Signal Soldiers wire Forward Operating Base Delta

Photo By Sgt. Daniel West | Spc. Rebecca Greer, of Co B., 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, runs cable in a conference room on Forward Operating Base Delta, June 21. "It already works," she said. "Now we're just making it look pretty."  

AL KUT, IRAQ

06.24.2008

Story by Sgt. Daniel West 

Multi-National Division-Central

By Sgt. Daniel T. West
214th Fires Brigade Public Affairs Office

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – "Running cable isn't that interesting unless you stop and play with the puppy," said Spc. Jennifer Dimitroff, a Lancaster, Calif., native assigned to Company B, 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion.

The puppy Dimitroff mentioned was adopted by contractors living near one of the many manholes Company B's Soldiers are working to refurbish.

Company B provides voice and data services for Forward Operating Base Delta, as well as 12 sites away from the FOB, said Capt. Kelly McCay, commander of the company.

These Soldiers stay busy establishing and running a Technical Control Facility as well as 26 miles of fiber-optic cable through a series of manholes around the FOB. They work to ensure communications are available for all who need them, said McCay, a Central City, Ky., native.

Company B is also on the front line as FOB Delta grows, working to provide for all new units and personnel.

"As new buildings are raised, we work within the construction process to ensure they are wired for communications," McCay said.

New construction is only half the mission. Company B must also service the existing cables. As the 41st Fires Brigade arrives from Fort Hood, Texas, and prepares to take charge of FOB Delta, the number of work orders jumped by 65 percent.

"One challenge has been dealing with the speed of growth on the FOB," said 1st Lt. Michael Marrinan, a Wyckoff, N.J., native, and officer in charge of the TCF. "There's an issue with resources and a lack of personnel. We have to manage who's most important for the mission to keep up with how fast demand is growing. "

Morale remains high in the company despite the challenges, said McCay.

"Many times, people don't see the impact of their work, they just work their shifts. ... The motivation level is high because they see the impact each day of what they're doing," he said.

The positive impact of these Soldiers is, in part, due to their flexibility, often working in jobs for which they never trained.

Spc. Blake Martin, a satellite communications tech said he has no regrets about coming to Iraq.

"I wanted to do my part," he said. "I saw Soldiers on TV working over here, and wanted to do my part to help that. I joined to come over here. ... I feel I've done my part here."

• Date Taken: 06.24.2008
• Date Posted: 06.24.2008 03:21
• Story ID: 20786
• Location: AL KUT, IQ