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| The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Army Navy/Tactical Satellite Communications Terminal-93B (AN/TSC-93) van, part of the Joint Task Force Enabler package, is the MEU's primary link to the world. Photo by SSgt. Marcus D. McAllister (high resolution photos attached at end of article.) |
By SSgt. Marcus D. McAllister
FORT A. P. HILL, Va. (Feb. 1) -- Successfully providing all forms of communications to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is all in a day's work for the Joint Task Force (JTF) Enabler Section.
This package, which provides everything from classified e-mail and internet access to telephone services, is part of the MEU's Command Element and played an integral part in supporting the unit's first pre-deployment training exercise. What makes the JTF Enabler unique is its mobility and speed in which it can provide communication.
"Six to 12 hours is the window, six hours for initial services and 12 hours for the complete package to be up and running," said Capt. Robert H. Denckhoff, the Enabler Section's Officer in Charge.
The need for this a forward deployed communications package was established in late 1995 when U.S. Forces were ready to deploy into Bosnia. A Marine communication contingency team was ordered to deploy in support of the Joint Task Force. The inability to field a communication team in a timely manner revealed a weakness in II MEF's command and control assets.
According to MSgt. Harold G. Robinson, 26th MEU's JTF Enabler Section Chief, developing a mobile, quick reaction package meant streamlining the existing 22 Marine communication contingency team.
"8th [Communications] Battalion looked at the needs of the MEU commander and what capabilities they could provide for him in a package small enough to [deploy with] a MEU," said the Windsor, Vt. native.
That meant the package in development had to be designed around existing systems and also be small enough to allow for embarkation aboard Amphibious Ready Group shipping. Within five months the 26th MEU deployed with a new streamlined package; this would be the first JTF Enabler in the Marine Corps. Since it's first deployment the system has justified its $1.5 million price tag, which includes vehicles, generators, computers, network servers, telephones and tents.
Prior to the Enabler's development, the MEU was restricted to single channel radios and limited data transfer, now communication moves at a combined speed of 1.024 megabytes per second. This high-speed transfer is possible through a network that begins in Germany and ends wherever the MEU is deployed. The network can be described as working much like many small streams that flow into one large river, with each body of water representing a different type of information. The combined bodies of water then flow into a single pipe where the Enabler in turn distributes that water to the computers and telephones of the MEU.
The flow of information from the MEU follows the exact same route back to Germany and then onto the United States. A vital part of this system is the Army Navy/Tactical Satellite Communications Terminal-93B (AN/TSC-93) van and it's satellite dish. Without the ability to send or receive signals through the AN/TSC-93 and it's satellite dish no communication would be possible.
While all of this technology is vital to a MEU or JTF commander, it would be useless without the Marines who set-up and maintain the Enabler. Seven different Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs) are represented within the section, each with specific duties. For example, the FCC-100 multiplexer/demultiplexer, which allows the various data to be combined and split into different streams, is maintained by the Tech Controller. He ensures that each port is properly set to receive a specific rate of information. The Data Systems Operators must ensure the computer servers are set-up and the proper Internet protocol (IP) addresses are built for each computer that will be used while deployed. While each Marine must learn their specific job within the Enabler team, additional technical cross-training is imperative.
"Although we all have different MOSs, if the Tech Controller can't do his job for any reason, another Marine in the section has to be familiar enough with the FCC-100 to take over. It doesn't matter what their MOS is," said SSgt. John D. Clark, a native of Mesa, Ariz. and the JTF Enabler's Tech Controller.
This teamwork must form the moment a new Marine joins the Enabler crew, noted Robinson. When new Marines come to the Enabler Section, they first learn about the Enabler through "Grass Drills." These drills teach the Marines how the system is unloaded, put together and then packed again.
"I was there when the Enabler was created, I've seen first hand the evolution of the package. Now having the ability to deploy with that package, see it work and provide those services, I love it," said Robinson.
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