Squadron phone & internet

[Eclipse]

Yes - we've run the encampment the last few years on on my personal Clearspot which is a 4G hotspot that supports either 5 or 8 users
our of the box (I can never remember).  It's a gen-1 WiPipe so it has the advantage / disadvantage of having a removable USG dongle
as its broadband connection.  The buildings are specifically hardened for EMI & RFI, so cell phone coverage is spotty at best.

To counter this the Clearspot is mounted to the wall (with 3M Command tapes) near a window on whatever side of the building has the strongest signal, and then we use a USB extension cord and mount the USB dongle on the outside of the building (usually wrapped in a Ziplock bag).  This has worked well in the past few years. 

I've used the same device for several SAREvals, and a number of other folks on staff have MiFi's, etc.  Most / alot of people have phones that turn in to access points as well.

The use limitation can be negated by either using another router that does wireless bridging, or one that has a USB slot for a cell dongle.
That of turn an old PC into a bridge and access point.

[Spaceman3750]

Go talk to a Verizon Wireless corporate store and ask about setting up a government account. My unit recently did that and they cut us a really good deal given the current climate of mobile data...

Don't forget that the Wing King has to sign the contract, you can't do that on your own.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Aren't wing kings no longer corporate officers?

[Eclipse]

Aren't wing kings no longer corporate officers?

I was going to say the same thing, AFAIK all contracts have to go to NHQ now.    I remember seeing some kind of clarification
letter that granted them interim rights for $X purchasing authority, and they just came out with a new contracting and acquisition
reg (but I didn't see anything in there about that).

Considering the long-term costs and potential cancellation fees that Verizon and others love so much, your best bet is probably either:
"Pay as you go / month to month." then just request reimbursement as it is used or monthly.

Or contract the phone yourself and just request reimbursement.

[Eclipse]

I just asked about hotspots and pay-as-you-go cellular services in regards to mission reimbursements.

The answer was that as long it could be clearly demonstrated that the service was specifically used for the respective mission,
then the cost would be eligible for reimbursement as mission communications cost.

Of course make sure you ask locally before spending any money.

[SarDragon]

Also, for exercises, make sure the comm costs are budgeted up front in the Ops Plan. I almost got burned earlier in the year because we used more ground resources than planned, and it wasn't in the budget. Since we didn't use all the allocated flight hours, there was enough money to pay for the ground ops.

[Eclipse]

Very important.  Money not budgeted is very likely to come out of the wing's corporate funds, which are in short supply these days, assuming
the member isn't just "stuck".

In fact we have to move away from the WAGs of years past.  A message was sent out recently to the ops folks in my Region that
108s in excess of budgeted dollars may not be reimbursed.