Photo By 1st Sgt. John Etheridge | Pfc. Cadareen Jones of 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - As the White Devils of 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, wrap up their mission in Afghanistan, they held a static display to demonstrate their expeditionary capabilities for the 82nd’s commanding general, Brig. Gen. Richard Clarke, at their compound on Kandahar Airfield, Oct. 24, 2014.
“This is what we are calling a capabilities display, but what we are going to show him is what we’ve innovated on, and how we’ve organized and executed over the last nine months,” said Maj. William Canda, the 2/504th PIR operations officer.
The display included communications equipment, combat equipment, combat engineer vehicles, explosive ordinance disposal, logistical, and forward surgical equipment that was used and improved upon over the last nine months as they operated as the Theater Response Force in Regional Command-South. The display was set up and attended by members of the 2/504th PIR and from units supporting them during their deployment.
The first major piece of equipment on display was a retrofitted shipping container designed to hold communications equipment and to serve as a mobile tactical operations center.
“This is what we call the TIAB, otherwise known as a TOC in a Box,” said Staff Sgt Kevin Osborn, the noncommissioned officer in charge of communications for the 2/504th PIR. “Originally, it was an Air Force maintenance container, and we were able to acquire it.”
He explained that at the beginning of the TRF mission there were power and space constraints that inhibited communications and command abilities and the TIAB was how they overcame those issues.
“We incorporated all the war fighting functions into it as well as installed digital and analog communications inside of it,” said Osborn.
He also said that the TIAB has been sling loaded to locations around southern Afghanistan by CH-47 helicopters and when it hits the ground, Soldiers can have it mission capable within two hours.
The construction of the TIAB was a group effort and Osborn said he was very proud to show it to Clarke.
“Being able to show it off, and for him to like it and be excited about us taking it back with us, was quite an honor,” he said.
An exhibit of an 81mm and 120mm mortar was also displayed for the general to view.
“We explained to him what we are doing on this deployment with (the mortars), and what we are capable of doing with them,” said Spc. Jesse Nueseiaker, a radio operator with mortar platoon, 2/504th PIR.
He added that they had been using the mortars on air assault missions over the last nine months as a way to provide a sort of security bubble for the line infantry companies to maneuver in.
After the mortars, Clarke walked through the engineer, EOD and the forward surgical team displays, spoke with the Soldiers and learned about their equipment.
After Clarke had viewed all the displays, there was a quick ceremony where he gave out coins to Soldiers to recognize them for their hard work.
At a meeting inside the 2/504th PIR headquarters building, Clarke thanked the battalion commander and staff for the opportunity to meet with the Soldiers of the 2/504th.
“To meet your troopers, that was more important than seeing some kit (equipment),” said Clarke. “Being able to interact with your great paratroopers was awesome.”
| Date Taken: | 10.24.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.25.2014 12:54 |
| Story ID: | 146063 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 2,417 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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