Photo By Lance Cpl. Brady Hathaway | A star shield communication system is attached to a Humvee during Exercise Freezing...... read more read more
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Dragsvik, Finland – U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, utilized the Star Shield communication system during Exercise Freezing Winds 2025 in Finland, Oct. – Dec., 2025. “The Star Shield was used for two primary purposes,” said 1st Lt. David Grove, a communications officer with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group. “One, in a static command-and-control node mostly for our combat operations centers and forward combat operations centers. We’ve also employed it on the move, utilizing mounts made for vehicles.” During field operations, the system’s importance stems from its reduced logistical burden and the speed with which communications can be established. Traditional satellite communication systems require larger equipment packages, complex setups, and lengthy authorization processes, whereas Star Shield enables Marines to establish stable connectivity much faster. “There’s a lot less logistics required to set up the Star Shield,” said Grove. “Before, with military systems, you had to give between 90 days and sometimes 120 days’ notice to request the frequencies. Not having to do that gives units a lot more flexibility in terms of communications planning.” Star Shield is a government-designed satellite service built on the Starlink architecture and adapted for secure communications, Earth observation, and hosted payloads. The network operates in low Earth orbit and supports high-speed broadband communications, space-domain awareness, and alternative positioning, navigation, and timing services. Lance Cpl. Jhi’Shon Fair, a satellite transmissions systems operator with CLB-6, CLR-2, 2nd MLG, witnessed the system's impact firsthand during a simulated mass-casualty training event. "It allowed us to communicate," said Fair. "When we had a [simulated] mass casualty event, I went out with the medical team. I would send [grid locations] up on the android tactical assault kit, and the medical team received it on the windows tactical assault kit because the Star Shield kept the system up. That let them prepare for the casualties coming in." Grove also noted Star Shield’s role in modernization and digital footprint reduction, adding, “This year has been an incredibly great year for Combat Logistics Battalion 6 with new command and control technology pushed to the battalion level. The Star Shield is a great piece of gear, and having this at the battalion level greatly increases the effectiveness of the operating forces.” With systems like Star Shield now accessible at the battalion level, Marines continue refining how modern, lightweight communication tools support the future operating environment. This capability strengthens the 2nd MLG’s goals for integrated data systems, modernized command and control, improved medical support, and agile multi-modal distribution across distributed, expeditionary operations. Throughout Exercise Freezing Winds, Star Shield demonstrated consistent performance with rapid setup, automated satellite acquisition, and high data throughput, supporting uninterrupted command and control. Its small form factor, mobility, and speed made it a reliable asset for both static and mobile COC nodes. Freezing Winds was conducted to increase interoperability between U.S. service members, Finnish Defense Forces, and NATO Allies by executing combined amphibious operations in and around the Baltic Sea littorals, and is part of a regularly occurring series of exercises in northern Europe that demonstrates the capability to deploy and train Marines and Sailors in support of the NATO Alliance.
| Date Taken: | 11.24.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 12.15.2025 05:42 |
| Story ID: | 553480 |
| Location: | FI |
| Web Views: | 299 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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