This is the Southern Command Network

(archive of SCN website c.1998)

Southern Command Network

The Southern Command Network (SCN) has served the entertainment and information needs of Americans in the Republic of Panama for more than 50 years. The birth of SCN in April 1941 when the Coast Artillery Command in Panama began low-power broadcasting of military information and entertainment on a tactical frequency. The original station, called PCAN, presented a mix of news, music, and sports primarily for the benefit of members serving at remote jungle assignments. In 1943, the Army Forces Radio Service (AFRS) set up radio broadcast facility in an empty barracks on Fort Clayton, Panama. After a temporary relocation to Albrook Field, the AFRS facility moved back to Fort Clayton where in 1954 it became the Caribbean Forces Network (CFN). Name changes abound in military broadcasting and it was no different with the CFN. In 1963, the facility was redesignated the Southern Command Network (SCN) and serves approximately 20,000 Department of Defense personnel and their family members.

Network accomplishments include full-color broadcasting in 1975, and SCN served as the lead station in a pilot project for the DoD's Satellite Network (SATNET) in 1979. The test was successful and paved the way for a worldwide SATNET service, which now reaches approximately 141 countries.

Frequently plagued by program provider restrictions, SCN inaugurated a second encrypted wireless cable TV channel in 1990. The second channel is delivered via an MMDS system and earns SCN the distinction as the only network in the worldwide Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) which provides two full-service, independent television channels for the DoD audience. To ensure command information, news and entertainment continues to reach DoD personnel residing off the installation, SCN continues to broadcast an over-the-air channel. Much of the programming on this channel consists of older programs which the Panamanian broadcasting services have not purchased the broadcast right to play on their commercial stations.

In 1987, SCN assumed operational control of the AFRTS Activity in Honduras. SCN Honduras is a rather small station. The station has only three personnel and they rely heavily on volunteers to broadcast a wide variety of radio formats for the local JTF-Bravo military community. The joint service personnel assigned to Joint Task Force are either single or "Geographical Bachelors" making the radio and television service SCN provides a great morale booster. JTF-Bravo, Honduras was officially established as an SCN affiliate in 1991. Previously this broadcasting outlet was listed as a Navy contingency operation. In addition to AFRTS Radio/TV service, JTF-BRAVO has acquired a commercial satellite program service. This commercial service provides more available channels than could be possible by SCN because it is delivered to the audience via cable, and only within the confines of the installation. SCN-Honduras also provides the Armed Forces Digital Audio Service or AFDAS to the installation via the cable system. AFDAS is a satellite service providing a wide variety of musical formats.

SCN was the first ABS network and AFRTS affiliate to receive a Combat Streamer, resulting from its support to the U. S. Southern Command during Operation JUST CAUSE, December 1989 to January 1990. SCN's involvement in Operation Just Cause is best summed up by an article written by MSgt Bob Autry and titled "Just Another Day in Paradise." According to MSgt Autry, "Our objectives from the beginning were clearly driven by our basic AFRTS mission of providing a free flow of information to prevent misunderstanding and to safeguard the lives of our audience members. Keeping our viewers and listeners supplied with up-to-date information on dangerous locations, riots, demonstrations and other such events was paramount to keeping them out of harm's way and preventing an atmosphere of panic and retaliation."

The future of SCN is uncertain as we approach the 1999 deadline for the Panama Canal Treaty Implementation. Should an American presence continue on the Isthmus, some form of radio and television operations will continue to whatever audience is left. SCN today is an important part of American life in Panama. The network is scheduled for another first when the AFRTS begins testing their new multi-channel, satellite digital broadcasting service later this year.

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