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Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JECC)

Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE)

Joint Public Affairs Support Element (JPASE)

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JECC responds to Japan relief efforts USJFCOM’s Joint Enabling Capabilities Command deployed personnel to support the humanitarian assistance and voluntary authorized departure missions following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. • Comment on this article at USJFCOMLive

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Public affairs support team brings awareness support to Haiti

Seven members of the Joint Public Affairs Support Element have deployed in support of USSOUTHCOM's relief efforts in Haiti.

• Comment on this article at USJFCOMLive

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By Army Sgt. Josh LeCappelain
USJFCOM Public Affairs

(NORFOLK, Va., - Jan. 22, 2010) -- Members of the U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) Joint Public Affairs Support Element (JPASE) are on the ground in Haiti to support U.S. military relief efforts there.

The five-person team of public affairs officers and senior non-commissioned officers, established a joint information center to assist U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) and Joint Task Force - Haiti at the Haiti International Airport in Port-au-Prince. They also served as the primary point of contact for media getting in and out of the country, according to Navy Capt. David Wray, JPASE director.

Two more JPASE personnel travelled to USSOUTHCOM yesterday to assist in communication efforts at the headquarters in Miami.

"This is a story of global magnitude, this humongous relief effort" Wray said. "We are helping facilitate the story of the U.S. military and the assistance they are providing the people of Haiti."

Wray added that the only current functional Haitian media is the radio. The JPASE team coordinated efforts with Haitian radio personnel to include them in briefings and ensure they accompany U.S. service members on missions so they may tell their countrymen that help is on the ground.

Army Sgt. Maj. Jose Velasquez, JPASE command sergeant major, has been on the ground in Haiti for a week. He says the situation has improved significantly since he arrived, even with a more seismic activity shaking the country and causing additional damages.

"It has not slowed us down at all. I'll tell you, we continue to go full throttle," said Velasquez. "I think the American people would be very impressed with their soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and coast guardsmen in the efforts they're providing.

"We came here for a job and that's to take care of the Haitian people. That's number one," he added. "We're here to do what we have to do for the people of Haiti."

JPASE works for USJFCOM's Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JECC). The JECC also has a joint deployable team and members of its Joint Communication Support Element on the ground in Haiti assisting relief efforts.