9th Comm Battalion prepared for exercise, deployment

Photo By Jennifer Pirante | Pfc. Michael Salazar (left) and Sgt. Daniel Barrera (right), super high frequency satellite systems communications operators and maintainers with Charlie Company, 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, work to provide a primary lateral link between 9th Comm. Bn. and Marines of 6th Comm. Bn., stationed in Brooklyn, N.Y., during a week-long communication exercise at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 12. The exercise allowed new and experienced Marines to train with essential communication and satellite equipment to prepare for Javelin Thrust 2012 and a summer deployment to Afghanistan.  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

04.12.2012

Story by Cpl. Jennifer Pirante 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Marines with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force conducted a week-long exercise at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 12.

The exercise allowed Marines to train with essential communication and satellite equipment to prepare for exercise Javelin Thrust 2012 and a summer deployment to Afghanistan.

“The battalion’s mission is to provide self-sustaining support to Marine Air-Ground Task Force elements,” said Maj. Sean Hurley, the battalion operations operator with 9th Comm. Bn. “We’re conducting the exercise to validate mission essential tasks within the battalion.”

Javelin Thrust 2012, an exercise with Marine Forces Reserve and 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade elements in the desert training area of the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif., will be tasked to the Marines of Charlie Company, while Alpha Company prepares for the deserts of Afghanistan.

Marines focused significantly on a fast-paced deployment and establishment of infrastructure dependent upon ample logistical and maintenance support from the supporting units within the battalion, said Hurley.

The Marines of Service Company, for example, played a significant role in maintaining state-of-the-art equipment, said Sgt. Francis Giannattasio, microcomputer repairer with Support Company, 9th Bn.

“We’re here to do checks on the gear and make sure everything is operating,” Giannattasio said. “We’re on call to get down to the gear and repair the gear in a timely and accurate manner to make sure that gear is back up and running so that we continue to accomplish the mission.”

The support and service of each Marine sustains the link between command elements and the vital information needed to get the job done.

• Date Taken: 04.12.2012
• Date Posted: 04.12.2012 15:22
• Story ID: 86665
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US