Marines, soldiers work together to fix typhoon damaged equipment

Photo By Sgt. Tyler Vernaza | Pfc. Russell Johnston, satellite communications operator with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, makes sure an electronic control unit is cooling equipment at a steady rate July 22.  

FORT BUCKNER ARMY BASE, OKINAWA, JAPAN

08.05.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Tyler Vernaza 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

FORT BUCKNER ARMY BASE, Japan - Marines with 7th Communications Battalion, have been assisting soldiers with 58th Signal Battalion, with repairing damages to Fort Buckner’s communications equipment since July 3.

Since a typhoon damaged some equipment in early May, Marines with 7th Comm. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, have been providing support to 58th Signal Battalion, 516th Signal Brigade, 311th Theater Signal Command. They will continue to work together until repairs are complete on the main terminals.

“After the typhoon, a plan was set in place to establish a tactical terminal hard-wired into Buckner to provide services to the Marines in the field, allowing the signal-entry panel to act like a main terminal,” said Capt. Cameron P. Evans, operations officer with the battalion.

The tactical satellite system the Marines are using to support the requirements of 58th Signal Battalion was decommissioned by the Marine Corps a year ago. However, 7th Comm. Bn. kept the gear until their new system was up and running, according to Evans.

“We’re using a tactical satellite terminal on a strategic base, which has never been tried before, until repairs are complete allowing Buckner to rotate their permanent dishes to facilitate the workload,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Edwards, satellite communications officer-in-charge with 58th Signal Battalion.

Although technologies have developed and evolved over time, the temporary equipment still proves an important asset to troops, said Edwards.

“This equipment is old, but it’s very reliable,” said Sgt. Jacob G. Grafflin, strategic communications technician with 7th Comm. Bn. “It is one of the best pieces of communication equipment we have.”

The process of fixing the equipment will take another month, according to Edwards.

“Until then, the Marines and soldiers are cross training each other on various equipment and operating systems. This will help increase interoperability between the two services for relative future missions,” he said.

• Date Taken: 08.05.2011
• Date Posted: 08.06.2011 22:19
• Story ID: 74970
• Location: FORT BUCKNER ARMY BASE, OKINAWA, JP