Joint Communications Support Element

05/18/2026

StarShip Dinner Cruise Announcement

We’re excited to announce the upcoming StarShip Dinner Cruise, now featured on our website!

Join us for an unforgettable evening of dining, networking, and scenic views aboard the StarShip.

This special event brings together members, supporters, and guests for a memorable experience in a relaxed and elegant setting.

Guests will enjoy a dinner cruise atmosphere while connecting with others and celebrating community in a unique and enjoyable way.

Additional details, including event information and registration updates, are available on our website where tickets can be purchased through Zeffy:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/jcse-va-starship-dinner-cruise

05/04/2026

05/04/2026

Recently, JCSE hosted this year's Norwegian Foot March. The Norwegian Foot March, or Marsjmerket, is a grueling military endurance test that has evolved from a 1915 training exercise into one of the most prestigious foreign service badges a participant can earn.
It isn't just a walk in the park! It’s a 30-kilometer (18.6-mile) trek completed in full military uniform while carrying a rucksack weighing at least 11 kilograms (approx. 24 lbs).
The allure of the March goes beyond the physical challenge; it is a blend of heritage, grit, and "bragging rights."
Successfully finishing within the strict time requirements (which vary by age and gender) earns the participant the Norwegian Foot March Badge. For U.S. service members and other international allies, this is a rare "foreign award" authorized for wear on dress uniforms, making it a high-status symbol of international cooperation.
ADMIN NOTE: there will be further uploads within this album; there's plenty of shots.
(Photos by U.S. Army SGT Brandon Best and Mr. Bryan Dorman)

04/17/2026

The Art of Falling (With Style)
There is no feeling quite like standing in the door of a perfectly functional aircraft, looking at the clouds, and thinking, "Yeah, this seems like a reasonable time to leave."
Being Airborne is 10 percent adrenaline, 90 percent waiting in a harness that feels like it was tightened by someone who holds a personal grudge, and 100 percent awesome. It is the only job where your daily commute involves a static line, a heavy pack, and a very sudden introduction to the local geography.
Why It Matters
It isn't just about the jump. It is about the fact that when the world says "You can't get there from here," the Airborne response is "Watch us."
* Vertical Envelopment: We don't need a runway; we just need a zip code.
* The Brotherhood: Nothing bonds human beings faster than the collective realization that the person next to you is just as ready to exit a moving plane as you are.
* Speed: We turn a three-day hike into a thirty-second plummet.
It is loud, it is chaotic, and the landing is rarely "graceful." But when that green light hits and you feel the prop blast, you realize you're doing something most people only see in movies.
Feet and knees together! See you on the drop zone.

(Video by U.S. Army SSG Jose Vargas)

04/10/2026

The dust has officially settled on QRPX 2026, and what a ride it was! After a high-stakes week of testing the absolute limits of signal propagation, strategy, and technical skill, we have re-taken the top of the leaderboard.
We are proud to announce that Joint Communications Support Element (Airborne) has officially taken first place as the Top Military unit of QRPX 2026. This year's team comprised of 2JCS, 224th JCSS, 290th JCSS, and 6th CS.
What is QRPX?
For those following along, QRPX is the premier high-frequency radio communications competition. It challenges elite teams to establish reliable long-distance connections using minimal power—often under difficult atmospheric conditions—simulating the most demanding environments modern operators face.
The Gold Standard
The competition was fierce, but the JCSE team proved they were in a league of their own. A representative from US Army NETCOM noted the achievement, stating:
"An absolutely dominant performance to take the top spot. You (JCSE) set the gold standard!"
Huge congratulations to the team for showing everyone exactly how it is done. Hard work, precision, and a bit of signal magic paid off.

01/12/2026

Last week, the Joint Communications Support Element (Airborne) hosted the 44th Annual Mattar Relay, a time-honored tradition that continues to test endurance, teamwork, and competitive spirit. The event featured a 12-mile relay race with 10 teams with 116 participants support by 27 volunteers. Each runner was positioned at a mile marker and sprinted at full effort to the next teammate to pass the baton, with several competitors choosing to push beyond a single mile.
This year’s fastest team honors went to the Mustangs of 4th JCS, finishing with an impressive time of 1:14:53. Close behind were the Warriors of 2nd JCS at 1:16:23, followed by the Knights of 1st JCS at 1:17:31. The fastest individual mile of the race was clocked at 5:38 by Erain Trenado, setting the pace for an intensely competitive field.
Congratulations to all competitors for a hard-fought race that clearly displayed esprit de corps and unit pride. A sincere thank you to the outstanding support team, to include First Command, whose support helped make this event a success.
The Mattar Relay is held in memoriam of Lieutenant Colonel George Mattar, a visionary Commander of JCSE leader whose legacy of excellence, teamwork, and commitment to the mission continues to shape the Element. This event honors his lasting impact and reminds us why pushing ourselves and each other matters.

(Photos by U.S. Army SGT Brandon Best, JCSE-GFX)