Joint Humanitarian Operations Course prepares workers for disaster relief efforts

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – Thanks to training provided by members of the U.S. Agency for International Development, a group of Scott Air Force Base workers are better equipped to assist disaster victims around the world.

The Joint Humanitarian Operations Course, or JHOC, was presented in early February to military and civilian members of U.S. Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command, Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command and 18^th Air Force.

“It’s a course that was designed to help synchronize the efforts between the civilian side of the U.S. government and the military side of the U.S. government when we become involved in humanitarian assistance disaster relief operation,” said Tom Frey, USAID instructor.

“This course offers an opportunity to exchange information about who does what, and how we do things,” Frey continued.  “We provide information specifically about how the civilian side of the U.S. government works in disaster response and how the international humanitarian community works.

“And then we specifically talk about those relationships between the civilian and military sides of the U.S. government,” Frey added.  “And again, how we can do a deconfliction and synchronization of our efforts.”

Harry Johnson, USTRANSCOM deputy political advisor attended the two-day course.

“The class is a very good for those who want to understand how the U.S. government, or USG, responds to requests for foreign disaster assistance,” Johnson said. “The class provides an overview of the sequence of events necessary for the USG to become involved, as well as who the major players are, and spends a considerable amount of time looking at actual case studies.

“The last part of the class has the students participating in a role playing exercise,” Johnson continued, “to ensure they understand the role of each key player during a foreign disaster that the USG is assisting.” 

The JHOC is presented here twice a year.  For information on future classes, contact USAID at JHOC@usaid.gov.

-USTRANSCOM-