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By Spc. Kimberly Johnson
37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - The Ohio Army National Guard is making a difference in all three areas of the Global War on Terrorism, Kuwait, Iraq and now Afghanistan.
Answering to the dire need for critical Joint Node Network communications in Afghanistan, about 40 Soldiers from the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team respond yet again to the call of duty.
"The 37th IBCT was chosen for the JNN mission, Task Force Dragon Blade, due to the fact that we have the equipment here in theatre," Col. Richard T. Curry, 37th IBCT commander said. "We were identified as the only unit that had all the needed assets available."
Currently they do not have the infrastructure to support consistent, reliable communications in Afghanistan and haven't for quite some time. Weather and other environmental issues are wrecking the systems presently in use.
"Right now they are not able to call in medical support the way we do in other theatres," Curry stressed. "There is a communications gap up there. The biggest part of what we will be able to do is fill in that gap and by doing that, I absolutely believe we will be able to save lives in that theatre of operations."
The JNN system is going to provide the infrastructure for the entire Afghanistan theatre with regular internet, secure phones, secure internet, and voice teleconferencing capabilities which has never been done before in Afghanistan.
"It comes down to the Army has a need. When there's a need, our soldiers answer," said Task Force Dragon Blade commander, Capt. Walter Work. "We were called to serve and help out our fellow soldiers who are hurting as far as communication assets go."
During three months of mobilization training at Fort Hood, Texas, the signal Soldiers of the 37th exceeded the expectations of their instructors. Those same Soldiers who worked so hard to validate themselves are the best the 37th has and are honored to help their fellow Soldiers.
"We have proven ourselves," Work said. "The Soldiers we selected to go are the best of the best. We are talking about the Ohio National Guard anyway. We are honored and definitely taking our 'A' team to Afghanistan."
The brigade commander has confidence in the leaders and soldiers headed to Afghanistan. The mission requires qualified individuals to set up the JNN equipment. The group selected is subject matter experts in their field. They will take care of themselves and the mission at hand.
"It's a very important, high priority mission," said Curry. "The Soldiers who were selected were selected because of their unique skill set and the training they have accomplished over the last year. They were picked because they have the total package of skills and met all the requirements."
Because of the groups' critical skill sets, they will be very well protected. The Soldiers are well equipped for mission success in Afghanistan.
"I want the families to understand [the Soldiers] are not going up there to fight. They will be very well protected. Obviously they have a very important asset that doesn't exist and the commands up there will protect them," Curry said reassuringly. "We are doing everything possible to make them safe."
As the senior enlisted of the Task Force Dragon Blade, 1st Sgt. Ray Tummel agrees with the brigade commander.
"Everything is going to be in a secure forward operating base," Tummel said. "We are not going out in the streets kicking in doors. Everyone has a buddy and they are all coming home safe."
There are concerns as to whether or not the signal soldiers will be home for Christmas with the rest of the brigade upon finishing a 12 month mobilization and deployment.
"I have a commitment from the general officers above me that the soldiers will be home prior to Christmas," Curry said with confidence. "My expectation is that they will most likely be remobilized with me and the trail team of the 37th."
The group understands their duty to their families, their country and to the Global War on Terrorism.
"The Soldiers are very motivated, getting into the equipment, brushing off the dust, figuring it back out and making adjustments," Work said. "The Soldiers have a high level of buy in. It's tough, it's taxing, but after it's over with it will be very rewarding."
"It all goes back to, we raised our right hand, 'I do solemnly swear to follow the orders of the officers appointed above me against all enemies, foreign and domestic'," Work said proudly.
The Soldiers of the 37th heard the call of duty. They answered that call and are more than willing to show what they know in order to save the lives of not only American Soldiers but of their allies as well.
"We are being looked at as another 'Can Do' organization that stepped up to the plate," Curry said. "Certainly I would say we have lived up to our mottos again of 'It Shall Be Done' and 'Leading the Way'. It came down to it, they needed us to go and do this mission and instead of sitting around trying to figure out ways to get out of it, we figured out a way to accomplish the mission and still get soldiers home on time."
Curry added some insight to just what it means to wear the uniform of the American Army.
"Duty, an important word in our military language and aptly describes soldier responsibilities," he said. "Our men and women of the 37th IBCT are doing their duty in all things. They cannot do more; they should never desire to do less."
| Date Taken: | 10.26.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.31.2008 11:01 |
| Story ID: | 25775 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 1,437 |
| Downloads: | 983 |
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