Photo By Staff Sgt. Wallace Bonner | Cpl. Koty Kennedy, Secure Mobile Anti-jam reliable Tactical Terminal team leader, 82nd...... read more read more
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HOHENFELS, Germany — U.S. Soldiers from 82nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, continue to test the limits of their equipment with the deployment of a Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical Terminal to Hohenfels, Germany, in support of multinational exercise Allied Spirit VIII Jan. 15 through Feb. 5 to validate their ability to communicate with the brigade's second SMART-T in Zagan, Poland.
The SMART-T is a satellite communications system that can provide voice and digital transmission in jamming, nuclear or chemical environments, and even remain operational through a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse incident.
The team responsible for operating the SMART-T is attached to the Polish 12th Mechanized Brigade, supporting their communications and mission command enabling operations for the duration of Allied Spirit.
The 82nd BEB is exercising the SMART-T to test a proof of concept, said 2nd Lt. Justin Horton, platoon leader, 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion.
"What they are going to do is put the SMART-T through our Single Shelter Switch to reach the SMART-T in Poland," Horton said.
The distance tested was approximately 230 miles.
"The SMART-T is a very good piece of equipment, and very durable," Horton said. "It can even resist EMPs and a lot of countermeasures taken against it."
The system's operators also appreciate the system's capabilities.
"It provides communications through the Milstar satellite," said Cpl. Koty Kennedy, SMART-T team leader, Company C, 82nd BEB.
The Milstar satellite provides the military with assured, survivable satellite communications with low probability of interception and detection, according to U.S. Air Force Space Command.
Kennedy's prior experience was on the AN/TRC-190 High Capacity Line of Sight Radio before being assigned to the SMART-T six months ago. He has enjoyed learning to work with the satellite system.
"This system is older, but pretty reliable," Kennedy said. "It will allow you to have communications in some really adverse conditions."
The 82nd BEB additionally deployed two HCLOS operator teams and systems, also capable of both voice and digital transmissions, to Hohenfels to support their fellow battalion, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd ABCT, and 12th Mech. Bde. during Allied Spirit.
Horton explained the benefits of having a redundant system.
"If our Phoenix (satellite system) goes down, 82nd BEB will still be able to provide a continuous connection between 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt., and 12th Mech. Bde. with the link provided by their HCLOS systems," Horton said. “The HCLOS is the back-up to a back-up, so we can still talk to the Polish brigade."
The Phoenix system is another capability that provides ESB units with high-capacity, inter- and intra-theater range extension for networked battle command and control information, including logistical, operational, intelligence and administrative data, according to Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T).
Approximately 4,100 participants from 10 nations are taking part in Allied Spirit, providing its participants hands-on experience and opportunities to test secure communications between NATO allies and partners.
The 2nd ABCT is participating in the exercise as part of their deployment to Central Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve, a mission intended to provide a tangible expression of the U.S.' commitment to strengthening the defensive and deterrent capabilities of the NATO Alliance.
| Date Taken: | 01.25.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 01.25.2018 10:18 |
| Story ID: | 263210 |
| Location: | DE |
| Web Views: | 862 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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