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The U.S. Army implemented a new communication system during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center rotation 22-01, Oct. 18-29, 2021, at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
The Integrated Tactical Network, otherwise known as the ITN, incorporates commercial network and transport capabilities into the U.S. Army communication network. The goal of using the system is to maintain contact over even greater distances than conventional radio, while simultaneously simplifying the communication process. The network is being used experimentally as part of the Army's network modernization strategy.
“We used it to communicate with the other battalions,” said U.S. Army Pfc. Mark Ibarra, a signal support systems specialist with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. “It allowed us to talk over much greater distances across the Pacific.”
The ITN was utilized over the course of the exercise as a source for long range communication, a vital capability used in the coordination and planning of the JPMRC.
“We were able to make a call from Hawaii over to the mainland on a secure line using just an antenna, which was not a capability on the previous system,” stated Ibarra.
The network is reinforced by computer applications that track participating units. If the ITN goes down a backup program is able to support this process, enabling continuous intelligence and maneuver.
“It's important because I know where everyone is at all times,” said Ibarra. “I never really lose anybody; it allows everyone on any level to track where their squads or platoons are located.”
The Army has implemented the ITN in previous exercises, experimenting at the brigade level since 2018 to gauge its performance. Security measures for the network include a unique remote kill switch that can cut off any compromised system from the network.
“There's an application that allows us to view where every single radio is, that's connected to the network,” Ibarra explained. “And if a radio becomes compromised, we can zero off that radio through the application.”
The JPMRC exercise allowed Bronco Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division to deploy the entire system for the very first time.
“We're testing it and providing feedback, and I think JPMRC was a really big testing ground,” Ibarra remarked. “It really forced us to push it to the limits because we were spread out over the entire island and even at one point on Hawaii Island.”
The ITN will continue to be used as part of the Army's network modernization project to ensure that all possible large-scale threats can be overcome.
| Date Taken: | 11.30.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.30.2021 14:41 |
| Story ID: | 410177 |
| Location: | SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 372 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, 25th Infantry Divisions use of the Integrated Tactical Network, by SPC Wyatt Moore, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
