Photo By Staff Sgt. Eric Rutherford | Virginia Beach, Va. native, Spc. Ray Miller and Sgt. Charlie Tenio, of Moncks Corner,...... read more read more
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By Spc. Eric A. Rutherford
115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
MOSUL, Iraq – In today's high-tech world, it is hard to imagine life without a phone line or internet access. In Iraq, not having internet connectivity and phone lines can sometimes be the difference between life and death.
For the Soldiers and commanders of 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, that difference is made by Bravo Company, 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion.
"We are here to provide communications support to 3d ACR with data and digital connectivity," said Capt. Michael Burns, of Pittsburgh, Kan. "We give them the pipes to talk to the outside world and to talk internally."
This mission allows the commander to have situational awareness and command his troops, said Burns, commander of Bravo Company.
The 63rd ESB attached to 3d ACR in June to deploy to the National Training Center for training, then deployed to Iraq with them in November.
"This is the first time for the signal corps to deploy under the new signal architecture as an expeditionary signal battalion to attach to and provide communications to a combat arms unit," said Burns.
Signal troops work in a variety of positions to assist 3d ACR with communications, from handling network operations, setting up line of sight signal systems and setting up and managing secure and non-secure communication lines. The 63rd does this by embedding multi-channel transmission system operators and maintainers with units on small combat outposts throughout Mosul and the Ninewah province, said Burns.
"We have five locations of COPs that we provide support to," said Burns. "Of course the everyday Soldier just wants to be able to call home, so we make sure we get out there and help them with that. We also take care of the secret communications side of the house."
An important piece of the communications role is the network operations.
"Our mission is important because without communications, you really don't know what must be done when it has to be done," said Sgt. Gregg Cross, of Newark, N.J. "My job is to make sure people can talk. Once they can talk, they can get done what they have to get done."
The network operations of 63rd ESB provides signal communications, voice and data so the war fighter can do their job, said Cross, a multi-channel transmission system operator who works network operations. Network operations also provide the means for Soldiers to communicate from the commander to the Soldier in the field.
In the past, Soldiers have had to rely on lower-tech communications equipment. This meant delays in communications, and less information being passed from troops in the field to commanders.
"If you just rely on FM radios, you have to wait in between transmissions," said Cross. "It is a longer and slower process. In today's day and age of information technology where they (commanders) like to see pictures and streaming video, that is what we provide. That is why what we do is important."
It may be a new way of working for Soldiers of the 63rd, but the relationship between the 63rd and 3d ACR has been beneficial to both units involved, said Burns, who has no doubts about his Soldiers' ability to perform a difficult mission in a hostile environment.
"If you spin the globe and put your finger on it, anywhere, we can deploy the company there and set up communications," said Burns. "That is the amount of faith I have. I know the Soldiers will accomplish the mission. They are an amazing bunch of Soldiers."
| Date Taken: | 04.07.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 04.09.2008 16:18 |
| Story ID: | 18234 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 263 |
| Downloads: | 190 |
This work, More bars in more places: Signal Soldiers keep remote outposts connected, by SSG Eric Rutherford, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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