Photo By Cpl. Justin Wheeler | Lance Cpl. Kevin A. Wildman, a technical controller with 7th Communications Battalion...... read more read more
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CAMP HANSEN, Japan - Marines with 7th Communication Battalion dispatched an array of communication equipment and established a secure working environment during their communications field exercise here Dec. 1.
The battalion, part of III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, conducted the exercise to maintain operational readiness, ensure efficiency within the Marines’ military occupational specialties, and to allow the battalion to stay poised for future exercises and operations.
“Each Marine is testing their individual equipment,” said Master Sgt. Thaddeus S. Starkey, the communications chief of Satellite Platoon, 7th Comm. Bn. “We have to validate our systems to make sure everything is working properly.
“Communications [technology] is always progressing,” he added. “We always have to train in communications, because you will never know everything.”
Within 24 hours, the Marines were expected to set up tents, secure the working area, generate power for the tents and establish communications. It is imperative that the radios are set up first, said Pfc. Isael J. Rodriguez, a radio operator with 7th Comm. Bn.
“In any case of an emergency, we may have to call in a medevac,” said Rodriguez. “Before we set up anything else, we have to ensure that we’ve set up initial communications.”
The field exercise began Nov. 28 and is scheduled to end Dec. 14.
Throughout the training, the Marines conducted operations checks on all of the equipment, ensuring the items on the equipment density list were operational and able to be used in any situation, said Starkey.
The equipment density list is a list of equipment the unit must bring when deployed to exercises or operations, said Starkey.
Most importantly, the unit establishes entry control points and gear watches, ensuring that the equipment is secure and only those authorized have access to the operating area. This simulates how they will operate in deployed environments.
“It’s critical that nothing happens to any of the equipment,” said Pfc. Ryan E. Hodge, security at the ECP during the exercise. “Anyone without a specific clearance won’t have access. The fact is, we have to keep all equipment up and working, so that makes the security mission critical.”
The Marines know the importance of operational readiness, said Rodriguez.
“Anytime a disaster happens, we have to be ready to give aid,” said Rodriguez. “We always have to make sure our gear is ready, so that when we get into the field, it can be used.”
Overall, Starkey is pleased with the efforts of his Marines.
“They are doing an awesome job!” said Starkey. “It usually takes a day to set up, but the Marines got it done in an hour — while in the rain!”
| Date Taken: | 12.01.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2011 01:51 |
| Story ID: | 81054 |
| Location: | CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 139 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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