Active and reserve communications Marines use innovation, passion for knowledge to cuts costs, increase capabilities during AFRICAN LION '10
US Marine Corps News
5/20/2010
By Sgt. Lydia M. Davey, Marine Forces Africa
As the Marine Corps evolves into a force more capable than ever of rapid expeditionary deployments and movements, the importance of reliable, cutting-edge communications capabilities remains paramount. The effective use of new technology requires skilled operators who pursue knowledge of the ideas, concepts and information that develops daily. At AFRICAN LION 2010, communications Marines, both active and reserve, work to optimize their capabilities through hard work, continuing education and innovation. AGADIR, Morocco — A team of 19 enlisted Marines and one officer, hailing from three units throughout the Marine Corps, is working to ensure means of communication are available to members of the joint task force conducting AL’10.
“We’re working to establish real life services such as DSN phones and internet capabilities, and to integrate a radio network between our (exercise) headquarters here in Agadir and sites at Tifnit and Tan Tan,” said Sgt. Joshua Gettys, a technical controller with Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 4th Marine Division. “We have radio, wire and data Marines working to accomplish that mission.”
Since its inception in 2004, AFRICAN LION, a joint, combined U.S.-Moroccan exercise designed to promote interoperability and build relationships, has grown in size each year. Currently, through the coordination of U.S. Marine Forces Africa, AL brings together more than 1,000 U.S. service members with more than 1,000 Moroccan troops. The exercise, already the largest in U.S. Africa Command’s area of activity, is expected to grow even larger in the future. Because of the increasing need for communications capacity, the Support Wide Area Network (SWAN) D v3, a mobile satellite transportable terminal which is capable of providing robust access to Secret and Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router Networks and voice services, has been deployed to North Africa by a Marine Corps unit for the first time.
“Deploying the SWAN here is a new requirement, and we’re here to facilitate that requirement,” said Gunnery Sgt. Dimitry Wallace, operations chief with HQ BN, 4th MARDIV. “It’s more tactical and more efficient than its predecessor, the SwiftLink. Comparing the two is like comparing a Blackberry to a two-channel walkie-talkie.”
Because the SWAN is a relatively new piece of equipment, no published operating procedures are available to Marines yet, so the team spent time learning how to operate it before the exercise by calling other teams with experience and exchanging ideas, according to Gettys.
“We spent a lot of time on the phone with a lot of people to make it work,” he said.
However, the efforts have paid off in more capabilities, according to Wallace. During previous exercises, access to the SIPR net was limited to one machine. Now, multiple pieces of equipment can access NIPR and SIPR Nets simultaneously.
In addition to setting up standard voice and data capabilities for the task force, the communications team faced the challenge of a holdup in obtaining a frequency agreement that would allow the SWAN D v3 to operate in the new area of activity. During the interim, a team of two junior Marines created and executed a plan to increase communications capabilities while decreasing the cost of operations.
Corporals Matthew Gill and Francis Fiskey, both data Marines with 4th MARDIV, suggested that instead of using air cards (which provide internet access) contracted with an expensive carrier within the continental United States, the team work with local facilities to provide cheap, reliable, easily renewable internet services.
The Marines purchased several air cards at their own expense, then attached each card to a server, and multiplied each signal for use on several machines.
“They said, ‘Gunny, do you trust us to fix this situation?’” said Wallace. “And I asked them what they needed. We went out and they purchased air cards, a small hub and minor tools we would need. They paid out of their own pockets because they wanted to try it without any delays. It started out as an intranet, and once that was established, they bettered the network by sharing out their air cards to other machines.”
The implementation of the idea allows the Marines to control their own bandwidth and the number of people who access it at one time, according to Gill, a reserve Marine with a degree in computer science from South Eastern Louisiana University.
“We can use our personal computers equipped with CAC card software to go into outlook web access and work from there,” Wallace said. “It’s not exactly the same as using NMCI because we do lose a few capabilities, but it does the job.”
In addition to getting the job done, and providing wider, more reliable coverage and support than previously available, the idea saves the Marine Corps tens of thousands of dollars.
Communications capabilities for one air card contracted with the current state-side carrier costs the Marine Corps an average $4,000 per work hour, multiplied by four cards being used an average of nine hours a day for the 48-day span of the exercise. The cost of the new method is only a small fraction of the final numbers associated with the previous tack. Each local air card costs only $41 each month, and includes unlimited use.
“This is really impressive,” said Brig. Gen. James M. Lariviere, commander of 4th Marine Division. “It’s a good example of having some smart young Marines who can flip a problem and come up with a good solution.”
Wallace, a reserve Marine with 15 years of active duty time, also praised the performance of his Marines as they not only creatively met challenges, but also performed everyday operations well and mentored junior Marines.
“They have done above and beyond what I have asked them to,” said Wallace. “I’m very pleased. The non-commissioned officers are creating opportunities for the junior Marines to grow, and teaching them never to settle for the basics, but to go farther. They have big goals, and the junior Marines are not just watching, they’re learning, taking the initiative, and assisting the best they can.”
A high level of motivation is not hard to maintain when a Marine enjoys his or her work, according to Gettys.
“This job is challenging and rewarding,” said Gettys. “The communications field is constantly developing and changing. It’s changed incredibly even during the past few years. You’re definitely a specialist in this job, and have to focus on growing professionally. The equipment has become more difficult to program, but the capabilities have become greater as well.”
According to Gettys, the field progresses faster than nearly any other specialty in the Marine Corps
“It progresses faster because electronics progress faster than just about any job in the civilian world as well,” he said. “It’s different every day.”
AFRICAN LION is designed to promote interoperability and mutual understanding of each nation’s military tactics, techniques and procedures. The exercise is scheduled to end on or around June 9. All U.S. forces will return to their home bases in the United States and Europe at the conclusion of the exercise.
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