Welcome to Communications Wing 7 AFMARS

The Military Auxiliary Radio System is an elite group of citizen volunteers sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) authorized under DOD Instruction 4650.02.

Our mission is to provide joint services backup communications support to Department of Defense customers using military modes and procedures.

But is DOD our only customer? Not at all. In fact, our Operating Instructions (MOI) point out that we are authorized to assist and train with:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (and FEMA Disaster Assistance)
• Transportation Security Administration
• Community Emergency Readiness Teams
• Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
• Secret Service
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
• SHARES HF Interoperability Working Group stations
• Civil Air Patrol
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• U.S. Department of Defense
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• U.S. Department of Interior
• U.S. Department of Energy
• U.S. Department of Transportation
• U.S. Veterans Administration.

In addition, our MOI tells us that we shall facilitate and participate with:

• The American Red Cross
• The American Radio Relay League
• The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Net
• Any state or state sponsored emergency operations center
• All State sponsored Militias.

Clearly, our customer base is very broad and we are devoted to assisting where and when we possibly can.

Air Force MARS operators train and practice their voice and digital skills on multi-mode regional and national networks. On-going training ensures that our Air Force MARS volunteers can provide communications support independently of wire line infrastructure, satellite, and internet services.

The core of this network of operators is capable of responding and functioning in the aftermath of a variety of circumstances and our infrastrucure offers a high degree of survivability in a variety of contingencies.

Air Force MARS Communications Wing 7 consists of four states or groups (Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska) each managed by individual Group Commander and staff who report to a central Wing Commander and staff. These commander naming conventions are taken directly from the USAF.

Our members come from all walks of life... we are retirees, farmers, technical and business professionals, educators, and even performing artists. Each person brings unique and particular skills to the team but we all share a mutual desire to support the MARS program by volunteering our time, equipment, and skills as part of a highly trained joint services team of contingency communicators.

Please feel free to browse our site to learn more about Air Force MARS, our people, and our mission.