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    TNI Marine Connects Thousands Across the Globe

    TNI Marine connects thousands across the globe

    Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Sheldon | Indonesian Marine Maj. Nikodemus Balla (bottom row, center) poses with U.S. Army...... read more read more

    SENTUL, Indonesia – Hundreds of service members training thousands of miles away from their homes are able to hear the voices of their families and friends thanks to an Indonesian Marine and the communication team he leads.

    TNI Marine Maj. Nikodemus Balla, signal officer in charge, led a team to provide Internet access, telephone, radio and closed circuit television support during the largest international peacekeeping training event of 2014 involving participants from 21 countries.

    The Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) Capstone Training Event Garuda Canti Dharma 2014 is an Indonesian National Defense Force training event supported by the U.S. Pacific Command GPOI Program.

    The major who has served in the military for 12 years supported GPOI training in 2009 in Indonesia. He said because of his successful execution, he was specifically requested to deploy to support peacekeeping operations in Lebanon from 2009-2010. While deployed to Lebanon, he provided communication support.

    But the recognition of his success didn’t stop there said the major. He was again selected to support GPOI this year.

    “It’s not always easy though,” the major said. “Sometimes we come across challenges such as the lightning and rainy weather here at the Indonesia Peace and Security Center. Every night new problems arise that need to be fixed before the next day.”

    Niko added sometimes he and his team get confused when trying to help international participants because of the language barrier. “But we just do our best to provide the best communication services we can provide,” Niko said. “I have a good team and they always assist me during the work day. We are a successful team and together we provide all communication services.”

    Despite the challenges, Niko said he is always more than happy to help others keep in touch with those special to them.

    Niko said his best experience is making others happy by connecting them with their families. “I’m happy when I see other people happy,” Niko said. “I am so happy when people here are able to speak to their families since they are so far away and have access to the Internet.”

    The major said he believes that as long as people have Internet access, it makes them feel as if they’re not too far from home. “People can watch online television and communicate with their families,” said the major who is nicknamed “major router.”

    “One of the U.S. Army soldiers, Sgt. Taylor Ellis, who is with the Hawaii Army National Guard gave me the nickname of major router,” Niko said. “He told me that everyone is so happy to see me when I come around since I can bring the signal everywhere. And it’s funny because I even carry routers and access points in my bag pack and work vehicle.”

    After the major giggled while explaining how he got his nickname, he expressed how grateful he was for his leadership’s support because they helped him a lot. He went on further sharing some memories with the new friends he made this year during the training event.

    Niko said when all the participants return home, he hopes they can share the good news about Indonesia and how this compound is good for all the training events that took place and the support provided.

    “I hope this experience brings good memories to all the participants, especially how Indonesia can provide such services,” Niko said. “This opportunity has been such a great experience, and I believe we can execute GPOI requirements well.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.30.2014
    Date Posted: 09.02.2014 11:59
    Story ID: 140953
    Location: SENTUL, ID

    Web Views: 300
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN