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A young man chats with his girlfriend. A mother listens to her daughter sing. A father laughs at a funny video from a family holiday. Not unusual scenarios—except that these are military families, often separated by half a world for months at a time.
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For military men and women, there are few things more important than staying connected with their loved ones back home. And thanks to military support groups and the availability of Hughes satellite broadband technologies, more and more troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are doing just that.
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Supporting the troops no matter where they are located, the military’s Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) network is dedicated to the well-being of the military and their families, providing support and leisure services to enhance the lives of the troops. MWR’s efforts are, in turn, supported by many nonprofit groups and NGOs (non-governmental organizations) that send additional supplies and equipment to the troops. One such organization is Operation Air Conditioner, commonly known as Operation AC.
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Started by Frankie Mayo in 2003 when she received a letter from her son in Iraq describing the intense heat and asking for an air conditioner, Operation AC has since supplied countless air conditioners, boots, and other supplies to the troops. The charity’s most recent initiative is to provide broadband satellite communications to enhance personal, non-DoD Internet access and to better enable military men and women to stay connected with their families and friends back home.
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Coincident with the Operation AC initiative, Hughes has expanded the availability of broadband satellite services for the MWR network, equipping more than 500 Internet cafés in Iraq and Afghanistan with its advanced routers and modems, serving thousands of troops. Banding together in small groups of five or ten to obtain the service, the soldiers have access to email, videoconferencing, telephone calls, and social media, enabling them to talk to their kids, share photos and videos, and keep in touch with friends and family.
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“Here at Hughes we’re proud that we can provide our technology to connect the troops with their families so far away,” said Payam Herischi, senior director, International Division at Hughes. “It’s a privilege to work with Operation AC to play a part in helping to bring families together and change lives.”
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In the Words of the Soldiers
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There is no stronger evidence of that than letters Operation AC has received from some of the soldiers…
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“You have allowed us to have contact with our families, which is very important to all of us. Our morale has skyrocketed.”
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“I use e-mail, instant messaging, and Skype to stay in contact, which helps out tremendously on those extra-long days being far away from home.”
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“A year without seeing my wife’s face or watching my three children grow would be extremely hard. To miss the art projects, the skinned knees…”
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“We are now blessed with the ability to communicate despite the harsh conditions and thousands of miles of separation. My children were able to share with their father their experiences at a new school.”
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“My wife and children thank you from the bottom of their hearts as well as I do. Talking with them over the Internet in my living quarters in private is a blessing.
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