Courtesy Photo | Six members from the 242nd Combat Communications Squadron stand with an Airbus 1200...... read more read more
CAMP MURRAY, WASH. -- Six members from the 242nd Combat Communications Squadron provided support to Detachment 3, 3rd Combat Weather Squadron’s Agile Combat Employment exercise at Fort Bliss, Texas, Oct. 23 to Nov. 5, 2023.
The exercise was intended to test and develop the 242nd CBCS’s communication capabilities while also supporting Det 3, 3 CWS’s communication needs.
“Typically, we get taskings that come through the 254th Combat Comm Group,” said Master Sgt. Ewing, 242nd CBCS network system operations noncommissioned officer in charge. “They reached out to a bunch of the different combat comm squadrons to see if anybody was interested in supporting. We were available, so we volunteered for it.”
Det 3, 3 CWS is an active duty Air Force unit from Fort Bliss, Texas. In this particular exercise, Det 3 was providing weather data for the 3rd Squadron, 6th Regiment, Aerial Gunnery Combat Aviation Brigade.
In order to accomplish their mission, Det 3 needed wired and wireless Non-secured Internet Protocol Router Network services. The 242nd operated a Communications Flyaway Kit and an Airbus 1200 antenna to get the network up and running. The Communications Flyaway Kit provides a limited number of services, including phones and laptops. The Airbus 1200, on the other hand, is a 1.2-meter satellite communications antenna.
“So basically … depending on where we're at in the world, [it] reaches out to that satellite which in turn, relays to a step site,” said Ewing.
The step site is an array of ground satellite terminals which receives the signal and transmits a signal back via satellite.
"Through that link, we can provide secure and unsecure data and voice capabilities,” said Ewing.
There were a few obstacles that the 242nd overcame for the network to run successfully.
“Prior to going out the door, we found out that that location that we were going to be setting up had changed,” said Ewing. “We were no longer going to be out in field conditions. So we were actually on base in a hangar.”
They not only had to find a spot for the antenna but also provide the communications on the second floor of the hangar. After a brief sight survey, the team determined that the roof was the best location for the antenna. They carried the necessary equipment up a 20-foot ladder with the help of paracord and cargo straps.
There were also some weather issues. With high winds, the satellite antenna must either be stowed or have the dish removed.
“There were a couple of nights where we had to pull the pedals off and make sure that the services were stowed for the nighttime operations and then take it back up in the morning,” said Ewing.
They were able to keep the rest of the terminal assembled with sandbags weighing the legs down.
“This action prioritizes safety of personnel and equipment while being tactical since we only must reassemble the reflector to resume our link with the satellite, rather than the whole terminal,” said Tech. Sgt. Austin Robertson, 242nd CBCS network systems operations supervisor.
Despite these minor obstacles, the 242nd returned home with a mission successfully completed. The 242nd will work again with the 3rd CWS in a similar exercise in 2024, said Ewing.
| Date Taken: | 10.23.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 01.06.2024 18:41 |
| Story ID: | 460110 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 129 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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