Photo By Sgt. Jordan Johnson | A look inside a completed tactical operations center, one of more than 40 designated...... read more read more
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – In today’s world, information moves at lightning speed, email is a widely-accepted office tool and major decisions are made via phone. Without access to landlines and the internet, units in the Army would struggle to effectively operate.
“As signal support soldiers, we’re going to provide communication for command elements to be able to continue operations and monitor the progression of their units,” said 1st Sgt. Henry Freay, 581st Signal Company first sergeant and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native.
Freay and his crew are preparing for the influx of new soldiers coming here because of the drawdown from Iraq, which will cause United States Forces–Iraq to move its headquarters here.
Anywhere from 7,000-16,000 soldiers are expected to pass through, Freay stated.
“Our goal is to have 42 tactical operations centers complete by Oct. 1,” Freay said. “Each building will have capabilities for 40 secure Internet protocols, 40 non-secure Internet protocols and 40 phones. We do the cabling, the installation of conduit, and also configure the network switches, create accounts and base line computers.”
Many of the soldiers helping with the setup of communications in the TOCs stepped outside the realm of the military occupational specialty they chose.
“When our mission was complete in Iraq, we got pulled down here before we went home,” said Sgt. LeTerrence Johnson, food service specialist, 820th Signal Company and Dallas native.
Having soldiers from all different job fields come together to provide Internet and phone services for incoming troops instilled a sense of pride in Freay, he said.
“It just goes to show the excellence and versatility of the U.S. Army,” stated Freay. “Soldiers who don’t do signal as a day-to-day job are willing to step up, volunteer and take on this mission that’s so critical to the overall success of Iraq and the Third Army mission.”
Service members not only showed their flexibility by learning a new job, but also by traveling to complete a task.
“Soldiers have arrived here from all over the world,” Freay said. “Before this mission, the company had 31 personnel; we are now up to 86 people. Fifty-five have arrived to support this mission, including people from Iraq, Afghanistan, internally from Kuwait, and from the U.S. as well.”
By building the TOCs and setting up communication capabilities, Freay and his crew will be helping USF-I sustain the fight during its movement to Kuwait. Freay is optimistic 581st’s work will shape the future of Third Army/ARCENT when it comes to meeting the presidential direction of the reduction of forces.
“I hope what we’ve done sets a blueprint for what will be done for Afghanistan,” said Freay. “The same process is going to be done again, and hopefully I’ll be able to say my company was the first and I helped lead the way.”
Despite putting in grueling hours and enduring incredible temperatures, soldiers have enjoyed laying the foundation for the future of USF-I.
“I’m glad I’ve been a part of this mission,” Johnson stated.
“It’s all about the soldiers,” Freay said. “They’ve definitely put in some hard work. They’re great, highly motivated and continue to push every day in 120 degree heat.”
After having a large contingency in Iraq for nearly a decade, the U.S. and its partner nations will soon allow Kuwait’s northern neighbor to stand on its own. The moment the last service members cross Iraq’s border, another chapter in the world will be closed.
“The drawdown is a part of history,” Freay said. “To be in this position is a complete honor. We’ll be able to look back on this in 20 years down the road and say, ‘Hey, I was there and I set that up.’”
| Date Taken: | 08.18.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.18.2011 03:54 |
| Story ID: | 75530 |
| Location: | CAMP BUEHRING, KW |
| Web Views: | 225 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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