56th Signal sets up communications in the field

Photo By Sgt. Tamika Exom | Nearly 60 soldiers of the 56th Signal Brigade set up data, voice and visual communications in the field via satellite, as part of a two phase quarterly training exercise conducted here. The purpose of the two day training exercise, conducted, Sept. 15 and 19, is to test unit readiness, validate training and ensure theater requirements. The training exercise is completed once the soldiers meet their mission.  

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, UNITED STATES

09.15.2011

Story by Sgt. Tamika Exom 

U.S. Army South

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Being in a unit that is on standby for deployment means being prepared to receive a call at any time, 24 hours a day, to report to your unit within two hours, bags packed and ready to go.

Nearly 60 soldiers of the U.S. Army South’s 56th Signal Brigade here, received that notice at 4 a.m. to report to their unit by 6 a.m., Sept. 15, and they did so, all accounted for, ready to go.

The recall happens to be the real thing for a handful of deploying soldiers of the 56th Signal Brigade, but for the majority of the members of the unit, this will be a quarterly, two phase training exercise to test unit readiness, validate training and theater training requirements.

Phase I is mostly administrative but adheres to a particular timeline. Mike Roman, 56th Signal Brigades operations explains all the facets of the training exercise.

After receiving notification, and reporting within two hours, every soldier will to lay out all of their gear (approximately 6 a.m.), referred to as “TA-50” and have their non-commissioned officers, inspect everything to make sure all necessary items were packed and that their soldier is truly ready to go. This must be completed by the fourth hour of notification or in this case 8 a.m.

At the fourth hour after notification, the mission brief was given. The unit’s mission: to set up voice and data connections both secure and non-secure. This means, phone lines, internet connections and video teleconferencing capabilities in a field setting.

The commander is then given three hours to analyze and determine how to execute the mission risk assessments of that mission and then brief the battalion commander on those decisions. This will occur by the seventh hour, 11 a.m.

Phase I continues with staff coordination, similar to an SRP (Soldiers Readiness Program) and will take up the remainder of the day. Soldiers will be checked to make sure their shot records, any additional vaccines and ID tags are up to date. They will ensure passports, security clearances, theater mandatory requirements, as well as weapons training and Army Warrior Training (AWT). Another section will handle logistics: orders, logistical support plans, vehicles and a replacement plan for equipment.

Phase II of the training exercise, which occurred on Sept. 19, is all hands on and conducted in the field, here. Once on the ground in theater, for the purposes of the training exercise, the unit is now responsible for executing the mission: establishing telephonic, electronic, and video communications, secure and non- secure, in the field. “The exercise will end when all of those services have been established,” said Roman, which for this group was by the end of the day.

• Date Taken: 09.15.2011
• Date Posted: 01.19.2012 14:48
• Story ID: 82574
• Location: SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US