Here's update #5 I sent to our military chain of command regarding MARS and amateur radio:
MARS Support to Hurricane Harvey Continues...
Deployed HF teams are now located in Katy and Beaumont, TX supporting TX Guard command posts. Two HF teams remain providing support to the TX Guard joint Operations Center and Communications Coordination Group both located on Camp Mabry Austin, TX. All deployed personnel are on TX Guard orders.
Deployed TX Guard Forces are now using the MARS VHF repeater located in Houston to support response operations. The MARS VHF repeater is located on one of the Houston Transtar towers with the antenna mounted at approximately 200 feet; the repeater operates on NETCOM frequency assignments.
The TX Guard J6 requested we begin providing county status reports from around the affected areas. Our members are receiving these reports from local amateur radio operators as well as from members who live in the affected area. These reports are provided to the Joint Operations Center for situational awareness.
We are collecting lessons learned from this response and will schedule an after action review with the TX Guard and deployed members upon redeployment, recovery, and refit.
v/r
Paul
Chief, Army MARS