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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – The transition from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn will provide a unique communications challenge as operating bases across Iraq close up shop, dismantle in-place systems and head for home.
That challenge was readily taken on by the Soldiers of Company C, Division Special Troops Battalion, 36th Infantry Division, who set up their communications satellite systems here Oct. 21 as they prepare to provide a seamless transmission of information for United States forces departing Iraq.
“We’re basically doing a [communications exercise], turning on all the equipment, communicating with each other and making sure everything works,” said Sgt. James M. Naven, a computer communications technician with Company C. “Each satellite dish talks to a satellite in space, which in turn sends the information back down to our main hub.”
The company is comprised of three signal platoons and the Division’s network communications section, said Naven, a 27-year-old native of Whitney, Texas. Some soldiers will be stationed in Kuwait with the main communications hub, some will remain with the Division’s command group and still other soldiers are prepared to take mobile satellite terminal trailers out into the field to provide communications for bases in Iraq as they close down.
“We’re just testing to get any bugs out of the system,” Naven added.
For the soldiers operating the equipment, the exercise was a chance to get hands-on training with the mobile system, said Spc. Brandon S. Dawson, a satellite maintenance and operator controller with Company C. Setting up and firing-off the satellite systems has increased the soldiers’ eagerness to utilize the equipment in the real-world setting of Iraq.
“The wealth of knowledgeable non-commissioned officers available to train us [on the system] has been invaluable,” said the 25-year-old native of Nederland, Texas. “I’m loving it; this is what I’ve been waiting for.”
None of the training would have been possible without the active assistance of JBLM units, however, said Maj. John Kerby, Company C commanding officer.
“If it had not been for the 51st Expeditionary Signals Battalion, we wouldn’t be able to do any of this,” said Kerby, a 34-year-old native of Coppell, Texas. “They provided us with a location to set up, the fuel to run our vehicles and everything. Because of their help, our soldiers will be ready for anything they may face in Iraq. We are very grateful to them for everything they have done for us.”
“This is the latest equipment on the market and we have it,” said Dawson, who left his day-job as a chef at the San Louis Resort and Hotel in Galveston, Texas, to deploy with his unit. “I’ve been waiting a long time to come out and use this. It’s like Christmas and we finally get to play with our new toys.”
| Date Taken: | 10.25.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.25.2010 19:44 |
| Story ID: | 58794 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 9 |
This work, Communicating through Waves of Radiation, by SGT David Bryant, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
