...plenty of media attention in recent years. Since civil war broke out in Sudan almost a decade ago, more than two million Darfuries have been displaced in the remote region, countless people have been killed and many more have been the victims of rape and other forms of abuse. Unbelievably, the situation in Sudan would be worse were it not for the tireless peacekeeping work of the African Union (AU) forces that have been on the ground for the past six years.

Given a recent flare-up of hostilities between South Sudan and Sudan due to a dispute over oil revenues, the AU recognized the need for more resources in the remote communications sterile locations and deployed two new TAC-PAK mobile command systems. These custom-configured “mobile command in a box” TAC-PAK systems, manufactured by 308 Systems in Fort Collins, Colorado, are follow-up TAC-PAK systems augmenting previously, deployed AU TAC-PAKs. The new systems were custom-configured to meet specific AU Sudan mission filed communication requirements. From the base of AU peacekeeping operations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, one African Union General said “These systems are like gold out in the field.”

The AU’s TAC-PAK deployment addressed the shortfall of command and communications infrastructure and equipment experienced by the AU forces on a daily basis in Sudan. With more than 20,000 troops, police and civilians spread throughout the region, AU operations are often stymied by myriad security and logistical constraints due to Sudan’s unforgiving terrain and a hostile political environment. The TAC-PAK’s have been effective at connecting the voices and data needs of on-the-ground peacekeeping forces. Deploying the TAC-PAK mobile command systems, the AU has been able to create a satellite communications based continent-wide wireless network that enables troops to coordinate, share information and request support. The TAC-PAK’s have created an invaluable and fast communications infrastructure where there once was none.