The Joint Communications Unit (JCU) is a unit of the
Joint Special Operations Command
The Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) is a joint component command of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and is charged with studying special operations requirements and techniques to ensure interoperability and equ ...
charged to standardize and ensure interoperability of the communication procedures and equipment of
JSOC and its subordinate units. JCU was activated at Ft. Bragg, NC in 1980, after the failure of
Operation Eagle Claw
Operation Eagle Claw, known as Operation Tabas ( fa, عملیات طبس) in Iran, was a failed operation by the United States Armed Forces ordered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter to attempt the rescue of 52 embassy staff held captive at the ...
. JCU has earned the reputation of "
DoD's Finest Communicators".
[Joint Communications Unit Homepage](_blank)
jcu.mil, last accessed 28 Sep 2017[Joint Communications Unit (JCU) YouTube Channel](_blank)
YouTube, last accessed 20 May 2017
The JCU prides itself in its ability to conduct operations and exercises on a variety of platforms including, but not limited to ships, aircraft, vehicle and field conditions.
The JCU has positions for active duty
Army
An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...
,
Air Force
An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an ar ...
,
Navy
A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions. It include ...
,
Marine Corps
Marines, or naval infantry, are typically a military force trained to operate in littoral zones in support of naval operations. Historically, tasks undertaken by marines have included helping maintain discipline and order aboard the ship (refle ...
, and DoD civilian personnel in a variety of communications, automation, electronics maintenance and logistic specialties. Because of the JCU's deployment status, unit personnel receive a wide range of training, including:
ultra high frequency
Ultra high frequency (UHF) is the ITU designation for radio frequencies in the range between 300 megahertz (MHz) and 3 gigahertz (GHz), also known as the decimetre band as the wavelengths range from one meter to one tenth of a meter ...
and
super high frequency
Super high frequency (SHF) is the ITU designation for radio frequencies (RF) in the range between 3 and 30 gigahertz (GHz). This band of frequencies is also known as the centimetre band or centimetre wave as the wavelengths range from one ...
satellite systems,
local area network
A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, school, laboratory, university campus or office building. By contrast, a wide area network (WAN) not only covers a larger ...
s,
wide area network
A wide area network (WAN) is a telecommunications network that extends over a large geographic area. Wide area networks are often established with leased telecommunication circuits.
Businesses, as well as schools and government entities, u ...
s,
servers, active directories, networking,
voice over IP
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), also called IP telephony, is a method and group of technologies for the delivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks, such as the Internet. The terms Interne ...
,
videotelephony
Videotelephony, also known as videoconferencing and video teleconferencing, is the two-way or multipoint reception and transmission of audio and video signals by people in different locations for real time communication.McGraw-Hill Concise Enc ...
, video distribution, fiber system installation, and advanced tactical communication scenarios on various air, land, and sea platforms.
Joint Communications Unit-About Us
jcu.mil, last accessed 20 May 2017
References
Joint Communications Unit
Military units and formations established in 1980
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