• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

NMCB 7 Connectivity Enhances Mission Capability in Afghanistan

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090303-03
Release Date: 3/3/2009 6:08:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SCW) Michael B. Lavender

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (NNS) -- Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7, are able to stay connected by phone an e-mail even while deployed to the most remote area of Afghanistan, thanks to the ruggedized deployable satellite communications (RDSAT) system.

"The RDSAT is a piece of equipment that provides several means of communication to us even in remote areas," said Lt. Michael Janssen, NMCB 7's communications officer.

"We can have secure communications now that we couldn't have before. With this system, we can call back to the states, other forward operating bases and our higher units as if we were in homeport."

The RDSAT is a system that uses the local network and transmits to satellites, which in turn communicate with networks back in the states.

"That's how we're able to get our internet," explained Janssen. Another feature the RDSAT brings is the ability to utilize DSN phone lines.

The system brings to NMCB 7, the ability to operate as a truly independent unit, a luxury the battalion had not been able to enjoy this deployment.

"Every other site we've been to, we've had to rely on another unit to provide us communications capability," said Janssen. "This system makes us independent of other units and able to operate anywhere. Proof of that lies in our present camp. The only Internet connectivity we have is through the RDSAT.

"It's a big step forward for us. The RDSAT provides us the ability to maintain our own information infrastructure no matter where we go."

This deployment, NMCB 7 has been served by three different networks over the course of four months.

NMCB 7 is the first Seabee battalion to ever receive this piece of equipment in a forward operating environment.

"It arose out of necessity," said Janssen. "When we found out we were redeploying to Afghanistan with very little information technology (IT) infrastructure, we contacted First Naval Construction Regiment, requesting a new, modified [table of allowance] to be sent to us so we could set up our new camp in Afghanistan. Part of that request was the RDSAT."

Each RDSAT system costs roughly $5 million to produce, and currently there are four RDSAT systems in the entire naval construction force (NCF).

"This is a very useful tool," added Janssen. "It brings us to a much more mature technological level comparable to the units we work alongside in the field. In the future, I can see every Seabee battalion having a unit with them because of not only our success with it here but because of the independent missions we and every other Seabee battalion can accomplish in the future."