Photo By Lance Cpl. Ian McMahon | Sgt. Victor M. Garcia, right, supervises Lance Cpl. Adriana Velazquezperez, left, as...... read more read more
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CAMP FOSTER, Japan - The Marines, who are with Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 18, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, are charged with establishing and maintaining single-channel communications for the duration of the exercise.
Ryukyu Warrior is a week-long, joint, unit-level training exercise conducted by elements of 1st MAW, III MEF, the Air Force’s 18th Wing, U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa and the Army’s 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Battalion.
Setting up the connections necessary for support takes more than turning on a radio. Skilled hands are required to ensure support is always available.
“We’re in charge of providing the means to control air operations,” said Gunnery Sgt. Mariur Sokau, an aviation communication systems technician with the squadron. “The communications we create and maintain are necessary for ground units to receive the support they need.”
Ryukyu Warrior allows all personnel to rehearse for real world scenarios in a unique format, complementing the day-to-day training of the squadron.
“Normally the training we conduct only shows a small part of our work,” said Cpl. Joseph T. Sheehy, an aviation communications systems technician with the squadron. “However, Ryukyu Warrior brings all the training together and gives us a bigger picture of the work we do.”
The bigger picture is the Marine air command and control system, which provides the aviation combat element commander the ability to command, coordinate and control all air operations within an assigned sector, and coordinate air operations with other services, according to Sheehy.
The aviation communications section uses a wide variety of equipment to keep in contact with other units involved with Ryuku Warrior.
“The (high-frequency) radio is our longest range radio,” said Cpl. Christopher P. Fiffie, an aviation communications systems technician with MTACS-18. “With enough tinkering with the antenna, we can reach almost around the world.”
Another tool MTACS-18 uses is the line of sight antenna.
“Basically, if we can see it then we can communicate with it using the line of sight antenna,” said Fiffie.
The short range abilities of the line of sight antenna allow MTACS-18 to contact overhead aircraft and nearby units.
The section also utilizes the AV-2040 satellite antenna but it can only be used if conditions are right.
“The AV-2040 is our highest audio quality radio,” said Sheehy. “The radio makes use of satellites to connect us.
Using the different types of equipment available to MTACS-18, they can effectively open channels for Marines that need them.
“If we were to deploy (tomorrow), we need to know exactly what to do,” said Sokau, “This training lets us work out any kinks in the process and discover new techniques for future events.”
| Date Taken: | 12.05.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 12.18.2012 18:57 |
| Story ID: | 99514 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 310 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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