Soldiers of 3ID at the NTC agree: CSS VSAT is a combat multiplier
Army News
By Stephen Larsen
FORT IRWIN, Calif. (Army News Service June 22, 2004) -- New technology to come out of the Army's initiative "Connect the Logistician" is not only making it easier for Soldiers to communicate while in the battlefield, but it is also saving their lives.
Combat Service Support Very Small Aperture Terminal is a satellite communications system that allows logisticians to connect with one another and headquarters to put in requisitions for parts, attend meetings and do a variety of other tasks without having to leave their location.
The CSS VSAT would save lives by eliminating the need to "drop disk," the driving of a disk with requisitions or other data on it from one location to another. It also allows Soldiers to collaborate and have meetings without moving from their location. Soldiers will also be able to transmit data, put in requisitions for parts with the new communications system. Because there is no longer the need to drop disk the number of convoys will be greatly cut down, additionally the technicians will no longer have to chase down parts needed for a successful unit.
"The virtual maintenance meeting capability is useful," said Chief Warrant Officer-2 Jay Bowen, one of the Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division to test out the new technology recently at Fort Irwin. "We won't have to spend hours getting a convoy clearance and then risk getting shot at for a maintenance meeting."
Chief Warrant Officer-2 Angel Montero, combat service support automation management office technician has been traveling around the Mojave Desert with Logistics Assistance Representative, Bill Flynn, of the Army Communications-Electronics Command, training Soldiers and adding technologies and software to the system that include text messaging, text conferencing, collaboration software and Voice Over Internet Protocol.
"This is the first time a logistics system is saving lives in a tangible manner," Montero said. "Every single VSAT use is a drive Soldiers didn't have to take through 'ambush alley' from Baghdad to Fallujah."
Montero gave high marks to the Army's Project Manager of Defense Wide Transmission Systems for providing CSS VSAT to the 3ID and training the 3ID's.
Soldiers from the 3rd ID recently got to test out this new system at the National Training Center, which provided realistic battlefield conditions.
"This system is amazing," said Maj. Geoff DeTingo, G4 Planner for the 3ID. "Generally speaking, on rotation, it's one-to-four days before there are communications and everybody's talking. With VSATs, everybody was up on the first day within hours. Over the first four days, more than 2,500 electronic parts requisitions were sent via VSATs - more than double the normal requisition data flow."
The CSS VSAT frees up the logisticians so they can do other mission essential tasks.
"VSAT is a beast - a combat multiplier," Montero said. "It's saving a minimum of five trips a day between units. Our Soldiers can get on the ground, get 'hot' (get their communications up-and-running) and get combat-ready faster. During lulls, they can order what they'll need during the fight."
In addition to creating more time for Soldiers to do other tasks while in the field, it has smoothed out the requisitioning process and shortened it from days to a matter of hours.
"Previously, units were not reliably getting status on parts," said Chief Warrant Officer-2 Tim McCarter at the 3ID's Supply Support Activity, the hub of all logistics commodities. "Were they ordered? Not ordered? Re-ordered? But with CSS VSAT, they know the status of their orders instantaneously, and it takes the human error out of the process, because no longer does every single person down the line have to be available to do what they have to do. Soldiers can now order parts in the middle of the night - being able to order at any time is a huge combat multiplier."
While driving around the base installing the communications system Montero and Flynn stopped at the 3ID's Unit Maintenance Collection Point, where its M1A1 tanks are taken for maintenance and repairs, to load collaboration software, and install speakers on the laptop computers connected to the CSS VSAT. They then demonstrated the collaboration and VOIP telephone capabilities to Spc. Tony Robinson and Spc. Jonathan Hernandez.
"It's like walking into a person's office from 150 miles away," Montero said. "You never get a busy signal. Instead of taking 48 hours to solve a maintenance problem, you can reach the right person and solve it in five minutes. You now have an alternative means of communication."
Flynn showed them how to use the collaboration software. "You can send messages to individuals, by name, or to the entire brigade," said Flynn.
"You won't have to drive to the Brigade Support Area to attend a maintenance meeting," said Montero. "With these tools on the VSAT, you can attend a virtual maintenance meeting right from your tent. And if you have a data problem or a ghost file, you don't have to drive in for a repair. Send us an e-mail and we can remotely fix it, in most cases."
Soldiers who have trained with the CSS VSAT are enjoying and appreciating the new communication system because of its ease and the decrease in delay time for requisitions.
"It's better than a radio blast," said Robinson. "You blast it (your requisition) right through and it's accurate. You get your requisition status right away."
The new technology also aids the soldiers with fixing data problems and will not leave them stranded in the battlefield.
"We won't have to go out as much to fix data problems," said Sgt. Crystal Pugh of the Combat Service Support Automation Management Office. "We can fix them right on the computer from where we are. We won't be out there getting ambushed trying to fix someone's computer."
Hernandez said he wished he had had the CSS VSAT when he was deployed to Iraq.
"We were on the move so much, we drove for three straight days," said Hernandez. "It was very difficult to contact the warehouse to see if they had a certain part in. Now we won't have to drive out there. If you're looking for tires or tank tracks, it's like having a radio, you can ask."
Before leaving, Montero asked that when they shut down their CSS VSATs to jump to another location, to send a message.
"We remotely monitor whether your VSAT is up or down and fix most problems before you know you have a problem," said Montero. "So if you're going to jump and have to shut down, send us a message and let us know so we know you're not having a problem."
"We were off the truck and up-and-running within 50 minutes, then 30 minutes," said Bowen. "And the more we 'jump,' the better we get at it."
But to Montero, the biggest 'jump' is that PM DWTS has outfitted all the 3ID's battalions with CSS VSAT and the myriad capabilities it brings to the fight.
"This is the first time in the history of the Army that someone at the battalion level has got this capability," said Montero. "We're right there with corporate America in logistics communications - that has never happened before. I'm just giddy."
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