Defence

Chief Information Officer

On the front line... The Defence Network Operations Centre

Giant screens flicker with green and red tracing lines across the Australian continent, while radar images scan weather patterns over key communications installations. Amidst this, almost two hundred staff comprising military, civilian and contract personnel are busily employed responding to requests for assistance from the Defence Network Operations Centre (DNOC).

As part of the operational arm of the recently formed Chief Information Officer Group, the DNOC is at the hub of Defence's strategic communication network. It is tasked with monitoring and providing technical support and assistance to keep the network running. The network has a base of 92,000 desktops, a user community approaching 100,000, and is the third largest in Australia following the commercial networks of Telstra and Optus. Added to this is a Defence commitment to support international links with our Allies and Departmental links with other Government Agencies, all of which are run on the latest high tech communications equipment.

When tactical communications units like the 1st Command Support Regiment based in Darwin deploy into the field, they will establish a diverse communications network including combat net radio links, secure voice and high speed data circuits. Such networks enable the Brigade Commander to manoeuvre mechanised battle groups while at the same time monitoring higher command links and information networks. The DNOC's role in supporting these networks includes managing and tasking Tactical Interface Stations (such as 136 Signal Squadron in Brisbane, 138 Signal Squadron in Melbourne, and the Defence Information Systems Communications Element - ACT in Canberra) providing a vital lifeline to monitor and resolve communications difficulties resulting from network failures.

During the recent deployment of ADF personnel to support the tsunami relief in Indonesia, the DNOC managed the communications links that enabled rapid communication between deployed troops and elements of the Defence Organisation in Australia. These links were vital in helping to deliver humanitarian assistance throughout Sumatra and the DNOC responded promptly when problems were encountered with satellite or data circuits. In the event of a circuit failure, prearranged alternate links enabled services to be restored to deployed elements as quickly as possible.

Recently, WO2 Richard Creek from Network Operations in the DNOC was deployed to the Middle East, as a member of the team that replaced the military satellite terminal equipment with commercial equipment at each of the major communications nodes. While in the Middle East, WO2 Creek gained exposure to deployed communications networks and experienced first hand the problems that the DNOC is called on to support. According to WO2 Creek, the experience gained was invaluable: "on return to Australia I was able to pass on knowledge and experience of the newly commercialised equipment through debriefs and on the job training with DNOC staff... this will increase their ability to provide operational support in the future".

For DNOC staff, the task of managing the vast Defence network provides professional challenges and wide ranging training opportunities. The staff are multi-skilled and regularly participate in training opportunities with deployable ADF elements to facilitate the transfer of critical technical information. Network Operations staff members like Colleen Turner and SGT Stephen Schlitz are well regarded for their troubleshooting expertise and their ability to implement and manage network support from the DNOC to deployed elements. Although the DNOC is sometimes located far from the end user, the support it provides in managing the Defence communications network is critical. The DNOC is actively involved in helping Defence achieve its mission, and its members are proud of the specialist support they provide.

CAPT Joel Turner
SO3 Network Operations

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