DCM Gazette Issue #5

DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE -ALPHA, SECOND NATO SIGNAL BATTALION

Issue No: 5

Serving DCM Troops and Families stationed in Naples, Italy

January - March 2006

Operation Active Endeavour

ON GOING MISSIONS

TACSAT Transfer in Genova, Italy

NTM-I -- Currently, SSG Willie White is holding down the fort at Camp Cuervo, Iraq while SSG Manuel Grimaldo stays busy in Baghdad working for the J6 staff. Recently, SSG Alexander Guana has returned to Naples from his tour of duty with the NTM-I staff in AlRustamiyah. In prepara- SSGGauna tion for the next rotation are SSG Lloyd Pinnock, SSG Richard Wilson and SPC George Wood.

Photo by CPT Lan Dalat ship HS Aliakmon to the Greek ship HS Axios.

The team arrived on site with over 150 Kilos of electronic equipment on 9 March 2006. They not only deinstalled/installed the equipment; they trained the Communications Officers of the HS Axios on TACSAT procedures. Upon mission complete on 12 March 2006, the soldiers returned without incidents.

Written by SSG (P) Andrew Castro Genova, Italy -- On 9 March 2006, DCM-A, 2NSB deployed a team consisting of SSG Peter Moulton, SGT Weston Goodwin, and PFC Adrian Sperlich to Genova Italy where they completed a tactical satellite (TACSAT) transfer from the Greek

HAIL & FAREWELL This is the first quarter that we do not bid farewell to anyone. Instead, many new soldiers and their family arrive to join this DCM. We are extending our welcome to the following soldiers and their families. In January, SSG Jason Hodge, SPC Steve Smith, SGT Taquita Capers, SGT Jeffrey Laporte, SGT James Alvey, SGT Kristal MacKall, SSG Sean Perry, SGT “First In, Last Out!”

ISAF -- On 26 March 2006, SGT Robert Downing and SGT Krystal MacKall deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan in support of the ISAF Signal Support Group (SSG) to install the Interim Combined Joint Operations Center (ICJOC). A week prior, IT1 Rondel Veney, SSG Raul Macias, and SPC Joseph Crispin returned to Naples safely from their mission support with the ISAF SSG. Currently, SSG Ronnie Grubbs and SGT Alicia Pena are remained in theatre until the end of April 06.

William Caring and SPC Haley Zimmerman joined out unit. In February, four more soldiers joined the ranks; they are SPC Iyesha Torres, SPC Jaqueline Hampton, SGT Steven Key, and SSG Kathrine Virgil. Finally, we welcomed SPC Francis English, SPC Michael Knight, and SFC Donald Chausse.

Benvenuti di Bella Napoli!

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DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE -ALPHA, SECOND NATO SIGNAL BATTALION

COMMANDER’S CORNER

about the driving). Most of all, you are very lucky to be in Europe while most of your peers are in Iraq and Afghanistan. I know that some of you have been down -range before but the fact of the matter is that you are in Europe with your family now.

You should know that you are in the transformation Army with its footprint being reduced drastically in Europe. As a fellow soldier, I recommend you to take advantage of this opportunity to see Europe this spring break or this summer.

Chances are, you will never have this type of opportunity again upon your departure from this assignment.

Speaking of assignment, most of you are new to this unit.

You came at the time when we have equipment, have a budget, and have a functional battalion headquarters.

Therefore, you will receive proper training; you will receive equipment for training; and you will have enough budget to attend training and maintain your equipment. And you will have many opportunities to enhance your skills in support of NATO missions.

“FIRST IN, LAST OUT!”

Lan Dalat, Captain US Army Signal Corps

Consider yourself very lucky to be assigned with this DCM , in the 2nd NATO Signal battalion, in Naples, in Europe and in NATO while serving your country which is at war. First of all, you are lucky to be with DCM-A, 2NSB because it has been selected as one of the best units within NATO CIS Services Agency for its outstanding support and involvement in multiple operations around the globe to include NTM-I, ISAF, and Operation Active Endeavour. This achievement did not happen by chance. It was achieved by the soldiers, sailors, and airmen like yourselves. Some of those troopers are still here while others have left their positive impressions with this unit. You are also very lucky to be in Naples where the culture is rich, the weather is good year long, the food is delicious and the people are friendly. (Okay! I know

SERGEANT MAJOR’S CORNER Timothy Vester, Sergeant Major, US Army Signal Corps

Hello Soldiers, Airmen, Petty Officers and all of their families.

I want to take this time to welcome everyone to our great DCM-A/C Family. I have been in the unit just about six months. I have been in the US Army for 23 years now and two years in the US Air Force all of which have been in the Signal field. We all know that communications is the way of the future. All of you should be proud of this one fact (They can talk about us, but they cannot talk without us). We provide the means for everyone else to do their jobs so be proud of that fact. Our personnel may change and our unit’s mission may change, but the proud fact that as communicators we will always give our all to complete our mission is a never changing fact. Maintaining the morale of our personnel and their families is one of the most important things I can do. I will always be here to help you and your families with any issues that come up. I will provide proper guidance and not waste our personnel’s time.

I will maximize the amount of time that our personnel have with their families and at the same time ensure that we never fail at completing our mission. I ask all family members to become part of the unit by participating in the Family Support Program. The Family Support Program is a way to keep informed about upcoming unit events. I hope everyone enjoys their time here in Naples, Italy and feel free to contact this command at anytime.

CONGRATULATIONS! STORK NEWS

Congratulations on your selection for promotion to SFC. SSG (P) Andrew Castro SSG (P) Alexander Guana SSG (P) Walter Twitty

“First In, Last Out!”

Congratulations to the proud parents of Zacharius Nathaniel Davis who was born on 3 Feb 06 to SGT & Mrs. Davis Lillyana Isabella Smith who was born on 11 Feb 06 to SFC & Mrs. Wyatt Smith Ava Sophia Hendricks who was born on 28 Feb 06 to SFC & Mrs.Timothy Hendricks

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AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY

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DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE -ALPHA, SECOND NATO SIGNAL BATTALION

ALCATEL 4400 BY IT2 (SW) KENNETH HEBENSTREIT

(ACT) shelves (main and peripherals). Thanks to the ACT concept, all boards are completely interlocking and, thus, offer a real nonblocking system, whatever the configuration and capacity. Even if the systems use just one ACT shelf, it’s possible to associate up to 19 ACT shelves, and configure up to 4,000 users. In a network configuration, the Alcatel 4400 can be integrated into a network with up to 20,000 users and can be composed of up to 32 nodes. The network can adopt any type of network configuration including a star, line, meshed, or any mixture of them all.

RBS Antenna

32 ACT Alcatel 4400 inside

Top: Troops connect shelters during Fortis Flash 05 Bottom: User Interface Equipment (UIE) is shown in dismounted

cards located inside the PABX racks. The wireless phones are controlled through what is called a radio base station (RBS). They can provide a signal up to 300 meters away provided there are no obstacles or interferences. Currently, there are only 24 phones allotted to each UIE. However, the DECT cards provide 44 users apiece but with the total number of DECT cards between the main PABX and the NEM PABX can support a total of 256 users.

Using what is called a network extension module (NEM), users can connect through the NEM PABX to the main PABX from a maximum distance of two kilometers away.

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obility is now a powerful global concept. The Alcatel 4400 effectively combines the benefits of wired mobility features, cellular cordless solutions based on DECT standard paging, and GSM/ PBX cooperation.

The users 16 ACT Alcatel 4400 connect through an inside subscriber breakout box (SBB) that can connect a total of eight phones. These The Alcatel can provide a mixture 4400 Private Autoof ISDN and normal matic Branch Exanalog phones conchange (PABX) is an Figure 1. SBB Figure 2.. Network Extension Module necting through an ISDN telephone ex(NEM) is shown with a connected SBB ISDN terminal adapter. change system that Currently, there are 20 SBB supports voice communications In conclusion, the Alcatel among local users and, WAN side, that are allotted for each UIE, 4400 is based on a revolutionary which can support a maximum of with remote users, and manages technological concept, ACT, and 160 users. data transmission. an innovative client-server archi-

“First In, Last Out!”

tecture designed to provide today's narrowband communication solutions, as well as tomorrow's broadband applications.

The PABX also has the capability to support wireless communications through the DECT

According to the capacity, the stand-alone configurations rely on Alcatel Crystal Technology

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DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE -ALPHA, SECOND NATO SIGNAL BATTALION

DCM-A TROOPS d l r o w e h t d n u in action aro

SFC Michael Graves (right) gets ready to conduct a convoy operation during a practical exercise at Chrieves AB, BE

IT2 Hi(er is selected to serve as the driver for BG Richard Tabor, 7th ARCOM Commander in Afghanistan DCM troops are among the graduates &om USANATO predeployment training at Chrieves Army Airbase in Belgium

SFC Clayton is receiving his RFI in Germany (More on Page 5)

The Cable Team is conducting Fibre Optic training.

Istanbul, Turkey is one of the destinations for DCM to be deployed in the near future.

SPC Adrian kay (left)gets ready to lift the litter with three other soldiers during his Individual Deployment Training in Belgium.

TSgt. Glover (lf) and IT2 Brandt (rt.) pose in-&ont of the Headquarters in AlRustamiyah, Iraq.

Officers &om 2NSB attend the Commanders’ Conference in Naples

DCM troops standing ta( at the new motorpool “Launch Pad”

2nd NATO Signal Battalion’s new Motor Pool “First In, Last Out!”

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DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE -ALPHA, SECOND NATO SIGNAL BATTALION

travel in CONUS and OCONUS is authorized to boost public awareness and support.

The beret is the official headgear for the uniform. Although the ACU patrol cap, sun (boonie) hat, and micro black fleece cap are authorized wear, it is up to the unit’s commander when and where these alternatives will be substituted. The beret will be worn as normal. During motor maintenance day, the ACU patrol cap may be worn in lieu of the beret. Your patrol cap will be worn parallel to the ground when standing at the position of attention. Sew or pin on rank are both authorized and a Velcro name-tape consisting of black

HOW TO WEAR AND MAINTAIN THE

The ACU is authorized to wear in all seasons, and may be worn off-post except when prohibited by the commander. In Europe, it is not recby SSG (P) Walter Twitty ommended to wear the uniform while traveling in public. The ACU The Army Combat Uniform is not authorized to wear the fol(ACU) is the latest edition to the lowing settings: social functions Army clothing inventory. In this outside of the military installations; article, you will know how to wear any off post establishments that and maintain your ACUs. This is a primarily sell alcohol; nor where detailed instruction with four major alcohol and food are sold and the parts of the ACU uniform to inactivities that are being partaken of clude headgear, ACU coat, ACU will center around drinking. Weartrousers, and boots. ing of the ACU during commercial

Cont. on Page 7

weight thermal underwear, a black fleece top and bivy cover, a pair of external knee and elbow pads, a pair of Extreme Cold Weather (ECW) and a pair

by SSG Peter Moulton temperate climate gloves.

SCHWEINFURT, Germany Shortly after that, the soldiers were transTwenty-two DCM troops deported by bus to Conn Barracks Annex for the issuparted the spring-like weather ance of the ACU’s. There, the soldiers were issued Naples, Italy for the Rapid two sets of hook backed rank, two hook full-color Fielding Initiative (RFI) and reverse U.S. flags, two hook U.S. Army name to receive the new tapes, and one pin on Army Combat Uniform (ACU) at a cold rank. Next, DCM and snowy Conn Barracks in Germany. troops were fitted for The entire process was comsize. They tried on th pleted on January 17 in two stages at trousers, jackets, and two locations within Conn Barracks. patrol caps (PC) in The RFI fielding was done in a series of an assembly line stations where each soldier received a process. When the duffle bag, a first aid kit, two pairs of soldiers were sized desert boots, a complete Modular Inteup, they were issued grated Communications Helmet a PC, a boonie cap, (MICH), a pair of ballistic goggles and a four ACU jackets DCM Troops receive their new MICHs at the pair of ballistic glasses, four moisture with one set of interRFI station in Germany wicking brown T-shirts, four pairs of nal elbow pads, four green moisture wicking socks, two pairs pairs of ACU trousers with one set of internal knee of Special Operations Command (SOCOM) lightpads and four moisture wicking tan T-shirts.

ARMY COMBAT UNIFORM FIELDING January 16th 2006.

“First In, Last Out!”

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DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE -ALPHA, SECOND NATO SIGNAL BATTALION

OUTSTANDING NCO’S AND SOLDIER

RECOGNITIONS

SSG (P) Walter Twitty (25D3S) is a Crypto NCO who has been selected as the NCO of the Year for A Company, National Support Element Battalion. He is qualified to compete for the battalion’s title in the next month. If he made it, he will continue his competition at the brigade level and then on to USAEUR.

SOLDIER & NCO OF THE MONTH

For their outstanding support at Camp Cuervo, in Al Rustamiyah, Iraq, the following personnel have been awarded Joint Medals IT2 Thomas Brandt, USN (JCSM) TSgt. Joey Glover, USAF(JSAM) IT3 Daniel Smith USN (JSAM) Thank you for the job well done!

GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL

NCO FOR FEB 2006 SGT Robert Hopkins (25L20) is the Cable Section NCOIC for DCM-A, 2NSB. During his two years, he had made himself known for his hard work and dedication during NOBLE JAVELIN 05.

SOLDIER FOR FEB 2006 SPC Adrian Kay (25L10) is assigned to the Cable Section, DCM-A, 2NSB. This young soldier is a newly arrival from Ft. Detrick. MD and has al-

ready made a name for himself.

He had proven to be reliable and eager to learn during our last Fortis Flash exercise in December 2005 at Grazzanise, Italy

Congratulations to the following soldiers for their repeated achievements of the US Army Good Conduct Medals: SPC Phillip Garrett (2nd Award) SSG Andrew Castro (4th Award) SFC Michael Graves(6th Award) SSG Willie White (5th Award) SPECIAL THANKS TO OUTSTANDING LEADERS

Thank you SFC Timothy Hendricks and SFC Bart Ranger for your leadership and your selfless service to ensure Hendricks Ranger mission accomplishment. Best wishes to you and your families at your next assignment. You will be missed.

NTM-I Al-Rustimiyah, Iraq Written by IT2 thomas Brandt

C

amp Al-Rustamiyah is an essential part of the NATO Training Mission in Iraq. The Junior and Senior Staff colleges opened in October of 2005. TSgt. Glover and IT2 Brandt were essential in the opening of the staff colleges, providing over 180 workstations for the Iraqi Officers. Also TSgt. Glover and IT2 Brandt set-up a 72 workstation LAN for the Basic Computer and English skills course for the Iraqi Officers. The staff colleges and language lab all made the CBS nightly news. While providing support for the Junior, Senior, and Language Lab TSGT Glover and IT2 Brandt provided CIS planning and support for the NATO staff on site.

“First In, Last Out!”

TSgt. Glover conducts quality control of the computer system he and his crew help insta(ed at the Language Lab.

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DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE -ALPHA, SECOND NATO SIGNAL BATTALION

authorized even when no other cold weather gear is worn. (i.e. fleece, Gortex, (Cont. &om Page 5) field jacket etc.)

WEARING THE ACU

The New Army Combat Uniform

COOPERATIVE MAKO Reported by SSG Michelle Williams

Your trouser is worn with a rigger type belt around the waist. Black or tan are the only authorized colors. The blousing of the ACU is the same as the BDU. Tuck the ends into the boot, pull the draw stings at the top of

embroidery on digitalized fabric will be placed on the rear of the cap. No hair should be seen in front of the headgear.

The ACU coat is worn hook and looped and zipped. The mandarin collar

Constanta, Romania -- On March 6, 2006 three DCM members along with an element from 2NSB set out to Romania for the main planning conference and a mini communications exercise mission in preparation for Cooperative Mako which is planned for June 2006.

SSG Michael Wing, SSG Michelle Williams, and SPC Brendan Howard of the DCM departed Naples International Airport on March 6, 2006 with HF PC NET equipment that is capable of transmitting and receiving data. On March 7, 2006, day one of the planning conference, the team traveled to The Romanian Military Hotel for the conference.

Upon arrival the DCM crew linked up with their contacts and went to the Black Sea to install the HF PC NET on the Romanian minesweeper ship named Lieutenant Dimitrie Nicholescu No. 29 (Fig.1).

will be normally worn in the town posithe boot or use commercial blousing items. tion. Soldiers are authorized to wear the As with BDU’s, the legs can not present a mandarin collar in the up position when pegged or round appearance. The knee wearing body armor or when weather con- pads pouches, like the elbow pouches must ditions dictate the wear as prescribed by remain closed at all times. When bloused the commander. Items authorized to be the bottom leg of the trouser should cover worn on the coat are, U.S. flag insignia, the top cushion of the combat boot, but skill tabs, shoulder sleeve insignia, shoulshould not fall below the third eyelet from der sleeve insignia – former wartime serv- the top of the boot. ice, black embroidered letters on digital fabric rank, U.S. army Finally, the tape, and name tape. The wear of the Army combat WASH AND WEAR elbow pad pouches will boots. Tan is the only remain closed at all times. authorized color to where DO USE MACHINE WASH There is no rolling of the in the ACU. The material AND HANG DRY sleeves like the old Battle must be a rough side out Dress Uniform (BDU), cattle hide leather with a DO NOT DRY CLEANING nor can you fold or cuff plain toe and tan rubber OR COMMERCIAL PRESSING the sleeves. Pen and penoutsoles. Boot laces will DO NOT DRY ABOVE 130°F cils are authorized to be be tan and route diagoTEMPERATURE worn in the pen slots and nally from bottom to top.

DO NOT USE OPTICAL you may have them stickThe ends will be tucked BRIGHTENER OR BLEACH ing out. Only a tan moisinto the boot under the DO NOT WRING OR TWIST ture wicking or brown bloused pat legs, or THE ACU cotton T-shirt are authorwrapped around the top of ized wear. All IR patches the boot. Cushioned soled should be covered when black or green socks are in garrison and dot on the only authorized socks missions. The commander also has the for wear with the ACU boots. The comauthority to allow the tucking of the ACU mander may authorize the wear of a comcoat into the trousers for training or mismercial boot as long as it meets the same sion purposes. (i.e. wearing of MOPP gear criteria as above. or tactical vest) The black or foliage green fleece can also be worn over the ACU coat when authorized to do so by the commander. The wear of black gloves is “First In, Last Out!”

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Fig. 1: The Minesweeper Musca Class shown above is the same model as the Romanian Nicholescu No. 29 (Source Jane’s Fighting Ships) The equipment was installed with success. On day two of the conference the HF PC Net was installed at the Romanian Military Hotel, also with success. After both sets of equipment are installed and tested by the DCM members, they de-installed, packed and returned to Naples, Italy.

To Be Continued... in May

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DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE -ALPHA, SECOND NATO SIGNAL BATTALION

CIS RESCUE IN THE BALKANS

UPCOMING EVENTS

When it comes to Communications Information System (CIS) DCM does more than just install, operate and maintain. In recent days, DCM troops were requested to troubleshoot CIS problems at one of the locations in the Balkans.

teleconferencing (VTC) system and a secure local area network (LAN) for information exchange.

APRIL 06: Commanders Conference,Verona IT Fortis Flash 06 Verona, IT

Upon arrival, SFC Clayton installed Microsoft Exchange 5.5 to the servers and configured the Active directory. Meanwhile, IT2 Hebenstreit troubleshooting the Within hours from receiving the VTC. One day later, he was able to mission, DCM leaderships worked conduct a successful local loopback directly with 2NSB staff to formulate through the PANDATEL. The test a plan for execution. A few days was successful after IT2 Hebenstreit later, DCM troops deployed to the soldered two DB-25 cables to Balkans along with 2NSB element as connect the Adtran modem to the part of the CIS intervention team Blackbox converter. The next step code named “Tiger Team.” SFC was to install the INMARSAT to the Frederick Clayton and IT2 Kenneth system for reaching back to the Hebenstreit were tasked to set-up, NATO Core Network. Second Tiger install, and configure the video Team was sent and finished the job.

NTM-I Rotation, Al-Rustamiyah, Iraq KFOR Rotation, Pristina, Kosovo Steadfast Cathode MPC, Istanbul, TU MAY 06: Cooperative Mako FPC, Constanza, RO Russian-NATO COMMEX, Baumholder, GE JUNE 06: US Army Ball “NCO Leadership in an Army at War” Steadfast Cathode FPC, Istanbul, TU Cooperative Mako Exercise, Constanza, RO

DESTINATION OF THE QUARTER: MAASTRICHT, NETHERLANDS Mosam (Meuse-crossing), referring to erlands and most notably in Maasthe bridge built by the Romans untricht. der the reign of Augustus Caesar.

For years, the city has been HISTORY of MAASTRICHT in debate with Nijmegen over being 1673: surrendered to French troops the oldest city of the Netherlands. on Nijmegen was the first city with 1815: became a part of the United Roman city rights in what is now the Kingdom of the Netherlands Netherlands. Maastricht 1944: was the first Dutch city Photo by CPT Lan Dalat was the first Medieval city to be liberated by allied forces rights, a system which during WWII. evolved to the current sysaastricht is a municipal1976: became part of the Euretem and , thanks to the ity, and capital of the gio Maas-Rhine.

Romans, the first settleprovince of Limburg.

1992: the Maastricht treaty was ment with city allure.

The city is situated on signed here, leading to the creaHowever, Maastricht was both sides of the Meuse river in the tion of the Euro. without a doubt the first south-eastern part of the Nethersettlement in the Netherlands.

Source provided by Wikipedia lands between Belgium and Ger

Carnival is celebrated almost many. Name of the city is derived exclusively in the south of the Nethfrom its Latin name Trajectum Ad

M

TIDBIT FROM ITALY Italy is prone to strikes, with transport and hospital workers leading the way. Complaints tend to center on stalled contract negotiations and outdated wages. Italy, like France, has privatized (and downsized) reluctantly. Firing a public sector employee remains nearly impossible. Social welfare, promoted by labor unions in the 1960s and 70s, is considered a fundamental entitlement. It includes health care and schooling. (Source: www.theamericanmag.com the Monthly online Magazine for Italy and the World).

“First In, Last Out!”

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