Maintaining the Network with the Joint Network Node Soldiers

Courtesy Photo | The seal of "B" Company, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division adorns the entrance to Joint Network Node 91 at Contingency Operating Site Garryowen.  

TALLIL, IRAQ

12.16.2009

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division-South

By 1st Lt. Dannielle Needler

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq — Communication, whether it's in-country or calling back home, the morale of troops and success of missions is inherently dependent upon it.

Keeping communications open for the 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division is the responsibility of "signaleers." These technicians enable the commander to send key tactical messages and allow Soldiers to make morale calls home.

The newly-promoted team chief for the Joint Network Node, Sgt. Brandon Larson from Coon Rapids, Minn., along with his operators Sgt. Adrien Zavala, from Jal, N.M., Spc. Andrew Nelson, from Greenfield, Ind., Spc. Aaron Stevens, from Fayetteville, N.C., and Spc. Victor Crum, from Montgomery, Ala., emplace the equipment, ran cables, and provide the access point for the rest of the brigade's communications.

However, just like any Signal operation, nothing starts off smoothly.

"At the beginning, everything that could go wrong did go wrong," said Larson.

Despite the challenges and obstacles throughout the emplacement process, the Soldiers of "B" Company were able to remain focused on the mission.

Soldiers of JNN 92 have been working around-the-clock to provide tactical communications for the Headquarters, 4th Bde., 1st Armd. Div., and its subordinate battalions. JNN 92 provides services like Voice over Internet Protocol phones, internet, and a secure data network, so that commanders can have command-and-control over every operation.

Working just as hard at Contingency Operating Site Garryowen, the soldiers of JNN Team 7791 provide vital communication services to 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment.

Sgt. Jeryll Delmar from Grapevine, Texas, and Spc. Paul Weigand of Manhattan, Kan., have successfully established and maintained a satellite link connecting the 4th Bn., 6th Inf. Regt.'s command to the rest of the brigade.

"It's amazing how important our mission is to the brigade," remarked Delmar.

"The Soldiers' hard work has given the battalion the ability to communicate with counterparts throughout Iraq and back to the United States," he said. "Without the hard work and dedication of these Soldiers, [4th Bn] would not be able to conduct operations as efficiently in the Iraq theater."

Soldiers are required to monitor the network and ensure the highest quality of services on a daily basis. Their responsibilities range from tracking traffic to sending reports, maintaining the network and maintaining their equipment. JNN Soldiers work hard to keep communications running.

• Date Taken: 12.16.2009
• Date Posted: 12.16.2009 01:05
• Story ID: 42808
• Location: TALLIL, IQ