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9th Comm. Bn. helps CJTF-HOA 'phone home'

USMC News

Story Identification Number: 200332971739
Story by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti(March 29, 2003) -- "Wiredawgs" from C Company, 9th Communications Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force are here doing their part to keep Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa connected to the rest of the world.

The group of 12 Marines is stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and was recently deployed to Bahrain for six months. They traveled here to support the CJTF-HOA mission to ultimately defeat terrorism in the Horn of Africa.

Cpl. Jason R. Dunbar, the team's wire noncommissioned officer, said, "After we left Bahrain, we were requested to come to Camp Lemonier to help install commercial voice telephone cable and fiber lines for (secure and non-secure computer networks)."

Since arriving here March 7, the group has "run" nearly 10,000 feet of wire throughout the 88-acre camp.

"We couldn't get started right away because the supplies didn't show up right on time," explained Dunbar, of Sacramento, Calif. "But while we waited, we assisted the Army (40th Signal Battalion) when they did some internal wiring."

Because Camp Lemonier, a former French Foreign Legion base, was practically abandoned prior to CJTF-HOA's arrival, many of the buildings here lack modern communications equipment.

Dunbar added, "We all ran wire throughout the buildings so when (the buildings) are ready to be used by the task force, there will be Internet and telephone lines."

After the equipment arrived, it was time to begin the mission at hand. Everyday since, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Marines have labored in the African heat to make certain the task force will have the best communication available, according to Gunnery Sgt. Victor Lopez, communications chief.

Because the Marines used a delicate wire, called CAT 5 wire, which could be shredded by the rocks in the ground if it were buried, they ran the wire across 30-foot poles.

"There were a few of us who had a little fear of heights, but we know it's our job to get up the ladder and get the wire run," said Dunbar.

Lopez, a San Antonio native, credits the lack of acrophobia, fear of heights, to training received prior to deploying.

"Before we left home, we had classes about pole climbing," he said, "That way, they would know what to expect when it came time to climb."

He added, "For some of these Marines, this is the first time they've deployed to a foreign land. They have done a great job, and they continue to do a great job everyday."