Photo By Spc. Cal Turner | Spc. Christopher McKelvey checks network cables for connectivity during a routine...... read more read more
LSA ANACONDA, Iraq — There is a unit here that you never think about until your telephone goes down or your network connection is not operating.
They are the Cable Dawgs of A Company, 67th Signal Battalion, and they handle base communications on LSA Anaconda.
This Army version of AT&T works around the clock to ensure servicemembers are able to communicate throughout Iraq and with family members back home.
"We rewire buildings, patch cables, as well as reroute wires," said Sgt. Billy L. Taylor, cable section sergeant for the cable dawgs. "We also ensure information assurance in all structures here."
Taylor, the senior fiber optics specialist, said an average work cycle can last from 10 to 34 hours.
"We stay on call at all times and some Soldiers have to respond to multiple calls after their work day has ended," he said.
The unit is responsible for the operating and maintaining of all communication cable lines on base.
"We are the ones you call to fix your network connections when they go down," said 1st Lt. Gregory Van Bemden, officer in charge of the technical support facility and the help desk.
Van Bemden said in addition to providing on site service, the 38-Soldier unit provides technical support for the LSA.
"We are responsible for communications from the satellite to the phone or internet line in your office," he said.
The Cable Dawgs use each platoon in the company as a specialist in a particular field of their job.
"We have one platoon that runs the help desk, one platoon that handles special projects, and another handles the Balad domain," he said. "And we have one platoon tasked out to specifically help with special projects."
Van Bemden said the remainder of the battalion was tasked out to large operating bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We are currently attached to 160th Signal Brigade, based in Kuwait," he said. "And our battalion is split up throughout theatre, operating all over Iraq and Afghanistan."
With less than 20 percent of the unit military occupation specialist qualified, the Cable Dawgs have used the first three months of their deployment to train other Soldiers in the unit to be proficient in their jobs.
"Everyone has become proficient in their tasks," Van Bemden said. "The Soldiers we trained are able to complete tasks our school-trained Soldiers are able to do."
Organization has been a key component for success for the Cable Dawgs. As calls come into the office; they are distributed to the correct team in order to keep communication flowing as smoothly as possible.
"We keep our operation organized with the use of a ticket system," said Staff Sgt. Cedric T. Carney, special projects noncommissioned officer. "This allows us to prioritize each work order and make sure the critical issues are handled first."
Carney said this also helps keep the leadership in the unit informed on what the Soldiers are doing around Anaconda.
"I try to keep the Soldiers balanced so no one is working longer than someone else," he said. "This helps keep them mission effective and ready for anything."
With the 67th Battalion's headquarters based at Camp Victory, they were partnered with other Signal Battalions to ensure everything is done properly.
"We have partnered with the 324th Signal Battalion here," Van Bemden said. "They are responsible for wiring new buildings and we come in after them and connect the building to the network."
The mission the Cable Dawgs are responsible for plays a key role in the day-to-day life of all servicemembers here.
As a servicemember sends an email or makes a morale call, they should know there is a Cable Dawg somewhere making sure that information makes it to its destination without delay.
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2002 |
| Date Posted: | 01.27.2007 03:01 |
| Story ID: | 8958 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 578 |
| Downloads: | 102 |
This work, LSAA Cable Dawgs ensure Soldiers are able to communicate 24/7, by MSG Kevin McSwain, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
