Photo By Cpl. Cassidy Shepherd | A U.S. Marine with Task Force Belleau Wood, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern...... read more read more
NAVAL BASE GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA – Communication can be considered a key element for coordination, strategy, and successful execution in winning America’s battles.
Communication Marines from 6th Marine Regiment have worked to set up modern communication solutions that allow Task Force Belleau Wood, comprised of 6th Marine Regiment Headquarters, two companies reinforced from 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, and enablers from 2d Marine Division and 2d Marine Logistics Group, to fully support Joint Task Force Southern Guard in its mission to assist the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in holding illegal aliens at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
“Our robust infrastructure possesses the capacity to seamlessly support over 100 concurrent users,” said U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Andrew Welch, the communications chief with Task Force Belleau Wood. “We offer comprehensive Non-Classified Internet Protocol Routed (NIPR) and Secret Internet Protocol Routed (SIPR) network services during forward deployments. To minimize our logistical footprint, our NIPR network uses secure, locally hosted WiFi, reducing the need for extensive physical cabling.”
The communication Marines were ready to deploy within a day of being notified of the mission at 9 a.m. on January 31. They departed for Guantanamo Bay by 11 a.m. the next day, with operational capabilities in tow.
This is much quicker than the typical 24-48 hours required for setting up an extensive network. The Marines had to build all the necessary infrastructure to ensure that leadership could receive critical information, which was crucial for the operation in the remote environment of the Leeward side of the naval station.
“The rapid deployment timeframe presented a significant challenge, testing both the unit's capabilities and the Marines' agility,” said U.S. Marine Maj. Harrison Kee, the communications officer with Task Force Belleau Wood. “Our team accomplished this feat through efficient preparation, completing initial setup in approximately 6 hours on Friday and achieving full operational capability within 48 hours of arrival on station. This success underscores the effectiveness of the streamlined Fleet Marine Forces’ Tactical Grid deployment process and highlights the invaluable knowledge and leadership demonstrated by our NCOs in guiding junior Marines.”
Marines in the communications field design, install, connect, and operate communication networks and information systems. They also perform maintenance on both software and hardware systems, including computers, radios, telephones, and cryptography.
“Today’s military operations necessitate a rapid and seamless flow of information,” said Kee. “Emerging technologies are crucial in achieving this, enabling faster, more adaptable, and dependable communication channels from the tactical edge to command centers, all while minimizing logistical burdens. This reduction in logistical demands facilitates significantly faster deployment, shrinking preparation timelines from days to hours. Modern systems empower us to achieve this secure and stable information flow, providing commanders and support staff with the real-time situational awareness necessary for mission success and effective execution of subsequent actions,” he added.
The communication section has supported the Joint Task Force with technologies and techniques such as advanced routing, fault-tolerant network, Star Shield, Panther, and Kymeta systems.
“We are conducting field evaluations of new equipment for [Marine Corps Systems Command], providing real-time performance data and analysis to support their assessment,” said Welch.
As modern warfare becomes increasingly complex, the role of the communication section for 6th Marine Regiment is becoming more crucial to our nation's success.
“This operation exemplifies the critical need for adaptable communication systems capable of seamless integration with other services and lateral partners,” said Welch. “Tasked with incorporating a live [forward looking infrared] camera feed into the combat operations center's Tactical Assault Kit, our Marines prioritized a security-focused approach. Within 24 hours, they developed, tested, and implemented a solution that enabled the feed's integration while mitigating potential vulnerabilities.”
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 02.27.2025 13:50 |
| Story ID: | 491661 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 117 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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