The National Guard´s Distributive Training Technology Project: standing ready to support the global information grid

To support its Distributive Training Technology Project (DTTP) - an advanced distributed learning (ADL), information-delivery, and communications system designed to enhance the National Guard´s readiness capabilities and fulfill related missions - the National Guard built a nationwide terrestrial network to link sites in all 54 USA states and territories. This communications backbone, which consists of lines ranging in size from T1s to OC-3s, permits real-time audiovisual links among all State Area Commands and hundreds of other state-designated sites throughout the country. This paper describes the growing use of DTTP resources to provide stable, nationwide communications support, especially in times of natural disasters (floods, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.) and man-made crises (e.g., the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington). Topics include planning and implementation of the terrestrial network as well as efforts to integrate with the Air National Guard´s WarriorNet satellite network. The paper also addresses other promising technologies that will enhance the Guard´s ability to maintain and expand its effective and reliable communications network.