New Army tents to improve climate control in hot/cold environments: 2-1 AD soldiers provide feedback during NIE 12.2 before sending to field

Photo By Sgt. Sean Harriman | Sgt. Daniel Hadley and Spc. Rhoel Villarin, soldiers with Company C, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, walk into a new type of tent under evaluation, April 30, 2012, at Fort Bliss, Texas, before it is available to troops in combat. Hadley and the rest of his company use the tent and other equipment, and report their feedback in an effort to improve them, during a capabilities assessment called Network Integration Evaluation. (U.S. Army photograph by Sgt. Edward Garibay)  

FORT BLISS, TEXAS, UNITED STATES

05.01.2012

Courtesy Story

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

By Sgt. Edward A. Garibay
16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORT BLISS, Texas – A new type of tent may soon be in use by deployed troops. It boasts greater temperature control, quieter generators and easier set up.

Soldiers from 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, are currently performing a capabilities assessment of the tents, at Fort Bliss, Texas, and providing feedback about the advantages and disadvantages, so those in combat receive the best equipment possible.

“It’s nice to be able to get out of the elements,” said Spc. Shawn McCurry, an engineer for Company C, 2-1 AD, referring to the effectiveness of the new tents.

McCurry, who has been utilizing the new tent for two weeks, said the shelter sets up in nearly half the time and with a quarter of the manpower, and is built in such a way to maximize climate control, which helps protect both soldiers and their equipment.

“If I had the temperature turned down all the way, I would have to sit around in my cold weather gear all day,” said Sgt. Daniel Hadley, schools non-commissioned officer for Company C, 2-1 AD, giving an example of the tent’s effectiveness. “The generators are really quiet too. Before, it was so loud I had a hard time hearing my radio. Now, I can hear them without a problem.”

The assessment of the new tents are a part of a much larger exercise called Network Integration Evaluation, conducted semi-annually to host potential Army equipment before it is used in combat.

“I’ve been a part of three NIEs now,” said Hadley. “I’ve actually gotten a huge list of changes they made [to equipment sent to combat zones] based on our suggestions.”

Overall, NIE helps the military supply better quality products, saves the Army money and benefits the deployed service members, said Hadley. From life saving communications to the creature comforts of tents, every little bit matters to the soldier in combat and the 2-1 AD team will continue to do everything they can to make sure those troops get the best of the best, he added.

• Date Taken: 05.01.2012
• Date Posted: 05.04.2012 13:32
• Story ID: 87897
• Location: FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US