Earlier this month, the Army's Network Enterprise Technology Command conducted an exercise to simulate a massive power outage recently for its Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) operators around the country, a Defense Department release said.
The exercise, which simulated an outage without affecting public or private communications systems, was aimed at improving readiness and public awareness in the event of a real-life scenario, the release said.
The Army's MARS, part of Netcom, has conducted the quarterly communications tests since 2013. The exercises test connections between the Army, the Defense Department and MARS volunteer members. Volunteers help offer backup communications in the event of need, while also offering emergency reporting information across the country, the release said.
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