September 9, 2005. Story by Journalist 2nd Class Chad Runge

As Hurricane Katrina ripped through the Gulf states, it leveled houses, flooded previously crowded streets and destroyed communication equipment.

In a similar tragedy, when a tsunami struck Thailand, the scenic resort areas of Khao Lak and Takua Pa suffered that country’s greatest damage and loss of life with tourists from around the world among the thousands of fatalities and missing.

That’s when a Naval Postgraduate School information sciences professor who was preparing for a May 2005 field experiment and research project in Thailand on rapidly deployable wireless networks for border security and war on terror security issues, received a one-line message from a private-sector research partner, Rajant Corporation: “Brian, I think our equipment would be pretty useful in Thailand right now. Any thoughts?”

The message became the catalyst for a rapid series of e-mails and phone calls for Prof. Brian Steckler. Within three days, he was in Bangkok before flying on to Phuket Island. The goal: to establish a wireless communications network in hard-hit Khao Lak that would enable refugees, non-governmental organizations, news media and Thailand's government to use the Internet and World Wide Web to communicate and coordinate all aspects of the massive relief effort.

This time the NPS relief group has grown significantly, and those in need are now state-side. The group has packed their bags once again, and will depart Monterey, Calif. Saturday, Sept. 3rd.

Thirteen faculty and students from NPS, lead by Prof. Steckler, will be deploying to areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina to one or more rapidly deployed portable/mobile networks and other communications in support of DoD's Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HA/DR) mission and to further NPS's Hastily Formed Networks (HFN) research for Complex Humanitarian Disaster (CHD) missions of DoD..

They’ve learned a lot from their relief efforts in Thailand.

“We now have the experience from the first deployment that taught us about the problems that we can expect,” said NPS research assistant Mike Clement. “This time we’ve had a larger upsurge of support and have greater logistical support, which has allowed us to deploy faster.

The team will be using three recreational vehicles, the Nemesis, a specially equipped mobile operations center, and two additional vehicles for living quarters and storage of supplies. Due to the unpredictability of obtaining essential supplies, including food, water and fuel, the team has to transport at least several weeks of provisions.

Due to their flexibility and diversity, the team has been contacted by various organizations to assist with communication problems affected by the storm, but will be unable to define their role until on site.

There’s no doubt however that the NPS representatives are ready to help.

“I think we’re extremely fortunate to be able to leave Monterey and go to help those who are in need,” said Navy Lt. Scott Cone.