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    44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion gives "remote control" to Patrol Base Summers

    PATROL BASE SUMMERS, IRAQ

    08.26.2008

    Story by Spc. Evan Marcy 

    5th Signal Command (Theater)

    PATROL BASE SUMMERS, Iraq -- Adding another spoke to the growing wheel of communications throughout Iraq, 5th Signal Command's 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, recently set up communications to a remote patrol base near the city of Suwayrah, Iraq, just south of Baghdad.

    Patrol Base Summers is home to a platoon of the 18th Military Police Brigade, headquartered in Mannheim, Germany, and B Co. 2-6th Infantry, 1st Armored Division. 44th ESB's Command Sgt. Major Earl Allen went to visit the four signal Soldiers there who operate the Command Post Node which provides the only Non-secure and Secure Internet and Voice Over Internet Protocol phone services for the units.

    "It's very important to provide the reach-back capabilities to the warfighters out here so that they can call their counterparts whether they are at another location in Iraq or back in the states," said Allen. "While a unit is out here doing patrols or kicking in doors, we provide them the communication necessary to call back to their headquarters for guidance," he added.

    The team first arrived March 15, 2008. The base was originally used by Iraqi forces as a military airport. After securing the area, Soldiers had to clear the complex of rubble, and reconstruct certain structures. "Once the area was cleared it took us about an hour to set up all our equipment and provide the base with internet-based communications," said Sgt. Michael Zinkgraf, noncommissioned officer-in-charge PB Summers CPN, B Co, 44th ESB.

    Since the system's inception at the base "the communications have been running flawlessly, none of the issues that come up have been on our end," said Sgt. Troy Rice, B Co, 44th ESB. "The [signal] shot's always in, except when taken down for maintenance," he added.

    Extensive training and qualifying on the specific equipment prior to deployment is a large contribution to the current success of the mission. The great line of communication can also be contributed to "excellent support from the S6, at the 1/76 Field Artillery, who has operational control of the area, along with Chief Clemens, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, who runs the Joint Network Node at Forward Operating Base Kulsa, and is quick to give us a call to provide us with any and all information required, such as major network changes and any problems with the Hub [signal router]," said Rice.

    Allen said, "The units we're supporting are very pleased with the communications our Soldiers are providing. They gave them thumbs up and are happy to have our Soldiers working with them."

    Being stationed on a patrol base, Soldiers often times have to go without many amenities provided on larger FOBs. "The team is doing an outstanding job, even with the conditions they're in, their morale is high and they are able to do a great job without being under the watchful eye of the battalion," said Allen.

    Looking forward to redeployment back to Mannheim, Germany with the battalion, the CPN team spends their downtime taking college courses online, and improving their physical fitness at the gym.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.26.2008
    Date Posted: 08.26.2008 13:27
    Story ID: 22893
    Location: PATROL BASE SUMMERS, IQ

    Web Views: 833
    Downloads: 734

    PUBLIC DOMAIN