Commo Soldiers prepare for disaster

Photo By Sgt. Anshu Pandeya | CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - Spcs. Justin Springer and John Moore, satellite communication systems operator-maintainers assigned to Company A, 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 35th Signal Brigade, based at Fort Stewart, Ga., work on a satellite during Vibrant Response 16. The training exercise simulates the military's response to a catastrophic event in the U.S. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anshu Pandeya)  

CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, UNITED STATES

05.13.2016

Story by Sgt. Anshu Pandeya 

372nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. – This week service members are participating in Vibrant Response 16, a training exercise that simulates a response to a catastrophic event in the U.S. In preparing for a complex event which requires dozens of military specialties to perform; and a massive amount of coordination must take place in the background to make this exercise possible.
Soldiers assigned to the 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 35th Signal Brigade, based at Fort Stewart, Ga., are providing communications support at five different sites across the country including Joint Base Lewis–McChord, Wash.; Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Knox, Ky.; Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst, N.J; and here at Camp Atterbury, where Company A is working.
Sgt. Wesley K. Atkinson, a satellite communication systems operator-maintainer, said they would be able to expeditiously get to a location in the event of a man-made or natural disaster.
“Say the electrical grid went down somewhere, we would provide them with commercial services and also get them access to the Army's network," he said.
“Let's say we didn't have any power here like none of the plugs worked, no electricity. Through generators we can power all of the equipment,” he explained. “So basically we can set up in the middle of nowhere and have internet, phone service, and access to the Army's network. Therefore we would be able to support the National Guard so they could be able to support the police, the firefighters, and help in that crisis.”
Capt. Christopher Ryan Donnelly, the commander of Company A, spoke highly of his team. “They've been working really hard,” he said. “This has been about a three-month train-up process for them to prepare for this mission.”
Junior enlisted Soldiers on the team stand to gain a lot from the experience.
“It's frustrating when things don't work, but the best thing for them and the best way for them to learn is actually through troubleshooting with the regional hub node,” Atkinson said. “Through that process they actually learn how that equipment works. Experience is definitely the best teacher in satellite communications.”

• Date Taken: 05.13.2016
• Date Posted: 05.20.2016 16:05
• Story ID: 198660
• Location: CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, US
• Hometown: RIO GRANDE, PR
• Hometown: AUSTIN, TX, US
• Hometown: FORT STEWART, GA, US
• Hometown: MACON, GA, US
• Hometown: SACRAMENTO, CA, US
• Hometown: SALT LAKE CITY, UT, US