Photo By Staff Sgt. Karl Johnson | CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Maj. Michael Brough (right), a Killeen, Texas, native and...... read more read more
Subscribe
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq " For many Soldiers in Iraq, communication, both on and off the forward operating base, has become something they take for granted. Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division's mission is to keep it that way.
With that goal in mind, the Soldiers put their abilities to the test by participating in a 30-meter mast training exercise here June 20.
"The 30-meter mast is used to connect two line-of-sight radios together so that the signal platoon that is providing services on each end can communicate," said 2nd Lt. Michelle Arnold, platoon leader, Co. A, STB, 4th Inf. Div.
The training ensured that all the multi-channel transmission systems operators and maintainers can safely set up and operate a vital part of the communications mission in Iraq.
"We are the division's communications asset," said Arnold, a Highlands Ranch, Colo., native. "Basically all the 4th Infantry Division's communication that goes on at Camp Liberty, that leaves the FOB, goes through our company's Joint Network Nodes."
Standing under a 30-meter mast can be an intimidating experience, said Arnold. Rising into the sky nearly 100 feet with little more than a small base and several cables to support its weight, the 30-meter mast requires precision assembly to operate safely. For these reasons Co. A performs this training event monthly.
According to Sgt. John Young, and primary instructor for the exercise, the 30-meter mast is the largest man-deployable antenna tower in the Army. All larger masts require the use of mechanical assistance.
"It is very important to know how to assemble this piece of equipment because the communications mission in Iraq is always changing and growing," said Arnold. "We could receive a mission at any moment that would require the use of this piece of equipment."
"In the STB, we take combat readiness very seriously," said Spc. Kyle Phillips, a multi-channel transmission systems operator and maintainer for Co. A, STB, 4th Inf. Div. "Familiarity, teamwork, and accomplishment of the mission are priority to us " and we don't leave until the job is done and it's done right."
After donning protective headgear, gloves and eyewear, the Soldier-trainees began piecing the mast together one section at a time.
Within the first two hours, the exercise proved a worthy experience when the mast team realized they had made a mistake early on that made it unsafe to continue the upward progress of the mast.
After correcting the error, the Soldiers continued with the project and managed to finish the construction on schedule.
"Our Soldiers must continue to practice putting (the antenna) together because it is an intricate process," said Arnold "If they do not know the proper procedure to follow in putting (the antenna) together, it could result in an injury to personnel or damage to the equipment."
In the end, Soldiers agreed the exercise had proved successful for all.
"The bottom line is that everyone learned something new and we were able to complete the training faster and more efficiently than last time, so overall the mission was a success," said Arnold.
| Date Taken: | 07.05.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 07.05.2006 15:12 |
| Story ID: | 7045 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 95 |
| Downloads: | 23 |
This work, MND-B Soldiers raise 100-foot tower, ensure combat readiness, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
