Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kelvin Ringold | Pfc. Wyatt Gaines, CPN operator with Company C, 57th ESB, provides a class to a...... read more read more
FORT HOOD, Texas – For the 11th Signal Brigade, supporting missions in the United States and overseas has been part of its rich history. Today, the brigade currently has two units deployed supporting warfighters around the world.
Led by Capt. Jamale Ellison and 1st Sgt. David Brown, approximately 120 Soldiers from 16th Tactical Installation Networking Company deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve Sept. 8, 2015. The 16th TIN is one of only two tactical installation networking companies in the regular Army and their Soldiers possess a unique skill set when it comes to cabling and installation, and that has made them crucial in many deployment operations.
Even though the Copperheads of the 16th TIN have been deployed for just over three months, they have already accomplished a great deal in that time.
“The teams have already completed over 24 (tactical installation) missions,” Ellison said.
With this early success, their accomplishments are already held in high regards around the U.S. Army Central and Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command-Iraq.
“The teams have been formally recognized three different times within this time period with Certificates of Achievements for their hard work by the ARCENT (signal officer), CJFLCC-I commanding general and the ARCENT deputy commanding general,” Ellison
said.
With such important missions around the U.S. Central Command area of operations, the command leans on seasoned veterans to help train the Soldiers for mission success.
For Staff Sgt. Christopher DeRouen, a cable system installer and maintainer from 16th TIN, this deployment marks his fourth.
DeRouen brings a lot of experience to the table and acknowledged his happiness to share it with those around him when asked what excites him about this deployment.
“Leading, teaching and mentoring the Soldiers,” DeRouen said.
DeRouen believes this is the key to success and explained what he was looking forward to during the deployment.
“Gaining more knowledge, experience and implementing the things I learned from my previous deployments,” DeRouen said.
Their first sergeant, 1st Sgt. David Brown, is on his third tour, and has been happy with the care and training the Soldiers are receiving.
“Being as spread out as we are in five different countries presents itself some challenges,” Brown said. “I have been blessed with a group of NCOs that I can count on to make sure their Soldiers are taken care of.”
Brown has also been impressed with their accomplishments thus far in the deployment.
“Our Soldiers of the 16th TIN have knocked out some amazing missions,” Brown explained. “Our Soldiers continue to provide outstanding customer service and training to customers moving in and out of the area. At times, their efforts go unnoticed, but they are directly impacting the warfighters ability in effectively accessing the theater network.”
In October, a month after the Soldiers of 16th TIN deployed, approximately another 120 signaleers from Company C, 57th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, deployed in support of the same campaign, under the command of Capt. Will Zorn and 1st Sgt. Hector Fontanez.
“Charlie Company 57th ESB continues to provide tactical network support for the combined joint task force,” Zorn said. “These critical network teams support the United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, as well as coalition forces such as England, New Zealand, France, Italy, Spain and Denmark.”
The 57th ESB Soldiers are also supporting efforts in different locations, and the deployment has already shown success.
“We’re still early in the deployment, but it has been pretty good so far,” Fontanez said. “We hit the ground running and validated all (our) equipment in order to send out teams as quickly as possible.”
The Chargers replaced Soldiers from the 51st Expeditionary Signal Battalion and have already made their mark in the area.
“(We) have been getting praise for the hard work and effort or teams have displayed,” Fontanez said.
With each day comes a new opportunity, and the hard chargers of Co. C continue to stay motivated.
“As the teams complete their mission, they eagerly await the next challenge,” Zorn explained.
The Soldiers that deployed with the unit represent each company in the 57th ESB and some that volunteered from 62nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion.
Fontanez, who is on his fourth deployment, wants to ensure each Soldier gets the opportunity to go to the many places they will be supporting.
The Soldiers want the opportunity to see more than one location on this deployment, Fontanez said. The plan is to get every Soldier a chance to step foot in each place.
As the Soldiers of the 16th TIN and Co. C, 57th ESB, continue their deployment efforts, their ongoing success is something that will be looked forward to, and what they have done so far is truly appreciated.
“I cannot express through words the gratitude I have towards my Soldiers,” Brown said. “They have answered the call out here.”
Since being constituted on Sept. 1, 1943, the Soldiers of the 11th Sig. Bde. have supported campaigns during World War II to the more recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
| Date Taken: | 01.14.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 01.14.2016 10:44 |
| Story ID: | 186277 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 81 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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