Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Luis Saavedra | Staff Sgt. Shantina M. Lowden, a native of Whitehall, Pa., spectrum manager assigned...... read more read more
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – There may be some people who don’t think there are significant differences between a standard definition TV and a high definition one. One can make an argument that some items get unnecessary upgrades but when an upgrade can assist with security, most Soldiers would welcome it.
Staff Sgt. Shantina M. Lowden, a native of Whitehall, Pennsylvania., spectrum manager assigned to the 10th Sustainment Brigade, found a way to improve communication throughout Bagram using equipment readily available.
Lowden found out, during a meeting at Regional Command – East headquarters, there was talk about ordering equipment to improve their primary, alternate, contingency and emergency plan. It was an idea that would have taken time to implement but Lowden was able to step up and make a difference immediately.
She told leaders she had some equipment that would meet their requirement and that she would work on the existing infrastructure to ensure everything worked to standard.
“She took the initiative in coordinating with the civilian counterpart here,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Edward B. Mendez, electronics systems maintenance technician assigned to the 10th Mountain Division (LI). “She put forth the effort to re-energize and revitalize the network by providing the proper preventive maintenance and care of the systems.”
She also found equipment identified to be sent back to the U.S. that she was able to use to improve communications for the first responders here.
“We were able to provide them with another means of communication,” said Lowden. “Some of the equipment was already in specific location but were not being utilized. We recycled them.”
She said it was a matter of knowing what to look and ask for and using it in a responsible and efficient manner.
Lowden worked daily with a field service representative replacing antennas, running wires and testing land mobile radio systems to ensure everything worked as intended.
“We wanted to make sure the communication system we gave them was up and running,” said Lowden.
The equipment replaced didn’t simply get tossed in a corner. Soldiers will still be able to use the replaced communication method as a backup if needed.
Although she did most of the coordination, she had assistance and was grateful.
“I would like to thank the Air Force guys for the support they gave us by setting up last-minute work orders,” said Lowden.
She also thanked the 10th Mountain Division and Command Sgt. Maj. Jose A. Castillo, 10th SBDE senior enlisted leader, for assisting in coordination with outside agencies.
“Staff Sgt. Lowden is a great example of a Muleskinner taking care of Soldiers,” said Castillo. “She wasn’t tasked. She did it because she knew what she was doing and it supported Soldiers. When you have a Soldier who is willing to support others, even on their own time, let them do it; they might surprise you.”
| Date Taken: | 04.26.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.28.2014 07:28 |
| Story ID: | 127816 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Hometown: | WHITEHALL, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 444 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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