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JTAGS Detachments Update-New Commanders, Objective Systems

by Mr. Ed White, DSN 692-8899, whitee@spacecmd.army.mil

Changes of command in the Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) detachments in Europe and the Pacific occurred in December and January.

Capt. Artie Williams assumed command of the JTAGS-Europe Detachment on December 17, 1996, after an assignment as Battalion Logistics Officer with 5/7 Air Defense Artillery (PATRIOT). Williams, a native of Arlington, Texas, is a graduate of Texas A&M University and received his commission in 1989. He held positions from Fire Control Platoon Leader through Battery Commander in PATRIOT and PATRIOT-HAWK units and was Tactical Director in Task Force 2-1 ADA (PATRIOT-HAWK) during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

Williams holds a BA degree in engineering and is a graduate of the Air Defense Artillery Basic and Advanced courses; Patriot Weapons Course; Nuclear, Biological, Chemical School; Air Ground Operations School and Airborne School.

The European Detachment will be first to receive the objective JTAGS in February 1997. The upgraded objective system will provide enhanced early warning of missile launches through direct downlink from satellite systems. The JTAGS prototypes have supported Commander-in-Chiefs (CINCs) in both the European and Asian theaters since 1995.

Navy Lt. Sandra Jamshidi assumed command of the JTAGS-Pacific Detachment in Korea on January 9, 1997. Jamshidi, a native of Rome, Georgia, enlisted in 1982, specializing as an ocean systems technician for a year before being accepted by the Naval Academy on a vice presidential nomination in 1984. Her first challenge as Detachment Commander will be to field the objective JTAGS mid-year 1997.

Jamshidi's previous assignments include service aboard the oiler USS Cimarron as Assistant Operations Officer and Main Propulsion Assistant. She deployed with the Cimarron to Southwest Asia in support of Desert Shield. During her three-year tour on the ship, she qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer. Jamshidi transferred to the Naval Postgraduate School, serving as Special Security Officer for two-and-a-half years, followed by a transfer to the Fleet Support Officer designator prior to enrolling in the Space Systems Operations curriculum. She graduated with a master of science degree in September 1996.