98th Expeditionary Signal Battalion conducts Validation Exercise

209th Broadcast Operations Detachment
Story by Capt. Brandon Fambro

Date: 01.30.2019
Posted: 02.05.2019 08:27
News ID: 309531
98th Expeditionary Signal Battalion conducts Validation Exercise

Camp Buehring, Kuwait - The 98th Expeditionary Signal Battalion conducted a validation exercise designed to test and authenticate their equipment at Camp Buehring, Kuwait on Jan. 30, 2019.

Soldiers tested and performed troubleshooting on the Satellite Transportable Terminals, and positioned the satellite dishes on the STTs to get the strongest signal strength for connectivity. The training also ensured the systems were up to date with the correct patches and functioning correctly.

STTs are highly transportable and mobile satellite systems that operate in conjuction with the Joint Network Node to support the transformational Brigade and Battalion force structure. The STT system provides a deployable JNN interconnection capability for satellite support to the U.S. Army.

The STT is part of the Tactical Network, which consists of STT trailers, Unit Hub Satellite Communications Trucks, JNNs, Brigade Transit Cases, and Battalion Transit Cases to interconnect the systems

The 98th ESB recently assumed their mission of supporting Operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield, providing communications support for more than a dozen operating sites in some seven countries across the Middle East as part of the coalition to defeat Islamic State, also know as ISIS.

The 98th ESB is an Army National Guard unit headquartered in Mesa, Arizona and replaced the 101st Expeditionary Signal Battalion, an Army National Guard unit headquartered in Yonkers, New York. The 101st ESB served nine months prior to their transfer of authority to the 98th ESB.