Assured Spectrum Access for the Warfighter, Anytime, Anywhere. The Air Force Academy Installation Spectrum Manager (ISM) defends and articulates Air Force frequency/spectrum access to agencies at the command and national levels. The ISM is responsible for all USAFA spectrum management related matters, policy and procedures.
How the ISM Supports USAFA Customers
Spectrum for Acquisitions - Frequency Allocations
Access to the electromagnetic spectrum is essential to current and future warfighting capabilities. Spectrum is like fuel, no fuel--no mission, no spectrum access--no mission. Frequency spectrum requirements for communication equipment must be approved before any acquisition, procurement, or contractual action can occur. The USAFA ISM coordinates directly with local project officers, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the Air Force Frequency Management Agency (AFFMA) in each stage of the acquisition process. The ISM accomplishes frequency allocation approval by evaluating the spectrum specifications of communications equipment, verifying frequency availability, identifying appropriate use and obtaining federal approval to radiate in a specific frequency band.
Operating License – Frequency Assignment
All equipment, after receiving an approved frequency or spectrum allocation, must obtain a permanent and specific operating frequency assignment, known as a “Radio Frequency Authorization License”, BEFORE legally operating or testing spectrum dependent equipment. Assignment proposals are processed from a unit to the ISM, then to AFFMA, where the proposal is evaluated and validated against established criteria and spectrum issues are resolved. The proposal is then routed to national level for the appropriate agency approval. Temporary frequency assignments are processed similarly. The ISM also works with customers to renew existing assignments a minimum of 90 days before expiration. As a rule, any wireless emitter radiating a frequency signal must be evaluated by the installation ISM prior to integration and operation.
Contact Info: (719) 333-3920
U.S. Air Force Academy, USAFA, CO 80840, (719) 333-1110 DSN: 333-1110, Updated: 19 Mar 10
