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By Spc. William K. Ermatinger
BAGHDAD – Signal soldiers with 1st “Vanguard” Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center at Camp Taji, Iraq, understand that in any military operational environment, it is essential to have communication systems in place to be able to conduct missions on a daily basis.
The Signal Corps was created by Maj. Albert Myer in 1860, who developed a system of waving flags during the day and torches at night to communicate with soldiers on the battlefield. Since then, technology has advanced from the creation of voice radios during World War I to multichannel radios and radars during World War II.
“The ability to communicate is one of the most vital aspects of a modern Army,” said Capt. William Lee, battalion signal officer with 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt. and a Baltimore native. “Units out on mission have the ability to stay in touch with their chain of command with the push of a button.”
The advances in technology throughout history have brought communication specialists to the frontline in a multifaceted mission. A communication specialist installs, maintains and operates systems between a platoon and company, giving soldiers on patrol the ability to be aware of any developing situations.
“We ensure [patrols] have clear communications so they can correspond to the TOCs [Tactical Operations Centers] their whereabouts, locations, and situation reports,” said Lee. “We pretty much have something to do with all the operational technology.”
“Our focus, or what we are here for, is to provide data, voice, and digital phone communications for the war fighters,” said Sgt 1st Class Gary Turner, signal non-commissioned officer in charge with 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt. and a Baton Rouge, La., native.
In addition to the communication specialists ensuring that the unit’s communication systems are constantly operational, they also have to train their Iraqi Security Force partners on communication techniques.
“We want them to be able to fight as we fight, to be able to secure their nation, not only as a physical or operational standpoint, but also from a support standpoint,” said Lee. “The Iraqi army wants to be able to support what they are trying to do on the ground just like we do.”
The vital ability for the Iraqi army to communicate with their forces on the ground is pivotal in their missions but they are still short necessary equipment.
“The Iraqis are very good at what they do and are very intelligent,” said Turner. “What they are lacking is resources and that is where we can also help them, by providing those resources.”
| Date Taken: | 05.10.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.16.2011 11:39 |
| Story ID: | 70465 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 80 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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