MWCS–18 works two exercises

Photo By Sgt. Michael Iams | Sgt. Alex Cox, a data systems technician with Marine Wing Communication Squadron 18, Marine Wing Communication Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, plugs in fiber optic cables to the the non-classified internet protocol routing core switch in preparation for Exercise Foal Eagle here, March 13.  

POHANG, 47, SOUTH KOREA

03.12.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Michael Iams 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

POHANG, South Korea – Having worked through harsh weather condition to complete Exercise Key Resolve 2011, Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, then began preparing for Exercise Foal Eagle 2011, scheduled to start March 21 in Korea.

Marine Wing Communication Squadron 18, Marine Wing Communication Group 18, 1st MAW, III MEF, worked to maintain phone and Internet lines for Key Resolve while combating snow storms.

“It was hard to move and set up because the snow was so high,” said Lance Cpl. Jonathon General, a switchboard operator with MWCS-18. “Despite the snow falling on us, we were able to get set up in a couple of days.”

The unit placed yards of cable that ran around the training area of Camp Mujuk and also installed more than 120 phones.

The squadron also took down, rewired and set up communications equipment for Foal Eagle.

MWCS-18 took roughly 100 tons of gear to the Republic of Korea for the exercise, with nearly 85 tons being sent back to Okinawa before starting Foal Eagle, according to 1st Lt. Mike Parrott, a detachment executive officer with MWCS-18

In preparation for Foal Eagle, MWCS-18 has taken down the majority of the communications equipment set up for Key Resolve and consolidated it into one tent.

“We have consolidated our deployed security interdiction device, deployed integrated transport suite, deployed end office switch and support wide area network into one tent,” said Gunnery Sgt. Michael Bueno, an operations chief with MWCS-18. “About 90 percent of the staff non-commissioned officers are flying back to Okinawa and the NCOs are handling the tear-down and transition to Foal Eagle.”

According to Parrot, about 35 Marines from the squadron are staying in Korea for Foal Eagle. Most have been deployed for more than 50 days coming from other exercises such as Lava Viper and Cobra Gold.

“A lot of our Marines are homesick, but they know they are out here to train and to support the wing,” said Bueno. “Without communications, the exercise cannot happen.”

According to General, the tear-down and change-over from Key Resolve to Foal Eagle is going smoothly. Several of the links in place for Key Resolve can stay installed but have to be moved for the following exercise.

“I am very proud of the work the Marines have done,” said Parrot. “The Marines have a lot of tenacity and willingness to work and never give up.”

• Date Taken: 03.12.2011
• Date Posted: 03.18.2011 05:02
• Story ID: 67264
• Location: POHANG, 47, KR