A recent base-wide installation of a Kalatel closed circuit television (CCTV) system at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras gives Joint Task Force-Bravo’s Joint Security Forces (JSF) complete base perimeter protection of US assets.
A recent base-wide installation of a Kalatel closed circuit television (CCTV) system at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras gives Joint Task Force-Bravo’s Joint Security Forces (JSF) complete base perimeter protection of US assets. Mounted on 30 to 50 foot poles surrounding the 6.5 square mile base, video is transmitted via microwave from Kalatel Day-Nite cameras to a master control at the JSF desk, which is monitored 24-7. Images are digitally stored on Kalatel?s DSR-2000e digital video recorder, which eliminates the need for tapes and tape management. Maj Rik Combs, JSF commander reports: ?As our missions here have increased, so has our need for additional manpower to provide adequate security coverage. However, CCTV decreases our need for additional manpower and allows us to have a real-time warning system. The video can alert us to events as they are unfolding and allows us to react quicker.? In an area where petty theft and robberies are high, the Kalatel system is assisting JSF by helping to decrease crimes against the residents of the base.
According to Staff Sgt Roberto Burns, JSF resource and supply NCO: ?The cameras set up around JTF-Bravo add extra sets of eyes for the patrols. The guys on patrol are really like having this security enhancement asset. They can’t be in all places at once and CCTV gives them extra eyes to see what’s going on anytime, anywhere and any place. Most importantly, only one person will be used to monitor all the videos from the cameras.? Soto Cano has the largest military landing field in Central America, able to handle 747s and C5s. For that reason, many dignitaries use it when visiting Honduras. As a result of much petty theft and nighttime shooting at helicopters used for interdiction, the Department of Defense called for bids for video surveillance of the base. Cen-Pro Systems of Brandon, Fla. was awarded the contract and installed the system in two weeks. Tom Chieffalo, Cen-Pro owner, says: ?With the hot days, cold nights and rainy climate of Honduras, we needed reliable, weather-resistant equipment. We have 12 high- priority and five low-priority Kalatel Day/Nite cameras, all programmed for tours, surrounding Soto Cano so the operator can see the entire base in one glance. The cameras are low-profile, resembling a small street light to make them a less likely target for Honduran riflemen. Each camera has its own unique ID and 72:1 zoom lenses. A 100 foot steel tower holds all the microwave dishes and the main antenna, which transmits to all cameras. As the base is too big to wire, microwave transmission keeps the costs down. We’ve had no problems, no interference and the system provides great video quality.? The Kalatel Day/Nite cameras also saved budget. These cameras, which switch automatically between a color mode for daytime and a more sensitive monochrome mode for nighttime viewing, provide 24-hour coverage. At Soto Cano, they eliminated the need for separate daytime and nighttime cameras, twice the number of enclosures, and the need for extra lighting, reducing equipment, installation and maintenance costs. Kalatel makes a range of closed-circuit television (CCTV) and digital video storage equipment for security and safety applications. See www.kalatel.com.
