FREE and it only takes a few seconds. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all the soldiers received a bunch of these? It's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank yous. Thanks for taking to time to support our military!

12-05-2009-TPN Stations Connecting from Hawaii to U.S. East Coast (CONUS)
Karl Arriola/AFA5AM/AFN5AT - National Transcon Pactor (TPN) Network Manager announced today that "....AFB9MC IN HAWAII, HAS NORMAL AND CONTINOUS CONNECTIONS WITH AGA0MC." AGA0MC is the McChord AFB WA, base MARS station.

11-09-2009-Better Business Burear (BBB)
A word or two to the wise regading the upcoming 2010 Census. Avoid scammers!!

10-24-2009-Terry, AFA1DI: New England MARS Repeater Update
Terry has updated the New England Inter-Service VHF repeater information. This inter-connected system is available to all MARS members, all services.
Ed Note: Since posting this article we find the picture file is corrupt. The information Terry presents is correct, however, the link above points to the old picture.

10-04-2009-Jim, AFN2XC: MARS Joint Service Operation Bad Bug-2009.
Region 2, Army MARS, announces a new ECOM exercise scheduled for mid-October. Once again AF MARS NE Area will participate and has invited the NW Area to join in this effort. More to follow.

09-20-2009-MARS Message Precedence System Revised - A revised MARS message precedence system went into affect on 28 April 2009. This revision affects all messages introduced into the MARS message system, any mode. All members are urged to use this instruction when constructing any message bound for the MARS traffic system.

09-20-2009-Actual EEI's Using Winlink 2000 - MARS issued a "How To" instruction for introducing Actual EEI's via Winlink 2000. This instruction is dated on 28 April 2008 and all members should be familiar with this instruction, especially those using WL2K.

09-18-2009-Chief AF MARS, AGA5C - Air Force MARS is developing a database of qualified members to assist Served Agencies in their efforts to implement Winlink 2000 radio email. This initial fact-finding questionnaire is the first step in vetting volunteer Air Force MARS members who may be tasked with providing the "hands-on" component of this important responsibility.
You should receive a notice from your SMD or RMD regarding the survey, requested completion dates and other particulars.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Signed: 73,
Al Eiermann
Chief, AF MARS (AGA5C)
10-12-09 Note the incorrect link mentioned in the note from Chief Eirmann has been corrected.

09-18-2009-Mike, AFN2EC: Operation Listening Post
All MARS members active in the NE Area Traffic nets are urged to read this note.

09-08-2009-Jim, AFN2XC: MARS Joint Service Exercise Bad Bug/Hidden Shadow.
The NE Area will join and support the upcoming Joint Services MARS Exercise Bad Bug/Hidden Shadow, scheduled for 26 September 2009. Click the link for more information. As you are or should be aware of, the upcoming flu season may well become the pandemic so widly discussed last year. Again, we are soliciting and encouraging Area wide support for this important exercise.

08-28-2009-Jim, AFN2XM: MARS Exercise Howling Winds.
The NE Area will join and support the upcoming Joint Services MARS Exercise Howling Winds, scheduled for early September 2009. Click the link for more information. We are soliciting and encouraging Area wide support for this important exercise.

06-18-2009-Cannibalization Form -AF MARS Chief Al Eiermann issued a new 'interactive' MARS Equipment Cannibalization Authorization Request form. See MOI Chapter 18 regarding surplus equipment management.

05-20-2009-Chief Eiermann on NMC -AF MARS Chief Al Eiermann issued a brief statement today regarding NMC's apparent decision to close shop.