DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA
THIRD QUARTER 2005
DCM GAZETTE
The Official Newsletter for DCM-A troops and their families
Cathode Emission 05
Issue No.: 3
NTM-I Mission
21 September 2005, DCM-A troops pose for photo after ENDEX inside General Alvarez de Castro Army Base in San Clemente, Spain in support of Exercise Cathode Emission 2005. DCM-A troops deployed to San Clemente, Spain where they installed, operated and maintained the Mobile Communications Module (MCM) under the ever changing weather that goes from high levels of humidity to heavy rains and strong winds from the late European summer that impacted their daily operations while supporting Cathode Emission Exercise. The highly motivated troops departed a cool Naples on the morning of August 31, 2005 for their threelegged journey. On the first leg of the journey, they drove their 16 vehicles with trailers in four convoy serials from Naples to Civitavecchia. Each
convoy serial was managed by an NCO who controled the speed and distance of the convoy. "Maximum speed for this convoy is 70 Km per hour and the catch up speed is 75 Km/ h." SGT Torres gave guidance to his drivers prior to mount up. Five hours later, they arrived at their port of embarkation, Civitavecchia, Italy. At the port, they loaded their equipment inside a large commercial ferry, Grimaldi for an 18 hour cruise on the calm Mediterranean Sea that would take them to their seaport destination of Barcelona, Spain.
Soldiers and sailors from the third rotation returned safely from Iraq after serving their tour of duty supporting NATO Training Mission in Baghdad and Ar Rustamiyah, Iraq (NTM-I). On 27 Feb DCM-A provided five troops to include SFC Matthew Olson, SSG Timothy Chaffin, SPC Marcel Bridgewater, ET3 Joshua Peterson, and IT3 Michael Dilone. The detachment was divided into two teams. SFC Olson, SPC Bridgewater and IT3 Dilone operated from the NTM-I HQ inside the Green Zone. SSG Chaffin and ET3 Peterson operated outside of the Green Zone at Camp Cuervo. Both teams provided communications support that serviced over 200 workstations in two networks, 170 mobile phones and resolved over 400 trouble tickets.
(Continues on page 7)
HAIL & FAREWELL We bid farewell to our comrades-in-arms as they continue with their journey of life: SSgt Aaron Smith, SFC Willie Wright (Japan), SK1 Jamie Martinez (Italy), TSgt Steven Smotzer (NCSA Sector), SSgt Frankie Woodard (NCSA Sector), SSgt Ryan Preble (NCSA Sector), PN2 Christopher Bashaw (NSE), SSgt Russell (Germany), SSgt Downin, SSG Kathy Tate (VA),
“First In, Last Out!”
SGT Thomas Hernandez (GA), and SrA Boyles (NCSA Sector) In the same period, we welcomed several new members to the DCM family. SGM Timothy Vester, 82ND Airborne Div, Ft Bragg, NC; SFC Michael Graves, Ft Gordon, GA; SFC Ingrid Brooks, Ft Jackson, SC; SFC Frederick Clayton, Tyler, TX; (cont. on page 6) July - September 2005
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DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA
THIRD QUARTER 2005
train the Polish forces, and recently to General Alvarez de Castro Army Lan Dalat, Base in San Clemente, Spain supCaptain US Army porting Cathode Emission 05. DCM Signal Corps will not be the same without the professional airmen from the USAF. This is a season of As a commander, I would like to change. We personally thank TSgt. Steven changed over our Smotzer, SSgt. Frankie Woodard, responsibilities to TSgt. Joey Glover SSgt. Ryan support the NRF Preble, TSgt. Ken Nichols, and deployment in SSgt. Ben Hadden for the hard work July 05. We had our change in lead- that you have done for this unit. I ership at the battalion level in greatly appreciated. August 05. We bid farewell to the In the midst of the changing Spanish Navy Commander Jose tides, we continue to support NATO Prats and his family and welcomed operations around the world both at US Air Force Lt. Colonel Steven sea and on land. In recent months, Mihalik and his family as Battalion we installed TACSAT and commuCommander. Meanwhile at the DCM level, our USAF comrades departed the unit due to the change in NATO Peacetime Establishement (PE) realignments within NCSA. US Army soldiers will face many chalOperation Active Endeavour is one of the measures resultlenges as they ing ,om NATO’s decision to implement Article 5 of the assume the reWashington Treaty. sponsibilities from our USAF colleagues. We will profoundly miss nications equipment on the Spanish our airmen who had greatly contrib- frigate Juan de Bourbon, and on the uted to the unit's missions in the past Bulgarian Ship SMELI on the Black years. Airmen have been there with Sea in support of the ongoing Operation Active Endeavour. Addius in Persano, Italy during Allied Action 04, the largest exercise ever tionally, we continue to send troops to Iraq and Afghanistan for our conconducted in the Southern Region, at the 2004 Olympics in Athens for tinuous NTM-I and ISAF rotations. the Distinguished Games 04, on the With many challenges occurring HMS Invincible for Destined Glory daily, we must also work as a team to accomplish the common goal. 04, in Iraq supporting the NATO Training Mission - Iraq (NTM-I), on Again, I'm confident that DCM will the Canary Islands for the first ever prevail in its future endeavors. NRF Operational Rehearsal Noble Javelin 05, at Camp Echo, Iraq to COMMANDER’S CORNER
“First In, Last Out!”
July - September 2005
Upcoming Calendar 12 and 26 Oct 2005 Weapons Range 14 Oct 2005 2NSB Sport Day 15 Nov , 2005 2NSB’s Open House 24-27 Nov 2005 Thanksgiving Holidays 15 Dec 2005 Holiday Party 19 Dec 2005 DCM-A’s 2nd Birthday
Congratulations! NCO OF THE QUARTER
SSG Peter Moulton was named the Noncommissioned officer of the Quarter in Naples, Italy. PROMOTIONS
On 1 August, Janette Brown was promoted to Sergeant On 1 September, Peter Moulton took on the rank of Staff Sergeant while the newcomer, Weston Goodwin became Sergeant and Daniel Smith left his Seaman status and became Petty Officer Third Class
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DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA
THIRD QUARTER 2005
TSGT CAPABILITY BY SGT JOSEPH PIAZZA
The purpose of the Transportable Satellite Ground Terminal (TSGT) is to provide a satellite communications system that can be rapidly deployed. It allows the establishment of reliable and secure communications in support of the NATO command posts. It can be configured to operate in the X, C, and Ku bands and is able to communicate with Intelsat, Eutelsat, and NATO Satellites. The system can have four QPSK modems operating at the same time or one Electronic Protection Measures (EPM) carrier. . The TSGT is transported Top: O15X tracks the Frecnh Telecom across the land by a single 5-ton truck, but can also be moved by 2A ,om in San Clemente, Spain Bottom: O15X is being calibrated in a suitable aircraft without need-
ing any special lifting tools for support. Once at its destination the system can usually be setup, to include satellite acquisition, in less than 4 hours by a threeman crew. When a change to the operating protocol is required, it can usually be completed within one hour. After it has been setup, it can be operated from a remote site with minimal supervision from the crew. The main components of the TSGT are the antenna trailer, the communications equipment container, and the diesel generators. The antenna trailer uses a 4.8 meter case grain antenna, which can be dismantled for transportation. (Continues on page 5)
Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain TRANSPORTABLE SATELLITE GROUND TERMINAL (TSGT) O13X 4.8 Meter casegrain antenna dish
Shelter carries Modems, up and down converters and other communications equipment
LNA
Twin 18 Kilowatts Generator
“First In, Last Out!�
July - September 2005
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DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA
THIRD QUARTER 2005
DCM-A TROOPS Spain , e t n e m e l C n Action in Sa
Staff Sergeant Earnest Smith investigates the problem of leaking fuel line with SSG Acosta at Barcelona Seaport.
CTM2 Dara Robertson rests on the Mercedes GD290, command vehicle at the fuel point in Barcelona, Spain The Computer Support Team is working to image over one hundred computers to support Cathode Emission 05.
ET3 Kramer and SSG Grubbs congratulate each others for fixing the legacy ISM’s power problem.
SGT Brown shows CTM2 Hafferman how to use the crimp lock during splicing of a fiber optic cable
SSG Moulton (rt.)receives on the job training ,om SPC Cluff as SGT Hopkins (lf.)observes the progress.
SSgt. Frankie Woodard pu1s the coaxial cable in preparation for setting up the AFN decoder in Spain to boost morale.
DCM-A troops troubleshoot the problem of the generators that support the CGS-5
TSgt. Smotzer works to reimage and reload a1 software to include Microsoft Exchange server application.
SSgt. Preble (center) discusses the issue of the legacy Information System shelter to SFC Hendricks and TSgt. Smotzer “First In, Last Out!”
July - September 2005
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DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA
THIRD QUARTER 2005
MORE PHOTOS OF DCM- A IN THIS QUARTERS
SPC Bridgewater (left) along with SFC Olson (center) serve in Baghdad, Iraq in support of NATO Training Mission
IT3 Dilone (left) SPC Bridgewater (2nd left) along with SFC Olson (2nd ,om right) are being recognized for their work.
DCM-A troops and family members enjoy a day at Carney Park where they hailed and farewe1 old and new members.
SGT Sma1 (lf) dominates the Dominos game that the Transportation crew enjoys at the unit’s quarterly Hail and Farewe1 event.
SGT Brown receives her three up chevrons ,om her husband and 2nd NATO Signal Bn’s new commander, USAF Lt. Col. Stephen the unit commander, CPT Lan Dalat. Mihalik is joined by the new S3, MAJ Patrick Lee and DCM-A commander CPT Lan Dalat. “First In, Last Out!”
July - September 2005
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DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA
THIRD QUARTER 2005
TSGT O15X
and optical fiber equipment, sat- to a generator or from one genellite modems, up converters, and erator to another. by SGT Joseph Piazza, 25S20 down converters, antenna control The TSGT has redunsystem and beacon receiver, fre- dancy for the critical equipment (Continues from page 3) quency reference system, low which includes: QPSK modems, The trailer has automatic azimuth noise amplifier control panel, up converters, down converters, determination and attitude syswaveguide pressurization and HPS's, LNA's, and the generatems that allow rapid deployment dehydration equipment, Untors. The system can be operated and satellite aclocally from the quisition. The shelter or remotely antenna is profrom the MACS. vided with This computer sysautomatic contem has password trol and trackprotection to preing facilities vent against unauwhich allow the thorized operation. system to mainThe TSGT can be tain contact operated remotely with the satelfrom a command lite. The anpost by using the tenna feed asfiber optic intersemblies can be face. changed from The TSGT 1 September 2005, DCM-A troops insta1 the Mobile Communications X, C, and Ku is designed to oper(MCM) inside General Alvarez de Castro Army Base in San bands, depend- Module Clemente, Spain in support of Exercise Cathode Emission 2005. ate in various ing on the misweather and climate sion requireinterruptible Power Supplies conditions. The antenna can opments. Both the High Power (UPS) and power distribution, erate with steady winds up to 75 Amplifier (HPA's) and Low the Monitor Alarm and Control Km/h with gusts up to 100 Km/h. Noise Amplifiers (LNA) are Subsystem (MACS), various test It can also be used at altitudes up mounted on the antenna. equipment, and the Fiber Optic to 2000 meters above sea level. The communications Line Terminating Unit (FOLTU) It can withstand the temperature equipment container provides for box for the command post. ranging from -30 degrees Celsius the location and protection of the The twin diesel generaup to +50 degrees Celsius and various types of communication tors provide AC power for the can be store in temperature rangequipment required to operate the TSGT via the power distribution ing from -30 degrees Celsius up TSGT. It was designed to with- power, which is in the equipment to +70 degrees Celsius. Finally, stand extreme external tempera- container. A single diesel genera- the system can endure shocks tures, radiation from the sun and tor can provide all the necessary and vibration of military travel rigorous conditions during trans- power to all the operating both on paved and unpaved portation. The container has the equipment. The UPS provides roads. following equipment inside of it: AC power during a changeover base band digital multiplexing of power; either from the mains “First In, Last Out!�
July - September 2005
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DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA
THIRD QUARTER 2005
RECOGNITIONS On Monday 29 August, COL McFerren, NTMI Chief of Staff presented the NATO NTM-Iraq Medals to our outstanding soldiers, sailors and airmen for their efforts in supporting the NATO Training Mission - Iraq (NTM-I). The following personnel received the medal: SFC Timothy Hendricks, US A ET1 Robert Owens, US N SSG Jamie Acosta, US A On Monday 29 August, Lt. Col. Stephen Mihalik, 2nd NATO Signal Battalion Commander awarded the Joint Service Medals to the following outstanding soldiers, sailors and airmen for their efforts in supporting the first NATO Response Force Operational Rehearsal, NOBLE JAVELIN 2005 in the Canary Islands, Spain.
SSgt Ryan Preble, USAF SPC Joseph Crispin, US A SGT Elijah Gladden, US A ETC Oscar Ovalle, US N SFC Matthew Olson, US A SPC Marcel Bridgewater, US A SSG Timothy Chafin, US A IT3 Michael Dilone, US N ET3 Joshua Peterson, US N The following personnel received the medal: TSgt Steven Smotzer, USAF (JCOM) TSgt Joey Glover, USAF (JSAM) ET1 Robert Owens, US N (JSAM) SSgt. Frankie Woodard, USAF (JSAM) SGT Robert Hopkins, US A (JSAM) PN2 Christopher Bashaw, US N (JSAM)
HAIL FAREWELL (Continues from Page 1) SSG (P) Jennifer McKay, Brunnsum; SSG Willie White, McDill AFB, FL; SSG Richard Wilson; SSG Raul Macias, 251ST Signal Bn, Korea; SSG Alexander Guana, 4TH ID, Ft Hood, TX; SSG Manuel Grimaldo, Warrior Preparation Center, Germany; SSG Walter Twitty, Ft Campbell, KY; SGT(P) Joshua Brandt, 125th Signal Bn, Schofield Barracks, HI; SGT Jannette Brown, 1ST NATO Signal Bn,
Belgium; SGT Weston Goodwin, 125th Signal Bn., Schofield Barracks, HI; SGT Van Sak Houch, Ft Hood, TX; SGT Patrick Davis, Ft Lewis, WA; SGT Shilo Robinson, CSC Team 3, Korea; SPC Brenden Howard, 1ST NATO Signal Bn, Belgium; SPC Garrett; and SPC Kathy Dickenson, AFSOUTH, Italy.
Benvenuti di Bella Napoli!
GRAZANISE, A NEW HOME FOR DCM 9 Aug 2005 -- DCM-A troops from Naples, Italy took a tour to see their new home at an Italian air base. According to the battalion commander, DCM-A and 2NSB could move to the new base as early as November of 2005. “However, support issues have not been resolved at this time. There is no NATO Secret setup out there at this time.” Lt. Col. Steven Mihalik explained. Once the support structure is established, DCM-A will move permanently to Grazanise. “First In, Last Out!”
DCM-A Troops visit Grazanise Air Base during one of the convoy operations.
July - September 2005
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DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA SECOND QUARTER 2005 CATHODE EMISSION 2005 (Continues from Page 1) The second leg of the voyage was the most relaxed experience. "I didn't realize there are beds on this ferry...this is awesome." SSG Peter Moulton excitedly announced. Upon reaching Barcelona port, DCM-A troops and equipment were greeted by Spanish authorities. On the final leg of this voyage, Spanish Military Police and Guardia Civil police provided convoy escort along the 150 Km stretch of highway to General Alvarez de Castro Army Base in San Clemente, Spain. "This is the most exiting convoy I have ever been on." CTM2 Dara Roberson commented. "Let's work hard to get everything established, after that, I will let you have some free time." SFC Timothy Hendricks, NCOIC of DCM-A troops announced at the first formation
on Spanish soil. Everyone was motivated and move diligently to their stations. Within few hours under the scorching sun, DCM-A troops staged the Transportable Satellite Ground Terminal (TSGT) 015X on the allotted location next to the track. The Communications Gateway Shelter 5 (CGS-5) moved into its place with ease by the professional team of dedicated technicians from all services. Additionally, everyone pitch in his/her genuine efforts to erect the medium sized tent. Hours went by as the sweat and energy of the highly motivated troops continued to pour into the effort of building the mobile communication center. Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors shifted their focus from placing equipment inside offices to getting the communication links connected. Even well trained troops encountered problems that occurred outside the realm of
Commander DCM-A, 2NSB, JFC NAPLES PSC 813 BOX 181 FPO AE 09620
ADDRESS LABEL
“FIRST IN LAST OUT!”
their training. However, with determination and commitment, DCM-A troops tackled those problems head on. They work arduously long hours into the early morning to ensure the signals are connected. From 10th through 12th of September , DCM troops greeted columns of communications trucks from the German-Netherlands Corps, the Italian's NATO Rapid Deployable Corps (NRDC), elements from the 48th Signal Regiment of the French Commandement des Forces de l'Armée de Terre (CFAT) -- Army Forces Command, the Spanish NRDC and the British Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC). At the beginning, they encountered numerous problems with connectivity ranging from crypto mismatches, wrong telephone numbering plans to viruses in the servers. Together with talented troops and dedicated leaders from all nations, they overcame the problems and learned from their lessons. In the end, everyone connected and communicated.