Photo By Capt. Fernando Ochoa | British Capt. Lesley-Ann Jordan, R Signals, 254 Specialist Group Information Services,...... read more read more
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CAMP PARKS, Calif. – British Capt. Lesley-Ann Jordan, R Signals, 254 Specialist Group Information Services, Signal Squadron, and 1st Lt. Justin R. Maatubang, 397th Signal Company commander, who are part of the Military Reserve Exchange Program, attended the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command’s Big Logistics-Over-The-Shore, West exercise July 30-31, which was conducted at Alameda Point, Military Ocean Terminal Concord and Camp Parks, California.
BLW15 is a seaport and harbor logistics operation, which includes the loading and unloading of cargo by truck and crane, a bare-beach landing and many more related tasks. The Soldiers worked closely with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Maritime Administration.
The 254 SGIS, Signal Squadron is a National Army Reserve unit, which recruits from across the United Kingdom. While it is administered by the Royal Signals Central Volunteer Headquarters in Corsham, U.K., command, control and co-ordination is largely exercised by the effective use of IT, given that the unit membership is dispersed throughout the country.
“My personal objective in participating in this exercise is to enrich my knowledge on the various technologies used by the U.S. and how large exercises involving many units integrate and interact in a real-life simulated environment,” said Jordan. “The exchange objective is to develop my understanding of coalition partnerships, their capabilities and standard operating procedures so I can operate as a valued U.K. asset in a U.S. environment.”
The 397th Signal Company's, March Air Force Base, California, mission at BLW15 is to provide 24-hour operational tactical signal systems network to the 90th Sustainment Brigade and their down-trace units, which includes the deployment, installation, operation and maintenance of all Warfighter Information Network-Tactical systems.
“I feel that the best part of this exercise is the interaction and collaboration with the different units,” said Maatubang. “Working with multiple communication sections with varying requirements, indicating the span of network systems has really been an eye-opener. It shows me that with the proper emphasis in key areas, we can truly take our units to the tactical edge.”
The Signal Corps is important because it provides command elements the ability to effectively command and control their units. Especially in the digital-age, having these information systems available to the Army can act as a force multiplier, providing command teams located away from the battle space the ability to make timely, well-informed decisions.
“I think that the Military Reserve Exchange Program is going to be a great success,” said Brig. Gen. David E. Elwell, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command commanding general. “It has been a pleasure having Captain Jordan at this exercise. The British have always been one of our closes allies and programs like this make our relationship stronger so that when we team together in a fight we can’t lose.”
The primary training during this exercise was giving Soldiers an opportunity to make themselves technically proficient on assigned equipment. A lot of the Soldiers have come from varying backgrounds, having served in a multitude of signal billets from both the Active and Reserve components.
The 397th Signal Company’s role as a brigade signal company is to provide tactical network systems to the brigade, which requires a specific skill-set. Training Soldiers to make them proficient on our Warfighter Information Network-Tactical systems will greatly enhance the capability of the Army, allowing greater flexibility to the personnel who are assigned a mission.
The 311th ESC’s primary mission is to command the sustainment brigades that provide combat support and combat service support in the areas of supply, maintenance, transportation, field services and the functional brigades or battalions.
| Date Taken: | 07.31.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.03.2015 12:40 |
| Story ID: | 171962 |
| Location: | CAMP PARKS, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 309 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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