By Pfc. Brian Schroeder
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - In the technological era we live in, communication is vital. Through the use of cell phones and the internet, people are able to communicate across oceans in seconds.
Soldiers from Company B, 10th Signal Battalion, have made worldwide communication possible for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, by establishing telephone, radio and internet communications at their newly established home.
"Our main mission for the BCT will be providing them tactical communications for receiving information from 1st Cavalry Division and higher," said Capt. Richard D. Snowdall, Company B, 10th Signal Battalion, commander. Since their recent arrival at Camp Victory, they have contributed communication support to each battalion throughout the BCT with a network of wires and cables.
"As soon as we got on ground we've been working on establishing the BCT's communications," Snowdall said. Pvt. Brian Fink, Company B, 10th Signal Battalion, multi-channel transfer systems operator said setting up an operations center for the company is first priority when they arrive at a new location.
At Fort Drum, the signal Soldiers would practice setting up their operations center in two or three man teams.
"When we roll out, we have a standard of 20 minutes to get the first antenna set up," Fink said. Laying telephone and internet lines is a primary task for the signal company, but Snowdall said their job consists mainly of improving the existing network.
"Sometimes users are not ready for the capabilities we are giving them," he said.
"Other times, because the network is so immature, we spend a lot of time building in redundancy, such as getting the user phones and other needed equipment."Snowdall says he owes a lot of credit to the 13th Signal Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, for their assistance in getting established.
"They are a God send," he said.
"They have gone above and beyond in helping us out."
Through the help of other units and the knowledge of their own Soldiers, Company B, 10th Signal Battalion, have the capabilities to help support the 2nd BCT, 10th Mountain and the 1st Cavalry Division during their deployment.
"We are designed to go in with a brigade combat team and provide them with reach-back capabilities to higher," Snowdall said. "This is what we are here to do."