Published: December 10, 2008
New Communications Tower Proves Vital Component
By Sgt. Jason Dangel
4th CAB PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Signal Soldiers from the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, completed a project recently that will greatly enhance brigade radio communications capabilities throughout Iraq.
With the completion of a new 55 feet communications tower project at the brigade's Tactical Operations Center on Camp Taji in late November, high-quality radio frequency modulation is now available to all "Iron Eagle" Soldiers regardless of geographical location.
"As our battalions spread out to different locations away from our brigade tactical operations center, we saw an increase of latency and degradation in our FM radio communications - in some instances, even on the same (Forward Operating Base)," explained Master Sgt. William Carty, brigade communications noncommissioned officer-in-charge, 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div.
Master Sgt. William Carty (left), from Lubbock, Texas; Staff Sgt. Lyndon Lee, from Shiner, Texas; Spc. Michael Ruiz from Oklahoma City, Pfc. Kyle Albert from Maineville, Ohio; Sgt. Rashon Johnson, from Newark, N.J.; and Warrant Officer 1 Kevin Pfanstiel, from Glen Burnie, Md., all members of the brigade communications section, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, stand in front of the 55-foot communication tower they completed at the "Iron Eagle" brigade's Tactical Operations Center at Camp Taji.
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"This problem did not exist in the past because the preceding units were all co-located and didn't have the massive area of responsibility that we do," he continued. "Our brigade has aviation support responsibilities for both Multi-National Corps - Iraq and Multi-National Division - Baghdad, so it is essential that our communications be up to par to enable us to perform our mission successfully."
It was determined a fixed communications tower was needed after the completion of a lengthy terrain imagery analysis in September. The analysis indicated problems associated with the battalion TOCs and their geographical locations.
The analysis confirmed numerous "dead spots," or areas radio signals cannot travel, which prompted the brigade communications team to find an answer to the problem, Carty said.
After a detailed pricing evaluation, the project was estimated to cost more than $250,000; however, due to the expedient nature in which the project had to be completed, Carty and his team of Soldiers could not wait for funding approval. They decided to explore other options that were readily available to them at Camp Taji.
Master Sgt. William Carty (left), brigade communications noncommissioned officer-in-charge, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, along with his team of Soldiers, stands in front of a newly constructed 55-foot radio tower outside the "Iron Eagle" brigade's Tactical Operation Center at Camp Taji. With the completion of the tower, high quality radio frequency modulation is now available to all "Iron Eagle" Soldiers regardless of geographical location. The master sergeant, who hails from Lubbock, Texas, and his crew were able to construct the tower with materials left behind by redeploying units at virtually no cost to the brigade. The project was originally estimated to cost more than $250,000.
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Luck prevailed shortly after the search ensued as Carty and his team quickly acquired a used radio tower and several COM-231 Very High Frequency microwave radio antennas that were left behind by a redeploying unit.
Additional supplies required to complete the project, such as cables and antenna mounts, were obtained through the Communications and Electronics Command Reutilization Yard at Camp Taji.
"We were able to complete the tower project with no funds from or charged to the brigade - a remarkable achievement considering the amount of time we had to complete its construction," Carty said.
From the inception of an idea to the construction of a project worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, the signal Soldiers completed the tower in just over three months. The new 55-foot "Iron Eagle" radio tower has already proven its worth during its short existence.
"From the pilot's perspective, this retransmission capability is absolutely critical to the communications architecture of the battalion as the MND-B (operational environment) expands," said Maj. John Cochran, executive officer, 4th Bn, 4th CAB, from Los Angeles.
The new tower provides rapid communications between both air and ground units that will enable ground maneuver elements throughout MND-B to call for air support more efficiently, he said.
"The bottom line is this; the tower is a true combat multiplier, linking sensor to shooter and ground element to Air Weapons Team 24/7."
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